The chain brake is activated when the front hand guard, located near the saw’s upper handle, moves rapidly toward the chainsaw operator. When engaged, the chain brake stops the chain from rotating around the saw’s guide bar.
The inertia chain brake is a very important safety feature of the modern chain saw. Since kickback occurs suddenly and with great force most people cannot react fast enough to activate the chain brake manually. The chainsaw brake handle, brake spring, and band are designed to be of the perfect weight and tension to activate at kickback by the rapid movement of the saw.
Depth gauges filed too low make the chain grab at the wood and may negate the benefits offered by safety chain. Full safety chains have extra bumper links between the cutting links, maintaining nearly full depth gauge height along the full extent of the chain and reducing the risk of kickback to very low levels. Modern “Professional” chains offer far higher cutting performance than full safety chain, and offset their increased risk with an assumption of a much higher degree of operator competence.
Chain Brake: Located on the top handle of the chainsaw, the chain brake is used to stop the chainsaw chain from rotating around the bar. Always start your chainsaw with the chain brake engaged so the chain does not move. The STIHL Quickstop® chain brake is designed to stop the rotation of the chain if activated by the operator’s hand or by inertia if the saw kicks back with sufficient force.
how does a chainsaw brake work Related Question:
What happens if you run a chainsaw with the brake on?
Running a chainsaw with the brake on can be dangerous for you and anyone in your vicinity. The chainsaw will not cut, but it still creates sparks that can cause fires or startle nearby pets. It also doesn’t allow the saw to cool down enough which increases the likelihood of overheating and breaking down.
When should you use a chainsaw brake?
The chain brake has two purposes. First, it can be used to secure the chain when changing position, moving between cuts or starting a cold saw, which requires a partly open throttle. This would otherwise lead to uncontrolled chain movement, a major hazard in older saws.
Can you start a chainsaw without brake?
A good-running chainsaw will start with the chain brake on or off; this means if your chainsaw is in perfect condition, it will start with or without the brake on. You can throttle it up a little, but the chain won’t move if the brake is engaged.
Do you start a Stihl chainsaw with the brake on?
On a gas-powered Stihl chainsaw, the chain brake is located just in front of the handlebar. All you have to do to activate it is push it forward. This will keep the chain locked as a safety precaution while you are starting the chainsaw, and until you are ready to use the tool.
Should you run a chainsaw at full throttle?
Engine Protection Generally, two-stroke chainsaw engines are built to conveniently run at full throttle without an engine breakdown. Therefore, running at any throttle speed below the full throttle is not advised.
What is the most common chainsaw injury?
The most common hazards associated with chainsaws are injuries caused by kickback, pushback, and pull-in. Kickback is the most common and poses the greatest hazard. Kickback occurs when the rotating chain is stopped suddenly by contact with a more solid area throwing the saw rapidly backward toward the operator.
Why is my chainsaw hard to pull and kicks back?
If your chainsaw is hard to pull, here are some common causes: The pully system is snagged or stuck. The starter assembly is stuck or sticky. The housing may be damaged.
Can a chainsaw chain break?
Chainsaw chains usually break while the chainsaw is in use. It will fly off of the chainsaw at high speeds and can cause severe damage to whatever it touches, especially if the chain ricochets off of the impact site. Chainsaw chains break when they are incorrectly used and not maintained properly.
Do all chainsaws have a chain brake?
All chainsaws must have chain brakes that comply with ISO 6535:2008 Portable chain-saws — Chain brake performance.
Why do chainsaws have chain brakes?
The inertia chain brake is a very important safety feature of the modern chain saw. It improves the safe use of the chainsaw in 3 separate ways: It acts as a hand guard protecting your left hand from being slapped and stabbed by tree branches while limbing, bucking, and clearing.
How do you start a stubborn chainsaw?
Try to start the chainsaw after priming the carburetor. 5. Activate the choke by moving the lever to the full choke position and pull the starter rope 3 or 4 times to start the engine. If that doesn’t work, move the choke lever to half choke and pull the starter rope, 6 times maximum, to start the engine.
Why can’t I start my STIHL chainsaw?
Dirty or clogged fuel tanks, dirty fuel filters and lines, loose fuel hoses, dirty air filters and a dirty carburetor can all restrict fuel flow. Check, clean and replace all the fuel system parts before moving into the internal engine, as gas problems create a majority of starting problems.
Can you cut with the tip of a chainsaw?
While it’s designed to cut with either the top or bottom of the blade, just about anything that comes in contact with the top half of the end tip of the blade (known as the kickback zone) can change the cutting momentum and cause the saw to slam back against you.
How does the chain brake work on a Stihl chainsaw?
The STIHL Quickstop® chain brake is designed to stop the rotation of the chain if activated by the operator’s hand or by inertia if the saw kicks back with sufficient force. In some working positions, the STIHL Quickstop® chain brake can be activated by inertia, stopping the chain within fractions of a second.
Can you drill holes in chainsaw bar?
Re: Drilling a Chainsaw Bar Drilling that bar may not be as difficult as you think. It will be best if you use a drill press, start with a pilot hole, and then drill to the size you need. Make sure you have a sharp bit, run at the lowest speed you can, and use cutting fluid.