Instruction Manual

0458-759-8621-C
20
English 6 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
6.2 Kickback
6.2.1 Kickback
WARNING
￭ When this occurs, the energy driving the chain can create
a force that moves the chain saw in a direction opposite to
the chain movement at the point where the chain is slowed
or stopped. This may fling the bar up and back in a
lightning fast reaction mainly in the plane of the bar and
can cause severe or fatal injury to the operator.
￭ Kickback may occur, for example, when the chain near the
upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts the wood or is
pinched during limbing or when it is incorrectly used to
begin a plunge or boring cut.
￭ The greater the force of the kickback reaction, the more
difficult it becomes for the operator to control the chain
saw. Many factors influence the occurrence and force of
the kickback reaction. These include chain speed, the
speed at which the bar and chain contact the object, the
location and angle of contact, the condition of the chain,
and how quickly the chain is slowed or stopped, among
other factors.
– The type of bar and chain you use is an important
factor in the occurrence and force of the kickback
reaction. Some STIHL bar and chain types are
designed to reduce kickback forces.
– STIHL recommends the use of reduced kickback
bars and low kickback chains.
6.2.2 Chain Saw Kickback Standards
The following standards apply with respect to kickback:
– § 5.11 of ANSI/OPEI B175.1
This standard, referred to as "the chain saw kickback
standard" in this chapter, sets certain performance and
design criteria related to chain saw kickback.
To comply with the chain saw kickback standard:
a)Chain saws with a displacement of less than 3.8 cu. in.
(62 cm³):
– must, in their original condition, meet a 45° computer-
derived kickback angle when equipped with certain
cutting attachments; and
– must be equipped with at least two devices to reduce
the risk of kickback injury, such as a chain brake, low
kickback chain, reduced kickback bar, etc.
b)Chain saws with a displacement of 3.8 cu. in. (62 cm³) and
above:
– must be equipped with at least one device designed to
reduce the risk of kickback injury, such as a chain brake,
low kickback chain, reduced kickback bar, etc.
The computer derived angles for chain saws below
3.8 cu. in. (62 cm³) displacement are measured by applying
a computer program to test results from a kickback test
machine.
Kickback may occur when the moving chain near
the upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts a
solid object or is pinched.
0000-GXX-1374-A0