PRUNING SAW SAFETY WARNINGS
Keep all parts of the body away from the
pruner when the pruner is operating. Before
you start the pruner, make sure the saw
chain is not contacting anything. A moment
of inattention while operating pruners can cause
entanglement of your clothing or body with the
saw chain.
Always hold the pruner with your right hand
on the rear handle and your left hand on the
front handle. Holding the pruner with a reversed
hand configuration increases the risk of personal
injury and should never be done.
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.
NOTE: For pruners designed with the GUIDE
BAR on the left side, the reference to "right
hand"and "left hand" positioning is reversed.
Wear safety glasses and hearing protec-
tion. Further protective equipment for head,
hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Adequate protective clothing will reduce per-
sonal injury by flying debris or accidental contact
with the saw chain.
Do not operate a pruner in a tree. Operation of
a pruner while up in a tree can result in personal
injury.
Always keep proper footing and operate the
pruner 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 pruner.
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 pruner
out of control.
Use extreme caution when cutting brush and
saplings. The slender material may catch the
pruner chain and be whipped toward you or pull
you off balance.
Carry the pruner by the front handle with
the pruner switched off and away from
your body. When transporting or storing the
pruner always fit the guide bar cover. Proper
handling of the chain saw will reduce the likeli-
hood of accidental contact with the moving saw
chain.
Follow instructions for lubricating, chain ten-
sioning and changing accessories. Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain could break the
pruner chain.
Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil
and grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery
causing loss of control.
Cut wood only. Do not use pruner for pur-
poses not intended. For example: do not use
pruner for cutting plastic, masonry or non-
wood building materials. Use of the pruner for
operations different than intended could result
in a hazardous situation.
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers
encircling the pruner handles, with both
hands on the pruner. Maintaining control of
the pruner will reduce the risk of losing control.
Do not let go of the pruner.
Do not overreach and do not cut above chest
height. This helps prevent unintended tip con-
tact and enables better control of the chain saw
in unexpected situations.
Only use replacement bars and chains speci-
fied by the manufacturer. Incorrect replace-
ment bars and chains can cause chain breakage
and increase the risk of injury.
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the pruner
chain. Decreasing the depth gauge height can
lead to increased risk of injury.
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.
4 – English