STIHL 018, 017 Owner's Manual
STIHL 017 018
Instruction Manual
Owner’s Manual
Assembling
Safety Precautions
Operating Instructions
Maintenance
Warning!
Read and follow all safety precautions
in Owner’s Manual – improper use
can cause serious or fatal injury.
To reduce risk of kickback injury use STIHL reduced kickback
bar and STIHL PMN (
on sprocket pitch or other available low kickback components.
© Andreas Stihl 1993
3
⁄8 Picco) or PM 1 (3⁄8 Picco) chain depending
Important Safety Precautions for Chain Saw Users
A. Kickback Safety Precautions
!Warning!
Kickback may occur when the nose
or tip of the guide bar touches an
object, or when the wood closes in
and pinches the saw chain in the
cut. Tip contact in some cases may
cause a lightning fast reverse
reaction, kicking the guide bar up
and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the
top of the guide bar may push the
guide bar rapidly back towards the
operator. Either of these reactions
may cause you to lose control of the
saw which could result in serious
personal injury.
Section 5.12 of ANSI B 175.1-1991
sets certain performance and
design criteria related to chainsaw
kickback. STIHL has developed a
color code system using green and
yellow to help you select a powerhead, bar and chain combination
that complies with the kickback
requirements of the ANSI Standard.
See the sections entitled "Safety
Precautions" and "Specifications"
of this manual.
Do not rely exclusively upon the
safety devices built into your saw.
As a chainsaw user, you should
take several steps to keep your
cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
1. With a basic understanding of
kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise.
Sudden surprise contributes to
accidents.
2. Keep a good firm grip on the
saw with both hands, the right
hand on the rear handle,
and the left hand on the front
handle, when the engine is running. Use a firm grip with
thumbs and fingers encircling
the chainsaw handles.
A firm grip will help you reduce
kickback and maintain control
of the saw.
Don’t let go.
3. Make sure the area in which you
are cutting is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose of the
guide bar contact a log, branch,
or any other obstruction while
you are operating the saw.
4. Cut at high engine speeds.
5. Do not overreach or cut above
shoulder height.
6. Follow manufacturer’s
sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
7. Only use replacement bars and
chains specified by the manufacturer or the equivalent.
8. Reduced kickback bars and low
kickback chains are designed
to reduce the risk of kickback
injury. Ask your STIHL dealer
about these devices.
B. Other Safety Precautions
1. Do not operate a chainsaw with
one hand! Serious injury to the
operator, helpers, bystanders,
or any combination of these
persons may result from onehanded operation. A chainsaw
is intended to be used with two
hands.
2. Do not operate a chainsaw when
you are fatigued.
3. Use safety footwear; snug-fitting
clothing; protective gloves; and
eye, hearing, and head protection devices.
continued on the back inside cover
Contents
Main Parts of the Saw 2
Definitions 3
Safety Precautions 4
- The Operator 4
- The Saw 6
- The Use of the Saw 6
- Maintenance, Repair and Storing 21
Mounting the Bar and Chain: 25
- Models with Quick Chain Tensioner* 26
Tensioning the Saw Chain 28
Checking Chain Tension 29
Fuel Mix 29
Fueling 30
Chain Lubricant 31
Filling Chain Oil Tank 31
Checking Chain Lubrication 31
Chain Brake 32
Information Before You Start 31
Starting 33
During Break-in Period 37
* Special equipment
Printed on chlorine-free paper
During Operation 37
After Finishing Work 37
Cleaning Air Filter 38
Taking Care of Guide Bar 38
Motormanagement 39
Adjusting Carburetor 39
Spark Arresting Screen in Muffler 40
Checking Spark Plug 41
Starter Rope 41
Checking and Replacing Chain
Sprocket 42
Storing the Machine 42
Maintaining and Sharpening
Saw Chain 43
Maintenance Chart 46
Specifications 47
Ordering Spare Parts 48
Stihl Incorporated Limited Warranty
Federal and California Emission
Control Systems Utility Engines 49
This manual contains operating and
safety instructions for all STIHL 017, 018
series chainsaws.
