Echo Pole Pruner - Manual (Page 8)

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Do not attempt to start or operate your pole saw until you have
carefully read and completely understand your Operator’s and
Safety Manuals. Locate, understand and follow the warning decals
on your pole saw. Be familiar with the controls and the proper use
of the unit. Know how to shut the unit off. Failure to follow these
warnings can result in serious injury or death.
Kickback Safety Precaution for Pole Saw Users
KICKBACK may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar
touches an object, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw
chain in the cut. Tip contact in some cases may cause a lightning-
fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the
operator (this is called a rotational kickback). Pinching the saw chain
along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back
toward the operator (this is called a linear kickback). Either of these
reactions may cause you to lose control of the unit, which could
result in serious injury.
Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your pole saw.
As a pole saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting
jobs free from accident or injury.
• With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate
the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
Understand that rotational kickback is preventable by keeping an
unshielded guide bar nose from touching an object or the ground.
• Do not operate a pole saw with one hand! This can result in the pole
saw “skating” or skidding, which can result in personal injury due to
loss of control. Serious injury to the operator, helpers or bystanders
may result from one-handed operation. For proper control, always
use two hands when operating a pole saw.
• Keep a good firm grip on the pole saw with both hands, with the right
hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle, when
the engine or motor is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and
fingers encircling the pole saw handles and grips. A firm grip will
help you reduce kickback and maintain control of the pole saw. Don’t
let go.
• Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstruc-
tions. Do not let the unshielded guide bar nose contact a log, branch,
or any other obstruction while you are operating the unit.
• Normally cutting at high engine speeds will reduce the likelihood of
kickback. However, cutting at part-throttle or low engine speeds may
be preferable to control the pole saw in tight situations and may also
reduce the likelihood of kickback.
WARNING DANGER
WARNING DANGER
WARNING DANGER
WARNING DANGER