Causes and Operator Prevention of Kickback
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the wood
closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and
back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back
towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw, which could result in
serious personal injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As
a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and
can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles, with
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both hands on the saw and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback
forces. Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.
Do not let go of the chain saw.
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height . This helps prevent unintended
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tip contact and enables better control of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect
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replacement bars and chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
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Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to increased kickback.
Kickback Safety Devices on This Chain Saw
Chain Brake
The chain saw comes equipped with a chain brake, which stops both the motor and the motion
of the chain when kickback occurs. The chain brake can be activated by the forward motion of
the chain kickback brake handle as the saw rotates backward during kickback.
WARNING
Make sure that the chain brake is working properly before using the chain saw. The chain
kickback brake handle should move back and forth easily.
To test the operation of the chain brake,
perform the following steps (Fig. 1):
Place the chain saw on a flat bare surface
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and make sure no objects or obstructions that
could come in contact with the bar and chain
are in the immediate vicinity.
Disengage the chain brake by pulling the
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chain kickback brake handle towards the front
handle.
Start the chain saw.
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Push the chain kickback brake handle
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towards the front of the saw. A properly
functioning hand brake will stop the
movement of the chain immediately. If the
chain brake is not working properly, do not
use the chain saw until it has been repaired by a qualified service technician.
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Never modify or attempt to disable the chain brake.
Fig. 1
Chain kickback brake
handle in operating
position
Chain kickback
brake handle in brake
position