Pay special attention to the safety
precautions outlined on the inside cover
and on pages 4 to 24.
Allow only persons who understand this
Manual to operate your chainsaw.
To receive maximum performance and
satisfaction from your STIHL chainsaw,
it is important that you read and understand the maintenance and safety
precautions before using your saw.
Contact your STIHL dealer or the
STIHL distributor for your area if you do
not understand any of the instructions in
this Manual.
!
Warning!
Because a chainsaw is a high-speed
wood-cutting tool, some special safety
precautions must be observed as with
any other power saw to reduce the risk of
personal injury. Careless or improper use
may cause serious or even fatal injury.
STIHL’s philosophy is to continually
improve all of its products. As a result,
engineering changes and improvements
are made from time-to-time. If the operating characteristics or the appearance of
your saw differ from those described in
this Manual, please contact your STIHL
dealer for information and assistance.
2000 Andreas Stihl AG & Co., Waiblingen
0458 143 3021. M5 . C0. PM. Printed in USA
017, 018 1
Main Parts of the Saw
1
15
14
1 = Twist lock
2 = Spark plug boot
3 = Decompression valve *
4 = Chain brake
5 = Chain sprocket
6 = Chain sprocket cover
2
3
9
4
9
5
6
10
11
8
12
7 = Chain catcher
8 = Chain tensioner
9 = Adjusting wheel of quick tensioner *
10 = Bumper spike
11 = Guide bar
12 = Oilomatic saw chain
7
143BA049 KN
13 = Oil filler cap
14 = Muffler
15 = Front hand guard
16 = Front handle (handlebar)
16
17
19
21
17 = Starter grip
18 = Fuel filler cap
19 = Master Control lever
20 = Throttle trigger
21 = Throttle trigger interlock
22 = Rear handle
23 = Rear hand guard
22
13
2 017, 018
18
20
23
* Special accessory
143BA050 KN
Definitions
1. Carburetor Box Cover Twist Lock
Lock for carburetor box cover.
2. Spark Plug Boot
Connects the spark plug with the
ignition wire.
3. Decompression Valve
Releases compression pressure to
make starting easier.
4. Chain Brake
A device to stop the rotation of the
chain if activated in a kickback
situation by the operator’s hand or
by inertia.
5. Chain Sprocket
The toothed wheel that drives the
saw chain.
6. Chain Sprocket Cover
Covers the clutch and the sprocket.
7. Chain Catcher
Helps to reduce the risk of operator
contact by a chain when it breaks
or comes off the bar.
8. Chain Tensioner
Permits precise adjustment of chain
tension.
9. Adjusting Wheel
Permits precise adjustment of chain
tension.
10. Bumper Spike
Toothed stop for holding saw steady
against wood.
11. Guide Bar
Supports and guides the saw chain.
12. Oilomatic Saw Chain
A loop consisting of cutters, tie
straps and drive links.
13. Oil Filler Cap
For closing the oil tank.
14. Muffler
Reduces engine exhaust noise and
directs the exhaust gases.
15. Front Hand Guard
Provides protection against
projecting branches and helps
prevent left hand from touching the
chain if it slips off the handle bar.
It also serves as the lever for chain
brake activitation
16. Front Handle
Handle bar for the left hand at
front of saw.
17. Starter Grip
The grip of the starter, for starting
the engine.
18. Fuel Filler Cap
For closing the fuel tank.
19. Master Control Lever
Lever for choke control,
starting throttle, run and
stop switch position.
20. Throttle Trigger
Controls the speed of the engine.
21. Throttle Trigger Interlock
Must be depressed before the
throttle trigger can be activated.
22. Rear Handle
The support handle for the right
hand, located at or toward the
rear of the saw.
23. Rear Hand Guard
Gives added protection to
operator’s right hand.
Guide Bar Nose
The exposed end of the guide bar.
