The starting procedure of a Stihl chainsaw is as follows:
- Engage chain brake
- Pull trigger and move master control switch to full choke
- Pull starter rope 3 to 5 times or until chainsaw burps
- Move master control switch from full choke to half choke
- Pull starter rope 2 to 3 times until chainsaw starts
- Quickly tap trigger to move master control switch to idle
- Disengage chain brake
Full Answer
How to start a Stihl Chainsaw when the engine is cold?
Starting a chainsaw when the engine is cold requires using the choke. For a warm start, you can skip this step. So for a warm start, you’ll move the master control directly to the run position. Otherwise, the steps on how to start your Stihl chainsaw remain the same for both hot and cold starting. Read the steps for starting below the video.
Why buy a Stihl MS 311 chainsaw?
The Stihl MS 311 chainsaw comes with a very reduced vibration system which leads to reduced operator fatigue, a factor that is responsible for many of the accidents occurring with any cutting tool. Side access saw chain tightenercomes as another added benefit on the MS 311.
How do I start my Chainsaw?
Step-by-Step: Starting Your STIHL Chainsaw :. Start by removing the bar cover and follow the above-mentioned checklist.; Engage the chain brake by pushing the chain guard forward until it clicks into position. If you don’t do this the chain will rotate when you pull the recoil starter cord.
How to start a Stihl Chainsaw with a decompressor?
Engage the chain brake by pushing the chain guard forward until it clicks into position. If you don’t do this the chain will rotate when you pull the recoil starter cord. Your Stihl chainsaw most likely has a decompression valve. It will be at the top of the engine cover, somewhere behind the front handle. Push the decompression valve.
How to cut a tree with a MS 391?
How to fuel a chain saw?
How to activate chain saw brake?
Where does kickback occur on a saw chain?
Why is it important to read the instruction manual on a chain saw?
Is the instruction manual copyrighted?
See 1 more
About this website
How do you start a Stihl blower?
Another common question people have when learning how to start a Stihl chainsaw is, “How do you start a Stihl blower?”
How to start a chainsaw that won’t start?
If you’ve ever tried to start a chainsaw and found yourself stuck in front of a frustratingly uncooperative machine, you know how intimidating they can seem.
How to cut a tree with a MS 391?
MS 311, MS 391 English 22 Escape Path First clear the tree base and work area from interfering limbs and brush and clean its lower portion with an ax. Then, establish two paths of escape (B) and remove all obstacles. These paths should be generally opposite to the planned direction of the fall of the tree (A) and about at a 45° angle. Place all tools and equipment a safe distance away from the tree, but not on the escape paths. Buttress Roots If the tree has large buttress roots, cut into the largest buttress vertically first (horizontally next) and remove the resulting piece. Gunning Sight When making the felling notch, use the gunning sight on the shroud and housing to check the desired direction of fall: Position the saw so that the gunning sight points exactly in the direction you want the tree to fall. Conventional Cut Felling notch(C) – determines the direction of the fall For a conventional cut: N Properly place felling notch perpendicular to the line of fall, close to the ground. N Cut down at approx. 45° angle to a depth of about 1/5 to 1/4 of the trunk diameter. N Make second cut horizontal. N Remove resulting 45° piece.
How to fuel a chain saw?
