0458-790-8221-A
15
English 
5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
■ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal cut injuries to the 
operator or bystanders from loss of control, keep proper 
footing and balance at all times:
– Take special care in overgrown or wet terrain and 
always watch for hidden obstacles such as tree 
stumps, roots, rocks, holes and ditches to avoid 
stumbling or falling.
– Be extremely cautious when working on slopes or 
uneven ground.
– For better footing, always clear away fallen 
branches, scrub and cuttings. Freshly debarked logs 
and other material can increase the danger of 
slipping, tripping or falling.
– Use extreme caution when cutting small-size brush, 
branches and saplings because slender material 
may catch the chain and spring toward you or pull 
you off balance.
■ To reduce the risk of injury from loss of control:
– Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance 
at all times.
– Never attempt to start or accelerate the engine when 
the guide bar is in a cut or kerf. Doing so could lead 
to reactive forces and injury. Instead, remove the 
guide bar from the cut and re-enter the cut at full 
throttle, taking care to avoid contacting any object 
with the tip of the guide bar.
■ The bumper spike is designed to provide greater control 
of the chain saw while cutting. If you work without the 
bumper spike, the chain saw may pull you forward 
suddenly. This could cause loss of control or, if the tip of 
the guide bar strikes an object, kickback.
– Position the bumper spike against the material you 
are cutting and use it as a fulcrum.
– Always work with the bumper spike to maintain 
better control of the saw.
■ Applying pressure to the chain saw when reaching the end 
of a cut may cause the bar and rotating chain to accelerate 
out of the kerf, go out of control and strike the operator or 
some other object. To reduce the risk of injury:
– Use caution when approaching the end of a cut.
– Never put pressure on the chain saw when reaching 
the end of a cut.
– STIHL recommends that first-time chain saw users 
work under the supervision of an experienced 
operator.
5.6.4 Working Conditions
WARNING
■ Operate your chain saw only under good visibility during 
favorable daylight conditions.
– Postpone the work if the weather is windy, foggy, 
rainy or inclement.
– Never cut near power lines.
■ Your chain saw is a one-person machine.
– Do not allow other persons in the general work area.
– Bystanders, especially children, and animals should 
not be allowed in the area where it is in use.
– Shut off the engine immediately if you are 
approached. Engage the chain brake.
– Never attempt to operate the chain saw 
with one hand.
– Never work on a ladder, roof, in a tree or 
while standing on any other insecure 
support.
– Never operate the chain saw above 
shoulder height.