17MS 360 C
english / USA
When a kickback occurs, the guide bar 
may rotate around the front handle. If the 
cutting position is such that the 
operator's left hand is gripping the front 
handle behind the hand guard, and if the 
left hand rotates around the front handle 
and makes a sufficiently forceful contact 
with the front hand guard, which is the 
Quickstop activating lever, this contact 
will activate the Quickstop. The chain 
brake on most new model STIHL 
chainsaws can also be activated by 
inertia. On "QS" models, the interlock 
lever and the throttle trigger on the rear 
handle act as a third means of 
activation. See the chapter entitled 
"Chain Brake" of your Owner's Manual.
!Warning!
Never operate your chainsaw without a 
front hand guard. In a kickback situation 
this guard helps protect your left hand or 
other parts of your body. In addition, 
removal of the hand guard on a saw 
equipped with a chain brake will 
deactivate the chain brake.
!Warning!
No Quickstop or other chain brake 
device prevents kickback. These 
devices are designed to reduce the risk 
of kickback injury, if activated, in certain 
kickback situations. In order for the 
Quickstop to reduce the risk of kickback 
injury, it must be properly maintained 
and in good working order. See the 
chapter entitled "Chain Brake" and 
"Maintenance, Repair and Storing" of 
your Owner's Manual. In addition, there 
must be enough distance between the 
bar and the operator to ensure that the 
Quickstop has sufficient time to activate 
and stop the chain before potential 
contact with the operator.
!Warning!
An improperly maintained chain brake 
may increase the time needed to stop 
the chain after activation, or may not 
activate at all.
!Warning!
Never run the chainsaw above idle 
speed for more than 3 seconds when the 
chain brake is engaged or the chain is 
pinched or otherwise caught in the cut. 
Clutch slippage can cause excessive 
heat, leading to severe damage of the 
motor housing, clutch and oiler 
component and may interfere with the 
operation of the chain brake. If clutch 
slippage in excess of 3 seconds has 
occured, allow the motor housing to cool 
before proceeding and check the 
operation of your chain brake as 
described in the chapter entitled "Chain 
Brake". Also make sure that the chain is 
not turning at idle speed (see above 
"Important Adjustments"). 
Low kickback saw chain and reduced 
kickback bars
STIHL offers a variety of bars and 
chains. STIHL reduced kickback bars 
and low kickback chains are designed to
001BA036 KN