Stihl MS 180 Product Instruction Manual - Page 18

English needs, having experience and specialized training for dealing with kickback. STIHL recommends the use of its green labeled reduced kickback bars, green labeled low kickback saw chains and a chain saw equipped with a STIHL Quickstop chain brake for both experienced and inexperienced chain saw users. Please ask your STIHL dealer to properly match your chain saw with the appropriate bar / saw chain combination to reduce the risk of kickback injury. Green labeled bars and saw chains are recommended for all chain saws. WARNING Use of other, non-listed bar / saw chain combinations may increase kickback forces and the risk of kickback injury. New bar / saw chain combinations may be developed after publication of this literature, which will, in combination with certain chain saws, comply with the chain saw standard as well. Check with your STIHL dealer for such combinations. WARNING Reduced kickback bars and low kickback saw 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 saw chain, this does not eliminate the risk of injury by kickback. Therefore, always observe all safety precautions to avoid kickback situations. Low Kickback Saw Chain Some types of saw chains have specially designed components to reduce the force of nose contact kickback. STIHL has developed low kickback saw chain for your chain saw. A "low kickback saw chain" is a saw chain that has met the kickback performance requirements of ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012 when tested according to the provisions specified in ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012. WARNING There are potential chain saw and bar combinations with which low kickback saw chains can be used which have not been specifically certified to comply with the 45° computer derived kickback angle of the chain saw standard. Some low kickback saw chains have not been tested with all chain saw and bar combinations. WARNING A blunt or incorrectly sharpened saw chain may reduce or negate the effects of the design features intended to reduce kickback energy. Improper lowering or sharpening of the depth gauges as well as changing the shape of the cutters may increase the risk and the energy of kickback. Always cut with a properly sharpened saw chain. Reduced Kickback Bars STIHL green labeled reduced kickback bars are designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury when used with STIHL green labeled low kickback saw chains. WARNING When used with other, more aggressive saw chains, these bars may be less effective in reducing kickback. WARNING For a properly balanced saw and in order to comply with the chain saw standard, use only bar lengths listed in the specifications chapter of the instruction manual for your chain saw. To avoid kickback The best protection from personal injury that may result from kickback is to avoid kickback situations: 1. Hold the chain saw firmly with both hands and maintain a secure grip. Don't let go. 2. Be aware of the location of the guide bar nose at all times. 3. Never let the nose of the guide bar contact any object. Do not cut limbs with the nose of the guide bar. Be especially careful near wire fences and when cutting small, tough limbs, small size brush and saplings which may easily catch the saw chain. 4. Don't overreach. 5. Don't cut above shoulder height. 6. Begin cutting and continue at full throttle. 16 MS 170, MS 170 C, MS 180, MS 180 C