Zenoah GZ381 Manuel D'utilisation page 20

WARNING:
there is a risk of kickback. Take care when
using your chainsaw and make sure the
kickback zone of the bar never touches any
object.
(Fig. 18)
The chain brake (A) can either be activated manually (by
your left hand) or automatically by the inertia release
mechanism.
The brake is engaged when the front hand guard (B) is
pushed forwards.
(Fig. 19)
This movement activates a spring-loaded mechanism
that tightens the brake band (C) around the engine drive
system (D) (clutch drum).
(Fig. 20)
The front hand guard is not designed solely to activate
the chain brake. Another important feature is that it
reduces the risk of your left hand hitting the chain if you
lose grip of the front handle.
The chain brake must be engaged before starting the
chainsaw to prevent the saw chain from rotating.
(Fig. 21)
Use the chain brake as a "parking brake" when starting
and when moving over short distances, to reduce the
risk of moving chain accidentally hitting your leg or
anyone or anything close by.
To release the chain brake pull the front hand guard
backwards, towards the front handle.
(Fig. 22)
Kickback can be very sudden and violent. Most
kickbacks are minor and do not always activate the
chain brake. If this happens you should hold the chain
saw firmly and not let go.
(Fig. 23)
The way the chain brake is activated, either manually or
automatically by the inertia release mechanism,
depends on the force of the kickback and the position of
the chain saw in relation to the object that the kickback
zone of the bar strikes. If you get a violent kickback
while the kickback zone of the bar is farthest away from
you the chain brake is designed to be activated by the
inertia in the kickback direction.
(Fig. 24)
If the kickback is less violent or the kickback zone of the
bar is closer to you the chain brake will be activated
manually by the movement of your left hand.
In the felling position the left hand is in a position that
makes manual activation of the chain brake impossible.
With this type of grip, that is when the left hand is placed
so that it cannot affect the movement of the front hand
20
Avoid situations where
guard, the chain brake can only be activated by the
inertia action.
(Fig. 25)
Common questions about kickback
• Will the hand always engage the chain brake during
a kickback?
No. It is necessary to use some force to push the
front hand guard forward. If you do not use the force
necessary, the chain brake will not be engaged. You
must also hold the handles of the product stable with
two hands during work. If a kickback occurs, it is
possible that the chain brake does not stop the saw
chain before it touches you. There are also some
positions in which your hand can not touch the front
hand guard to engage the chain brake.
• Will the inertia release mechanism always engage
the chain brake during kickback?
No. First, the chain brake must operate correctly.
Refer to Maintenance and checks of the safety
devices on the product on page 30 for instructions
about how to do a check of the chain brake. We
recommend you to do this each time before you use
the product. Second, the force of the kickback must
be large to engage the chain brake. If the chain
brake is too sensitive, it can engage during rough
operation.
• Will the chain brake always protect me from injury
during a kickback?
No. The chain brake must operate correctly to give
protection. The chain brake must also be engaged
during a kickback to stop the saw chain. If you are
near the guide bar, it is possible that the chain brake
does not have time to stop the saw chain before it
hits you.
WARNING:
working technique can prevent kickbacks.
Throttle trigger lockout
The throttle trigger lockout prevents accidental operation
of the throttle trigger. If you put your hand around the
handle and press the throttle trigger lockout (A), it
releases the throttle trigger (B). If you release the
handle, the throttle trigger and the throttle trigger lockout
move back to their initial positions. This function locks
the throttle trigger at idle speed.
(Fig. 26)
Chain catcher
The chain catcher is designed to catch the chain if it
snaps or jumps off. This should not happen if the chain
is properly tensioned (see instructions under the
To tension the saw chain on page 33 ) and if
heading
the bar and chain are properly serviced and maintained
Only you and the correct
272 - 009 - 21.06.2021