RIDGID R01101 Operator's Manual page 12

CHAINSAW SAFETY WARNINGS
 Store chainsaw when not charging or when not in use.
Chainsaw should be stored in a dry and high or locked
area out of the reach of children. When storing chainsaw
place the guide bar cover on the bar and chain.
 Use this product only with batteries and chargers listed in
tool/appliance/battery pack/charger correlation supple-
ment 988000-302.
 Battery operated units do not have to be plugged into an
electrical outlet; therefore, they are always in operating
condition. Be aware of possible hazards even when unit
is not operating.
 Remove the battery pack from the chainsaw when not
charging and before cleaning, servicing, storing, removing
material from the unit, changing accessories such as the
bar and chain, or when not in use.
 Never use water or any liquids to clean or rinse off your
product and do not expose the product to rain or wet
conditions. Store indoors in a dry area. Corrosive liquids,
water, and chemicals can enter the product's electronic
components and/or battery compartment and damage
electronic components and/or the battery pack, which
can result in a short circuit, increased risk of fire, and
serious personal injury. Remove any buildup of dirt and
debris by wiping the product clean with a dry cloth oc-
casionally.
KICKBACK
See Figures 2 - 5.
WARNING:
Kickback may occur when the moving chain
contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip
of the guide bar or when the wood closes in and
pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the
upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause
the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain
for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse
reaction which kicks the guide bar up and 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 injury. Do not rely exclu-
sively upon the safety devices built into the saw. As
a chainsaw user, you should take several steps to
keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
 The following precautions should be followed to mini-
mize kickback:
• Always grip the saw firmly with both hands. Hold the
saw firmly with both hands when the unit is running.
Place your right hand on the rear handle and your left
hand on the front handle with your thumbs and fingers
encircling the chainsaw handles. A firm grip together
with a stiff left arm will help you maintain control of the
saw if kickback occurs.
• 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, fence, or any other obstruction
that could be hit while you are operating the saw.
• Always cut with the unit running at full speed. Fully
squeeze the throttle trigger and maintain a steady cut-
ting speed.
• Use replacement parts such as low kickback chain,
chain brakes and special guide bars that reduce the
risks associated with rotational kickback. Use only
the replacement guide bars and low kickback chains
specified by the manufacturer for the saw.
 With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise
contributes to accidents.
 Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all
times.
 Do not cut above chest height or overreach when cutting.
Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch,
ground, or any other obstruction while you are operating
the unit.
 Follow the sharpening and maintenance instructions for
the saw chain.
 Push and Pull – This reaction force is always opposite to
the direction the chain is moving where wood contact is
made. Thus, the operator must be ready to control the
PULL when cutting on the bottom edge of the bar, and
PUSH when cutting along the top edge. See Figures 4 - 5.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHAINSAW
SAFETY DEVICES
LOW KICKBACK SAW CHAIN
The rakers (depth gauges) ahead of each cutter can minimize
the force of a kickback reaction by preventing the cutters
from digging in too deeply at the kickback zone. Only use
replacement chain that is equivalent to original chain or has
been certified as low kickback chain per ANSI B175.1.
Low kickback saw chain is chain that has met the kickback
performance requirements of ANSI B175.1 – 2012 (Ameri-
can National Standard for Power Tools – Gasoline-Powered
Chainsaws-Safety Requirements) when tested on the rep-
resentative sample of chainsaws below 3.8 c.i.d. specified
in ANSI B175.1 - 2012.
As saw chains are sharpened during their useful life, they
lose some of the low kickback qualities and extra caution
should be used.
6 — English