UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHAIN SAW SAFETY DEVICES GUIDE BARS Generally, guide bars with small radius tips have some what lower kickback potentials. When making a replacement, be sure to order one of the Homelite bars listed for your saw in this operator's manual. The proper size SAFE-T-TIP nose guard comes installed on the bar. Use only guide bars that have a provision for mounting the SAFE-T-TIP. SAFE-T-TIP ANTI-KICKBACK NOSE GUARD See Figure 3. The SAFE-T-TIP prevents kickback because it covers the tip of the bar where rotational kickback is generated. Inexperienced persons should never attempt to cut when the SAFE-T-TIP has been removed from the bar tip. Fig. 3 Users, such as professional loggers who need to draw the tip through the cut, make boring cuts, or cut logs bigger than the bar length, should reinstall the SAFE-T-TIP as SAFE-T-TIP WARNING: KICKBACK occurs when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control which can result in serious injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury. soon as those cuts are complete. When cutting without the SAFE-T-TIP, the user must use proper techniques as shown in the manual to avoid kickback. Note: Refer to “Maintenance” later in this manual for instructions on reinstalling the SAFE-T-TIP nose guard. LOW KICKBACK SAW CHAIN The rakers (depth gauges) ahead of each cutter can minimize the force of a kickback reaction by preventing the cutters from digging in too deeply at the kickback zone. Only use replacement chain that is equivalent to the original chain or has been certified as a low kickback chain. As saw chains are sharpened, they lose some of the low kickback qualities and extra caution is required. Page 9 Page 10 WARNING: Always shut off engine before fueling. Never add fuel to a machine with a running or hot engine. Move at least 30 ft. (9 m) from refueling site before starting the engine. DO NOT SMOKE! Failure to heed this warning can result in possible personal injury. FUEL AND REFUELING HANDLING THE FUEL SAFELY WARNING: Check for fuel leaks, if any are found, correct them before using the saw to prevent fire or burn injury. ¦ Always handle fuel with care, it is highly flammable. ¦ Always refuel outdoors and do not inhale fuel vapors. ¦ Do not let gasoline or oil come in contact with skin. ¦ Keep gasoline and oil away from the eyes. If gasoline or oil comes in contact with the eyes, wash them 1 Quart + .67 oz. = 2 Quart + 1.35 oz. = 3 Quart + 2.0 oz. = 4 Quart + 2.7 oz. = 5 Quart + 3.38 oz. =} 50:1 FILLING THE TANK See Figure 6. Refer to “Specific Safety Rules – Refueling” earlier in this manual for additional safety information. 1. Clean the surface around fuel cap to prevent contamination. 2. Loosen the fuel cap slowly. 3. Carefully pour the fuel mixture into the tank. Avoid spillage. 4. Prior to replacing the fuel cap, clean and inspect the gasket. 5. Immediately replace the fuel cap and hand tighten. Wipe up any fuel spillage. Note: It is normal for the engine to emit smoke during and after the first use. ROTATIONAL KICKBACK Fig. 5 KICKBACK PRECAUTIONS See Figures 4 and 5. Rotational kickback occurs when the moving chain contacts an object at the Kickback Danger Zone of the guide bar. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back towards the operator. This reaction can cause loss of control which can result in serious injury. KICKBACK DANGER ZONE Fig. 4 OPERATION GAS OILOIL 50:1 FUEL MIX GAS OILOIL 50:1 FUEL MIX immediately with clean water. If irritation is still present, see a doctor immediately. ¦ Clean up spilled fuel immediately. MIXING THE FUEL ¦ This product is powered by a 2-cycle engine and requires pre-mixing gasoline and 2-cycle oil. Pre-mix unleaded gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil in a clean container approved for gasoline. ¦ This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline intended for automotive use with an octane rating of 87 ([R + M] / 2) or higher. ¦ Do not use any type of pre-mixed gasoline/oil from fuel service stations, this includes the pre-mixed gasoline/oil intended for use in mopeds, motorcycles, etc. ¦ Use a high quality 2-cycle self-mixing oil for air-cooled engines. Do not use automotive oil or 2-cycle outboard oil. ¦ Mix 2% oil into the gasoline. This is a 50:1 ratio. ¦ Mix the fuel thoroughly and each time before fueling. ¦ Mix in s...