MS 241 C-M
English
14
Kickback may occur, for example, when 
the saw 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 chain saw. 
Many factors influence the occurrence 
and force of the kickback reaction. 
These include saw chain speed, the 
speed at which the bar and saw chain 
contact the object, the angle of contact, 
the condition of the saw chain and other 
factors.
The type of bar and saw chain you use 
is an important factor in the occurrence 
and force of the kickback reaction. Some 
STIHL bar and saw chain types are 
designed to reduce kickback forces. 
STIHL recommends the use of reduced 
kickback bars and low kickback chains.
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."