Owner's Manual

MS 362 C
English
12
Your catalytic converter is furnished with
screens designed to reduce the risk of
fire from the emission of hot particles.
Due to the heat from the catalytic
reaction, these screens will normally
stay clean and need no service or
maintenance. If you experience loss of
performance and you suspect a clogged
screen, have your muffler maintained by
a STIHL servicing dealer.
Reactive Forces including Kickback
The powerful force used to cut wood can
be reversed and work against the
operator. If the rotating chain is suddenly
stopped by contact with any solid object
such as a log or branch or is pinched, the
reactive forces may occur instantly.
These reactive forces may result in loss
of control, which, in turn, may cause
serious or fatal injury. An understanding
of the causes of these reactive forces
may help you avoid the element of
surprise and loss of control. Sudden
surprise contributes to accidents.
The most common reactive forces are:
– kickback,
– pushback,
– pull-in.
Kickback
The reaction of the cutting force of the
chain causes a rotational force on the
chain saw in the direction opposite to the
chain movement. This may fling the bar
up and back in a ligtening fast reaction in
an uncontrolled arc mainly in the plane
of the bar. Under some cutting
circumstances the bar moves towards
the operator, who may suffer severe or
fatal injury.
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 saw. Many
factors influence the occurrence and
force of the kickback reaction. These
include chain speed, the speed at which
Warning!
An improperly mounted or damaged
shroud or a damaged/deformed muffler
shell may interfere with the cooling proc-
ess of the catalytic converter. To reduce
the risk of fire or burn injury, do not con-
tinue work with a damaged or
improperly mounted cylinder shroud or
a damaged/deformed muffler shell.
Warning!
Reactive forces may occur any time the
chain is rotating. Reactive forces can
cause serious personal injury.
001BA093 LÄ
Kickback may occur
when the moving saw
chain near the upper
quadrant of the bar nose
contacts a solid object or
is pinched.
001BA035 KN