(not illustrated, see chapter
“Tensioning the Saw Chain”).
Clutch
Couples engine to chain sprocket
when engine is accelerated beyond
idle speed.
(not illustrated).
Anti-Vibration System
The anti-vibration system includes
a number of buffers designed to
reduce the transmission of
vibrations created by the engine and
cutting attachment to the
operator’s hands.
(not illustrated).
017, 018 3
Safety Precautions
The use of any chainsaw
may be hazardous.
The saw chain has many
sharp cutters. If the
cutters contact your flesh,
they will cut you, even if the chain is not
moving. At full throttle, the chain speed
can reach 45 mph (20 m/s). It is important that you read, fully understand
and observe the following safety precautions and warnings. Read the Owner’s
Manual and the safety instructions
periodically.
Pay special attention to the section on
reactive forces.
!
Warning!
Reactive forces, including kickback, can
be dangerous. Careless or improper use
of any chainsaw may cause serious or
fatal injury.
All safety precautions that are generally
observed when working with an ax or a
hand saw also apply to the operation of
chainsaws. However, because a chainsaw is a high-speed, fast-cutting power
tool, special safety precautions must be
observed to reduce the risk of personal
injury.
Have your STIHL dealer show you how
to operate your chainsaw. Observe all
applicable local safety regulations,
standards and ordinances.
!
Warning!
Minors should never be allowed to use a
chainsaw. Bystanders, especially
children, and animals should not be
allowed in the area where a chainsaw is
in use. Never let the saw run unattended.
Store it in a locked place away from
children and empty the fuel tank before
storing for longer than a few days.
Do not lend or rent your
chainsaw without the
Owner‘s Manual. Be sure
that anyone using your
saw reads and understands the information contained in this
manual.
These safety precautions and warnings
apply to the use of all STIHL chainsaws.
Different models may have different
parts and controls. See the appropriate
section of your Owner’s Manual for a
description of the controls and function
of the parts of your model saw.
Safe use of a chainsaw involves
1. the operator
2. the saw
3. the use of the saw.
THE OPERATOR
Physical Condition
You must be in good physical condition
and mental health and not under the
influence of any substance (drugs,
alcohol) which might impair vision,
dexterity or judgment.
Do not operate a chainsaw when you are
fatigued. Be alert – If you get tired while
operating your chainsaw, take a break.
Tiredness may result in loss of control.
Working with any chainsaw can be
strenuous. If you have any condition that
might be aggravated by strenuous work,
check with your doctor before operating
a chainsaw.
!
Warning!
Prolonged use of chainsaws (or other
machines) exposing the operator to
vibrations may produce whitefinger
disease (Raynaud’s phenomenon) or
carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions
4
reduce the hand’s ability to feel and
regulate temperature, produce numbness and burning sensations and may
cause nerve and circulation damage and
tissue necrosis.
All factors which contribute to whitefinger
disease are not known, but cold weather,
smoking and diseases or physical conditions that affect blood vessels and blood
transport, as well as high vibration levels
and long periods of exposure to vibration
are mentioned as factors in the development of whitefinger disease. In order to
reduce the risk of whitefinger disease
and carpal tunnel syndrome, please
note the following:
– Many STIHL models are available
with an anti-vibration (“AV”) system
designed to reduce the transmission
of vibrations created by the engine
and cutting attachment to the
operator’s hands. An AV system is
recommended for those persons
using chainsaws on a regular or
sustained basis.
– Wear gloves and keep your hands
warm. Heated handles, which are
available on most STIHL powerheads, are recommended for cold
weather use.
– Keep the saw chain sharp and the
saw, including the AV system, well
maintained. A dull chain will increase cutting time, and pressing a
dull chain through wood will increase the vibrations transmitted to
your hands. A saw with loose components or with damaged or worn
AV buffers will also tend to have
higher vibration levels.
– Maintain a firm grip at all times, but
do not squeeze the handles with
constant, excessive pressures.
