17MS 191 T
English / USA
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 contacts 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
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.
!Warning!
An improperly maintained chain brake
may increase the time needed to stop
the chain after activation, or may not
activate at all. If the chain brake does not
function correctly, stop using the saw
immediately. Take the saw to your local
STIHL servicing dealer! Do not use the
saw until the problem has been rectified
(see the section “Chain Brake”).
!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”. Make also sure that the chain is
not turning at idle speed (see above
“Important Adjustments”).
Reduced kickback bar
STIHL green labeled reduced kickback
bars are designed to reduce the risk of
kickback injury when used with STIHL
green labeled low kickback chains.
!Warning!
When used with other, more aggressive
chains, these bars may be less effective
in reducing kickback, and may result in
higher kickback forces.
Low kickback chain
Some types of saw chain have specially
designed components to reduce the
force of nose contact kickback. STIHL
has developed low kickback chain for
your powerhead.
