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Echo Electric Chain Saw User's Manual

1. CHAIN SAW SAFETY MANUAL WARNING 44 DANGER MISUSE MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES YOU MUST READ UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW ALL OF THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS IN YOUR CHAIN SAW INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING A CHAINSAW ul iil 44 DANGER Chainsaw kickback can cause serious or fatal injuries Read and follow the instructions to avoid kickback ECHO supplies an anti kick back guard called a Kick Guard with every new chainsaw Read the Kick Guard instructions to determine which cutting applications and conditions require the installation of the kick guard Always use the Kick Guard where possible To locate your nearest ECHO dealer look on our website http www echo usa com or call 1 800 432 ECHO 3246 ASK HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE CHAIN SAW SAFETY VIDEO ECHO S Supplemental Chain Saw Safety Video provides helpful safety and cutting information X752000030 X7523200300 01 04 KEY SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS These important safety symbols are used throughout this manual and may also appear on your chain saw They are provided to make you aware of potential hazards and the precautions you must take to protect yourself from injury You must read and understand the explanations and obey the instructions These symbols appear on safety labels as a reminder to follow these important precautions whenever you are transporting fueling operating servicing or handling your s
2. Before using your saw read this Safety Manual and your chain saw instruction manual carefully You must completely understand and follow all safety rules precautions and operating instructions Echo recommends that you obtain and review the supplemental ECHO Chain Saw Safety Video Congratulations on taking the right steps to learn basic chain saw safety Over the years Echo has developed and improved technology to increase the safety of chain saw use However chain saws are powerful cutting tools intended to quickly cut trees and branches and to get the job done fast Like other types of outdoor cutting and wood working power equipment the chain saw s sharp high speed cutters require that you operate the saw carefully to avoid serious or fatal injury You must read and understand the specific chain saw instruction manual the Kick Guard instructions and this safety manual Before operating your gasoline or electric chain saw you must learn about the chain saw reactions which can occur when cutting Unless noted the safety rules presented apply to both gasoline and electric chain saws This manual describes the hazards and risks associated with cutting trimming felling refueling and other activities involving use of achain saw Many vital safety awareness tips are mentioned to help identify the dangers of using chain saws and to teach you the precautions to take to avoid injury ECHO has also provided helpful information about cutt
3. See Glossary at back for additional terms BALLISTIC A special material used in protection devices designed to reduce the risk of penetration from chain contact BINDING Closing of the cut or shifting of the wood possibly trapping the saw blade in the cut Binding includes pinching Also see PINCH CHAIN CATCHER A projection designed to reduce the risk of the operator s right hand from being hit by a chain which has broken or derailed from the guide bar during cutting CHAIN TENSIONER The device which permits precise adjustment of the chain tension CHAPS Specially designed leg protection which can reduce the risk of injury due to contact with a moving saw chain FOLLOW THROUGH After the chain saw completes cut and is no longer supported by the wood an uncontrolled chain saw can continue on its path and strike the legs feet or body of the operator FRONT HAND GUARD This required device is intended to reduce the operator s risk of injury from projecting branches and saw chain contact with the left hand in the event the operator loses his grip from the upper part of the handle GUIDE BAR The grooved bar that supports and guides the saw chain KERF The grooved cut produced by the saw chain cutters KICKBACK The general term describing rotational and linear kickback two highly dangerous reactions which can occur when operating a chain saw When used alone in this manual the term kickback
4. refers to rotational kickback To prevent kickback keep the bar nose properly covered with the Kick Guard device If the Kick Guard device is absent kickback can occur if the unshielded bar nose touches an object or the ground ROTATIONAL KICKBACK The violent reaction which can occur when the chain at the upper section of the nose is suddenly stopped or impeded thereby dangerously driving the bar nose in an upward arc toward the operator LINEAR KICKBACK A push reaction which can occur under certain conditions with the guide bar buried in the cut when the cut closes pinching the chain along the top rails of the guide bar and propelling the chain saw straight back toward the operator KICK GUARD DEVICE The ECHO brand name for its anti kickback bar tip guard PINCH Specifically the closing in of the wood which pinches and stops the chain along the top rails of the guide bar during a cut This can result in the chain saw being propelled Straight back toward the operator called a Linear Kickback Pinch can also occur on the lower rails of the bar resulting in the chain saw being pulled away from the operator PUSH AND PULL When cutting is done along the bottom rails of the guide bar the reaction on the saw is to pull away from the operator When the top of the guide bar is used the reaction pushes the saw towards the operator Both are normal reactions which must be controlled by the operator REDUCED KICKBACK
5. Use your saw only to cut wood or wood products Do not cut metal sheet metal or STAY ABOVE LOG ON DOWN SLOPE any non wood materials Maintain good control at all times using a secure balanced stance and a firm two handled grip Stay on the uphill side when bucking or limbing logs which might otherwise roll toward you after being cut WARNING Keep both feet the ground Do not work from off the ground positions Working from ladders is extremely dangerous because they can slip your footing is confined and your control is extremely limited Working aloft should be left to the experts WARNING Do work from metal ladders when there are power lines close by Do work any tree if any of its branches may be in contact with power lines If a tree hits a power line DON T GO NEAR Notify the power company as soon as possible Work only when there is adequate lighting to see clearly When there are several workers they should be stationed where they will not interfere with one another During felling and limbing operations only the chain saw operator should be working on a tree which can shift at any time When felling a tree or any chain saw process keep people and animals away a distance of at least twice the height of the tree This rule also applies when hung up trees are being dragged down Before cutting clear the area of materials likely to be ignited by the saw or that may interfere
6. It covers the cooling fan and also contains part of the starter assembly FELLING BACK CUT The final cut or series of cuts made to complete the hinge and fell the tree FOLLOW THROUGH After the chain saw completes a cut and is no longer supported by the wood an uncontrolled chain saw can continue on its path and strike the legs feet or body of the operator GLOSSARY OF CHAIN SAW TERMS FRONT HAND GUARD This required device is intended to reduce the operator s risk of injury from projecting branches and saw chain contact with the left hand in the event the operator loses his grip from the upper part of the handle Do not operate a chain saw with a loose or broken hand guard GUIDE BAR The railed structure that supports and guides the saw chain HINGE Uncut wood which holds the tree from twisting off the stump and guides or hinges its fall The hinge is formed by making the back cut towards the directional control notch coming approximately parallel to the notch but no closer than about 2 inches about 51 mm away KERF The groove opening produced by the chain saw KICKBACK The general term describing two highly dangerous reactions which can occur When used alone in this manual the term kickback refers to rotational kickback To prevent kickback keep the bar nose properly covered with the Kick Guard device If the Kick Guard device is absent kickback can occur if the unshielded bar nose touches
7. a chain saw using a one handed grip Always use a secure two handed grip WARNING Always control saw firmly with 2 hands to prevent loss of control and kick back if saw begins skating WARNING Always use proper positioning Keep your body out of cutting plane at all times A WARNING Do not over reach or cut above shoulder height Gravity may cause the saw to drop toward your legs and feet when the cut is complete To avoid injury maintain control of the saw after finishing a cut WARNING Use firm two handed control grip with thumb encircling handle A WARNING Always use reduced kickback saw chain Ask your dealer to equip your saw only with certified low or reduced kickback saw chain WARNING Carrying or transporting a chain saw with a moving chain is hazardous Turn saw off or allow the chain to stop and engage the chain brake when carrying the saw A WARNING Do not operate chain saw while ona ladder unless you are a trained professional IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS A WARNING Keep hands and arms away from moving chain Do not reach near a moving chain to grab or remove the material that you are cutting A WARNING Do Not cut overhead The cut material or chain saw can fall on you causing serious injury A WARNING Do Not use a chain saw with a loose chain A loose chain can be thrown off the guide bar and cause serious injury WARNING Do Not us
8. can begin hopping or dangerously skidding along the surface of the log or branch possibly resulting in the loss of control of the chain saw To prevent or reduce skating properly hold the chain saw with two hands and make sure the saw chain has established a groove for cutting TETHER LINE A rope chain or cable tied high up on a tree trunk for leverage and used to tether the tree against a backward fall and to exert a steady pull to ensure the tree s proper fall Tethering can be dangerous if improperly executed such as if a tether line is not strong enough to withstand the pull or the available pulling force is inadequate 35 WEGHO ECHO INCORPORATED 400 OAKWOOD ROAD LAKE ZURICH IL 60047 PHONE 847 540 8400 www echo usa com
9. how to avoid it before attempting to bore USE SUPPORT LOG UNDER LIMBING AND BUCKING DON T CUT WHAT YOU ARE STANDING ON LEAVE SUPPORT LIMBS UNTIL LAST 1 are ES D lt ea TRUNK WARNING Boring should only be performed by trained professionals There is danger of kickback during boring Be sure to maintain proper control of the saw and keep your body away from the kickback path Before starting the bore use the bottom edge of the saw blade to cut into the side of the log at slow chain speed When the bar has buried itself quite deeply into the log gradually increase chain speed and shift cutting pressure to bore Straight into the log Once the bar is inside the log you can cut downward to the bottom and then finish by cutting upward through the holding wood at the top Avoid sawing inside windfalls Windfalls are tangled branches roots and trees Clean these out only by cutting from the perimeter or by dragging logs and limbs into the clear before bucking 29 LIMBING AND BUCKING WARNING alert for Pring Hebe a and stay clear of them during cutting A spring pole can spring back suddenly when cut or when the wood holding it down is cut away A spring pole can strike you or deflect the moving saw chain into your body Do not cut a tree in order to drop a tree that has lodged against it Have lodged trees pulled down with proper power equipment When a log diamete