Take frequent breaks.
All the above mentioned precautions do
not guarantee that you will not sustain
whitefinger disease or carpal tunnel
syndrome. Therefore, continual and
regular users should monitor closely the
condition of their hands and fingers.
If any of the above symptoms appear,
seek medical advice immediately.
Proper Clothing
!Warning!
To reduce the risk of injury, the operator
should wear proper protective apparel.
Clothing must be sturdy
and snug-fitting, but allow
complete freedom of
movement. Avoid loose-
fitting jackets, scarfs,
neckties, jewelry, flared or cuffed pants,
unconfined long hair or anything that
could become entangled with the saw or
brush. Wear overalls or jeans with a
reinforced cut retardant insert or cut
retardant chaps.
Protect your hands with
gloves when handling
saw and saw chain.
Heavyduty, nonslip
gloves improve your grip
and protect your hands.
Good footing is most
important in chainsaw
work. Wear sturdy boots
with nonslip soles.
Steel-toed safety boots
are recommended.
To reduce the risk of injury to your eyes
never operate a chainsaw unless
wearing goggles or properly fitted safety
glasses with adequate top and side
protection complying with your national
standard.
5
Wear an approved safety
hard hat to protect your
head. Chainsaw noise
may damage your
hearing. Always wear
sound barriers (ear plugs
or ear mufflers) to protect your hearing.
Continual and regular users should have
their hearing checked regularly.
THE USE OF THE SAW
Transporting the chainsaw
!
Warning!
Always stop the engine before putting a
chainsaw down or carrying it. Carrying a
chainsaw with the engine running is
extremely dangerous.
THE SAW
Parts of the chainsaw; for illustrations
and definitions of the parts see the
chapter on “Main Parts of Saw”.
!
Warning!
Never modify a chainsaw in any way.
Only attachments and parts supplied by
STIHL or expressly approved by STIHL
for use with the specific STIHL saw
models are authorized. Although certain
unauthorized attachments are useable
with the STIHL powerhead, their use
may, in fact, be extremely dangerous.
Accidental acceleration of the engine
can cause the chain to rotate. During
operation, the powerhead muffler and
the material around it reach extremely
high temperatures. Avoid touching the
hot muffler, you could receive serious
burns.
By hand: When carrying your saw by
hand, the engine must be stopped and
the saw must be in the proper position.
Grip the front handle and place the
muffler away from the body.
001BA027 LÄ
The chain guard (scabbard) should be
over the chain and the guide bar, which
should point backwards. When carrying
your saw, the bar should be behind you.
By vehicle: When transporting in a
vehicle, keep chain and bar covered with
the chain guard. Properly secure your
saw to prevent turnover, fuel spillage
and damage to the saw.
6
Preparation for the use of the saw
Take off the chain guard and inspect for
safety in operation. For assembly, follow
the procedure described in the chapter
“Mounting the Bar and Chain” of your
Owner’s Manual.
STIHL Oilomatic chain, guide bar and
sprocket must match each other in
gauge and pitch.
Before replacing any bar and chain,
see the sections on “Specifications”,
"Kickback" and the "ANSI B 175.1-1991
chainsaw kickback standard" in this
manual.
!
Warning!
Proper tension of the chain is extremely
important. In order to avoid improper
setting, the tensioning procedure must
be followed as described in your manual.
Always make sure the hexagonal nut(s)
for the sprocket cover is (are) tightened
securely after tensioning the chain.
Never start the saw with the sprocket
cover loose. Check chain tension once
more after having tightened the nut(s)
and thereafter at regular intervals (whenever the saw is shut off). If the chain
becomes loose while cutting, shut off the
engine and then tighten. Never try to
tighten the chain while the engine is
running!
Fueling
Your STIHL chainsaw uses an oil-gasoline mixture for fuel (see chapter “Fuel”
of your Owner’s Manual).
!
Warning!
Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel.
If spilled or ignited by a spark or other
ignition source, it can cause fire and
serious burn injury or property damage.
