Echo CS-352 - Manual (Page 4)

4 CS-352
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
Kickback Safety Precautions for Chain Saw Users
Rotational kickback
Chain moving downward at contact
Rotational kickback
Kickback Danger
Zone
Pinch
Kickback
1. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise
contributes to accidents.
2. Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands, the
right hand on the rear handle, and the left hand on the
front handle, when the engine is running. Use a firm grip
with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles.
A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain
control of the saw. Don’t let go.
3. Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free
from obstructions.
Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log,
branch, or any other obstruction which could be hit while
you are operating the saw.
4. Cut at high engine speeds.
5. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
6. Follow manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
7. Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
warning!
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 towards the
operator. Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide
bar may push the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the
saw which could result in serious personal injury.
The Kick Guard ® device is not installed on the guide bar when
you purchase your ECHO chain saw. The Kick Guard ® can be
used in a majority of cutting operations, and is especially rec-
ommended for beginners, homeowners, or chain saw novices.
Most cutting operations can be accomplished with the Kick
Guard ® in place.
Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your
saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to
keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.