10. in the chain saw being pulled away from the operator PLUNGE CUTTING Another term for Boring with a chain saw See definition of Boring PRUNING The process of trimming branches on a living tree PUSH AND PULL When cutting is done along the bottom rails of the guide bar the reaction on the saw is a pull away from the operator When the top of the guide bar is used the reaction pushes the saw towards the operator Both are normal reactions which must be controlled by the operator REDUCED KICKBACK GUIDE BAR Guide bars which are recognized by the ANSI Standard B175 1 as having as small or reduced radius nose to reduce the potential kickback area REDUCED KICKBACK SAW CHAIN Saw chain which has been demonstrated to reduce kickback on a selected group of chain saw models during ANSI testing Before using reduced kickback chain ask your ECHO dealer to determine if your chain saw can accommodate reduced kickback chain and still meet the 45 degree CKA requirement SCABBARD A sheath to cover the chain bar during transport and at other times when the saw is not in use SCYTHING A sweeping close to ground action with the saw blade to remove brush and weeds Scything must not be done without the protection provided by the Kick Guard device SIDE LINE Attached to a tether line it is pulled at a 90 degree angle to the tether line SKATING When the chain saw fails to dig in during a cut the guide bar
11. size of wire required when using extension cord with electric units over specific distances GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter An electrical circuit breaking device which provides protection against electrical shock hazards THROTTLE TRIGGER STOP SWITCH An electrical switch which allows the motor to start and run prevents the motor from running and turns the motor off Refer to Operator s Manual to learn and understand the stop and start Procedure GASOLINE AND ELECTRIC UNIT TERMS BALLISTIC A special material used in protection devices designed to reduce the risk of penetration from chain contact BINDING Closing of the cut or shifting of the wood possibly trapping the saw blade in the cut Binding includes pinching Also see PINCH BORING A process of using the lower part of the bar nose and chain to penetrate the middle of a log or tree Boring can keep the wood from splitting and the guide bar from binding as the cut is continued either up or down from the middle But this is an extremely dangerous operation with a high kickback potential and should not be attempted by untrained or inexperienced operators 34 BOW GUIDE A guide bar see definition below with a large open center used by some professional pulpwood loggers DANGER ECHO warns against the use of a bow guide on your ECHO chain saw A bow guide increases the risk of severe kickback and serious injury Do not use a bow guide unless yo
12. time THUMB ON UNDER SIDE OF j WARNING Do not thrust the nose of the saw into a pile of branches or HANDLE BAR dense brush where you cannot see whether the nose is in the clear A high risk of kickback exists under such conditions INSTALL THE KICK GUARD p DEVICE before attempting such applications GOOD CONTROL a 9 When starting a cut be ready to control any tendency of the saw to skate as it attempts to penetrate the wood Kickback will be a secondary reaction if the nose bar skates into something When completing an bucking cut be ready to hold up the saw as it breaks into the clear so it will not follow through and cut your legs feet or body or contact an obstruction and kick back WARNING Limit your cutting to the range within which you can fully control the saw Don t reach out when cutting Forces of gravity falling branches or wood can cause you to lose your balance and increase the risk of injury Don t make any cut above chest height because a saw is difficult to control under such conditions It can kick back or fall on you WARNING There is always element of danger boring even when done by experts Until you have become an experienced operator do not attempt to plunge cut or bore with the nose of the saw Make limbing and pruning cuts one at a time Whenever possible stand on the opposite side of the tree from limbs being cut so the tree is a barrier between you the saw and th
13. to allow a hinge for the lowering process After the branch has been cut off make your finished cut in the desired location WARNING not cut while a tree unless you are specially trained to SO DO NOT CUT UP IN TREES Branches that do not have a distinct collar should be cut at a right angle to the branch outside of the branch bark ridge When removing heavy limbs first make an undercut several inches outside of the collar Then remove the limb by a second cut an inch or so outside of the first cut Remove the stub with a third cut just outside of the collar This process will prevent bark peeling WOUND DRESSINGS NOT USEFUL Wound dressings have been shown to interfere with the natural development of callus tissues that eventually close the pruning wound In some cases wound dressings can even harbor disease organisms much like what occurs when a bandage is left on a skin cut too long It is far more important to make a smooth cut outside of the collar and allow the wound area to dry lf a wound dressing is desired for aesthetic purposes use very thin coat just enough to darken the wound area The best are the aerosol sprays of water emulsified asphalt sold in garden centers Do not use oil based paints thick tars or other materials containing petroleum solvents MAINTAIN TREE HEALTH The key to good wound closure following pruning is to maintain a healthy tree through proper watering fertilizer application an
14. to reduce kickback Inadequate lubrication can wear bar rails Non uniform chain filing can wear the rails to an uneven height In particular uneven height or worn down rails and wear inside the bar rails can permit excessive cutter side play creating a lack of chain alignment and increasing the probability of kickback Inspect guide bar for uneven or excessive wear or damage before each use and replace bar if worn deformed or damaged See Chain Saw Instruction Manual for correct bar chain combinations GUIDE BAR RAIL DAMAGE TIME TO REPLACE E k E EVEN WEAR UNEVEN TOO DEEP WEAR INSIDE WEAR OR SPREAD PINCHED GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR WEAR CAUSES CUTTER SIDE PLAY OPERATOR SAFETY PHYSICAL CONDITION Chain saw work and the associated clearing of branches and logs is a strenuous activity You should be in good physical and mental health in order to handle your chain saw safely Errors in judgment can be serious or fatal If you have any physical condition which strenuous work could worsen check with your physician before using a chain saw Take frequent breaks and drink fluids especially in warmer weather Do not operate when ill fatigued upset or under the influence of any substance or medication which could affect your vision dexterity or judgment DO NOT OPERATE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY PERSONAL EQUIPMENT Always wear eye protection eyewear with adequate top and S
15. 175 1 requirements Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush and saplings because slender material gt 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 spring back so that you will not be struck by the limb or chain saw when the tension in the branch is released during the BEWARE OF HIGH TENSION BRANCHES STAY OUT OF THE PATH 20 KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS All chain saw service other than the items listed in the operator s manual maintenance instruction is to be performed only by competent chain saw service personnel For example if improper tools are used to remove the flywheel or if an improper tool is used to hold the flywheel to remove the clutch structural damage to the flywheel could occur This could cause the flywheel to shatter resulting in serious injury to operator and bystanders Spark arrester mufflers are standard on ECHO chain saws to reduce the possibility of forest fires Do not operate the chain saw with a loose or defective muffler Do not remove the spark arrester screen Insist on a replacement guide bar with holes to allow the mounting of the Kick Guard device Insist on the proper replacement saw chain for your chain saw PROPER GRIP ON THE SAW A firm grip is one requirement for chain saw control The saw should always be held firmly with both hands whenever the e
16. Avoid unintentional the chain saw by makin sure the switch is off before plugging in the unit Never tie the switc down in any fashion so as to lock the switch in position M nns WARNING Never leave a plugged in unit unattended It is always inexperienced user to wander up to the unit for AVOID USING DAMAGED CORD WARNING not abuse the electric cord Never carry the chain saw by the cord Do not yank the cord when disconnecting the unit or extension cord from power receptacles WARNING Keep electric cords away from heat sharp edges or any area that can increase the possibility of cutting the cord and exposing operator or others to shock or electrocution 32 ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW SAFETY The electric chain saw unit is made of a molded dielectric material that reduces the risk of electric shock to the operator Broken or cracked housings or guards may not protect you A Do not operate the unit if housings or guards are damaged Use only identical ECHO replacement parts when service is required Use of non identical parts may create an electrical hazard resulting in serious injury or death from electrocution Be sure to use the correct size extension cord which is rated to carry current a specific distance The electrical rating of the cord must not a heavier gauge wire An undersized extension cord will result in a VORIS drop in line voltage r
17. GUIDE BAR Guide bars which are recognized by the ANSI Standard B175 1 as having as small or reduced radius nose to reduce the potential kickback area LOW or REDUCED KICKBACK SAW CHAIN Saw chain which has been demonstrated to reduce kickback on a selected group of chain saw models during ANSI testing Before using reduced kickback chain ask your ECHO dealer to determine if your chain saw can accommodate reduced kickback chain and still meet the 45 degree CKA requirement explained on page 13 SKATING When the chain saw fails to dig in during a cut the guide bar can begin hopping or dangerously skidding along the surface of the log or branch possibly resulting in the loss of control of the chain saw To prevent or reduce skating hold the chain saw with two hands and make sure the saw chain establishes a groove for cutting THROTTLE TRIGGER Located in the rear handle it is used to control the speed of the engine THROTTLE TRIGGER LATCH BUTTON The control used on some chain saws to set the throttle for a fast idle soeed which may be required to start a cold engine The throttle can be unlatched by squeezing and releasing the throttle trigger THROTTLE TRIGGER LOCKOUT LEVER A safety lever on the top of the top rear handle which must be depressed before the throttle trigger can be activated When the operator lets go of the top rear handle the throttle will be locked in idle position INTRODUCTION AX WARNING
