Kickback Safety Features - Craftsman 172.34120 Operator's Manual

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Final ART
ADDITIONAL RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION cont.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
Z_ WARNING: The following features are included on your saw to help
reduce hazard of kickback; however, such features will not totally eliminate this
danger. Do not rely only on safety devices. Follow all safety rules to help avoid
kickback and other forces which can result in serious injury.
1. Hand Guard: designed to reduce the chance of your left hand contacting the chain
if your hand slips off the front handlebar.
2. Position of Front and Rear Handle Bars AVOID KICKBACK: designed with distance
between handles and "in-line" with each other. The spread and "in-line" position of the hands
provided by this design work together to give balance and resistance in controlling the pivot
of the saw back toward the operator if kick back occurs.
3. Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar: designed with a small radius tip which reduces the size of the
kickback danger zone on the bar tip, see Fig. A below. This type of bar has been demonstrated
to significantly reduce the number and seriousness of kickbacks when tested in accordance
with ANSI B175.1.
Reduced Fig. A
Kickback Guide Bar
t Small Radius
Tip Guide Bar
_" L.argeRadius
Low Kickback Chain Fig. B
_ Contoured Depth Gauge
Elongated Guard Link
deflects kickback force
and allows wood to
gradually ride into cutter
4. Low Kickback Chain has met kickback performance requirements when tested on the
representative sample of these chain saws specified in ANSI B175.1. See Fig. B above.
z_ CAUTION: Do not use a replacement saw chain unless: a.) It has been designated
as meeting the ANSI B175 kickback performance requirements on that specific power head;
b.) It has been designated as "Low- Kickback" saw chain in accordance with ANSI B175.1; or
c.) It is the saw manufacturer's replacement catalogue (or equivalent) number.
CHAIN BRAKE (Built-in, Automatic and Manual Systems) See page 21, Figs. 8-9
1. Chain Brake: This Chain Saw is designed to stop tile chain in the event of kickback.
Both built-in, Automatic and Manual Chain Brake Systems reduce kick-back.
z_ WARNING: WE DO NOT REPRESENT AND YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT
THE CHAIN BRAKE WILL PROTECT YOU IN THE EVENT OF A KICKBACK. Kickback
is a lightning fast action which throws the bar and rotating chain back and up toward the
operator. Kickback can be caused by allowing contact of the bar tip in the danger zone with
any hard object. Kickback can also be caused by pinching the saw chain along the top of the
guide bar. This action may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these
events may cause you to lose control of the saw which could result in serious injury or even
death. DO NOT RELY UPON ANY OF THE SAFETY DEVICES BUILT INTO YOUR SAW.
YOU SHOULD USE THE SAW PROPERLY AND CAREFULLY TO AVOID KICKBACK.
Reduced-Kickback guide bars and low-kickback saw chains reduce the chance and magnitude
of kickback and are recommended. Your saw has a low kickback chain and bar as original
equipment. Repairs on a chain brake should be made by a qualified service dealer or repair
center. Take your unit to the place of purchase if purchased from a servicing dealer,
or to your nearest qualified service dealer or repair center.
ADDITIONAL RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION cont.
CHAIN BRAKE cont.
2. PUSH hand guard forward to activate the chain brake MANUALLY.
RELEASE the trigger switch to activate chain brake AUTOMATICALLY.
IMPORTANT: Please see page 21, figures 8 and 9 for detailed instructions.
z_ WARNING:
• Tip contact in some cases may cause a lightning fast REACTION,
kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator.
• Pinching the saw chain along the tip 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 injury. Do not rely exclusively upon devices built into your saw.
z_ CAUTION: Exposure to vibrations through prolonged use of hand tools could
cause blood vessel or nerve damage in the fingers, hands, and joints of people
prone to circulation disorders or abnormal swelling. Prolonged use in cold weather
has been linked to blood vessel damage in otherwise healthy people. If symptoms
occur such as numbness, pain, loss of strength, change in skin color or texture, or
loss of feeling in the fingers, hands, or joints, discontinue the use of this tool and
seek medical attention. An anti-vibration system does not guarantee the avoidance
of these problems. Users who operate power tools on a continual and regular basis
must closely monitor their physical condition and the condition of this tool.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. Refer to them frequently and use them to instruct others
who may use this tool. If someone borrows this tool, make sure they have these instructions also.
1. The Chain Saw comes fully assembled, including the Chain/Chain Bar Assembly.
2. Included is an extra Chain.
3. Remove the Chain Saw from the carton. Inspect your Chain Saw.
4. Do not discard box or packing material until all parts are examined.
5. Remove Plastic Protective Chain and Bar Cover before use.
NOTE: Chain and Bar Oil is not included. BEFORE using this Chain Saw,
do not forget to purchase Craftsman Bar & Chain Oil, SAE30.
i
z_ WARNING:
If any part of the Chain Saw is missing or damaged, do not connect !
the Chain Saw to the power source until the damaged part is repaired or replaced.
!
Fig 1.
Extra Chain Included
12 13