MS 194 T
English
17
Chain Saw Kickback Standard
The following standard apply with 
respect to kickback:
– § 5.11 of ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012
This standard, in the following referred 
to as "the chain saw kickback standard" 
sets certain performance and design 
criteria related to chain saw kickback.
To comply with the chain saw kickback 
standard:
a) Chain saws with a displacement of 
less than 3.8 cubic inches (62 cm³)
– must, in their original condition, 
meet a 45° computer derived 
kickback angle when equipped with 
certain cutting attachments,
– and must be equipped with at least 
two devices to reduce the risk of 
kickback injury, such as a chain 
brake, low kickback saw chain, 
reduced kickback bar, etc.
b) Chain saws with a displacement of 
3.8 cubic inches (62 cm³) and 
above
– must be equipped with at least one 
device designed to reduce the risk 
of kickback injury, such as a chain 
brake, low kickback saw chain, 
reduced kickback bar, etc.
The computer derived angles for chain 
saws below 3.8 cubic inches (62 cm³) 
displacement are measured by applying 
a computer program to test results from 
a kickback test machine.
WARNING
The computer derived angles of the 
chain saw kickback standard may bear 
no relationship to actual kickback bar 
rotation angles that may occur in real life 
cutting situations.
In addition, features designed to reduce 
kickback injuries may lose some of their 
effectiveness when they are no longer in 
their original condition, especially if they 
have been improperly maintained. 
Compliance with the chain saw kickback 
standard does not automatically mean 
that in a real life kickback the bar and 
saw chain will rotate at most 45°.
WARNING
In order for chain saws below 3.8 cubic 
inches (62 cm³) displacement to comply 
with the computed kickback angle 
requirements of the chain saw kickback 
standard use only the following cutting 
attachments:
– bar and saw chain combinations 
listed as complying in the 
"Specifications" section of the 
instruction manual or
– other replacement bar and saw 
chain combinations marked in 
accordance with the standard for 
use on the chain saw or
– replacement saw chain designated 
"low kickback saw chain."
See the section on "Low Kickback Saw 
Chain and Reduced Kickback Bars."
Devices for Reducing the Risk of 
Kickback Injury
Stihl recommends the use of green 
labeled reduced kickback bars and low 
kickback saw chains on your chain saw 
equipped with a Stihl Quickstop chain 
brake.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, never use a 
chain saw if the chain brake does not 
function properly. Take the chain saw to 
your local STIHL servicing dealer. Do 
not use the chain saw until the problem 
has been rectified.
STIHL Quickstop Chain Brake
STIHL has developed a saw chain 
stopping system designed to reduce the 
risk of injury in certain kickback 
situations. It is called a Quickstop chain 
brake.