Use extreme caution when handling
gasoline or fuel mix.
Do not smoke or bring
any fire or flame near the
fuel or the chainsaw.
Note that combustible
fuel vapors may be vented
from the fuel system.
Fueling Instructions
!Warning!
Fuel your chainsaw in well-ventilated
areas, outdoors only. Always shut off the
engine and allow it to cool before refueling. Gasoline vapor pressure may build
up inside the gas tank of a two cycle
engine depending on the fuel used, the
weather conditions, and the venting
system of the tank. In order to reduce
the risk of burns or other personal injury
from escaping gas vapor and fumes,
remove the fuel filler cap on the STIHL
product carefully so as to allow any
pressure build-up in the tank to release
slowly. Never remove fuel filler cap while
engine is running.
Select bare ground for fueling and move
at least 10 feet (3 m) from fueling spot
before starting the engine. Wipe off any
spilled fuel before starting your saw, and
check for leakage.
!Warning!
Check for fuel leakage while refueling
and during operation. If fuel or oil leakage
is found, do not start or run the engine
until leak is fixed and spilled fuel has
been wiped away. Take care not to get
fuel on your clothing. If this happens,
change your clothing immediately.
7
!
Warning!
Unit vibrations can cause an improperly
tightened fuel filler cap to loosen or come
off and spill quantities of fuel. In order to
reduce the risk of fuel spillage and fire,
tighten fuel filler cap by hand with as
much force as possible.
The screwdriver end of
the STIHL combination
wrench or other similar
tool can be used as an aid
in tightening slotted fuel
filler caps.
Starting
The chain brake must be engaged when
starting the saw.
Ä
001BA028 L
143BA019 KN
!
Warning!
Your chainsaw is a one-person saw.
Do not allow other persons to be near
the running chainsaw. Start and operate
your saw without assistance. For specific
starting instructions, see the appropriate
section of the Owner’s Manual. Proper
starting methods reduce the risk of injury.
Do not drop start. This method is very
dangerous because you may lose control
of the saw.
There are two recommended methods
for starting your chainsaw.
8
With the first method, the chainsaw is
started on the ground. Make sure the
chain brake is engaged (see “Chain
Brake” chapter in your Owner’s Manual)
and place the chainsaw on firm ground
or other solid surface in an open area.
Maintain good balance and secure
footing.
Grip the front handlebar of the saw firmly
with your left hand and press down.
For saws with a rear handle level with
the ground, put the toe of your right foot
into the rear handle and press down.
With your right hand pull out the starter
grip slowly until you feel a definite
resistance and then give it a brisk,
strong pull.
The second recommended method for
starting your chainsaw allows you to start
the saw without placing it on the
ground. Make sure the chain brake is
engaged, grip the front handle of the
chainsaw firmly with your left hand.
Keep your arm on the front handle in a
locked (straight) position. Hold the rear
handle of the saw tightly between your
legs just above the knees. Maintain good
balance and secure footing. Pull the
starting grip slowly with your right hand
until you feel a definite resistance and then
give it a brisk, strong pull.
!
Warning!
Be sure that the guide bar and chain are
clear of you and all other obstructions
and objects, including the ground. When
the engine is started, the engine speed
with the starting throttle lock engaged
will be fast enough for the clutch to
engage the sprocket and, if the chainbrake is not activated, turn the chain.
If the upper quadrant of the tip of the bar
touches any object, it may cause kickback to occur (see section on reactive
forces). To reduce this risk, always
engage the chain brake before starting.
Never attempt to start the chainsaw
when the guide bar is in a cut or kerf.
!
Warning!
When you pull the starter grip, do not
wrap the starting rope around your
hands. Do not allow the grip to snap
back, but guide the starter rope slowly
back to permit the rope to rewind
properly. Failure to follow this procedure
may result in injury to hand or fingers
and may damage the starter mechanism.
Important adjustments
!
Warning!
