
6
Additional safety precautions
The following additional safety precautions must be ob-
served by all users of chain saws:
 1. Do not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued.
  2.  Use safety footwear; snug-tting clothing; protective 
gloves; and eye, hearing, and head protection devi-
ces.
 3. Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw 
at least 10 feet (3 m) from the fueling point before 
starting the engine.
 4. Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw 
when  starting  or  cutting  with  the  chain  saw. Keep 
bystanders and animals out of the work area.
 5. Do not start cutting until you have a clear work 
area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path from 
the falling tree.
  6.  Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain 
when the engine is running.
 7. Before you start the engine, make sure that the saw 
chain is not contacting anything.
 8. Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the 
guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the mufer 
away from your body.
 9. Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, is im-
properly adjusted, or is not completely and securely 
assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving 
when the throttle control trigger is released.
10. Shut off the engine before setting it down.
11. Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush 
and saplings because slender material may catch 
the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you 
off balance.
12. When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for 
springback so that you will not be struck when the 
tension on the wood bers is released.
13.  Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel 
mixture.
14. Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated 
areas.
15. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have 
been specically trained to do so.
16. All chain saw service, other than the items listed in 
the  Operator’s  Manual  maintenance  instructions, 
should be performed by DOLMAR. (For example, 
if  improper  tools  are  used  to  remove  the  ywheel 
or if an improper tool is used to hold the ywheel in 
order to remove the clutch structural damage to the 
ywheel could  occur and could subsequently cause 
the ywheel to burst.)
17. When transporting your chain saw, use the chain 
protection cover.
18. Low kickback bars and low kickback chains are desi-
gned to reduce the risk of kickback injury. Ask your 
DOLMAR dealer about these devices.
Safety precautions for chain saw operators
While operating the chain saw please observe the follo-
wing rules:
a) Contact of the guide bar nose with any object 
 should be avoided.
b) Tip contact may cause the guide bar to move 
 suddenly upward and backward, which may 
 cause serious or fatal injury.
c) Always operate the chain saw with both hands.
WARNING!
Read and follow all safety precautions in the operator’s 
manual. Failure to follow instructions could result in 
serious injury. It is recommended to lend the chain 
saw only to people who are experienced in working 
with chain  saws. Always hand  over  the Operator’s 
and Safety Manual.
WARNING!
This chain saw is capable of severe kickback that 
could result in serious injury to the operator. Do not 
operate this chain saw unless you have extraordinary 
cutting needs and experience in and special training 
for dealing with kickback. 
Chain saws with signicantly reduced kickback po-
tential are available.
WARNING!
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide 
bar touches an object, or when the wood closes in 
and pinches the saw chain in the cut. This contact 
may abruptly stop the saw chain and in some cases 
may cause a lightning fast reverse reaction, kicking 
the guide bar up and back towards the user, or push 
the guide bar back towards the operator. 
Kickback  may cause you to lose control of the 
saw.
As a chain saw user, you can take several steps to 
reduce the risk of a kickback and potential injury.
A. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can 
reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. It is a 
sudden surprise that contributes to accidents.
B.  Keep a good rm grip on the saw with both hands, 
your right hand on the rear grip and your left 
hand on the tubular handle, when the engine is 
running. Use a rm grip with thumbs and ngers 
encircling the chain saw handles. A rm grip can 
neutralize kickback and help you maintain control 
of the saw. Don’t let go!
C. Make sure that the area in which you are cutting 
is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose of 
the guide bar contact the log, branch, or any 
other obstructions which could be hit while you 
are operating the saw.
D. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
E.  Follow manufacturer’s sharpening and main ten-
ance instructions for the saw chain.
F.   Only use replacement bars and chains speci  ed 
by the manufacturer or the equivalent.