Owner's Manual
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Some types of saw chain have specially
designed components to reduce the
force of nose contact kickback. STIHL
has developed low kickback chain for
your powerhead.
“Low kickback saw chain” is a chain
which has met the kickback performance
requirements of § 5.12.2.4 of
ANSI B 175.1-1991 (Safety Require-
ments for Gasoline-Powered Chain-
Saws) when tested on a selected repre-
sentative sample of chainsaws below
3.8 cubic inch displacement specified in
ANSI B 175.1-1991.
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There are potential powerhead and bar
combinations with which low kickback
saw chains can be used which have not
been specifically certified to comply with
the 45° computer derived kickback angle
of § 5.12 of ANSI B 175.1-1991.
Some low kickback chains have not
been tested with all powerhead and bar
combinations.
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A dull or improperly sharpened chain
may reduce or negate the effects of the
design features intended to reduce
kickback energy. Improper lowering or
sharpening of the depth gauges or
shaping of the cutters may increase the
chance and the potential energy of a
kickback. Always cut with a properly
sharpened chain.
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STIHL green labeled reduced kickback
bars are designed to reduce the risk of
kickback injury when used with STIHL
green labeled low kickback chains.
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When used with other, more aggressive
chains, these bars may be less effective
in reducing kickback, and may result in
higher kickback forces.
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Do not mount a bow guide on any
STIHL chainsaw.
Any chainsaw equipped with a bow
guide is potentially very dangerous.
The risk of kickback is increased with a
bow guide because of the increased
kickback contact area. Low kickback
chain will not significantly reduce the risk
of kickback injury when used on a bow
guide.
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The best protection from personal injury
that may result from kickback is to avoid
kickback situations:
1. Hold the chainsaw firmly with both
hands and maintain a secure grip.
2. Be aware of the location of the guide
bar nose at all times.
3. Never let the nose of the guide bar
contact any object. Do not cut limbs
with the nose of the guide bar.
Be especially careful when cutting
small, tough limbs, small size brush
and saplings which may easily catch
the chain.
4Don’t overreach.
5. Don’t cut above shoulder height.
6. Begin cutting and continue at full
throttle.
7. Cut only one log at a time.
8. Use extreme caution when reentering
a previous cut.
9. Do not attempt to plunge cut if you
are not experienced with these
cutting techniques.
10. Be alert for shifting of the log or other
forces that may cause the cut to
close and pinch the chain.
11. Maintain saw chain properly. Cut with
a correctly sharpened, properly
tensioned chain at all times.
12. Stand to the side of the cutting path
of the chainsaw.