Kickback: What it is and How to Avoid it
Kickback can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
It is especially common if the saw is not handled properly and carefully.
By taking precautions and maintaining the proper sawing stance, you can reduce the chance of kickback
What is kickback you may ask? Kickback is when you hit the “kickback zone” on your chainsaw bar and the chain grips onto the timber in this particular area of the bar. If this happens the blade gets thrown back and upwards, towards your face (this is why head and face protection is so important!), because of the force from the rotating chain.
The “Kickback zone” is the upper half of the tip of the chainsaw’s guide bar. If you use this portion of the guide bar to cut, there is a much greater risk of kickback than anywhere else on the saw.
How to avoid kickback:
- Use proper stances and handling practices at all times
- Be sure that you never put the nose of the guide bar directly against the wood you are cutting
- If you absolutely NEED to bore, be sure that you know the proper way to do it so that you do not end up hitting the kickback zone
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