Stihl MSA 161 T Instruction Manual page 22

English
￭ 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.
￭ Kickback may occur, for example, when the chain near the
upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts the wood or is
pinched during limbing or when it is incorrectly used to
begin a plunge or boring cut.
￭ The greater the force of the kickback reaction, the more
difficult it becomes for the operator to control the chain
saw. Many factors influence the occurrence and force of
the kickback reaction. These include chain speed, the
speed at which the bar and chain contact the object, the
location and angle of contact, the condition of the chain,
and how quickly the chain is slowed or stopped, among
other factors.
– The type of bar and chain you use is an important
factor in the occurrence and force of the kickback
reaction. Some STIHL bar and chain types are
designed to reduce kickback forces.
– STIHL recommends the use of reduced kickback
bars and low kickback chains.
7.2.2 Chain Saw Kickback Standards
The following standards apply with respect to kickback:
– § 19.108 of UL 60745-2-13
– § 5.11 of ANSI/OPEI B175.1
These standards, referred to as "the chain saw kickback
standards" in this chapter, set certain performance and
design criteria related to chain saw kickback.
To comply with the chain saw kickback standards, electric
chain saws:
– must, in their original condition, meet a 25° computer-
derived kickback angle when equipped with certain cutting
attachments; and
20
7 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
– must be equipped with at least two devices to reduce the
risk of kickback injury, such as a chain brake, low kickback
chain, reduced kickback bar, etc.
The computer-derived angles for electric chain saws are
measured by applying a computer program to test results
from a kickback test machine.
WARNING
￭ Compliance with the chain saw kickback standards does
not mean that the bar and chain will rotate at most 25° in
a real life kickback.
￭ The computer-derived angles of the chain saw standards
may bear no relationship to actual kickback bar rotation
angles that may occur in a real life cutting situation.
￭ Devices designed to reduce the risk of kickback injuries
may lose some of their effectiveness when they are no
longer in their original condition, especially if they have
been improperly maintained.
– Read and follow the safety precautions and
instructions in this manual.
– When working, always position the chain saw such
that your body is clear of the cutting attachment and
outside of the cutting plane.
– Follow the maintenance and service instructions in
this manual.
￭ For the chain saw to meet the chain saw kickback
standards, use only the following cutting attachments:
– Compliant bar and chain combinations listed in
"Combinations of Guide Bars and Saw Chains,"
@ 27;
– Other replacement bar and chain combinations
marked in accordance with the standards for use on
the chain saw; or
– Replacement chain designated "low kickback chain."
0458-791-8621-C