18. ICK GUARD DEVICE 12 ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES TO REDUCE KICKBACK 14 OPERATOR SAFETY 17 KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION GUIDELINES 19 RULES FOR SAFE FUELING 23 SAFE WOOD CUTTING PRACTICES 24 BINDING amp SPLITTING 25 PRUNING SHADE TREES AND CUTTING SAPLINGS 26 FELLING TREES n o oo a Aa a e cnn cece 27 LIMBING AND BUCKING 29 FELLING VERY LARGE TREES 31 BOW SAW WARNING 32 ELECTRIC CHAINSAW SAFETY 32 GLOSSARY OF CHAIN SAWING DEFINITIONS 34 FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL This section explains th
19. REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES It is believed that overusing the muscles and tendons of the fingers hands arms and shoulders may cause soreness swelling numbness weakness and extreme pain to the areas just mentioned Certain repetitive hand activities may put you at a high risk for developing a repetitive stress injury RSI An extreme RSI condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome CTS which could occur when your wrist swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs through the area Some believe that prolonged exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS CTS can cause severe pain for months or even years To reduce the risk of RSI CTS do the following e Avoid using your wrist in a bent extended or twisted position Instead try to maintain a straight wrist position Also when grasping use your whole hand not just the thumb and index finger e periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your hands e Reduce the speed and force with which you do the repetitive movement e Do exercises to strengthen the hand and arm muscles e See a doctor if you feel tingling numbness or pain in the fingers hands wrists arms The sooner RSI CTS is diagnosed the more likely permanent nerve and muscle damage be prevented IF HURTS TAKE A BREAK 18 KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES DANGER KICKBACK may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object or when the wood closes and pinches the saw chai
20. SING CUT OR CHAIN TO SZ OBJECT KICKBACK UPPER BAR TIP CONTACT WITH ANOTHER LOG OR BRANCH MOVING OUT OF CUT WHILE CHAIN RUNNING CONTACT TO SIDE OF CUT 12 OPERATING SAW WITHOUT THE KICK GUARD DEVICE A WARNING Hold the saw firmly with both hands Make sure your left thumb is 4 always the underside of the front handle Never over the top Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked to prepare for any sudden or unexpected reaction of the chain saw and to maintain better control A WARNING Do not let the tip or nose of the saw come near any solid object DON T CROWD THE SAW while the chain is rotating Never let the saw dip into the ground WARNING Keep your body out of the path of a potential kickback as follows 1 When making any vertical bucking cut keep your body to the left of the guide bar out of the plane of chain rotation PLANE OF SIDE OF PLANE OF CHAIN CHAIN ROTATION ROTATION 2 When making felling cuts alongside the tree so that the direction and path of a kickback would be away from and not toward your body If necessary angle the cut to keep your body out of the kickback path and be extra careful to keep the bar nose in the clear a STRONG LEFT ARM AND ELBOW POSITION FOR GOOD CONTROL During all cutting do not bend towards or otherwise crowd the guide bar Cut only one piece of wood at a
21. UBSTANCE side protection conforming to the ANSI Z87 1 Standard when operating a chain saw 487 is stamped on the eyewear ANSI Z87 1 certifies protective eyewear to limited but protective resistance levels to debris Wood chips dust snapping branches and other debris can be tossed by the cutting chain into the operator s facial area Z87 safety eyewear may also offer limited protection in the event of the cutting chain hitting the operator in the eye area If conditions warrant that a ventilated face shield be worn WEAR PROTECTIVE always wear protective eyewear underneath Z 87 1 EYEWEAR Also ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection at all times If not followed hearing loss can occur You should reduce the risk of hearing damage by wearing either headset type protectors or approved ear plugs Note Stuffing ears with cotton is recommended All persons who make part of their living using chain saws should be tested periodically for hearing deterioration COMBINATION EAR HEAD AND FACE PROTECTION WARNING Never wear loose clothing unbuttoned jackets flared sleeves and cuffs scarves tie strings neckties cords chains jewelry etc which could snag the saw chain or underbrush Avoid short pants WARNING Never operate chain saw when you are alone Arrange have someone remain within calling distance in case you need help PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST HEARING A safety hard hat is highly recomm
22. Use the Kick Guard in cutting applications where the bar s tip may come into contact with solid objects or surfaces Most cutting operations can be accomplished with the Kick Guard in place ECHO HIGHLY RECOMMENDS the use of the Kick Guard Device 1 Ifyou are a beginner or novice chain saw user 2 Ifyou are cutting in or around adjacent brush small saplings trees or other solid objects that be contacted by the bar tip 3 If it is possible that the tip of the saw may come in contact with an adjacent object such as a log other trees branches root stump fence post wall rocks nails etc 4 Ifyou can t see the tip of the saw and it may come in contact with another object such as in a log pile brushy area or dense leafy area 5 Ifyou are limbing a tree and can t see the tip due to leaves or other debris blocking the view 6 Ifyou have any concern that the cutting you will be doing may have an increased risk of tip contact CONDITIONS WHICH MAY REQUIRE REMOVAL OF KICK GUARD In any circumstance it is your responsibility to learn how to minimize the risk of kickback if you are using the saw without the Kick Guard in place Even if you have prior experience with safe chain saw operation or are trained in the prevention of kickback please use extreme caution if you choose not to install the tip guard or if you decide to remove it If you plan to use the saw without the Kick Guard device to facilitate cutting
23. an object or the ground ROTATIONAL KICKBACK The violent reaction which can occur when the chain at the upper section of the nose is suddenly stopped or impeded thereby dangerously driving the bar nose in an upward arc toward the operator LINEAR KICKBACK A push reaction which can occur under certain conditions with the guide bar buried in the cut when the cut closes pinching the chain along the top rails of the guide bar and propelling the chain saw straight back toward the operator KICK GUARD DEVICE The ECHO brand name for its anti kickback device which covers the bar nose The generic name for such a device is bar tip guard LIMBING The process employing cuts to remove limbs from a tree LOW KICKBACK SAW CHAIN A saw chain which has been demonstrated to meet the kickback requirements of ANSI Standard B 175 1 on a representative sample of chain saws FELLING NOTCH A vee or other shape cutout made at right angles to the desired line of fall on the side the tree is to fall SIDE NOTCH A cut made on one or both sides of the trunk either to reduce the chance of splitting or as part of the Apple Core Method PINCH Specifically the closing in of the wood which pinches and stops the chain along the top rails of the guide bar during a cut This can result in the chain saw being propelled Straight back toward the operator called a Linear Kickback Pinch can also occur on the lower rails of the bar resulting
24. assured by proper installation of the Kick Guard device LINEAR KICKBACK A sudden PUSH reaction that occurs when the chain along the top rails of the bar gets pinched in a cut This type of reaction pushes the chain saw straight back toward the operator The Kick Guard device on your bar nose acts as a stop against this type of kickback by stopping the guide bar CUTTING ON BOTTOM OF GUIDE BAR PULLS SAW AWAY FROM YOU CUTTING ON TOP OF GUIDE BAR PUSHES SAW TOWARD YOU WOOD i ee PINCHING OF GUIDE BAR CAUSES LINEAR PUSH OR KICKBACK FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL FORCE OF GRAVITY amp FOLLOW THROUGH Gravity is always present and you must be prepared for it when you are operating a chain saw During the cutting operation the weight of the chain saw is supported by the material being cut When the saw completes the cut the saw is no longer supported and the operator must control both the weight and the downward momentum of the saw Never reach too far out with the saw If you reach too far out with the saw you may be unable to control it Maintain a proper grip a balanced stance and good footing Never cut when you are off balance the sudden burden of supporting the weight of the saw could cause you to fall or lose control of the saw Make no cuts above chest height where control may be more difficult IMPORTANT When you
25. ating a chain saw Never operate the saw with only the hand that operates the throttle trigger This can result in the chain saw skating or skidding which can result in personal injury due to loss of control Always keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands with the right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle when the engine is running Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles A firm grip will help you to better position the saw to reduce kickback and to maintain control of the saw Do not let go Two hands must be used to control the saw at all times Always assure proper footing when cutting to prevent slips or falls Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstructions Do not let the unshielded bar nose contact a log branch or any other obstruction which could be hit while you are operating the saw Cutting at high engine speeds may reduce the likelihood of kickback But cutting at part throttle or low engine speeds may be preferable to control the chain saw in tight situations and may also reduce the likelihood of kickback Increase chain cutting speed before letting the chain make contact To reduce risk of kickback when plunge cutting or boring start at part throttle and wait until the saw tip is buried deeply in the wood before slowly going to full throttle A WARNING Cut only those branches that can be reached from the ground Do not over reach
26. aw CIRCLE SLASH SYMBOL This symbol means the specific action shown is prohibited Ignoring these prohibitions can result in serious or fatal injury SAFETY ALERT GVMEGE WEAR HEAD EYE AND HEARING The safety alert symbol is used to alert 7 87 1 h 5 J you to potential personal injury hazards Protection that meet ANSI READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL Read instruction manual carefully and follow rules for safe operation Failure to do so could result in serious or fatal injury Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid serious or fatal injury requirements WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Wear cut resistant protective foot wear and leg protection Chain saw leg chaps or pants with ballistic or cut resistant fabric may help reduce the risk of injury due to chain contact DANGER The safety alert symbol appearing with the word DANGER calls attention to an act or condition which WILL lead to serious personal injury if not avoided HOT SURFACE SYMBOL Contact with hot surfaces can cause serious burns A WARNING The safety alert symbol appearing with the word WARNING calls attention to an act or condition which COULD lead to serious personal injury if not avoided CHAIN BRAKE SYMBOL Arrows show how to engage or disen gage chain brake Push chain brake lever front hand guard all the way forward to engage pull back to dise
