Craftsman 172.341201 Operator's Manual

22OPERATION cont.CAUTION: Do not touch the ground with the chain. Ensure safety clearanceof 20 cm. (7-7/8 inch.) If an increasing oil pattern develops, the automatic oiler isoperating fine. If there is no oil pattern, despite a full oil reservoir,see “Troubleshooting”.!CUTTINGCheck oil level gauge prior to starting and regularly during operation. Refill oil when oillevel is low. The oil tank filling will last approx. 16 minutes, depending on sawing intensityand stops. (See Fig. 6 on page 18)Confirm the chain tension is in working order and the chain sharp.Check new replaced chain tension during operation.Upon initial operation, new chains can lengthen considerably. The condition of the chaininfluences the cutting performance. Only a sharp chain protects from overload.Make sure you are wearing the necessary protective equipment.Wear safety glasses/goggles/visor – safety helmet and hearing protection.Further protective equipment for head, hands, legs and feet is highly recommended.Adequate protective clothing will reduce personal injury by flying debris or accidentalcontact with saw chain.Proper functioning of the automatic oiler can be checked by running the chain saw andpointing the tip of the chain bar towards a piece of cardboard or paper on the ground.KICKBACK is the backward, upward or sudden forward motion of the guide bar occurringwhen the saw chain near the upper tip of the guide bar contacts any object such as a log orbranch, or when the wood closes in and pinches chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign objectin the wood can also result in loss of chain saw control.When kickback occurs the chainsaw reacts unpredictably and can cause severe injuriesto the operator or bystanders. Particular attention must be given when sawing sideward,slanted or during length cuts, as the spiked bumper usually can not be applied.To avoid kickback:• Saw with guide bar at a flat angle.• Never work with a loose, widely stretched or the heavily worn out chain.• Ensure chain is sharpened correctly.• Never saw above shoulder height.• Never work with the tip of the guide bar.• Always hold the chain saw firmly with both hands.• Always use a low kickback chain.• Apply the metal gripping teeth for leverage.• Ensure correct chain tension.Kickback PathClear TheWork AreaAvoidObstructionsKICKBACK ( Fig. 10a, 10b) Fig. 10a Fig. 10b23OPERATION cont.Always hold the chain saw firmly with both hands. Front grip with the left hand and rear gripwith the right hand. Fully grip both handles at all times during operation. (See Figs. 11 and 12)Never operate chain saw using only one hand. Ensure power cord is located to the rear,away from the chain and wood and so positioned that it will not be caught on branches or thelike during cutting. (see THE CHAIN BREAK, page 21)The chain must be running at fullspeed before it makes contactwith the wood.Use the metal gripping teeth tosecure the saw onto the woodbefore starting to cut.Use the spiked bumper (9) as aleverage point while cutting.(See Fig. 13)GENERAL CUTTINGFig. 11 Fig. 12Fig. 13STAND TO THELEFT OF SAWThumb onundersideof handlebarUse the chain saw only with secure footing.Hold the chain saw at the right-hand side of your body. (See Figs. 11 and 12)9Spiked Bumper