Echo CHAIN SAW SAFETY MANUAL - Manual (Page 11)

11
OPERATING SAW WITH THE KICK GUARD
®
DEVICE
WARNING! Study your 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.
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 ® w hen 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 footing and balance. Reaching above chest height is extremely
hazardous. Twisting and falling limbs are a hazard, which must always be
anticipated.
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 ® ALLOWS KICK-BACK
FREE CUTTING NEAR MASONRY,
FENCES, ETC.
KICK GUARD ® AS A BUMPER
AGAINST OBSTRUCTION.
KICK GUARD ® PROTECTS CHAIN FROM
GROUND WHEN FLUSH CUTTING.
KICK GUARD ® ALLOWS SAFE CUT-
TING NEAR OTHER TREES
KICK GUARD ® ALLOWS SCYTHING
ACTION TO REMOVE BRUSH
KICK GUARD ® ALLOWS SAFE CUTTING
IN BRUSH PILE.
KICK GUARD ® APPLICATIONS