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Gasoline-Powered Chain Saws

Product Definition

• Gasoline-Powered Chain Saws are designed to cut and trim tree and shrub branches. These powerful tools operate at high engine speeds to propel the chain through a wood surface and make a quick cut.

Before Using Gasoline-Powered Chain Saws

• Protect yourself by wearing:
  1. Safety footwear.
  2. Snug-fitting clothing.
  3. Protective gloves.
  4. Eye, hearing, and head protection devices.
• Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from your body.
• Don't cut until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat bath from the falling tree.
• Be careful handling fuel. Move the chain saw at least 10 feet (3m) from the fueling point before starting the engine.
• Do not allow other people near the chain saw when starting or cutting with it. Keep bystanders and animals out of the work area.
• Make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything before starting the engine.
• Check that the cutting area is free of obstructions. Don't let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, or other obstruction that could be hit while you are operating the saw.
• Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Make sure the saw chain stops moving when you release the throttle control trigger.
• Do not operate when you are tired. Excessive vibration, noise, emissions, and uncomfortable positions may cause fatigue.

Do You Understand Chain Saw "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 may cause a lightning-fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator.

Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward 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 you cutting jobs free from accident or injury.

Operate Your Gasoline-Powered Chain Saw Carefully

• Reduce or eliminate the element of surprise by understanding how kickback happens.
• Keep all body parts away from the saw chain when engine is running.
• Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders, or others may result from one-handed operation. Chain saws are designed for two-handed use.
• Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running. Keep the right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control of the saw. Don't let go.
• Cut at high engine speeds.
• Don't overreach or cut above shoulder height.
• 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.
• When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for springback so that you will not be struck when the tension in the wood fibers is released.
• Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture.
• Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated areas.
• Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have been specifically trained to do so.
• Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw down.

Keep Your Chain Saw In Peak Operating Condition

• Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance instructions for the chain.
• Replace bars and chains only with those specified by the manufacturer or the equivalent.
• All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the owner's manual maintenance instructions, should be performed by competent chain saw service personnel. (For instance, improper tools used for repair may cause damage to various parts).
• When transporting your chain saw, use the appropriate guide-bar scabbard.