Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback - Stihl MSE 141 C Instruction Manual

5 General Power Tool Safety Warnings
d) Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Adequate
protective clothing will reduce personal injury by flying
debris or accidental contact with the saw chain.
e) Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder, from a
rooftop, or any unstable support. Operation of a chain saw
in this manner could result in serious personal injury.
f) Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw
only when standing on fixed, secure and level surface.
Slippery or unstable surfaces may cause a loss of balance
or control of the chain saw.
g) When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for
spring back. When the tension in the wood fibers is
released, the spring loaded limb may strike the operator
and/or throw the chain saw out of control.
h) Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings.
The slender material may catch the saw chain and be
whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
i) Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the chain saw
switched off and away from your body. When transporting
or storing the chain saw, always fit the guide bar cover.
Proper handling of the chain saw will reduce the likelihood
of accidental contact with the moving saw chain.
j) Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning and
changing the bar and chain. Improperly tensioned or
lubricated chain may either break or increase the chance
for kickback.
k) Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes not
intended. For example: do not use chain saw for cutting
metal, plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials.
Use of the chain saw for operations different than intended
could result in a hazardous situation.
5.8

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.
0458-729-8621-A
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.
English
7