Poulan PR5020 Owner Manual - Page 5

• Have all chainsaw service performed by a qualified service dealer with the exception of the items listed in the maintenance section of this manual. For example, if improper tools are used to remove or hold the flywheel when servicing the clutch, structural damage to the flywheel can occur and cause the flywheel to burst. • Make certain the saw chain stops moving when the throttle trigger is released. For correction, refer to Carburetor Adjustment. • Never modify your saw in any way. • Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture. • Keep fuel and oil caps, screws, and fasteners securely tightened. • Use only genuine accessories and replacement parts as recommended. • Certain regions require by law that many internal combustion engines are to be equipped with a spark arresting screen. If you operate a chainsaw in a locale where such regulations exist, you are legally responsible for maintaining the operating condition of these parts. Failure to do so is a violation of the law. Refer to the MAINTENANCE section for maintenance of the spark arresting screen. • Do not smoke while handling fuel or while operating the saw. • Eliminate all sources of sparks or flame in the areas where fuel is mixed or poured. There should be no smoking, open flames, or work that could cause sparks. Allow engine to cool before refueling. • Always have fire extinguishing tools available if you should need them. • Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area on bare ground; store fuel in a cool, dry, well ventilated place; and use an approved, marked container for all fuel purposes. Wipe up all fuel spills before starting saw. • Move at least 3 meters (10 feet) from fueling site before starting engine. • Turn the engine off and let saw cool in a noncombustible area, not on dry leaves, straw, paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel cap and refuel unit. • 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. MAINTAINING YOUR SAW PINCH KICKBACK Pinch kickback can occur when the 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 reversal 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 Pull-in can occur when the moving chain contacts 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 stopping pulls the saw forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the operator to lose control of the saw. HANDLING FUEL UNDERSTANDING KICKBACK aa WARNING! Avoid kickback which 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 chainsaw control. • Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which contributes to accidents. • Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar. • Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact branch or other objects around it. • Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback occurring. Follow manufacturer's chain sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check tension at regular intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure the bar nuts are securely tightened after tensioning the chain. • Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater chance of kickback occurring. • Use wedges made of plastic or wood. Never use metal to hold the cut open. • Cut one log at a time. • Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut. • Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts). • Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain. • Do not twist the saw as the bar is withdrawn from an undercut when bucking. • Use the reduced-kickback guide bar and lowkickback chain specified for your saw. • 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 fingers of your left hand encircling and your left thumb under the front handlebar. Keep your right hand completely around the rear handle whether you are right handed or left handed. Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked. • 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 positions for any type of cutting. • Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet. REDUCING THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK MAINTAINING CONTROL ROTATIONAL KICKBACK Rotational kickback can occur when the 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. 5