19MS 170, MS 180, MS 180 C
English / USA
Low kickback chain 
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 § 5.11.2.4 
of ANSI B 175.1-2000 (Gasoline-
Powered Chain Saws–Safety 
Requirements) when tested in its 
original condition on a selected 
representative sample of chainsaws 
below 3.8 cubic inch (62 cm³) 
displacement specified in 
ANSI B 175.1-2000.
!Warning!
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 § 5.11 of ANSI B 175.1-2000. 
Some low kickback chains have not 
been tested with all powerhead and bar 
combinations.
!Warning! 
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.
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 chains.
!Warning! 
When used with other, more aggressive 
chains, these bars may be less effective 
in reducing kickback.
Bow Guides
!Warning!
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.
To avoid kickback
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. 
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, small size brush and saplings 
which may easily catch the chain. 
4 Don'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.