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The Forester
Chainsaw Kickback

Kickback may occur when the moving chain at 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 or bar nose contact can, in some cases, cause a lightning-fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator. Pinching the cutting chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly toward the operator. Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw, which could result in serious personal injury to yourself or to bystanders.
Kickback
Kickback can occur when:
  • The bar nose hits hidden limbs or light material.
  • The saw is boring into a log.
  • The bar nose is pinched while cutting.
  • The bar nose contacts ends of logs or obscured material.
  • The chain is loose.
  • The depth gauge setting is too low.
Kickback
Kickback Bore Cut
Kickback can occur in any chainsaw practice.  It may occur when using the saw in a horizontal position to make a felling cut, while making a bore cut, or while trimming or pruning. Kickback Twig
Reducing Kickback - Always use proper operating techniques to reduce the likelihood of a kickback
  • Hold the saw firmly with both hands.
  • Make sure your left thumb is wrapped firmly under the front handle and in the mitt if fitted.
  • Be aware of the location of the guide bar nose at all times.
  • Do not let the guide bar nose come in contact with any object.
Some other points to be aware of:
  • Be especially careful when cutting small limbs or light material that may catch in the chain.
  • Do not over-reach or cut above shoulder height.
  • Use extreme caution when re-entering a cut.
  • Cut only one log at a time.
  • Correctly maintain your saw.
  • Make sure there are no loose- fitting nuts, bolts or screws.
  • Ensure that safety devices are operable.
  • Make sure the chain is tensioned, sharpened and depth gauges set to the manufacturer's specification.
  • Use a safety chain and the correct bar and chain combination.
The top tip of the chain and bar is known as the KICKBACK DANGER ZONE! Kickback Danger Zone

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