To reduce the risk of personal injury from
loss of control or contact with the
running chain, do not use a saw with
incorrect idle adjustment. At correct idle
speed, the chain should not rotate. For
directions to adjust idle speed, see the
appropriate section of your Owner’s
Manual. If you cannot set the correct idle
speed, have your STIHL dealer check
your saw and make proper adjustments
or repairs.
After adjusting a chain, start the saw, let
the engine run for a while, then switch
engine off and recheck chain tension.
Proper chain tension is very important at
all times.
Working Conditions
Operate the chainsaw under good
visibility and daylight conditions only.
!
Warning!
Your chainsaw produces
poisonous exhaust fumes
as soon as the combustible engine is running.
These gases (e.g. carbon
monoxide) may be colorless and odorless.
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal
injury from breathing toxic fumes, never
run the chainsaw indoors or in poorly
ventilated locations. Ensure proper ventilation when working in trenches or other
confined areas.
!W
Warning!
Use of this product (including sharpening the saw chain) can generate dust,
mists and fumes containing chemicals
known to cause respiratory disease, cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive
harm. If you are unfamiliar with the risks
associated with the particular dust, mist
or fume at issue, consult your employer,
governmental agencies such as OSHA
and NIOSH and other sources on hazardous materials. California and some
other authorities, for instance, have published lists of substances known to cause
cancer, reproductive toxicity, etc.
Control dust (such as sawdust), mists
(such as oli mist from chain lubrication)
and fumes at the source where possible.
In this regard use good work practices
and follow the recommendations of
OSHA / NIOSH and occupational and
trade associations. When the inhalation
of toxic dust, mists and fumes cannot be
9
eliminated, the operator and any bystanders should always wear a respirator
approved by NIOSH / MSHA for the type
substance at issue.
!
Warning!
Breathing asbestos dust is dangerous
and can cause severe or fatal injury, respiratory illness or cancer. The use and
disposal of asbestos containing products
have been strictly regulated by OSHA
and the Environmental Protection Agency. Do not cut or disturb asbestos, asbestos containing products (e.g. asbestos
containing drywall or other construction
products), or products such as pipes
which are wrapped or covered with asbestos insulation. If you have any reason
to believe that you might be cutting asbestos, immediately contact your employer
or a local OSHA representative.
The muffler and other parts of the engine
(e.g. fins of the cylinder, spark plug)
become hot during operation and remain
hot for a while after stopping the engine.
To reduce risk of burns do not touch the
muffler and other parts while they are
hot. Don’t work alone. Keep within calling
distance of others in case help is
needed.
Your chainsaw is equipped with a chain
catcher. It is designed to reduce the risk
of personal injury in the event of a thrown
or broken chain. From time to time the
catcher may be damaged or removed.
To reduce the risk of personal injury,
do not operate a chainsaw with a
damaged or missing catcher.
Inspect buffers periodically. Replace
damaged, broken or excessively worn
buffers immediately, since they may
result in loss of control of the saw.
A “sponginess” in the feel of the saw,
increased vibration or increased
“bottoming” during normal operation
may indicate damage, breakage or
excessive wear. Buffers should always
be replaced in sets. If you have any
questions as to whether the buffers
should be replaced, consult your STIHL
servicing dealer.
!
Warning!
Take extreme care in wet and freezing
weather (rain, snow, ice). Put off the
work when the weather is windy, stormy
or rainfall is heavy.
!
Warning!
Avoid stumbling on obstacles such as
stumps, roots or rocks and watch out for
holes or ditches. Clear the area where
you are working. Be extremely cautious
when working on slopes or uneven
ground. There is increased danger of
slipping on freshly debarked logs.
!
Warning!
To reduce the risk
of serious or fatal
injury to the operator or bystanders,
never use the saw
with one hand.
You cannot control reactive forces and
you may lose control of the saw, which
can result in the skating or bouncing of
the bar and chain along the limb or log.
Even for those compact saws designed
for use in confined spaces, one-handed
operation is dangerous because the
operator may lose control.
