Toro Flex-Force Power System 88714 Operator's Manual page 6

VI. Pole saw safety
1. Keep all parts of the body away from the
saw chain. Do not remove cut material or
hold material to be cut when the saw chain
is moving. Make sure the switch is off and
the battery disconnected when clearing
jammed material. Saw chain continues to
move after the switch is turned off. Before
you start the pole saw, make sure the saw
chain is not contacting anything. A moment
of inattention while operating pole saws may
cause entanglement of your clothing or body
with the saw chain.
2. Carry the pole saw by the handle with the
saw chain stopped. When transporting or
storing the pole saw, always fit the saw chain
device cover. Proper handling of the pole saw
will reduce possible personal injury from the saw
chain.
3. Hold the power tool by insulated gripping
surfaces only, because the saw chain may
contact hidden wiring. Saw chains contacting
a "live" wire may make exposed metal parts of
the power tool "live" and could give the operator
an electric shock.
4. Do not use the pole saw in bad weather
conditions, especially when there is a risk
of lightning. This decreases the risk of being
struck by lightning.
5. To reduce the risk of electrocution, never
use near any electrical power lines. Contact
with or use near power lines may cause serious
injury or electric shock resulting in death.
6. Always use two hands when operating the
pole saw. Hold the pole saw with both hands
to avoid loss of control.
7. Always use head protection when operating
the pole saw overhead. Falling debris can
result in serious personal injury.
8. Do not operate a pole saw in a tree. Operation
of a pole saw while up in a tree may result in
personal injury.
9. Always keep proper footing and operate
the pole saw only when standing on fixed,
secure and level surface. Slippery or unstable
surfaces such as ladders may cause a loss of
balance or control of the pole saw.
10. When cutting a limb that is under tension be
alert for spring back. When the tension in the
wood fibres is released the spring loaded limb
may strike the operator and/or throw the pole
saw out of control.
11. 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.
12. Follow instructions for lubricating, chain
tensioning, and changing accessories.
Improperly tensioned or lubricated chain may
either break or increase the chance for kickback.
13. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil
and grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery
causing loss of control.
14. Cut wood only. Do not use pole saw for
purposes not intended. For example: do not
use pole saw for cutting plastic, masonry or
non-wood building materials. Use of the pole
saw for operations different than intended could
result in a hazardous situation.
15. Avoid 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 toward you.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the
guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back
toward you.
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 pole saw
user, you should take several steps to keep your
cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
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:
•
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and
fingers encircling the pole saw handles,
with both hands on the handle 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
pole saw.
•
Only use replacement bars and chains
specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect
replacement bars and chains may cause
chain breakage and/or kickback.
•
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening
and maintenance instructions for the saw
chain. Decreasing the depth gauge height
can lead to increased kickback..
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
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