Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback; Important Safety Instructions; Intended Use - Stihl MSA 120 C Instruction Manual

6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

5.9

Causes and Operator Prevention of Kickback

a) 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.
b) Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse
reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the
operator.
c) Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may
push the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator.
d) Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of
the saw which could result in serious personal injury. Do
not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your
saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps
to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
e) Kickback is the result of chain saw misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below:
1) Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling
the chain saw handles, with both hands on the saw and
position your body and arm to allow you to resist
kickback forces. Kickback forces can be controlled by
the operator, if proper precautions are taken. Do not let
go of the chain saw.
2) Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height.
This helps prevent unintended tip contact and enables
better control of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
3) Only use replacement guide bars and saw chains
specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect replacement
guide bars and saw chains may cause chain breakage
and/or kickback.
4) Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain. Decreasing the depth
gauge height can lead to increased kickback.
0458-716-8621-E
6 IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
6.1

Intended Use

WARNING
￭ This chain saw is designed for cutting small diameter
trees, branches and limbs around the home. It is not
designed for felling large trees or cutting large diameter
logs. Use of the chain saw for operations different than
intended could result in serious injury or death.
– Cut wood only. For example, do not use chain saw
for cutting metal, plastic or masonry.
– Use this chain saw only for light-duty cutting tasks
around the home and garden.
– Do not use it for any other purposes.
￭ For cutting larger trees, logs or branches, a more
powerful, faster saw may be necessary to reduce the risk
of binding, stalling or other risks caused by a change in
conditions during longer cutting times. This battery-
operated chain saw is not suitable for cutting larger trees
and logs, and its use could lead to a loss of control of the
object being cut and serious personal injury or death.
– A battery-powered chain saw is of only limited
suitability for felling and limbing.
– Before starting any felling operation, fully charge
your STIHL AK battery and ensure that all cuts
necessary to fell the tree can be completed on a
single charge.
– If you have any doubt that the tree can be brought
down on a single charge, select a more powerful
chain saw for the cutting task or consult a reputable
tree removal professional before starting the felling
operation.
– Before starting any bucking, limbing, pruning or
felling operation, ensure that all necessary cuts can
be completed using the charge remaining in the
STIHL AK battery.
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