27. back Chain Brake Lever The ECHO chain brake can be activated both manually and automatically Manual chain brake engagement occurs if the operator s left hand or wrist applies a force against the front hand guard which is part of the brake lever Automatically activated chain brakes are intended to respond to kickback accelerations without brake lever contact These are sometimes called inertia brakes which respond to a certain level of acceleration and do not require manual activation by the hand guard lever ECHO chain saws combine both hand guard lever and inertia chain brakes Review your instruction manual or contact ECHO to find out the specifications of your saw model WARNING Itis the responsibility of the owner or operator to ensure that the brake is serviced adjusted and tested in accordance with the instructions as detailed in your instruction manual in order to ensure that the brake performance is maintained in compliance with ANSI B175 1 2000 which stipulates that the brake shall stop the chain in a maximum of 0 15 seconds after activation 0 12 Average WARNING Do not rely on the chain brake for protection against kickback The chain brake may never activate and even if it does its chain stopping capability even under ideal conditions may not be fast enough to prevent injury to the operator due to the rapid dynamics of a kickback Even with a chain brake depend on your own good sense and proper cutting method
28. cause of kickback however the chain may skate along the surface of the wood Skating the nose bar into an obstruction could result in a kickback Low kickback chain may gradually lose some of its kickback reduction ability even when properly filed The following items will cause it to lose its kickback reduction ability rapidly Depth gauges not set uniformly to correct depth Cutters dull or uneven in filing angle or length Cutters have been filed to a forward hook Chain runs too loose on the bar Worn chain repaired with new cutters or side links causing some cutters to take a larger bite than the others NOTE Proper chain tension cannot be maintained if Drive sprocket is worn Guide bar is improperly clamped to the chain saw Tension adjuster has not engaged the guide bar thus causing the guide bar to shift Bar rails are in poor condition Guide bar and chain are improperly lubricated 15 ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM KICKBACK REDUCED KICKBACK GUIDE BAR In general guide bars that meet this requirement have small or reduced radius noses All ECHO guide bars with reduced nose radius have been machined to accept a bar tip guard Some large radius bars may not accept a tip guard SYMMETRICAL REDUCED RADIUS BANNANA NOSE REDUCED RADIUS REDUCED KICKBACK GUIDE BAR AND KICK GUARD DEVICE These devices both provide strong protection against kickback As stated previousl
29. d pest control Trees under stress from drought over watering pest attack lawn mower and other mechanical damage and poor nutrition cannot successfully fight off invasion of organisms 26 Please note that felling a tree is more complicated than often expected Take time to plan cuts fall path and escape route before felling the tree Electric powered units may not be suitable for felling some trees Consider such factors as tree size and location circuit breaker capacity and weather and ground conditions to determine if an electric powered saw is appropriate Refer to instructions on using an electric saw WARNING Call a professional tree felling service to handle jobs that beyond your abilities and knowledge This includes trees that are precariously located near power lines homes buildings and public roads PLANNING THE FALL Check the tree and the weather for wind speed and direction The trunk should be sound not rotted and hollow Look for branches which might become free and fall on you during the cutting work Wear a hard hat Prepare the working area and clear your escape route This route should be to the rear but not straight back Going more to the side is safer Decide whether wind conditions plus the natural lean and balance of the tree will enable you to fell the tree in the desired direction At any risk of a wrong way fall consider using a wedge to help start the tree in the right direction If the trunk
30. e chain saw that has been modified or is in disrepair A DANGER Do not use bowsaws Use of bowsaws can cause extreme kickback and serious or fatal injuries WARNING Do not allow anyone to use your chain saw without first reading the Instruction and Safety manuals WARNING Never operate a chain saw that is damaged improperly adjusted incorrectly assembled or missing parts WARNING Do not operate a chain saw while up in a tree A WARNING Do not use an open grip Oy AX warnine Keep helpers and bystanders away from the Fw area where you are cutting Never a helper hold material you are planning to cut Serious injury can occur WARNING Use proper ground starting procedure Do not drop start WARNING Cutting a tree or branch under tension may cause it to spring back suddenly and strike you or the saw causing serious or fatal injuries AX warnine Cutting the trunk of an uprooted tree can __ cause the root ball to fall back into place causing serious fatal injuries A WARNING Use extreme caution when handling fuel and refueling your chain saw Gasoline is extremely flammable and can cause serious burns Keep away from open flames or sparks Check fuel cap for damage or leaking Repair or replace leaky cap before using saw A WARNING Never cut near power lines encircling handle KEY CHAIN SAW TERMS
31. e Round file and guide for touching up the chain Flat file and depth gauge to file the depth guides e Small brush 1 2 inch to clean away sawdust and wood chips from around gas cap and cooling fins e Extra spark plug e manual wrapped a plastic bag e Cleaning rags e Sharp ax Sledge hammer and wedges Shovel e First aid kit Despite taking all precautions operating a chain saw or just working the forest presents dangers DO NOT transport fuel or a saw containing fuel the same compartment as passengers The saw must be transported and secured in the truck bed equipment trailer or trunk Cover the chain and bar with a scabbard protective sheath A CAUTION When sharpening a chain saw to prevent cuts to the hands be sure to wear protective gloves when moving the chain or holding the bar Use a tool to move the chain Do not push against the sharp cutters instead move the chain the same way it runs from engine bar tip direction CHAIN TENSION Tighten your chain according to the directions supplied in to your instruction manual WARNING After running saw chain will heat and expand may become loose on the guide bar If not tensioned properly the chain may derail from the guide bar at high speeds Stop the saw recheck the chain tension Use the proper steps to tension the chain Always recheck chain tension before using a saw as the tension may vary due to heating or co
32. e band or spring and or wear of the brake clutch drum and pivot points may lengthen the brake s stopping time or render the chain brake inoperable ECHO chain brakes are designed to retain stopping times as close as possible to their original times however periodic cleaning and or adjustment are required for the brake to perform properly The brake linkage is in a compartment designed to shield out sawdust and oil The brake and surrounding area will require regular and frequent cleaning There will be a time when adjustment cannot compensate for wear Your ECHO servicing dealer will be able to tell you when parts replacement or a complete brake assembly replacement is necessary The ECHO Chain Brake is a device which cannot be replaced on your ECHO saw by another brand chain brake LOW OR REDUCED KICKBACK SAW CHAIN Low kickback saw chain meets the kickback performance requirements of ANSI B175 1 Before using reduced kickback chain see your ECHO dealer to determine if your chain saw can accommodate reduced kickback chain and still meet the 45 degree CKA requirement Always use the proper replacement chain recommended for your saw The low kickback saw chain on your ECHO saw has depth gauges and guard links to reduce kickback Depth gauges control the depth of cut The guard links help to prevent the cutters from digging in too deeply at the bar nose Low kickback chain tends to resist penetration of the bar tip which is the
33. e falling material 13 ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM KICKBACK Your ECHO chain saw and its operator s manual have been certified to meet the requirements of Voluntary Standard B175 1 of the American National Standards Institute ANSI B175 1 sets forth the minimum safety requirements for the manufacture of gasoline powered chain saws ANSI 175 1 addresses rotational kickback which can occur when the chain saw tip contacts an object and propels the Saw upward and rearward toward the operator at rapid speeds Kickback can cause severe and even fatal injuries ANSI B175 1 requires that chain saws with an engine displacement of under 3 8 cubic inches 62 3CC have a maximum Computed Kickback Angle CKA no greater than 45 degrees CKA is computed under laboratory conditions from a kickback test machine plus other data including the dimensions of the chain saw Any deviation from laboratory conditions may result in a higher CKA and thus require chain saws in this class to have at least two of the following devices to reduce the risk of injury from kickback anti kick tip guard which mounts at the nose of the guide bar chain brake reduced kickback chain or reduced kickback guide bar Learn which specific devices are included on your saw model CHAIN BRAKE When activated this device is intended to stop the saw chain rotation immediately after a kickback has occurred A chain brake does not prevent kick
34. e forces which must be controlled to avoid injury when operating either a gas or electric powered chain saw Always remem ber that your best defenses are to exercise caution and use the chain saw properly and to be prepared to react to these forces PULL PUSH and KICKBACK are terms for the direction a reaction takes PULL When you are cutting on top of a log with the lower portion of the chain moving toward you the chain saw will be pulled into the wood and away from you PUSH Cutting on the underside of a log pushes the chain saw toward you PUSH and PULL forces are controlled by anticipating which reaction will happen and adjusting your position and stance to compensate ROTATIONAL KICKBACK When the chain is moving downward around the upper nose of the bar solid contact there may drive the bar tip upward in an arc toward you This is an extremely dangerous reaction called Rotational Kickback When used alone in this manual the term kickback will always refer to the rotational kickback Rotational kickback is predictable preventable and controllable If the operator is not alert to the possibility of a kickback it may come as a complete surprise The possibility of kickback can be greatest if the chain is not a low or reduced kickback type or if the bar is not a reduced kickback type The best defense against rotational kickback is making sure the chain does not contact anything solid at the upper nose of the bar This can be
