MS 150 TC
English
17
needs, having experience and 
specialized training for dealing with 
kickback.
STIHL recommends the use of its green 
labeled reduced kickback bars, green 
labeled low kickback saw chains and a 
chain saw equipped with a STIHL 
Quickstop chain brake for both 
experienced and inexperienced chain 
saw users.
Please ask your STIHL dealer to 
properly match your chain saw with the 
appropriate bar / saw chain combination 
to reduce the risk of kickback injury. 
Green labeled bars and saw chains are 
recommended for all chain saws.
WARNING
Use of other, non-listed bar / saw chain 
combinations may increase kickback 
forces and the risk of kickback injury. 
New bar / saw chain combinations may 
be developed after publication of this 
literature, which will, in combination with 
certain chain saws, comply with the 
chain saw standard as well. Check with 
your STIHL dealer for such 
combinations.
WARNING
Reduced kickback bars and low 
kickback saw 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, a reduced kickback bar and / 
or low kickback saw chain, this does not 
eliminate the risk of injury by kickback. 
Therefore, always observe all safety 
precautions to avoid kickback situations.
Low Kickback Saw Chain
Some types of saw chains have 
specially designed components to 
reduce the force of nose contact 
kickback. STIHL has developed low 
kickback saw chain for your chain saw.
A "low kickback saw chain" is a saw 
chain that has met the kickback 
performance requirements of 
ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012 when tested 
according to the provisions specified in 
ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012.
WARNING
There are potential chain saw 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 the chain saw standard. Some 
low kickback saw chains have not been 
tested with all chain saw and bar 
combinations.
WARNING
A blunt or incorrectly sharpened saw 
chain may reduce or negate the effects 
of the design features intended to 
reduce kickback energy. Improper 
lowering or sharpening of the depth 
gauges as well as changing the shape of 
the cutters may increase the risk and the 
energy of kickback. Always cut with a 
properly sharpened saw chain.
Reduced Kickback Bars
STIHL green labeled reduced kickback 
bars are designed to reduce the risk of 
kickback injury when used with STIHL 
green labeled low kickback saw chains.
WARNING
When used with other, more aggressive 
saw chains, these bars may be less 
effective in reducing kickback.
WARNING
For a properly balanced saw and in 
order to comply with the chain saw 
standard, use only bar lengths listed in 
the specifications chapter of the 
instruction manual for your chain saw.
To avoid kickback
The best protection from personal injury 
that may result from kickback is to avoid 
kickback situations:
1. Hold the chain saw firmly with both 
hands and maintain a secure grip. 
Don’t let go.
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 near wire fences 
and when cutting small, tough limbs 
and branches which may easily 
catch the saw chain.
4. Don't overreach.
5. Don't cut above shoulder height.
6. Begin cutting and continue at full 
throttle.
7. Cut only one branch at a time.