ISO 9518-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 9518-2018 — Forestry machinery — Portable chain-saws — Kickback test. This international standard specifies a laboratory test method and associated requirements for measuring the kickback potential of portable chain-saws (gasoline and electric, including battery-powered) when fitted with guide bar and saw-chain assemblies.

Abstract

This document defines the test apparatus, specimen preparation, test procedures and measurement methods used to determine kickback angles and energy for portable chain-saws. It is intended to provide reproducible, comparable results for evaluation of kickback potential for gasoline-powered and electric chain-saws within specified size limits; results obtained under previous editions remain valid but the 2018 edition includes methodological refinements to improve reproducibility.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 3 July 2018.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 65.060.80 (Forestry equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 3, 2018.
• Number of pages: 53 pages.

Scope

ISO 9518:2018 specifies a kickback test method for portable chain-saws complete with guide bar and saw-chain. The standard is applicable to gasoline-powered and electric (including battery-powered) chain-saws up to an engine capacity of approximately 80 cm³ and is not intended for guide bar cutting lengths in excess of 63 cm due to physical limitations of the kickback test machine. The standard provides limits and conditions for meaningful and reproducible measurement but is not intended for evaluation of very large professional chain-saws outside these limits.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the kickback test apparatus and fixture geometry.
• Preparation and conditioning of test specimens (assembly, chain tension, lubrication and fuel/electrical state).
• Procedures to initiate and measure kickback events, including measurement of kickback angle and energy.
• Instrumentation, data acquisition and calibration requirements for reproducible measurement.
• Reporting format, mandatory test results and interpretation guidance.
• Scope limitations (engine capacity and guide bar length) and safety precautions for testing.
• Requirements to improve repeatability and reproducibility compared with earlier editions.

Typical use and users

Used by chainsaw manufacturers for design verification and safety validation, independent test laboratories for product evaluation and certification, national standards bodies and regulators for referencing in safety rules, and research organizations studying kickback behavior and mitigation. Training providers and equipment purchasers may use the standard to understand comparative kickback performance.

Related standards

Standards related to portable chain-saw safety and test methods include ISO 11837 (saw chain shot guarding systems — test and performance criteria), ISO 6533 (front hand-guard dimensions and clearances), ISO 6534 (hand-guard mechanical strength) and other ISO/TC 23/SC 17 outputs addressing machine safety and guarding. Earlier editions of ISO 9518 (1992, 1998) were withdrawn and superseded by the 2018 edition.

Keywords

chainsaw; portable chain-saw; kickback test; kickback angle; kickback energy; forestry machinery; test method; ISO 9518; saw-chain; guide bar; safety testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 9518:2018 is an international test method for assessing the kickback potential of portable chain-saws (gasoline and electric), specifying apparatus, procedures and measurement/reporting requirements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers laboratory procedures to induce and measure kickback events (angles and energy) for chain-saws complete with guide bar and chain within specified limits (not intended for engines above ~80 cm³ or guide bar lengths exceeding ~63 cm).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, conformity assessment and independent test laboratories, safety regulators, standards bodies, researchers and training organizations concerned with chainsaw safety and performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 9518:2018 is the current published edition (Edition 3, July 2018). Earlier editions (1992 and 1998) were withdrawn and replaced by this 2018 edition; work on future revisions (ISO/DIS 9518) has been indicated by ISO committees.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the portfolio of ISO/TC 23/SC 17 (forestry machinery) standards addressing portable chain-saw safety and related test methods; it is commonly referenced alongside other chainsaw safety standards (see Related standards).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: chainsaw, kickback, kickback test, test method, saw-chain, guide bar, forestry machinery, safety testing, ISO 9518.