10
Ä
Cutting Instructions
Grip: Always hold the saw firmly with
both hands when the engine is running.
Place your left hand on front handle bar
and your right hand on rear handle and
throttle trigger. Left-handers should
follow these instructions too.
Wrap your fingers tightly around the
handles, keeping the handles cradled
between your thumb and forefinger.
With your hands in this position, you can
best oppose and absorb the push, pull
and kickback forces of your saw without
losing control (see section on reactive
forces). Make sure your chainsaw
handles and grip are in good condition
and free of moisture, pitch, oil or grease.
!
Warning!
Do not operate your chainsaw with the
starting throttle lock engaged. Cutting
with the starting throttle lock engaged
does not permit the operator proper
control of the saw or chain speed.
001BA087 L
!
Warning!
Never touch a chain with your hand or
any part of your body when the engine is
running, even when the chain is not
rotating. The chain continues to rotate
for a short period after the throttle trigger
is released.
!
Warning!
Do not cut any material other than wood
or wooden objects.
Use your chainsaw for cutting only.
It is not designed for prying or shoveling
away limbs, roots or other objects.
When sawing, make sure that the saw
chain does not touch any foreign
materials such as rocks, fences, nails
and the like.
Such objects may be flung off, damage
the saw chain or cause the saw to
kickback.
!
Warning!
In order to keep control of your saw,
always maintain a firm foothold.
001BA018 LA
Never work on a ladder, or on any other
insecure support. Never use the saw
above shoulder height.
!
Warning!
Never work in a tree unless you have
received specific, professional training
for such work, are properly secured
(such as tackle and harness system or a
lift bucket), have both hands free for
operating the chainsaw in a cramped
environment and have taken proper
precautions to avoid injury from falling
limbs or branches.
Ä
001BA031 L
11
Ä
Position the chainsaw in such a way that
your body is clear of the cutting attachment whenever the engine is running.
Stand to the left of cut while bucking.
Don’t put pressure on the saw when
reaching the end of a cut. The pressure
may cause the bar and rotating chain to
pop out of the cut or kerf, go out of
control and strike the operator or some
other object. If the rotating chain strikes
some other object, a reactive force may
cause the moving chain to strike the
operator.
Reactive forces including kickback
!
Warning!
Reactives forces may occur any time the
chain is rotating. Reactives forces can
be dangerous! In any chainsaw, the
001BA082 KN
powerful force used to cut wood can be
reversed (and work against the operator). If the rotating chain is suddenly
stopped by contact with any solid object
like a log or branch or is pinched, the
reactive forces may occur instantly.
These reactive forces may result in loss
of control which may, in turn, cause
serious or fatal injury. An understanding
of the causes of these reactive forces
may helpyou avoid loss of control.
The most common reactive forces are
– kickback,
– pushback,
– pull-in.
Kickback:
Kickback may occur when
the moving saw chain
near the upper quadrant of
the bar nose contacts a
solid object or is pinched.
001BA093 L
Ä
001BA035 L
The reaction of the cutting force of the
chain causes a rotational force on the
chainsaw in the direction opposite to the
chain movement. This may fling the bar
up and back in an uncontrolled arc
mainly in the plane of the bar. Under
some cutting circumstances the bar
moves towards the operator, who may
suffer severe or fatal injury.
Kickback may occur when the nose of
the guide bar is pinched unexpectedly,
unintentionally contacts solid material in
the wood or is incorrectly used to begin
a plunge or boring cut.
12
It may also occur during limbing.
The greater the force of the kickback
reaction, the more difficult it becomes for
the operator to control the saw. Many
factors influence the occurrence and
force of the kickback reaction. These
include chain speed, the speed at which
the bar and chain contact the object, the
angle of contact, the condition of the
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 chain types are
designed to reduce kickback forces.
STIHL recommends the use of reduced
kickback bars and low kickback chains.
