Makita XCU06 Instruction Manual page 5

Cordless Chain saw safety warnings
Keep all parts of the body away from the
1.
saw chain when the chain saw is operat-
ing. Before you start the chain saw, make
sure the saw chain is not contacting any-
thing. A moment of inattention while operat-
ing chain saws may cause entanglement of
your clothing or body with the saw chain.
2. Always hold the chain saw with your
right hand on the top handle and your
left hand on the front handle. Holding the
chain saw with a reversed hand configura-
tion increases the risk of personal injury and
should never be done.
3. Hold the power tool by insulated gripping
surfaces only, because the saw chain
may contact hidden wiring. Saw chains
contacting a "live" wire may make exposed
metal parts of the power tool "live" and could
give the operator an electric shock.
4. Wear safety glasses and hearing protec-
tion. Further protective equipment for head,
hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Adequate protective clothing will reduce
personal injury by flying debris or accidental
contact with the saw chain.
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree.
5.
Operation of a chain saw while up in a tree
may result in personal injury.
6. Always keep proper footing and operate
the chain saw only when standing on
fixed, secure and level surface. Slippery
or unstable surfaces such as ladders may
cause a loss of balance or control of the
chain saw.
7. When cutting a limb that is under tension
be alert for spring back. When the tension
in the wood fibres is released the spring
loaded limb may strike the operator and/or
throw the chain saw out of control.
Use extreme caution when cutting brush
8.
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.
5 ENGLISH