Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback - DeWalt DCCS672 Instruction Manual

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e ) Wear eye protection. Further protective
equipment for hearing, head, hands, legs and feet
is recommended. Adequate protective equipment will
reduce personal injury from flying debris or accidental
contact with the saw chain.
f ) Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder,
from a rooftop, or any unstable support. Operation
of a chain saw in this manner could result in serious
personal injury.
g ) Always keep proper footing and operate the chain
saw only when standing on fixed, secure and level
surface. Slippery or unstable surfaces may cause a loss
of balance or control of the chain saw.
h ) When cutting a limb that is under tension, be
alert for spring back. When the tension in the wood
fibers is released, the spring loaded limb may strike the
operator and/or throw the chain saw out of control.
i ) Use extreme caution when cutting brush and
saplings. The slender material may catch the
saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you
off balance.
j ) 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 scabbard. Proper handling
of the chain saw will reduce the likelihood of accidental
contact with the moving saw chain.
k ) Follow instructions for lubricating, chain
tensioning and changing the bar and chain.
Improperly tensioned or lubricated chain may either
break or increase the chance for kickback.
l ) 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 materials. Use of the chain saw for
operations different than intended could result in a
hazardous situation.
m ) Do not attempt to fell a tree until you have an
understanding of the risks and how to avoid
them. Serious injury could occur to the operator or
bystanders while felling a tree.
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, kicking 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 control 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.
6
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below:
a ) 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.
b ) 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.
c ) Only use replacement bars and chains specified
by the manufacturer. Incorrect replacement bars and
chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
d ) Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to
increased kickback.
The Following Precautions Should Be
Followed to Minimize Kickback:
1 . Grip saw firmly. Hold the chain saw firmly with both
hands when the motor is running. Use a firm grip
with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw
handles. Chain saw will pull forward when cutting on the
bottom edge of the bar, and push backward when cutting
along the top edge of the bar.
2 . Do not over reach.
3 . Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
4 . Don't let the nose of the guide bar contact a log,
branch, ground or other obstruction.
5 . Don't cut above shoulder height.
6 . Use devices such as low kickback chain and reduced
kickback guide bars that reduce the risks associated
with kickback.
7 . Only use replacement bars and chains specified by
the manufacturer or the equivalent.
8 . Never let the moving chain contact any object at the
tip of the guide bar.
9 . Keep the 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 you are cutting through a particular log
or branch.
10 . Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned.
A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of
kickback. Check tension at regular intervals with the
motor stopped and tool unplugged, never with the
motor running.
11 . Begin and continue cutting only with the chain
moving at full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower
speed, there is a greater chance for kickback to occur.
12 . Cut one log at a time.