MS 311, MS 391 English 6 WARNING Fueling Instructions WARNING Pick a Safe Location To reduce the risk of fire and explosion, fuel your chain saw in a well-ventillated area, outdoors away from flames, pilot lights, heaters, electric motors, and other sources of ignition. Vapors can be ignited by a spark or flame many feet away. Select bare ground for fueling and move at least 10 feet (3 m) from the fueling spot before starting the engine. Wipe off any spilled fuel before starting your chain saw. Take care not to get fuel on your clothing. If this happens, change your clothing immediately. Allow the Saw to Cool Before Removing the Fuel Cap WARNING Gasoline vapor pressure may build up inside the fuel tank. The amount of pressure depends on a number of factors such as the fuel used, altitude and temperature. To reduce the risk of burns and other personal injury from escaping gas, vapor and fumes, always shut off the engine and allow it to cool before removing the fuel cap. The engine is air cooled. When it is shut off, cooling air is no longer drawn across the cylinder and engine temperatures will rise for several minutes before starting to cool. In hot environments, cooling will take longer. To reduce the risk of burns and other personal injury from escaping gas, vapor and fumes, allow the saw to cool. If you need to refuel before completing a job, turn off the machine and allow the engine to cool before opening the fuel tank. Fuel Spraying or “Geysering” WARNING Removing the cap on a pressurized fuel tank can result in gasoline, vapors and fumes being forcefully sprayed out from the fuel tank in all directions. The escaping gasoline, vapors or fumes can cause serious personal injury, including fire and burn injury, or property damage. Sometimes also referred to as "fuel geysering," fuel spraying is an expulsion of fuel, vapors and fumes which can occur in hot conditions, or when the engine is hot, and the tank is opened without allowing the saw to cool adequately. It is more likely to occur when the fuel tank is half full or more. Pressure is caused by fuel and heat and can occur even if the engine has not been running. When gasoline in the fuel tank is heated (by ambient temperatures, heat from the engine, or other sources), vapor pressure will increase inside the fuel tank. Some blends of gasoline, particularly those designed for use in winter, are more volatile and may cause tanks to pressurize more quickly or create greater pressure. At higher altitudes, fuel tank pressurization is more likely. How to Avoid Fuel Spraying Removing the fuel cap on a pressurized tank can result in gasoline, vapors and fumes being forcefully sprayed out from the fuel tank in all directions. To reduce the risk of burns, serious injuries or property damage from fuel spraying: – Follow the fueling instructions in this chapter. – Always assume your fuel tank is pressurized. – Allow the chain saw to cool before removing the fuel cap. – In hot environments, cooling will take longer. – The engine is air cooled. When it is shut off, cooling air is no longer drawn across the cylinder and the engine temperature will rise for several minues before starting to cool. Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. If spilled and ignited by a spark or other ignition source, it can cause fire and seri- ous burn injury or property damage. Use extreme caution when handling gasoline or fuel mix. Do not smoke or bring any fire or flame near the fuel or the chain saw. Note that combus- tible fuel vapor may escape from the fuel system.
How to activate chain saw brake?
MS 311, MS 391 English 17 There are two mechanisms for activating the chain brake if it is in a properly maintained condition: – manual activation: If a kickback occurs, the chain saw moves upwards towards the user in a rotating motion around the front handle. The brake is designed to engage if the left hand contacts the front guard, which is the activation lever for the brake, and pushes it forward. – inertia activation: All STIHL chain saws are equipped with an interia Quickstop chain brake. If the kickback impulse is strong enough, this alone is sufficient to engage the brake even without contacting the front hand guard. WARNING Never operate your chain saw without a front hand guard. In a kickback situation this guard helps protect your left hand and other parts of your body. In addition, removal of the hand guard on a chain saw equipped with a Quickstop chain brake will disable the activation mechanism of 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 of your instruction manual entitled "Chain Brake" and the section "Maintenance, Repair and Storing" at the end of these Safety Precautions. 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 saw chain after activation, or may not activate at all. WARNING Never run the chain saw above idle speed for more than 3 seconds when the chain brake is engaged or when the saw 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 occurred, allow the motor housing to cool before proceeding and check the operation of your chain brake as described in the chapter entitled "Chain Brake" of your instruction manual. Also make sure that the saw chain is not turning at idle speed (see above at "Important Adjustments"). Low Kickback Saw Chain and Reduced Kickback Bars STIHL offers a variety of bars and saw chains. STIHL reduced kickback bars and low kickback saw chains are designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. Other saw chains are designed to achieve higher cutting performance or sharpening ease, but in turn are more prone to kickback. STIHL has developed a color code system to help you identify the STIHL reduced kickback bars and low kickback saw chains. Cutting attachments with green warning labels on the packaging are designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. The matching of green marked or labeled chain saws under 3.8cubic inches (62cm³) displacement with green labeled bars and green labeled saw chains gives compliance with the computed kickback angle requirements of the chain saw standard when the products are in their original condition. Products with yellow labels are for users with extraordinary cutting
Where does kickback occur on a saw chain?