35. ended when felling or DAMAGE WEAR EAR working under trees or when objects can fall on you Wear PLUGS FOR HEARING heavy duty non slip gloves for improved grip and also for PROTECTION protection against cold and vibration Cut resistant high top safety tip shoes or boots with non slip soles should be worn Clothing should be of sturdy protective material It should be snug fitting to resist snagging but roomy enough for freedom of movement Trouser legs should not be flared or cuffed and should be either tucked into the boot tops No open toed shoes or Safety vests chain saw protective leg chaps or logger s pants loose fitting clothing of ballistic nylon material are available It is the operator s responsibility to wear such additional protection if conditions warrant It 17 OPERATOR SAFETY VITAL SAFETY GEAR TO WEAR WHEN CUTTING i eae Trim a aN Elbow as Non slip gloves straight as f ANSI 2 87 Eyewear Hard Hat a Protective non slip footwear gt A i No pants cuffs to snag in Protective Cut Resistant underbrush Gloves Cut resistant Leg Chaps Steel Toe Boots PRECAUTIONS IN HOT HUMID WEATHER Heavy logger s clothing can cause overheating and increase the risk of operator fatigue Heat stroke is possible Under these adverse conditions you must judge whether wearing heavy protective clothing or lighter but less protective items bears the least risk Or yo
36. erious injury from electric shock or death by electrocution Never use a generator indoors Use only in outdoor areas with adequate ventilation Avoid accidental pullout of plug from extension cord Tie a loose knot with the chain saw power cord and the extension cord The loop in the knot will reduce the likelihood of plug disconnection WATCH OUT FOR SHARP EDGES a 2 KNOT CORD TO PREVENT UNPLUGGING 33 GLOSSARY OF CHAIN SAW TERMS GASOLINE POWERED UNIT TERMS THROTTLE TRIGGER Located in the rear handle it is used to control the speed of the engine THROTTLE TRIGGER LATCH BUTTON The control used to set the throttle for a fast idle speed required to start a cold engine The throttle can be unlatched by squeezing the throttle trigger THROTTLE TRIGGER LOCKOUT LEVER A safety lever on the top of the rear handle which must be depressed before the throttle trigger can be activated When the operator lets go of the rear handle the throttle will be locked in idle position THROTTLING BACK Releasing the throttle trigger to allow a decrease in engine speed rpm THROTTLING UP Depressing the throttle trigger to allow an increase in engine speed rpm ELECTRIC POWERED UNIT TERMS DIELECTRIC MATERIAL A material that reduces the likelihood of shock or electrocution by providing protection against current flow through the chain saw housing to the operator GAUGE aterm that is used to describe the
37. es loose bark nails staples and wire from the tree where cuts to be made 28 WARNING Do not walk on the trunk a log pile or cut while standing on it WARNING extra care when walking around log pile especially if logs are debarked or wet and slippery Determine how the log or limb is tensioned Apply the methods discussed to avoid entrapment of the saw If the chain becomes pinched in a bind SHUT OFF THE ENGINE Free the bind by lifting the limb Use levers poles etc for lifting Avoid back injuries Do all the limbing with the Kick Guard device properly assembled the guide bar nose The only time bucking should be done without the Kick Guard device is when the tree trunk diameter exceeds the cutting capacity of the saw When the trunk is held off the ground by its limbs determine which of these are needed for support Leave these while you cut off all the other limbs and branches You will lose support of the limbs as sections of the trunk are bucked into logs Roll some short logs under the trunk so you can continue off the ground bucking which is easier than when the trunk is flat on the ground Go to the high groundside of the trunk to buck off logs It may be necessary to bore into the middle of a log before the top or bottom is cut Boring is a dangerous procedure where the bar tip guard cannot be used for protection Be sure you have read about kickback in this manual and know
38. esulting in loss of power overheating Read be less than the rating of the saw Alonger extension cord will require your Operator s Manual to find the recommended size of extension cord The smaller the cord gauge number is 16 16 14 A W G A W G A W G AWG American Wire Gauge the heavier the wire gauge will be Ifin Wire Gauge doubt use the next heavier gauge WARNING Never drape the extension over the wood or log being cut Keep the extension cord behind you to avoid the possibility of dangerous electric shock or electrocution Keep the cord away from the chain Work away from the power source allowing the cord to follow behind you Do not touch the metal bar or chain if the chain saw blade has cut into the extension cord To avoid motor overheating remove all debris from the air vents located on the side of the motor housing Always disconnect the plug before any servicing is performed on the unit and when the unit is not in use Do not leave a plugged in unit unattended WARNING Avoid dangerous situations Do not use the presence of flammable liquids or gases to avoid creating a fire or explosion and or causing damage to unit WARNING When using gasoline powered generator as power source for the chain saw always read the generator Operator s Manual to learn proper grounding techniques An improperly grounded generator could cause s
39. footing and balance Reaching above chest height is extremely hazardous FREE CUTTING NEAR MASONRY Twisting and falling limbs are a hazard which must always be anticipated FENCES ETC Before buying a new guide bar or new saw chain check first with your ECHO dealer to be sure the new configuration can be mounted to your ECHO chain saw Be sure ECHO s Kick Guard device can be mounted onto the new guide bar The tip of the bar must be equipped with the proper Kick Guard device mounting holes KICK GUARD APPLICATIONS AY KICK GUARD PROTECTS CHAIN FROM GROUND WHEN FLUSH CUTTING KICK GUARD AS A BUMPER AGAINST OBSTRUCTION 4 lt KICK GUARD ALLOWS SAFE KICK GUARD ALLOWS SCYTHING KICK GUARD ALLOWS SAFE CUTTING CUTTING NEAR OTHER TREES ACTION TO REMOVE BRUSH IN BRUSH PILE 11 OPERATING SAW WITHOUT THE KICK GUARD DEVICE DANGER IF YOU REMOVE THE KICK GUARD BE AWARE OF THE INCREASED RISK OF KICKBACK DUE TO THE BAR NOSE NOT BEING PROTECTED PREVENT KICKBACK YOURSELF DON T LET THE BAR TIP CONTACT ANYTHING Study the following illustrations related to kickback and never make these kinds of errors COMMON CAUSES OF KICKBACK KICKBACK KICKBACK IMPROPER INSERTION INTO A PREVIOUS CUT BAR TIP CONTACT CAUSES KICKBACK SAW UPPER BAR TIP CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT SEZ RSZ 2 CHAIN PINCHED IN CLO
40. g tree Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the engine is running DO NO ee eee HOLD WHAT YOU ARE CUTTING To assure a good grip on the saw keep the handles dry clean and free of oil or fuel mixture Before you start the unit make sure that the saw chain is not contacting anything If you decide to shut off the engine wait until the chain stops before setting the chain saw down ae Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped or chain brake engaged with the guide bar and saw chain to the rear For gasoline operated chain saws keep the muffler away from your DON T TOUCH body When transporting your chain saw use a protective guide bar scabbard HOT SURFACES WARNING not operate chain saw that is damaged improperly adjusted or not 1 completely and securely assembled Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the ESL N throttle control trigger is released a Ji hh ty DANGER NEVER the saw with exposed clutch An exposed clutch i i running at high speeds can shatter causing serious injury to occur Keep your chain sharp this will improve cutting performance and reduce physical exertion CARRY SAW WITH Follow ECHO s sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain Use only BAR TO REAR amp replacement guide bars and chains specified by ECHO or guide bars and chains that meet ENGINE STOPPED ANSI B
41. he saw blade can be felled by using one of the following methods To fell a leaning tree see Felling Extreme Leaners below DRAW ACROSS METHOD Standard procedures are used here except that the cuts have to be extended from one side to the other when the blade doesn t fit across the trunk Start the lower cut of the notch by pivoting in from one corner to a depth of 1 3 trunk diameter Then reverse the saw direction reinsert saw in cut and draw it across to the other corner Complete the cut on that side Do the same thing to make the intersecting top cut Be careful to keep your body out of the kickback path when making this angled top cut Remove the cut wood wedge For the back cut start at the corner at least 2 inches 51 mm above the intersection of the notch Plan to leave 10 to 12 percent of the trunk diameter uncut as a hinge Pivot the saw from the back towards the hinge Reverse saw direction reinsert saw into the cut and draw it across the back of the tree Cut the other side to complete the felling cut and the hinge Follow standard felling procedures from this point PLUNGE CUTTING METHOD This method uses the same steps for notching and felling cuts as described in the Draw Across Method WARNING Plunge cutting entails boring inside the tree Be aware that there is always a chance of kickback even when the plunge cut is expertly done After notching the trunk stand at the left and aim the saw at the m
42. iddle of the notch intersection Throttle up to a slow chain speed Make contact at the middle with the bottom edge of the bar NOT THE BAR NOSE Pivot the saw in to a depth of at least 6 inches 15 cm before smoothly increasing speed to full throttle Then gradually shift cutting angle and pressure to bore straight into the trunk When all the way inside hollow out the trunk But do not cut away any more of the hinge wood than necessary Now make the back cut to fell the tree FELLING EXTREME LEANERS Do not assume that the lean makes notching for directional control unnecessary The notch is needed but should not be as deep as the standard 1 3 diameter notch Before back cutting make some notches through the sapwood on both sides of the trunk to relieve some of the stress which causes Splitting Stay on the alert for possible splitting because a splitting tree is dangerous DRAW ACROSS METHOD uF Ww Ojj amp START OF PLUNGE CUT OR BORE COMPLETION OF BORE 31 BOW SAW WARNING WARNING ECHO does recommend the use of bow saws If you choose to attach a bow guide to an ECHO chain saw and thus create a bow Saw you do so at your own risk A bow guide attachment increases the risk of severe kickback and serious injury Do not use a bow guide unless you have experience or specialized training Do not remove guard s or spur s on the bow guide provided by the manufacturer Do not rely on a chain b
