6
Safety precautions for chain saw operators
While operating the chain saw please observe the
following rules:
a) Contact of the guide bar nose with any object
should be avoided.
b) Tip contact may cause the guide bar to move
suddenly upward and backward, which may
cause serious or fatal injury.
c) Always operate the chain saw with both hands.
WARNING!
Read and follow all safety precautions in the owner’s
manual. Failure to follow instructions could result in
serious injury. It is recommended to lend the chain
saw only to people who are experienced in working
with chain saws. Always hand over the Operator’s
and Safety Manual.
WARNING!
This chain saw is capable of severe kickback that
could result in serious injury to the operator. Do
not operate this chain saw unless you have ex-
traordinary cutting needs and experience in and
special training for dealing with kickback. Chain
saws with signicantly reduced kickback potential
are available.
WARNING!
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.
This contact may abruptly stop the saw chain and
in some cases may cause a lightning fast reverse
reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards
the user, or push the guide bar back towards the
operator. Kickback may cause you to lose control
of the saw.
As a chain saw user, you can take several steps to
reduce the risk of a kickback and potential injury.
A. With a basic understanding of kickback, you
can reduce or eliminate the element of sur-
prise. It is a sudden surprise that contributes
to accidents.
B. Keep a good rm grip on the saw with both
hands, your right hand on the rear grip and
your left hand on the tubular handle, when the
engine is running. Use a rm grip with thumbs
and ngers encircling the chain saw handles. A
rm grip can neutralize kickback and help you
maintain control of the saw. Don’t let go!
C. Make sure that the area in which you are cut
-
ting is free from obstructions. Do not let the
nose of the guide bar contact the log, branch,
or any other obstructions which could be hit
while you are operating the saw.
D. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder
height.
E. Follow manufacturer’s sharpening and main-
tenance instructions for the saw chain.
F. Only use replacement bars and chains speci-
ed by the manufacturer or the equivalent.
Additional safety precautions
The following additional safety precautions must be
observed by all users of chain saws:
1. Do not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued.
2. Use safety footwear; snug-tting clothing; protec
-
tive gloves; and eye, hearing, and head protection
devices.
3. Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain
saw at least 10 feet (3 m) from the fueling point
before starting the engine.
4. Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw
when starting or cutting with the chain saw. Keep
bystanders and animals out of the work area.
5. Do not start cutting until you have a clear work
area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path
from the falling tree.
6. Keep all parts of your body away from the saw
chain when the engine is running.
7. Before you start the engine, make sure that the
saw chain is not contacting anything.
8. Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the
guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the mufer
away from your body.
9. Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged,
is improperly adjusted, or is not completely and
securely assembled. Be sure that the saw chain
stops moving when the throttle control trigger is
released.
10. Shut off the engine before setting it down.
11. Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush
and saplings because slender material may catch
the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull
you off balance.
12. When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert
for springback so that you will not be struck when
the tension on the wood bers is released.
13. Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel
mixture.
14. Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated
areas.
15. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you
have been specically trained to do so.
16. All chain saw service, other than the items listed
in the operator’s manual maintenance instructions,
should be performed by MAKITA. (For example,
if improper tools are used to remove the ywheel
or if an improper tool is used to hold the ywheel
in order to remove the clutch structural damage to
the ywheel could occur and could subsequently
cause the ywheel to burst.)
17. When transporting your chain saw, use the chain
protection cover.
18. Low kickback bars and low kickback chains are
designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. Ask
your MAKITA dealer about these devices.