Instruction manual

MS 201 T
English
15
Low Kickback Saw Chain and
Reduced Kickback Bars
STIHL offers a variety of bars and
chains. STIHL reduced kickback bars
and low kickback chains are designed to
reduce the risk of kickback injury. Other
chains are designed to obtain higher
cutting efficiency or sharpening ease but
may result in higher kickback tendency.
STIHL has developed a color code
system to help you identify the STIHL
reduced kickback bars and low kickback
chains. Cutting attachments with green
warning decals or green labels on the
packaging are designed to reduce the
risk of kickback injury. The matching of
green decaled powerheads under
3.8 cubic inches (62 cm³) displacement
with green labeled bars and green
labeled chains gives compliance with
the computed kickback angle
requirements of ANSI B 175.1-2000
when the products are in their original
condition. Products with yellow decals or
labels are for users with extraordinary
cutting needs and experience and
specialized training for dealing with
kickback.
Low Kickback Chain
Some types of saw chains have
specially designed components to
reduce the force of nose contact
kickback. STIHL has developed low
kickback chain for your powerhead.
Warning!
No Quickstop or other chain brake
device prevents kickback. These
devices are designed to reduce the risk
of kickback injury, if activated, in certain
kickback situations. In order for the
Quickstop to reduce the risk of kickback
injury, it must be properly maintained
and in good working order. See the
chapter of your instruction manual enti-
tled "Chain Brake" and the section
"Maintenance, Repair and Storing" at
the end of these Safety Precautions and
Working Techniques. In addition, there
must be enough distance between the
bar and the operator to ensure that the
Quickstop has sufficient time to activate
and stop the chain before potential con-
tact with the operator.
Warning!
An improperly maintained chain brake
may increase the time needed to stop
the chain after activation, or may not
activate at all.
Warning!
Never run the chain saw above idle
speed for more than 3 seconds when
the chain brake is engaged or when the
chain is pinched or otherwise caught in
the cut. Clutch slippage can cause
excessive heat, leading to severe dam-
age of the motor housing, clutch and
oiler component and may interfere with
the operation of the chain brake. If
clutch slippage in excess of 3 seconds
has occurred, allow the motor housing
to cool before proceeding and check the
operation of your chain brake as
described in the chapter entitled "Chain
Brake" of your instruction manual. Also
make sure that the chain is not turning
at idle speed (see above at "Important
Adjustments").
Warning!
Use of other, non-listed bar/chain com-
binations may increase kickback forces
and the risk of kickback injury. New
bar/chain combinations may be devel-
oped after publication of this literature,
which will, in combination with certain
powerheads, comply with § 5.11 of
ANSI B 175.1-2000. Check with your
STIHL dealer for such combinations.
Warning!
Reduced kickback bars and low kick-
back chains do not prevent kickback,
but they are designed to reduce the risk
of kickback injury. They are available
from your STIHL dealer.
Warning!
Even if your saw is equipped with a
Quickstop chain brake, a reduced kick-
back bar and/or low kickback chain, this
does not eliminate the risk of injury by
kickback. Therefore, always observe all
safety precautions to avoid kickback
situations.