43. ing pick up the saw and proceed as follows a STRONG LEFT ARM AND ELBOW POSITION FOR GOOD CONTROL At completion of the cut let go of the trigger carefully lift the saw clear and allow the engine to slow and chain to come to rest before moving away or to another cut THUMB ON UNDER SIDE OF HANDLE BAR Moving toward the next place to cut before throttling down and lifting the chain saw clear of the cut can cock the saw blade against the sides of the eee cut This can result in a kickback Always throttle down and let chain come GOOD to a stop and lift the saw clear of the wood before moving away CONTROL Sey 21 KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES WARNING DO NOT WALK AROUND WITH A MOVING CHAIN ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF POOR TERRAIN OR AROUND OBJECTS OR DEBRIS THAT CAN CAUSE TRIPPING ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR FOOTING WHEN REPOSITIONING YOUR SELF FOR THE NEXT CUT WARNING IF YOU SENSE A TRIP OR FALL THROW THE SAW AWAY FROM YOU SO THAT YOU DO NOT EQUIPMENT TO BRING ALONG When using gasoline powered engines fuel supplies should be carried in approved type fuel containers Every owner should have a good tool kit to help ensure continued operation of the saw The kit should contain the following e Multi purpose fire extinguisher e A few extra labeled cans or a plastic bottle with attached pouring nozzle of chain oil e Wrenches screwdriver or combination wrench to fit all nuts and screws on the saw
44. ing techniques to make the tasks easier more productive and safer If you have any feelings that the tree removal or cutting task requires you to put yourself your property or others at risk please consider calling a professional to handle the job Tree trimming and felling mishaps can cause serious or fatal injury to you others and possible damage to property If you need a copy of a chain saw safety or instruction manual have product questions are unsure about the safe use or maintenance of your saw or would like to obtain a chain saw safety video please visit our website at http www echo usa com You may also contact your local ECHO dealer or contact ECHO directly at 800 432 3246 The chain saw safety video provides operational safety information and cutting demonstrations TABLE OF CONTENTS KEY SAFETY SYMBOLS AND MAJOR WARNINGS 2 KEY CHAIN SAW TERMS 5 INTRODUCTION esssS 6 FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL 7 KICK GUARD INSTALLATION 9 CONDITIONS WHICH MAY REQUIRE REMOVAL OF KICK GUARD 10 OPERATING SAW WITH KICK GUARD DEVICE 11 OPERATING SAW WITHOUT K
45. is too small in diameter for insertion of a wedge consider tethering the tree The tether line must be attached before cutting is begun NOTCHING FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL Make two cuts on the side the tree is to fall Make the bottom cut first at 90 degrees to the intended line of fall and to a depth of 1 3 the trunk diameter Then angle the top cut downward at a 45 degree angle to intersect the first cut at the 1 3 trunk diameter depth Remove the cut piece BACK CUTTING AND HINGING It is important to leave approximately 2 inch 50 mm wide strip of wood uncut between the notch and the back cut This uncut strip acts as a hinge to determine the line of fall Make the back cut at least 2 inches 51 mm higher than the intersection of the notch Make the back cut parallel to the base of the notch but don t cut all the way through to the notch Leave a hinge strip of approximately 2 inches 51mm so the notch and back cut are of equal thickness AX WARNING DO NOT CUT THROUGH THE HINGE THE TREE CAN FALL THE WRONG WAY AND CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY USE WEDGES IF ROOM FELLING TREES Hk AL SURVEY TREES BEFORE FELLING KEEP BODY AWAY FROM KICKBACK PATH T CUT 1 3 OF TRUNK DIAMETER 20 CUT 27 FELLING TREES If the back cut is too low or the hinge is cut through the tree will
46. n gage 4 STOP SYMBOL Indicates the Stop position for the engine ignition switch Stop Switch CAUTION The safety alert symbol appearing with the word CAUTION calls attention to an act or condition which may lead to minor or moderate personal injury if not avoided CAUTION The word CAUTION used without a safety alert symbol calls attention to an act or condition which can lead to property damage if not avoided Ignition IGNITION SWITCH ON OFF POSITIONS Indicates the ignition ON OFF positions for the engine ignition switch Stop Switch a ee ag ae i A DANGER IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS Kickback hazard Do not allow guide bar tip to contact objects Allowing an unguarded guide bar tip to touch any object during cutting may cause the guide bar to suddenly kick up and back toward the operator a forceful reaction called rotational kickback Body contact with a moving saw chain will cause serious or fatal injury A DANGER Prevent hazardous Rotational Kickback Install the Echo Kick Guard anti kickback bar tip guard in cutting applications where bar tip contact with solid objects or surfaces cannot be avoided Follow Kick back prevention instructions to reduce risk of kick back injury when cutting without kick guard Replace Kick Guard immediately when cutting application requiring Kick Guard removal has been completed WARNING Never operate
47. n in the cut Tip contact in Some cases may cause lightning fast reverse reaction kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator this is called a rotational kickback Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator this is called a linear kickback Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw and come in contact with the moving chain which could result in serious or fatal injuries IF the Kick Guard anti kickback device is not installed on your chain saw you cannot rely on the other devices built into your saw As a chain saw user you must take the steps necessary to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury With a basic understanding of kickback you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise Sudden surprise contributes to accidents Understand that rotational kickback is preventable by keeping an unshielded bar nose from touching a solid object wherever it may be positioned SAFE OPERATION Stand with your weight on both feet Adjust your stance so as to be away from the saw chain and the line of cutting When the saw is used without the Kick Guard device the cutting line becomes the potential path of a rotational kickback WARNING Do not operate a chain saw with hand Serious injury to the operator helpers or bystanders may result from one handed operation For proper control always use two hands when oper
48. ngine is running Wear heavy duty non slip gloves to improve your grip on the handles Grasp the front handle firmly behind the front hand guard with your left hand Always use a wraparound grip with fingers encircling and the thumb on the underside Thumb position is the key to a strong grip WARNING Never use grip where the thumb and finger do not encircle the saw handle If you use an improper grip even a slight push or kick of the saw may dislodge your hand The hand guard is not a handle Do not pick up or hold the saw by the hand guard KEEP BODY OUT OF Grasp the rear handle in the same manner as the front handle Use index finger to CUTTING PLANE work the throttle trigger and practice turning off the engine stop switch without losing your grip on the saw WARNING Never hold the saw directly in front of your body where you would a be in the line of a kickback Always keep to the left of the saw s PROPER STARTING TECHNIQUE Start the chain saw on the ground Grip the USE PROPER front handle with your left hand and hold the saw down by putting your right foot on GROUND STARTING the rear handle Pull the starter rope with your right hand BODY ENTIRELY TO ONE PLANE OF SIDE OF PLANE OF CHAIN WARNING DROP STARTING IS PROHIBITED DROP STARTING CHAIN ROTATION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE SAW AND POTENTIAL ROTATION INJURY PROPER STANCE BALANCE AND BODY POSITION FOR CUTTING After start
49. not be under control of the hinge and may fall in any direction Be ready to leave the chain saw GET AWAY FAST away from the tree s falling direction When the tree does not lean in the desired felling direction insert a plastic or wooden wedge into the back cut when there is room behind the saw blade This will hold the cut open Then complete cutting to the hinge careful not to cut the wedge and either continue cuiting to fell the tree or hammer in the wedges to push the tree in the desired direction ETREAT PATH TETHERING For good leverage the tether line should be attached as high up the trunk as possible Use a strong rope Do not use nylon rope because it stretches Run the rope in the planned direction of fall to a PATH distance much greater than the height of the tree Tugging or jerking on the tether line can cause the tree to sway and fall backwards Always maintain constant tension on the tree using a steady pull on the rope to prevent swaying RETREAT 2 4 NOT THIS WAY DANGER During felling if a tree starts lean and fall an unintended direction causing your saw bind LEAVE THE SAW Be particularly careful as you get away from the tree s precarious position Beware of the direction it is going and do not cross the fall path Do Not try to save the saw The saw is replaceable You are not AXDANGER HUNG TREE When a tree gets hung on another and will not fall ask for hel
50. oint before starting the engine WARNING Chain saw vibration can cause an improperly tightened fuel cap to loosen or come off and allow fuel to escape After refueling take care to inspect and clean any debris off the fuel cap seal and tighten the cap as much as possible by hand Be sure the fuel cap is properly tightened and sealed before starting the unit WARNING ALWAYS INSPECT your fuel cap for damage or leaks If you experience leaking of fuel onto your clothing or shoes do not start or use the saw until you have changed your clothing DO NOT USE A Chain saw WITH A LEAKY CAP Order a new replacement cap immediately before using the saw The fuel cap has been designed to seal with hand tightening However Echo has supplied a combination wrench If needed the screwdriver end can be used to help tighten or loosen the cap Do not over tighten as this can damage the threads on the tank or the filler cap WARNING Combustible fuel vapors may be vented from the fuel system Do smoke or bring fire flame ignition source or equipment that could cause sparks near the fuel or the chain saw Always shut off the engine and allow it to cool before refueling Due to agitation weather heat due to operation or the type of venting system gasoline vapor pressure may build up inside the gas tank of the engine To reduce the risk of burns or other personal injury from escaping gasoline vapors and fumes remove the fuel cap slowl
51. oling of the chain WARNING thrown chain can cause injury Assure correct chain tension Don t run with loose chain 22 RULES FOR SAFE FUELING WARNING The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to Cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm A WARNING Gasoline and vapors contain chemicals known to the State of California to Cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm No Lighting Up Or DANGER Gasoline is extremely flammable fuel If spilled or ignited by a spark or other ignition source it can cause fire and serious burn injury or property andling Gasoline damage Use extreme caution when handling gasoline or fuel mix WARNING Use only approved safety containers that do not leak to store and dispense fuel It is best to use a container with a sealable spout and resealable vent to help minimize spillage DO NOT USE GLASS CONTAINERS FOR GASOLINE WARNING Fuel your chain saw in well ventilated outside areas only Select bare ground for fueling AVOID spilling any fuel on your clothing or shoes If this happens change into clean clothing immediately Wipe off any spilled fuel and check for leakage before starting the chain saw If fuel leakage is discovered do not start or run the chain saw until the leak is fixed and any spilled fuel has been wiped away Move the chain saw at least 10 feet 3m from the fueling p
