Why do chainsaws kick back

When contact is made with an object such as a branch or a log, there is a danger of a sudden bar nose kickback reaction. Modern chainsaws are equipped with a variety of devices intended to reduce the risk of injury from kickback or from other causes. Among these are the chain brake, the front left hand guard, and reduced kickback saw chain and guide bars.

To assure the protection of these devices, it is important your chainsaw is properly assembled and that all components are functional. No matter how your saw is equipped, we recommend using a reduced-kickback chain and bar unless you have experience and special training for dealing with kickback. We, or another servicing dealer can help you select the proper bar and chain for your saw.

Different saws use different reduced kickback bars and chain. There is not one type that works on all saws. Reduced kickback chains can sometimes be identified by what appears to be extra riders or bumps between the cutter teeth. Also, they are always full compliment, which means they have the maximum amount of cutter teeth a chain can have. A skip tooth chain is never reduced kickback chain, no matter how many reduced kickback features it appears to have.

In fact, they may be the smoothest cutting saw chains you have ever run. Another essential piece of equipment is thick trousers or good chainsaw chaps.

Chainsaw chaps are preferable because they are chainsaw resistant and are also specially designed to protect the left side of your leg, which is another prime target for a kickback. Heed the advice of obtaining and investing in proper protective equipment seriously, as it could be what saves you from a life or death situation. Reading the instruction manual should be your first order of business, especially if you are not an experienced chainsaw operator. The manual will provide all the information you need to use the chainsaw correctly and, more importantly, safely.

Checking on the chainsaw before starting work is always a good idea. Teeth that are sharpened perfectly will cut more efficiently, smoothly, and safely. Check on the air filter, spark plug and muffler, and all other components to ensure that they are working properly. Doing this will make the engine run better and will prevent possible kickbacks. Also, ensure to keep the instruction manual handy and consult it while making adjustments to the engine or the chain. Proper chain tension will help in sustaining a long chain life and will cut more precisely, as well.

A chain that is too loose will be inclined to derail, sway about, and could be a hazard in itself. Alternatively, a chain that is too tight will become old and blunt prematurely. Remember that all chains do stretch with use, and checking and readjusting are essential every time you use it. Lubricating it properly with oil will help and maintain the correct tension. Check the oil as often as possible, and refill it if needed while carefully following the directions. The chain brake is the most vital part of a chainsaw.

It is specially designed to stop the saw chain by applying a brake to it. The chain brake stops the cutting chain and is also used to stop or prevent the chain from accidentally picking up speed while you are switching cutting positions.

Most chainsaws come with two types of braking systems: one is an inertia braking system, and the other is a mechanical braking system.

When a kickback occurs, the chain brake can be used to halt the rotating chain. These features include chain breaks as discussed above , the bar tip guard, and low or reduced kickback chain and guide bars. Low-profile chains or semi-chisel chains are a good fit for beginners, as they are specifically designed to have less kickback. Using a dull chain increases the risk of causing a kickback, as the teeth cannot slice through the wood, which causes the chain to get stuck and cause a kickback.

Be alert and use the correct part of the chainsaw to ensure there are no kickbacks. Make sure to have a good grip on the chainsaw with both hands and ensure your hands are not slippery. The right hand should always hold the rear handle, and the left hand should have a firm hold on the front handle. A good pair of chainsaw gloves can help. Always remember to check your surroundings to see if there are any obstacles or barriers in the area where you are cutting.

Cut at engine speed. This is where the chain is at its most effective and, thankfully, there is less chance of a kickback occurring. Use chains that are suitable for your cutting needs during that particular time.

This is because there is a variety of different chain types ; some chains are lighter and their pitches differ according to sizes. Throughout operation, that force that keeps the chain moving is acting just the same on the body of the saw as it is on the chain itself. With an operator holding the body of the saw steady, the force causes the chain to rotate as intended.

This is commonly known as rotational kickback. Why does this happen? Under ordinary circumstances, the saw chain very quickly shaves many thin strips of wood out of a cut. Those thin cuts are critical here. The depth of each individual cut made by the saw chain is determined by the raker, or depth gauge. The raker passes across the top of the existing cut, or wood surface, and determines the thickness of material being shaved off by the leading edge of the cutter tooth. Depending on the manufacturer of the chain and the type of wood being cut, the depth-gauge setting can range from approximately 0.

When that happens, it can cause the tooth to suddenly, momentarily stop, transferring that momentum into a potential kickback event. While there are advanced cutting methods such as bore cutting that involve intentionally sticking the tip of the bar into a piece of wood or tree, kickback most often occurs when that upper quadrant comes into contact with wood or other material unintentionally.

While bucking a large log, for instance, an operator may unintentionally strike a branch or another log behind his target with the tip of the bar, which may result in kickback. Know where the tip of the bar is at all times during operation. Always be mindful of the potential for hidden objects that can cause kickback.