ANSI B 175.1-1991 chainsaw kickback
standard
Section 5.12 of ANSI standard B 175.1–
1991, sets certain performance and
design criteria related to chainsaw
kickback.
To comply with section 5.12 of ANSI B
175.1-1991:
a) saws with a displacement of less than
3.8 cubic inches
– 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 chain, reduced
kickback bar, etc.
b) saws with a displacement of 3.8 cubic
inches 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 chain, reduced
kickback bar, etc.
The computer derived angles for saws
below 3.8 cubic inch displacement are
measured by applying a computer
program to test results from a kickback
test machine.
!
Warning!
The computer derived angles of § 5.12 of
ANSI B 175.1-1991 may bear no relationship to actual kickback bar rotation
angles that may occur in real life cutting
situations. Compliance with § 5.12 of
ANSI B 175.1-1991 does not automatically mean that in a real life kickback the
bar and chain will rotate at most 45°.
!
Warning!
In order for powerheads below 3.8 cubic
inch displacement to comply with the
computed kickback angle requirements
of § 5.12 of ANSI B 175.1-1991 use only
the following cutting attachments:
– bar and chain combinations listed as
complying in the “Specifications”
section of the Owner’s Manual or
– other replacement bar and chain
combinations marked in accordance
with the standard for use on the
powerhead or
– replacement chain designated
“low kickback saw chain’’.
See the section on "Low kickback saw
chain and reduced kickback bars"
13
Devices for reducing the risk of
kickback injury
STIHL recommends the use of the STIHL
Quickstop chain brake on your powerhead with green labeled reduced kickback bars and low kickback chains.
!
Warning!
To reduce the risk of injury, stop using
the saw immediately if the chain brake
does not function properly. Take the saw
to your local STIHL Service Centre! Do
not use the saw until the problem has
been rectified (see the section “Chain
Brake”).
Quickstop chain brake
STIHL has developed a chain stopping
system designed to reduce the risk of
injury in certain kickback situations.
It is called a Quickstop chain brake.
The Quickstop is available as standard
equipment on your STIHL chainsaw and
is available for installation on most older
STIHL saws. Ask your dealer to retrofit
your older model saw with a chain brake.
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. 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
001BA036 LA
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.
14
!
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
reduce the risk of kickback injury. Other
chains are designed to obtain higher cutting efficiency or sharpening ease but
may result in higher kickback tendency.
STIHL has developed a color code
system to help you identify the STIHL
reduced kickback bars and low kickback chains. Cutting attachments with
green warning decals or green labels on
the packaging are designed to reduce
the risk of kickback injury. The matching
of green decaled powerheads under 3.8
cubic inch displacement with green
labeled bars and green labeled chains
gives compliance with the computed
kickback angle requirements of ANSI B
175.1-1991 when the products are in
their original condition. Products with
yellow decals or labels are for users with
extraordinary cutting needs and
experience and specialized training for
dealing with kickback.
STIHL recommends the use of its
green labeled reduced kickback bars,
green labeled low kickback chains
and a STIHL Quickstop chain brake
for both experienced and inexperienced chainsaw users.
Please ask your STlHL dealer to properly
match your powerhead with the appropriate bar/chain combinations to reduce
the risk of kickback injury. Green labeled
bars and chains are recommended for all
powerheads. See your “STIHL Bar and
Chain Information” leaflet for details.
!
Warning!
Use of other, non-listed bar/chain combinations may increase kickback forces
and increase the risk of kickback injury.
New bar/chain combinations may be
developed after publication of this literature, which will, in combination with
certain powerheads, comply with § 5.12
of ANSI B 175.1-1991. Check with your
STIHL dealer for such combinations.
!
Warning!
Reduced kickback bars and low kickback
chains do not prevent kickback, but they
are designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. They are available from your
STIHL dealer.
!
Warning!
Even if your saw is equipped with a
Quickstop, a reduced kickback bar
and/or low kickback chain, this does not
eliminate the risk of injury by kickback.
Therefore, always observe all safety
precautions to avoid kickback situations.
15
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