52. or cut above chest height Do not attempt to cut in awkward positions WARNING cut while standing on a ladder or up a tree unless you have been specially trained to do so Cutting while on a ladder is extremely dangerous because the ladder can slip and your control of the chain saw is limited Working aloft should be left to trained professionals DON T ALLOW CONTACT DON T OPERATE ONE HANDED FIRM TWO HANDED GRIP FIRM ENCIRCLING GRIP DO NOT CUT WHILE IN TREES OR ON LADDERS 19 KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES AX DANGER Carbon monoxide is a poisonous odorless gas gasoline _ engines Operate the chain saw only well ventilated areas Do not chain saw inside in garages or sheds or in confined areas with the possibility of poor ventilation such as drainage ditches low amp confined creek beds etc WARNING operate a chain saw when you are upset fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs Basr DO NOT OPERATE UNDER THE INFLUENCE A WARNING Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw when you are starting or cutting with the chain saw Keep bystanders and animals out of the work area Do not let anyone hold the wood that you are going to cut Do not start cutting or felling until you have a clear work area secure footing and a planned retreat path from the fallin
53. our safety and instruction manuals and be sure you understand how to keep control of the chain saw either with or without the Kick Guard device A WARNING The Kick Guard device prevents rotational kickback when properly installed but it cannot prevent other chain saw mishaps Always wear protective articles such as cut resistant boots gloves and leg chaps and proper attire for chain sawing Use the correct two handed grip on the saw handles at all times Position the saw properly with the cutting plane away from the body and maintain a balanced body position to the left of the saw Check that the Kick Guard is correctly installed before each use and is fastened securely to the guide bar Illustrations below show various applications which can be performed effectively and safely when the Kick Guard device is in place on the bar nose Notice that the device is often used to protect the saw chain as well as adjacent objects such as walls fences and trees The Kick Guard often can be used against an obstruction as a bumper plate Using the Kick Guard when cutting in a brush pile eliminates the threat of kickback and helps speed up brush removal Cutting brush requires that you be alert for brush and branches that may be whipped back at you Even when using the Kick Guard device you must be alert to control the saw against the forces of gravity push pull and skating Maintain good KICK GUARD ALLOWS KICK BACK
54. p from a trained experienced woodsman or tree felling service This can become an extremely dangerous condition WARNING Check for broken dead branches which can fall while cutting causing serious injury Do not cut near buildings or electrical wires if you do not know the direction of tree fall nor cut at night since you will not be able to see well nor during bad weather such as rain snow or strong winds etc If the tree does make contact with any utility line the utility company should be notified immediately Carefully plan your sawing operation in advance Clear the work area You need a clear area all around the tree so you can have secure footing The chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side of the terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide down hill after it is felled Study the natural conditions that can cause the tree to fall in a particular direction such as The wind direction and speed e The lean of the tree The lean of a tree might not be apparent due to uneven or sloping terrain Use a plumb or level to determine the direction of tree lean Weight and branches on one side Surrounding trees and obstacles Look for decay and rot If the trunk is rotted can snap and fall toward the operator Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall Maintain a distance of 2 1 2 tree lengths from the nearest person or other objects Noise can drown out a warning call e Remove dirt ston
55. prevent chain contact at the kickback generating area of the nose The ECHO bar tip guard is called the Kick Guard device With the device properly mounted on the bar nose rotational kickback cannot occur The device will also halt linear kickback See definitions of rotational and linear kickback The Kick Guard device is not installed on the guide bar when you purchase your ECHO chain saw It is the operator s responsibility to decide upon the safest cutting approach for the job being done If you think the Kick Guard limits or obstructs the cutting operation and you decide to use the saw without the guard it is your responsibility to know how to operate the saw safely This manual provides safety information to operate with and without the Kick Guard The Kick Guard can be used a majority of cutting operations and is especially recommended for beginners homeowners or chain saw novices However it is designed to be removable to allow the saw to be used without the device Use of the saw without the Kick Guard device requires a higher level of caution on the part of the operator Study the information and precautions in this manual carefully to learn how to operate the saw safely Contact ECHO if you have any questions or if you do not understand the information Kick Guard Kick Guard Prevents Simple to Install Rotational See Installation Procedure Kickback in your chain saw Instruction Manual
56. r exceeding the bar length is flat on the ground with no room for an under buck reach over the log and cut into the side Then draw the saw over the top and over buck deeply enough to insert a wedge Reinsert the saw and over buck as far down as possible without letting the chain hit the dirt Logs that are flat on the ground and that are within the saw s capacity to cut with one over buck should be bucked as low to the ground as possible Keep the Kick Guard device the bar and use a wedge when necessary to hold the cut open Then roll the log with a cant hook or pole to expose the bottom for cutting DANGER Cutting the trunk of a large tree that has a large root ball can cause the root ball to fall back into the ground causing severe or fatal injury Never allow anyone to be positioned in or around the root ball or the root ball hole 30 amp 1 2 BEALERTFOR SPRING POLES BEWARE OF ROOT PLATE SETTLING FELLING VERY LARGE TREES Pertains to gasoline powered saws only Small gas powered saws and electric powered saws should not be used to fell very large trees Only those that have been trained to cut very large trees should attempt these techniques WARNING Call a professional tree felling service to handle jobs that beyond your abilities and knowledge This includes large trees trees that are near power lines homes buildings and public roads Timber of a diameter exceeding the length of t
57. rake to prevent or reduce an injury associated with the severity of a kickback from a bow saw AVOID USING BOWSAWS Proper use of the bow guide s spurs can prevent bow saw kickback Do not rely on low kickback chain to reduce kickback when used with a bow saw even though it may have qualified under ANSI B175 Low kickback chain is not effective in reducing the likelinood of a bow saw kick back ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW SAFETY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS There are added safety precautions that must be taken regarding electric chain saws DANGER To reduce the risk of electric shock or electrocution never use an electric chain saw or any other electrical device in rain or in wet locations Serious injury can occur due to electric shock or death by electrocution WARNING not use damaged extension cords with cuts Inspect the electric cords before each use and replace them if damaged Cord insulation must be intact with no cracks or deterioration Use only polarized extension cords marked as suitable for outdoor appliances and in conjunction with qualified tested Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter GFCl protected circuits Do not use multiple cords Plug connectors must be undamaged Test Before Each Use WARNING Always use qualified GFCI protected circuits when using electrical equipment outdoors A ground fault interrupter in the power supply line will help prevent fatal shocks USE TESTED GFCI CIRCUITS A WARNING
58. re about to complete a cut an elevated tree branch or limb be ready to release the throttle and support the chain saw so that the guide bar and moving chain will not follow through and cut into your legs feet or body after the guide bar breaks into the clear SKATING This condition occurs when the saw chain does not dig in properly when starting a cut and does not start a defined groove as it attempts to penetrate the wood The guide bar then begins hopping or skidding side to side along the surface When this occurs you do not have full control of the chain saw and the bar nose could strike something and cause a kickback If you are holding the chain saw with one hand and a branch with the other the chain saw could skate laterally into your hand holding the branch To prevent or reduce skating always hold the chain saw with two hands and make sure the saw chain has established a groove for cutting For gasoline powered units throttling down the chain speed may help the chain get grooved but once the chain is grooved throttle up the chain speed to complete the cut 2 cls DO NOT OVER REACH TO MAKE A CUT BEWARE OF SKATING KICK GUARD INSTALLATION Chain saw kickback is an extremely dangerous reaction Kickback can cause serious or fatal injuries _ KICK GUARD ANTI KICKBACK BAR TIP GUARD This is an anti kickback device that covers the bar nose to
59. refer to the section Operating Saw Without Kick Guard Device The Kick Guard is ideal for most cutting applications but it may be necessary to remove it in limited situations such as 1 Felling trees that are larger in diameter than the working length of the guide bar 2 Cutting trees and logs that are larger in diameter than the effective cutting length of the bar dimension from engine to the inside of the Kick Guard Limit To remove a bound saw out from a cut log imposed 4 To draw the bar nose through a cut by 5 Making a boring cut into a log or tree Professional Users kick Only guard 6 To remove a saw when a wedge is being used Echo has incorporated additional technology to help minimize the risk of kickback such as reduced kickback chain reduced kickback guide bar and the chain brake system These other devices only reduce kick back forces and do not guarantee the prevention of kickback or kickback injuries Only a properly installed kick guard absolutely prevents all rotational kick back If you use the saw without the Kick Guard you can prevent injury from kickback by avoiding contact with solid objects at the upper tip of the guide bar properly positioning yourself out of the line of the guide bar and using a firm two handed grip Itis solely your responsibility to take these precautions Prevent Rotational Kickback 10 OPERATING SAW WITH THE KICK GUARD DEVICE A WARNING Study y
