Chain brake

The chain brake on your STIHL chainsaw is triggered automatically or manually. In both cases, the brake band encloses the clutch drum and prevents the chain starting to move even when the throttle trigger is squeezed. The chain brake is applied manually by pressing the front hand guard on your STIHL chainsaw forwards. It is activated automatically whenever a sufficiently strong kickback is encountered (due to the mass inertia of the hand guard). In this case, the hand guard snaps forwards towards the bar nose.