Kickback may occur when the moving saw chain near the upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts a solid object or is pinched.
Why is it important to read the instruction manual on a chain saw?
Because a chain saw is a high-speed, fast-cutting power tool, special safety precautions must be observed to reduce the risk of personal injury. It is important that you read, fully understand and observe the following safety precautions and warnings. Read the instruction manual and the safety instructions periodically. Careless or improper use may cause serious or fatal injury. Save the instruction man- ual for future reference.
Is the instruction manual copyrighted?
This instruction manual is protected by copyright. All rights reserved, especially the rights to reproduce, translate and process with electronic systems.
7 Steps To Start A Stihl Chainsaw
Before starting your Stihl chainsaw, engage the chain brake for safety. Engaging the chain brake will keep you from injuring yourself or someone else during the starting process. It only takes a second to engage a chain brake. Do it first.
Why Is My Stihl Chainsaw Flooding?
There are three primary reasons a Stihl chainsaw can flood during the starting process.
Where Is The Choke On A Stihl Chainsaw?
The choke on a Stihl chainsaw is located to the left of the rear handle on the master control switch. The master control switch is a black lever with four different settings which are full choke, half choke, run and stop.
Do All Stihl Chainsaws Have A Primer
No, not all Stihl chainsaws have primer bulbs. In fact, the vast majority of Stihl chainsaws do not have primer bulbs at all. Primer bulbs are usually on the Easy Start variants of chainsaws and on some arborist-grade chainsaws.
Wrapping Up
If you are used to starting and operating chainsaw brands like Husquvarna, Poulan, or Echo, you probably have the starting process relegated to muscle memory.
How to cut a tree with a MS 391?
MS 311, MS 391 English 22 Escape Path First clear the tree base and work area from interfering limbs and brush and clean its lower portion with an ax. Then, establish two paths of escape (B) and remove all obstacles. These paths should be generally opposite to the planned direction of the fall of the tree (A) and about at a 45° angle. Place all tools and equipment a safe distance away from the tree, but not on the escape paths. Buttress Roots If the tree has large buttress roots, cut into the largest buttress vertically first (horizontally next) and remove the resulting piece. Gunning Sight When making the felling notch, use the gunning sight on the shroud and housing to check the desired direction of fall: Position the saw so that the gunning sight points exactly in the direction you want the tree to fall. Conventional Cut Felling notch(C) – determines the direction of the fall For a conventional cut: N Properly place felling notch perpendicular to the line of fall, close to the ground. N Cut down at approx. 45° angle to a depth of about 1/5 to 1/4 of the trunk diameter. N Make second cut horizontal. N Remove resulting 45° piece.
How to fuel a chain saw?
MS 311, MS 391 English 6 WARNING Fueling Instructions WARNING Pick a Safe Location To reduce the risk of fire and explosion, fuel your chain saw in a well-ventillated area, outdoors away from flames, pilot lights, heaters, electric motors, and other sources of ignition. Vapors can be ignited by a spark or flame many feet away. Select bare ground for fueling and move at least 10 feet (3 m) from the fueling spot before starting the engine. Wipe off any spilled fuel before starting your chain saw. Take care not to get fuel on your clothing. If this happens, change your clothing immediately. Allow the Saw to Cool Before Removing the Fuel Cap WARNING Gasoline vapor pressure may build up inside the fuel tank. The amount of pressure depends on a number of factors such as the fuel used, altitude and temperature. To reduce the risk of burns and other personal injury from escaping gas, vapor and fumes, always shut off the engine and allow it to cool before removing the fuel cap. The engine is air cooled. When it is shut off, cooling air is no longer drawn across the cylinder and engine temperatures will rise for several minutes before starting to cool. In hot environments, cooling will take longer. To reduce the risk of burns and other personal injury from escaping gas, vapor and fumes, allow the saw to cool. If you need to refuel before completing a job, turn off the machine and allow the engine to cool before opening the fuel tank. Fuel Spraying or “Geysering” WARNING Removing the cap on a pressurized fuel tank can result in gasoline, vapors and fumes being forcefully sprayed out from the fuel tank in all directions. The escaping gasoline, vapors or fumes can cause serious personal injury, including fire and burn injury, or property damage. Sometimes also referred to as "fuel geysering," fuel spraying is an expulsion of fuel, vapors and fumes which can occur in hot conditions, or when the engine is hot, and the tank is opened without allowing the saw to cool