Stihl MSA 220.0 T Instruction Manual page 15

6 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
STIHL green-labeled reduced kickback bars are
designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury
when used with STIHL green-labeled low kick‐
back chains.
WARNING
■ When used with other, more aggressive
chains, green‑labeled reduced kickback bars
may be less effective in reducing kickback.
► STIHL recommends green-labeled bars and
green-labeled chains for all chain saws and
all users.
■ For proper balance and to comply with the
chain saw standards:
► Use only bar lengths listed in this manual,
28.1.
6.2.4 To Avoid Kickback
The best protection from personal injury that may
result from kickback is to avoid kickback situa‐
tions:
1) Hold the chain saw firmly and with both
hands and maintain a secure grip, with your
right hand on the control handle and left
hand on the front handle. Maintain a secure
grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the
chain saw handles. Don't let go.
2) Make sure the area in which you are cutting
is free from obstructions.
3) Be aware of the location of the guide bar
nose at all times. Never let the nose of the
guide bar unintentionally 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, small
size brush and saplings which may easily
catch the saw chain.
4) Do not overreach.
5) Do not cut above shoulder height.
6) Begin cutting and continue at full speed.
7) Cut only one log at a time.
8) Use extreme caution when re-entering a pre‐
vious cut.
9) Do not attempt to plunge cut if you are not
experienced with this cutting technique.
10) Be alert for shifting of the log or other forces
that may cause the cut to close and pinch
the saw chain.
11) Maintain saw chain properly. Cut with a cor‐
rectly sharpened, properly tensioned saw
chain at all times.
0458-007-8201-B
12) Stand to the side of the cutting path of the
chain saw.
13) Use only replacement bars and chains speci‐
fied by STIHL, or the equivalent.
6.3 Pull-in
WARNING
■ Pull-in occurs when the chain on the bottom of
the bar is suddenly stopped or significantly
slowed when it is pinched, caught or encoun‐
ters a foreign object in the wood. The reaction
of the chain pulls the saw forward and may
cause the operator to lose control, which, in
turn, may cause serious or fatal injury. If the
tip contacts an object, kickback may occur.
■ Pull-in usually occurs when the bumper spike
of the saw is not held securely against the tree
or limb and when the chain is not rotating at
full speed before it contacts the wood.
■ To reduce the risk of pull-in:
► Cut with a sharp, properly tensioned chain.
► Always start a cut with the chain rotating at
full speed and with the bumper spike in
contact with the wood.
► Use wedges to open the kerf or cut, where
possible.
► Use extreme caution when cutting small-
size brush and saplings which may easily
catch the chain, spring towards you or pull
you off balance.
6.4 Pushback
English
15