Maintain Control - Poulan Pro PP5020AV Manuel D'instructions

S Store the unit and fuel in an area where fuel
vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames
from water heaters, electric motors or
switches, furnaces, etc.
KICKBACK
WARNING:
can result in serious injury. Kickback is the
backward, upward or sudden forward motion of
the guide bar occurring when the saw chain
near the upper tip of the guide bar contacts any
object such as a log or branch, or when the
wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in
the cut. Contacting a foreign object in the wood
can also result in loss of chain saw control.
Rotational Kickback can occur when the
S
moving chain contacts an object at the upper
tip of the guide bar. This contact can cause the
chain to dig into the object, which stops the
chain for an instant. The result is a lightning
fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar
up and back toward the operator.
Pinch-Kickback can occur when the the
S
wood closes in and pinches the moving saw
chain in the cut along the top of the guide bar
and the saw chain is suddenly stopped. This
sudden stopping of the chain results in a re-
versal of the chain force used to cut wood
and causes the saw to move in the opposite
direction of the chain rotation. The saw is
driven straight back toward the operator.
Pull-In can occur when the moving chain con-
S
tacts a foreign object in the wood in the cut
along the bottom of the guide bar and the saw
chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-
ping pulls the saw forward and away from the
operator and could easily cause the operator to
lose control of the saw.
Avoid Pinch- - Kickback:
S Be extremely aware of situations or obstruc-
tions that can cause material to pinch the top
of or otherwise stop the chain.
S Do not cut more than one log at a time.
S Do not twist the saw as the bar is withdrawn
from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid Pull- - In:
S Always begin cutting with the engine at full
speed and the saw housing against wood.
S Use wedges made of plastic or wood. Never
use metal to hold the cut open.
Clear The
Working Area
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
S Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can re-
duce the element of surprise which contrib-
utes to accidents.
S Never let the moving chain contact any ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
Avoid kickback which
Kickback Path
Avoid Obstructions
S Keep the working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches, rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could hit
while you are cutting.
branch, do not let the guide bar contact
branch or other objects around it.
S Keep your saw chain sharp and properly ten-
sioned. A loose or dull chain can increase
the chance of kickback occurring. Follow
manufacturer's chain sharpening and main-
tenance instructions. Check tension at regu-
lar intervals with the engine stopped, never
with the engine running. Make sure the bar
nuts are securely tightened after tensioning
the chain.
S Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If the
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is
greater chance of kickback occurring.
S Cut one log at a time.
S Use extreme caution when re-entering a pre-
vious cut.
S Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the
bar (plunge cuts).
S Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
S Use the Reduced- -Kickback Guide Bar and
Low- -Kickback Chain specified for your saw.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Stand to the left
of the saw
Never reverse
hand positions
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
S Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and don't let
go. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback
and maintain control of the saw. Keep the fin-
gers of your left hand encircling and your left
thumb under the front handlebar. Keep your
right hand completely around the rear handle
whether your are right handed or left handed.
Keep your left arm straight with the elbow
locked.
S Position your left hand on the front handlebar
so it is in a straight line with your right hand
on the rear handle when making bucking
cuts. Never reverse right and left hand posi-
tions for any type of cutting.
S Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
4
When cutting a
Thumb on un-
derside of
handlebar
Elbow locked