adequately. It is more likely to occur when the fuel tank is half full or more. Pressure is caused by fuel and heat and can occur even if the engine has not been running. When gasoline in the fuel tank is heated (by ambient temperatures, heat from the engine, or other sources), vapor pressure will increase inside the fuel tank. Some blends of gasoline, particularly those designed for use in winter, are more volatile and may cause tanks to pressurize more quickly or create greater pressure. At higher altitudes, fuel tank pressurization is more likely. How to Avoid Fuel Spraying Removing the fuel cap on a pressurized tank can result in gasoline, vapors and fumes being forcefully sprayed out from the fuel tank in all directions. To reduce the risk of burns, serious injuries or property damage from fuel spraying: – Follow the fueling instructions in this chapter. – Always assume your fuel tank is pressurized. – Allow the chain saw to cool before removing the fuel cap. – In hot environments, cooling will take longer. – The engine is air cooled. When it is shut off, cooling air is no longer drawn across the cylinder and the engine temperature will rise for several minues before starting to cool. Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. If spilled and ignited by a spark or other ignition source, it can cause fire and seri- ous burn injury or property damage. Use extreme caution when handling gasoline or fuel mix. Do not smoke or bring any fire or flame near the fuel or the chain saw. Note that combus- tible fuel vapor may escape from the fuel system.
How to activate chain saw brake?
MS 311, MS 391 English 17 There are two mechanisms for activating the chain brake if it is in a properly maintained condition: – manual activation: If a kickback occurs, the chain saw moves upwards towards the user in a rotating motion around the front handle. The brake is designed to engage if the left hand contacts the front guard, which is the activation lever for the brake, and pushes it forward. – inertia activation: All STIHL chain saws are equipped with an interia Quickstop chain brake. If the kickback impulse is strong enough, this alone is sufficient to engage the brake even without contacting the front hand guard. WARNING Never operate your chain saw without a front hand guard. In a kickback situation this guard helps protect your left hand and other parts of your body. In addition, removal of the hand guard on a chain saw equipped with a Quickstop chain brake will disable the activation mechanism of 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 of your instruction manual entitled "Chain Brake" and the section "Maintenance, Repair and Storing" at the end of these Safety Precautions. 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 saw chain after activation, or may not activate at all. WARNING Never run the chain saw above idle speed for more than 3 seconds when the chain brake is engaged or when the saw 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 occurred, allow the motor housing to cool before proceeding and check the operation of your chain brake as described in the chapter entitled "Chain Brake" of your instruction manual. Also make sure that the saw chain is not turning at idle speed (see above at "Important Adjustments"). Low Kickback Saw Chain and Reduced Kickback Bars STIHL offers a variety of bars and saw chains. STIHL reduced kickback bars and low kickback saw chains are designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. Other saw chains are designed to achieve higher cutting performance or sharpening ease, but in turn are more prone to kickback. STIHL has developed a color code system to help you identify the STIHL reduced kickback bars and low kickback saw chains. Cutting attachments with green warning labels on the packaging are designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. The matching of green marked or labeled chain saws under 3.8cubic inches (62cm³) displacement with green labeled bars and green labeled saw chains gives compliance with the computed kickback angle requirements of the chain saw standard when the products are in their original condition. Products with yellow labels are for users with extraordinary cutting
Where does kickback occur on a saw chain?
Kickback may occur when the moving saw chain near the upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts a solid object or is pinched.
Why is it important to read the instruction manual on a chain saw?
Because a chain saw is a high-speed, fast-cutting power tool, special safety precautions must be observed to reduce the risk of personal injury. It is important that you read, fully understand and observe the following safety precautions and warnings. Read the instruction manual and the safety instructions periodically. Careless or improper use may cause serious or fatal injury. Save the instruction man- ual for future reference.
Is the instruction manual copyrighted?
This instruction manual is protected by copyright. All rights reserved, especially the rights to reproduce, translate and process with electronic systems.
