Stihl MS 194 T Instruction Manual page 21

needs, having experience and
specialized training for dealing with
kickback.
STIHL recommends the use of its green
labeled reduced kickback bars, green
labeled low kickback saw chains and a
chain saw equipped with a STIHL
Quickstop chain brake for both
experienced and inexperienced chain
saw users.
Please ask your STIHL dealer to
properly match your chain saw with the
appropriate bar / saw chain combination
to reduce the risk of kickback injury.
Green labeled bars and saw chains are
recommended for all chain saws.
WARNING
Use of other, non-listed bar / saw chain
combinations may increase kickback
forces and the risk of kickback injury.
New bar / saw chain combinations may
be developed after publication of this
literature, which will, in combination with
certain chain saws, comply with the
chain saw standard as well. Check with
your STIHL dealer for such
combinations.
WARNING
Reduced kickback bars and low
kickback saw chains do not prevent
kickback, but they are designed to
reduce the risk of kickback injury. They
are available from your STIHL dealer.
WARNING
Even if your saw is equipped with a
Quickstop, a reduced kickback bar and /
or low kickback saw chain, this does not
MS 194 T
eliminate the risk of injury by kickback.
Therefore, always observe all safety
precautions to avoid kickback situations.
Low Kickback Saw Chain
Some types of saw chains have
specially designed components to
reduce the force of nose contact
kickback. STIHL has developed low
kickback saw chain for your chain saw.
A "low kickback saw chain" is a saw
chain that has met the kickback
performance requirements of
ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012 when tested
according to the provisions specified in
ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012.
WARNING
There are potential chain saw and bar
combinations with which low kickback
saw chains can be used which have not
been specifically certified to comply with
the 45° computer derived kickback
angle of the chain saw standard. Some
low kickback saw chains have not been
tested with all chain saw and bar
combinations.
WARNING
A blunt or incorrectly sharpened saw
chain may reduce or negate the effects
of the design features intended to
reduce kickback energy. Improper
lowering or sharpening of the depth
gauges as well as changing the shape of
the cutters may increase the risk and the
energy of kickback. Always cut with a
properly sharpened saw chain.
Reduced Kickback Bars
STIHL green labeled reduced kickback
bars are designed to reduce the risk of
kickback injury when used with STIHL
green labeled low kickback saw chains.
WARNING
When used with other, more aggressive
saw chains, these bars may be less
effective in reducing kickback.
WARNING
For a properly balanced saw and in
order to comply with the chain saw
standard, use only bar lengths listed in
the specifications chapter of the
instruction manual for your chain saw.
To avoid kickback
The best protection from personal injury
that may result from kickback is to avoid
kickback situations:
1. Hold the chain saw firmly with both
hands and maintain a secure grip.
Don't let go.
2. Be aware of the location of the guide
bar nose at all times.
3. Never let the nose of the guide bar
contact any object. Do not cut limbs
with the nose of the guide bar. Be
especially careful near wire fences
and when cutting small, tough limbs
and branches which may easily
catch the saw chain.
4. Don't overreach.
5. Don't cut above shoulder height.
6. Begin cutting and continue at full
throttle.
7. Cut only one branch at a time.
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