How to Properly Operate and Maintain a STIHL Chain Saw | STIHL Tutorial

Discover how to properly operate and maintain a STIHL chain saw. You'll also learn proper limbing and bucking techniques and the correct way to safely fell a tree.

#chainsaw
#technique
#howto

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:

ABOUT STIHL INC.:

*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2021 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers. **“Number one selling” claim based on 2007-2021 syndicated Irwin Broh Research of the U.S. professional landscaper market. ***A majority of STIHL products sold in America are made in America of U.S. and foreign materials.

FOLLOW US:

[bobikdylan]

A few years ago, after ten years of accident-free cutting, I had a lapse of concentration and cut my leg. It wasn't too bad but required several stitches. After recovery, I bought Stihl Universal protective pants. They were not cheap, but cheaper than legs, and now I never work without them. Stay safe.

[natsukashii]

I'm a wildland firefighter going on my 2 second season. I just received my S-212 certification and recently bought an MS 251 to practice and train with. It's such a sweet saw. The power to weight ratio is insane and so easy to work with.

[stevenkmckendallsr]

Because they HAVE NOT chaptered this video - at least, not as presented here (but maybe instead, on a DVD copy[?]), I took the liberty to literally spend about 3 hours dissecting it, in order to put the following timeline guide together for their viewers. Hay STIHL, you ought to send me a free head-gear set for the free labor, LOL. Here's the time line guide:
0:40 Selecting the right chainsaw
1:11 Your chainsaw manual
1:34 Item's you'll need, to maintain your chainsaw: filing tools (a round file with a holder or guide, a flat file, and a depth gauge - and a stump vice)
2:15 Items to help you while using your chainsaw: Moto Mix; Bar & Chain Oil; felling wedges (i.e., plastic, not metal [ref., 26:32 - 26:54) and a felling axe, and a can't hook or log roller; a pole pruner, to safely remove limbs
2:47 Protective apparel (i.e., Personal Protective Equipment, [or ‘PPE”]): Protective helmet system (i.e. with face shield and hearing protection), and ANSI compliant protective safety glasses; a sturdy pair of non-slip gloves; and a pair of STIHL protective (leg) chaps 3:25 with verdict Pro fibers 4:33; heavy duty, steel-toed work boots
6:28 Don’t work alone
6:37 Pre-inspection process, to make sure chainsaw is ready, before you begin. (Note: The term “AV System”, referenced to at the 6:56 minute mark, is refers to the “anti-vibration” system. In 1964, STIHL filed a patent for an anti-vibration system for chainsaws. The patent included the use of rubber elements to separate the handle from the engine, cutting the vibration level in half. In 1965, production started on a STIHL Contra equipped with the new feature – now known as the anti-vibration [AV] system). Check the air filter 7:08
7:19 STIHL recommended maintenance schedule
7:27 Chain-brake
7:37 Off/on switch, throttle trigger lockout and throttle trigger
7:44 Saw spark arrestor
7:55 Chain condition: proper sharpening and tension on bar
8:01 Adjusting chain tension
9:31 Sharpening chain – large uniform wood chips vs fine sawdust, and sharpening (Note: This is a link to the STIHL USA YouTube channel, containing the STIHL’s how to sharpen your chainsaw chain related videos – there’s actually several)
10:25 Sharpening Chain: Ensuring correct filing angle, when using file guide; correct angle and file size / warning; procedure. 13:17 Setting Chains Depth Gauge clearance – exact-depth filing, and tapering edge angle
14:21 Fuel and Bar & Chain Oil: Requirements & procedures
15:36 Pre-work Self Evaluation: Warning; advisory
16:02 Felling Trees: Conventional Cut (at 25:17) and Open-Faced Cut techniques (at 28:13); limbing (at and bucking up the tree up into firewood (at 29:12) – (procedures, warnings, guidance and advise)
20:55 How to properly start your chainsaw: Starting positions, chain brake, purge pump feature, decompression valve (usually found on professional; saws); cold-starts – throttle trigger interlock; master control lever – cold-start position vs warm-start position; burping; procedures, cautions. Note: This segment of the video comes from and matches the 1:54 - 5:45 segment of the STIHL video entitled How to Start Your Chainsaw, which also includes relevant information, from both the precedent and latter portions there-of, including what to do if you happen to flood your STIHL chainsaw by mistake
34:35 Important post chainsaw work maintenance: Inspection, cleaning, bar groove / rail cleaner; bar holes (including lubrication) and slots; extending bar wearability; air filter; starter rope; replace (i.e., reinstall bar & chain [not demonstrated in this video], and tighten [7:55])

[mickhurley]

Thank you for showing us how to operate our chainsaws safely. More of this type of videos please.
I just got a new Stihl 170.

[Vyugtyutg]

This is one of the best chainsaw videos on the internet

[dakotarashgolf]

New chainsaw owner, and this was a very good video to watch. Best one out of all the chainsaw videos I’ve watched so far. Thank you Stihl 👍🏻

[HYPNOTIZEMINDS]

Awesome video as a firefighter I can use this video to teach my fellow firefighters about the proper use and maintenance of a chainsaw. Thanks again

[Alex-opkc]

2:18 - Safety
8:06 - Saw Parts and Functions
16:02 - Chainsaw Operations
34:36 - Maintenance

(Credit: Found in a Team Rubicon course)

[irishcherokee]

Homeowners new to powersaws will gain life saving training from this video. Most of today's young arborist
were born knowing everything and having the skills no one else has. They never needed training.

[MrPaddy]

Great video. Apart from 26:53 when he walks around the front of the tree into the felling zone.

[BG-vqfd]

I do not remember if my first Stihl was an FS86 string trimmer or 023 saw. I have been a fan ever since. I recently purchased am MS261. I cannot wait to use it.

[rodneyhatcher]

Thanks for the safety video I needed a refresh my mind on safety and maintenance on my saw.

[johnsweeney]

Great video, thank you for taking the time and trouble to go through all the details… it certainly helps me. Keep up the good work.

[Trivit]

Was cool to see how the chaps work, have a couple pair of them....

[humanonearth]

What keeps ER surgery doctors super busy? New chainsaw owners that drop start wearing shorts and flip flops.

[carlyburgess]

Thank you! This was a great training video

[domcoscia]

Dom C
Excellent video, it covered everything necessary to safely operate and maintain my Farm Boss chainsaw. I learned a few new tricks too.

[paulwharton]

Excellent video - I learnt a lot.
Many the way from London !

[kdegraa]

When limbing up a fallen tree I like to start at the extremities from the top. This way when cutting, the branches are not loose and moving around. It’s easier this way to cut short lengths of branches down to the trunk. Once the trunk is clear of branches it’s either cut up for firewood or is used as timber.

[zaineridling]

Great video, since this is essentially a video user's manual! However, I recommend adding time markers in the description to allow viewers to jump directly to each topic. Thank you!