Stihl MS 381 Instruction Manual page 8

Reactive Forces
The most common reactive forces that
occur during cutting are: kickback,
pushback and pull-in.
Dangers of kickback
Kickback can result
in serious or fatal
injury.
Kickback occurs when the saw is
suddenly thrown up and back in an
uncontrolled arc towards the operator.
MS 381
Kickback occurs, e.g.
– when the upper quadrant of the bar
nose unintentionally contacts wood
or another solid object, e.g. when
another limb is touched accidentally
during limbing
– when the chain at the nose of the
guide bar is pinched in the cut.
Quickstop chain brake:
This device reduces the risk of injury in
certain situations - it cannot prevent
kickback. If activated, the brake stops
the saw chain within a fraction of a
second – for a description of this device
refer to chapter on "Chain brake" in this
manual.
To reduce the risk of kickback:
– Work cautiously and avoid
situations which could cause
kickback.
– Hold the chainsaw firmly with both
hands and maintain a secure grip.
– Always cut at full throttle.
– Be aware of the location of the guide
bar nose at all times.
– Do not cut with the bar nose.
– Take special care with small, tough
limbs, they may catch the chain.
– Never cut several limbs at once.
– Do not overreach.
– Never cut above shoulder height.
– Use extreme caution when re-
entering a previous cut.
– Do not attempt plunge cuts if you
are not experience in this cutting
technique
– Be alert for shifting of the log or
other forces that may cause the cut
to close and pinch the chain.
– Always cut with a correctly
sharpened, properly tensioned
chain – the depth gauge setting
must not be too large.
– Use a low kickback chain and a
narrow radius guide bar.
English
7