Reactive Forces Including Kickback - Stihl 036 QS Instruction Manual

Such objects may be flung off, damage
the saw chain or cause the saw to kick-
back.
In order to keep control of your saw,
always maintain a firm foothold. Never
work on a ladder, or on any other
insecure support. Never use the saw
above shoulder height.
Never work in a tree unless you have
received specific, professional training
for such work, are properly secured
(such as tackle and harness system or a
lift bucket), have both hands free for
operating the chainsaw in a cramped
environment and have taken proper
precautions to avoid injury from falling
limbs or branches.

Position the chainsaw in such a way that
your body is clear of the cutting attach-
ment whenever the engine is running.
Stand to the left of cut while bucking.
Don't put pressure on the saw when
reaching the end of a cut. The pressure
may cause the bar and rotating chain to
pop out of the cut or kerf, go out of
control and strike the operator or some
other object. If the rotating chain strikes
some other object, a reactive force may
cause the moving chain to strike the
operator.
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Reactives forces may occur any time the
chain is rotating.
Reactives forces can be dangerous!
In any chainsaw, the powerful force
used to cut wood can be reversed (and
work against the operator).
If the rotating chain is suddenly stopped
by contact with any solid object like a log
or branch or is pinched, the reactive
forces may occur instantly. These
reactive forces may result in loss of
control which may, in turn, cause serious
or fatal injury. An understanding of the
causes of these reactive forces may help
you avoid loss of control.
The most common reactive forces are
– kickback,
– pushback,
– pull-in.
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Kickback occurs when
the upper quadrant of the
bar nose contacts a solid
object or is pinched.
The reaction of the cutting force of the
chain causes a rotational force on the
chainsaw in the direction opposite to the
chain movement. This may fling the bar
up and back in an uncontrolled arc
mainly in the plane of the bar. Under
some cutting circumstances the bar
moves towards the operator, who may
suffer severe or fatal injury.