Avoiding Kickback

Kickback is a potential danger when-ever you use your chainsaw. You need to know why it occurs and how to reduce it.

What Is Kickback?

Kickback occurs when the upper part of the bar nose contacts a solid object or is pinched. This causes a reactive force that may throw the guide bar in an uncontrolled arc towards you and can result in serious injury.

Fig 23: Chainsaw kicks back when critical area of bar nose contacts wood or is pinched.

Kickback can occur when:

• The bar nose hits hidden limbs or light material.
• The chainsaw is boring into a log (as explained on page 23).
• 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.

Remember that kickback can occur in any plane. It may occur when using the chainsaw with the guide bar horizontal when making a felling cut, while making a bore cut or while trimming.

How to Reduce Kickback

Using proper operating techniques will reduce the likelihood of kickback.

• Hold the chainsaw 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.

Other points to watch are:

• 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 chainsaw.
• Make sure there are no loose-fitting nuts, bolts or screws.
• Ensure that safety devices are working.
• 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.

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