Operation; Maintain Control - Craftsman 172.34120 Operator's Manual

ADDiTiONAL RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION cont.
Z_ WARNING:
Follow all safety rules to help prevent Kickback which can
cause serious personal injury.
KICKBACK
]
1. KICKBACK is the backward, upward or sudden forward motion of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the upper tip of the guide bar contacts any object such as a tog or
branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign object
in the wood can also result in toss of chain saw control.
2. ROTATIONAL KICKBACK can occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper
tip of the guide bar. This contact can cause the chain to dig into the object, which stops the
chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar
up and back toward the operator.
3. PINCH=KICKBACK can occur when the wood closes in and pinches the moving saw chain
in the cut along the top of the guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden
stopping of the chain results in a reversal of the chain force used to cut wood and causes the
saw to move in the opposite direction of the chain rotation. The saw is driven straight back
toward the operator.
4. PULL-IN can occur when the moving chain contacts a foreign object in the wood in the cut
along the bottom of the guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden
stopping pulls the saw forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the
operator to lose control of the saw.
HELP PREVENT KICKBACK
1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can
reduce the element of surprise which contributes to accidents.
2. Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar.
3. Keep working area free from obstructions such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences,
stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while cutting.
4. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact another branch or other objects
around it.
5. Keep saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance
of kickback. Follow manufacturer's chain sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals, but never with engine running. Make sure bar clamp nuts are
securely tightened.
6. Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greater chance of kickback occurring.
7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a cut.
ADDiTiONAL RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION cont.
HELP PREVENT KICKBACK cont.
8. Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
9. Watch for shifting logs or other objects that could close a cut and pinch or fall onto chain.
10. Use the specified Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low Kickback Chain.
AVOID PINCH-KiCKBACK
1. Be extremely aware of situations or obstructions that can cause
material to pinch the top of or otherwise stop the chain.
2. Do not cut more than one tog at a time.
3. Do not twist the saw as the bar is withdrawn from an undercut when bucking.
AVOID PULL-IN
1. Always begin cutting with the saw at full speed and the saw housing against wood.
2. Use wedges made of plastic or wood. Never use metal to hold the cut open.
i _ WARNING:
Follow all safety rules to help prevent Kickback
which can cause serious personal injury.
i
MAiNTAiN CONTROL
AWARNING:
STAND TO THE
o =.w
underside ___.,jL_._
of handlebar___ _. /
/ -
AWARNING: ....
NEVER _'\ '
HAND Elbow
POSITIONS
ii
1. A good, firm grip on the saw with both hands will help you maintain control. Don't let go.
Grip the rear handle with your right hand whether you are right or left handed. Wrap the
fingers of your left hand over and around the front handlebar, and your left thumb under
the front handlebar. Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked.
2. Position your left hand on the front handlebar so it is in a straight line with your right
hand on the rear handle when making bucking cuts. Stand slightly to the left side of the
saw to keep your body from being in a direct line with the cutting chain.
3. Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet.
4. Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown off balance and lose control.
5. Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult to maintain control of saw above shoulder height.
3/I 4/I 2
Final ART
lO 11