Poulan 3300 - Manual (Page 3)

SPECIAL SAFETY SECTION
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious
Injury.
Do not rely only on the safety deifices pro­
vided with your saw. As a chain saw user, you must take
special safety precautions to help keep yourcutting jobs
free from accident or injury.
ikKICKBACK WARNING
Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts
an object atthe upper portion of the tipof theguide bar
or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain
InthecutContactattheuppwportlonofthetipofthe
guidebarcan causethe chain to dig into the object and
stop the chain for an instant. The resuit is a lightning
fyst, reverse reaction which Mcks theguidebarupand
back toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched
along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be
driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of
these reactions can cause loss of saw control
which
can result In serious infury.
Figure 2
NEVER
REVERSE
HAND
POSITIONS
LEFT HAND
RIGHT
HAND
STAND
TO THE
LEFT OF
THE SAW
ELBOW
LOCKED
^ii^THUMB ON
UNDER SIDE
OF HANDLEBAR
REDUCING KICKBACK
1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
the
element of surprise which contributes to
accidents.
2. Neverletthemovingchaincontactanyobjectatthe
tip of the guide bar. Figure 1.
3. Keep the working area free from obstructions
such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences,
stumps, etc.
Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you
are cutting through a particular log or branch.
4. Keep your saw chain sharp and properly ten­
sioned. Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening and
maintenance instructions. Check tension at regular
intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine
running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely
tightened after tensioning the chain. A loose or dull
chain can increase the chance of kickback.
5. Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If the
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater
chance for kickback to occur.
6. Cut only one log at a time.
7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a cut.
8. Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into the chain.
10. Use only the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
MAINTAINING CONTROL
1,
2 .
Figure 3
3.
5.
6 .
Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands
when the engine Is running and don’t let go.
Figure 3. A firm grip can neutralize kickback and
help you maintain control of the saw. Keep the
fingers of your left hand encircling and your left
thumb uncler the front handlebar. Keep your right
hand completely around the rear handle whether
you are right handed or left handed. Keep your left
arm straight with the elbow locked.
Position your left hand on the front handlebar so it
is in a straight iine with you r right hand on the rear
handie when making bucking cuts.
Figure 3. Never
reverse right and left hand positions for any type of
cutting. ,
Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
Stand slightly to the ieft side of the saw, to keep
your body from being in a direct line with the
cutting Chain.
Figure 3.
Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown
off balance and lose control of the saw.
Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult to
maintain control of the saw above shoulder height.