Kickback And Other Reactive Forces; Reactive Forces; Kickback - Stihl MS 261 Instruction Manual

English
spark arrester. Other states or governmental entities/
agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, may have
similar requirements.
– Do not use your chain saw around flammable
materials or around vegetation or brush when there
is a risk of fire or wildfire.
– Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest
Service if you have any question about laws or
regulations relating to fire protection requirements.
DANGER
￭ To reduce the risk of electrocution:
– Never operate this chain saw in the
vicinity of any wires or cables that may
be carrying electric current.
– Never cut near power lines.
– Do not rely on the chain saw's insulation
against electric shock.

6 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces

6.1

Reactive Forces

WARNING
￭ Reactive forces may occur any time the chain is rotating.
Reactive forces can cause serious or fatal personal injury.
￭ The powerful forces used to cut wood can be reversed and
work against the operator. If the rotating saw chain is
suddenly and significantly slowed or stopped by contact
with any solid object such as a log or branch or is pinched,
the reactive forces may occur instantly.
20
6 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
￭ These reactive forces may result in loss of control, which,
in turn, may cause serious or fatal injury.
– An understanding of the causes of these reactive
forces may help you avoid the element of surprise
and loss of control. Surprise contributes to
accidents.
The most common reactive forces are:

– Kickback

– Pull-in
– Pushback
6.2 Kickback
6.2.1 Kickback
WARNING
Kickback may occur when the moving chain near
the upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts a
solid object or is pinched.
￭ When this occurs, the energy driving the chain can create
a force that moves the chain saw in a direction opposite to
the chain movement at the point where the chain is slowed
or stopped. This may fling the bar up and back in a
lightning fast reaction mainly in the plane of the bar and
can cause severe or fatal injury to the operator.
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