Makita XCU08 Instruction Manual page 6

8. Use extreme caution when cutting brush
and saplings. The slender material may
catch the saw chain and be whipped toward
you or pull you off balance.
9. Carry the chain saw by the front handle
with the chain saw switched off and
away from your body. When transporting
or storing the chain saw always fit the
guide bar cover. Proper handling of the
chain saw will reduce the likelihood of acci-
dental contact with the moving saw chain.
10. Follow instructions for lubricating, chain
tensioning and changing accessories.
Improperly tensioned or lubricated chain
may either break or increase the chance for
kickback.
11. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from
oil and grease. Greasy, oily handles are
slippery causing loss of control.
12. Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for
purposes not intended. For example:
do not use chain saw for cutting plastic,
masonry or non-wood building mate-
rials. Use of the chain saw for operations
different than intended could result in a
hazardous situation.
13. Causes and operator prevention of
kickback:
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 sudden reverse reaction, kick-
ing 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 con-
trol of the saw which could result in serious
personal injury. 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.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or
incorrect operating procedures or conditions
and can be avoided by taking proper pre-
cautions as given below:
• Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs
and fingers encircling the chain saw
handles, with both hands on the saw
and position your body and arm to
allow you to resist kickback forces.
Kickback forces can be controlled by
the operator, if proper precautions are
taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
• Do not overreach and do not cut
above shoulder height. This helps
prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chain saw
in unexpected situations.
• Only use replacement bars and
chains specified by the manufac-
turer. Incorrect replacement bars and
chains may cause chain breakage and/
or kickback.
Follow the manufacturer's sharp-
•
ening and maintenance instruc-
tions for the saw chain. Decreasing
the depth gauge height can lead to
increased kickback.
14. Before starting work, check that the
chain saw is in proper working order
and that its condition complies with the
safety regulations. Check in particular
that:
• The chain brake is working properly;
• The run-down brake is working
properly;
• The bar and the sprocket cover are
fitted correctly;
• The chain has been sharpened and
tensioned in accordance with the
regulations.
15. Do not start the chain saw with the
chain cover being installed on it. Starting
the chain saw with the chain cover being
installed on it may cause the chain cover
to thrown out forward resulting in personal
injury and damage to objects around the
operator.
Additional Safety Warnings:
1. When using the tool with battery adapter,
be careful not to trip over the cord during
operation.
When using the tool with battery adapter,
2.
keep the cord away from obstacles such
as a workpiece and branches during
operation. The cord caught by obstacles
may cause serious injury.
6 ENGLISH