Stihl MS 441 C-M Instruction Manual page 8

English
Kickback occurs when the saw is
suddenly thrown up and back in an
uncontrolled arc towards the operator.
Kickback occurs if, for example,
– the saw chain in the area of the
upper quarter of the guide bar nose
unintentionally comes into contact
with wood or a solid object – e.g.,
unintentionally touches another limb
during limbing
– the saw chain at the nose of the
guide bar is pinched in the cut
6
Quickstop chain brake:
This device reduces the risk of injury in
certain situations – it cannot prevent
kickback. When activated, the chain
brake stops the saw chain within a
fraction of a second –
See the section "Saw chain" in this
Instruction Manual.
Reduce the risk of kickback
– Work cautiously and methodically
– Hold the chain saw firmly with both
hands and maintain a secure grip
– Always cut at full throttle
– Be aware of the location of the guide
bar nose
– Do not cut with the guide bar nose
– Be especially careful with small,
tough limbs, undergrowth and
offshoots – the saw chain may
become caught in them
– Never cut several limbs at once
– Do not lean too far forward
– Do not cut above shoulder height
– Use extreme caution when re-
entering a previous cut.
– Do not attempt plunge cuts if you
are not experienced 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 saw
chain – the depth gauge setting
must not be too large
– Use low-kickback saw chains as
well as narrow-radius guide bars
Pull-in (A)
When the chain on the bottom of the bar
– overbucking – is suddenly pinched,
caught or encounters a foreign object in
the wood, the chain saw may suddenly
be drawn forward toward the log – to
avoid this, engage the bumper spike
firmly in the wood.
Pushback (B)
When the chain on the top of the bar –
underbucking – is suddenly pinched,
caught or encounters a foreign object in
the wood, the chain saw may suddenly
be driven straight back toward the
operator – to avoid this:
A
B
MS 441 C-M