60. s just as though there were no chain brake Additionally even with normal use and proper maintenance the initial stopping time of the chain brake may increase or the chain brake may become incapable of stopping the saw chain or stopping times may become inconsistent Eventually a major rebuild or complete replacement of the chain brake may be required for the chain brake to meet the ANSI B175 1 Standard The following may interfere with the chain brake s ability to reduce the risk of injury to the operator e Saw wrongly held too close to operator s body no fault of the brake Kickback may occur faster than a perfectly maintained brake can be activated e The operator s hand may be in position to contact the hand guard Brake will be tripped e Inthe case of certain kickbacks such as in a low intensity kickback the inertia brake may not activate as intended because forces are below the required activation level Loss of control of the saw still may occur e of proper maintenance increases the chain brake s stopping time making it less effective e grease oil pitch etc getting into the working parts of the mechanism may increase the stopping time or render the chain brake inoperable 14 ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM KICKBACK Improper assembly of the chain brake to the chain saw may render the brake inoperable Wear and fatigue of the activating brak
61. s possible without cutting into the earth Then roll the log over to finish the cut LOGGER S HOOK FOR ROLLING LOGS MAKE ANGLED CUT WHEN ONE SECTION MAY SETTLE AGAINST ANOTHER KEEP BODY OUT OF BAR CHAIN PATH 25 PRUNING SHADE TREES AND CUTTING SAPLINGS LN 2 Second cut Third cut Whippy growth such as saplings and tree branches may resist being cut Be prepared for the saw chain to skate along the surface and the material to vibrate from side to side This can result in a sharp sudden pull on the saw or can cause branches to snap back at the operator Be ready to resist this pull and avoid snapping branches With the Kick Guard device place as a shield on the bar you can flush cut brush and saplings close to the ground to reduce this rough cutting The pruning of small Collar i First cut gauge branches may be better done with pruning saws or shears rather than chain saws Likewise clearing brush heavy weeds may be better done with a brush Pruning Technique cutter TRIMMING TECHNIQUE TO AVOID BARK PEELING Trees have both branches and stems that look like branches called condominant stems If a condominant stem must be removed cut at an angle outside of the bark ridge Avoid leaving any stub When removing a branch always cut outside the branch bark ridge and collar Do not make a flush cut when removing a main branch You may need to undercut a notch first
62. the cut to widen If made from the wrong side the cut will close binding the saw and pinching the chain If the log is under heavy stress prevent splitting by making a shallow cut up to 1 3 dia on the hinge side first But always finish with the final cut ina direction towards the hinge side CUT UP OR UNDERBUCK When the log is supported on both ends and is best to be cut in between underbuck cut upward from the bottom side for the finishing cut When you wish to cut off an unsupported section from the end of a log the weakening or finishing cut should be an overbuck from top down However you may begin with a shallow underbuck to avoid splitting When the lie is such that the cutoff section will settle guard against binding and pinching of the saw between the log sections This can be done by inserting a soft wedge into the cut after the chain is out of the way to hold the cut open In certain cases the cut may be made on an angle so that it will widen as the log seitles PINCHING came HINGE 2ND FINISHING CUT CUT DOWN OR UNDERBUCK If you re unsure how a log actually lies and how it will bend change its lie If too heavy to move without strain on the back muscles use a lever bar such as a cant hook to move or roll it NOTE You may have need to use this procedure to free the saw if you misjudged the position of the log When a log is flat on the ground overbuck as far through a
63. u have experience or specialized training BRUSHING OUT Cutting or otherwise removing undergrowth and brush in the cutting area and along the planned path of retreat BUCKING Generally the standard cross cuts made to section a log or felled tree Variations include over bucking cutting from top down and under bucking from underside BUMPER The front of the power head and guide bar cover used as a work stop and or pivot point when pivoting the saw blade into the wood BUMPER SPIKE An optional spiked stop plate for holding the chain saw steady against the wood preferred by some chain Saw users during felling operations CANT HOOK A combination hook and lever tool for rolling and positioning logs CHAIN CATCHER A projection designed to reduce the risk of the operator s right hand from being hit by a chain which has broken or derailed from the guide bar during cutting CHAIN TENSIONER The device which permits precise adjustment of the chain tension CHAPS Specially designed leg protection which can reduce the risk of injury due to contact with a moving saw chain CHOKE The engine control used to enrich the fuel mixture for cold starting CLEARING Removing undergrowth and saplings from an area with a chain saw COMPUTED KICKBACK ANGLE CKA The angle that is computed from testing on a kickback test machine in conformance with ANSI B175 1 Standard testing procedures FAN COVER The air intake grille
64. u might choose to work early in the morning or delay work until the temperature drops Take plenty of water breaks during periods of strenuous activity especially in warmer weather PRECAUTIONS AGAINST VIBRATION AND COLD It is believed that a condition called Raynaud s Syndrome which affects the fingers of certain individuals may be brought about by exposure to cold and vibration Accordingly your ECHO chain saw has shock mounts designed to reduce the intensity of vibration received through the handles Exposure to cold and vibration may cause tingling and burning followed by loss of color and numbness in the fingers We strongly recommend the following precautions because the minimum exposure which might trigger the ailment is unknown e Keep your body warm especially the head and neck feet and ankles and hands and wrists e Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous arm exercises during frequent work breaks and also by not smoking e Limit the number of hours of chain saw operation Try to fill a part of each work day with jobs other than chain sawing e If you experience discomfort redness and swelling of the fingers followed by whitening and or loss of feeling consult your physician before further exposing yourself to cold and vibration e Maintain a firm grip but do not squeeze the handles with excessive pressure e Assure good maintenance of your saw loose parts can add to vibration levels PRECAUTIONS AGAINST
65. with your footing or the cutting process Be sure the path of retreat is clear It is wise to plan two exit paths in case one becomes blocked during the tree s fall WARNING If a tree starts ee you you see a branch ready to fall LEAVE THE SAW AND GET AWAY FAST Any tree with a hollow rotted trunk thick loose bark and suspended dead branches is extremely dangerous to disturb by cutting Such trees should be taken down by professionals WARNING extremely careful when attempting to fell trees during periods of high wind or with unbalanced forces from heavy precipitation If a fallen or broken tree creates an emergency leave removal to the professional tree removal services WARNING Anytime you use a chain saw beware of electrical lines in the area electrified branches in contact with power lines or electrical lines that may have been knocked down by natural occurrences such as an ice storm heavy winds or fallen limbs or trees Also beware of electrical fences while using a chain saw DO NOT CUT NEAR ELECTRICAL LINES 24 PINCHING BINDING amp SPLITTING HINGE Wind bends trees Gravity bends logs that are not flat on the ground A log weakened by a cut over 1 3 the log diameter like two logs hinged together The cut may either close or open wider depending on how the log is positioned In bucking logs always make the weakening cut from the direction opposite the hinge side which causes
66. y there can be no rotational kickback when the Kick Guard device is properly assembled on the bar nose Linear kickback will be stopped if the device is drawn against the wood Your ECHO chain saw may be equipped with either the more common symmetrical nose bar or an asymmetrical nose bar The symmetrical nose bar can have a sprocket or welded tip The asymmetrical nose bar is shaped differently and is commonly referred to as a banana nose bar The ability of these bars to partially reduce kickback is possible because the kickback generating zone of the bar nose is small If you wish to equip your chain saw with any bar other than manufacturer approved bars be sure it falls within limitations specified for your chain saw is designated Reduced kickback Guide Bar and is machined to permit installation of a Kick Guard device The Kick Guard device works properly only when it fits correctly on the bar A bent or damaged Kick Guard device must be replaced Do not use a replacement guide bar that does not have proper mounting holes for the Kick Guard device It is always safer to cut with the Kick Guard installed If you believe it is not practical to use the Kick Guard in certain situations it is your responsibility to use other means to control kick back Echo recommends use of the Kick Guard wherever possible Normal wear as well as lack of maintenance or cleaning will reduce both saw performance and the ability of the guide bar
67. y and carefully to allow any pressure to release slowly NEVER remove the fuel cap while the engine is running WARNING When filling a fuel container at the gas station to avoid aoe ignition due to static shock place approved container on ground away from vehicle when filling and keep the gas nozzle in contact with the container when filling Do not fill any container while it is in a truck bed or in the trunk of a car WARNING Store fuel and unit where fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames from water heaters electric motors or switches furnaces etc If you plan to store the unit for an extended period carefully empty the unused fuel back into a safety can Following the safe starting directions run the unit until it completely runs out of fuel 23 SAFE WOOD CUTTING PRACTICES Operating a chain saw safely requires that the chain saw be in proper working order with the chain properly tensioned It also requires sound judgment knowledge of proper cutting methods and having a plan for every cut you make WARNING Do person use your chain saw unless he or she has read the manual and this safety manual and fully understands all instructions Never let children or minors operate the saw WARNING Do not let helpers hold wood for you to cut Keep helpers and bystanders a safe distance away Don t reach in to grab cut material until the saw chain has come to a complete stop

Echo Electric Chain Saw User's Manual

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