Fitting the chain and bar correctly
Lateral chain tensioner
When you have all the parts needed for your chainsaw, you can start assembling them. Wear safety gloves whenever necessary, such as when handling the saw chain.
Lay out the various parts of your chainsaw
Lay the various parts (power unit, chain, guide bar, combination wrench) out on a suitable, clean and level surface. You can also use a soft blanket or carpet to prevent damage to the machine or hard surface underneath.
Remove the chain sprocket cover
Place the power unit in an upright position and unscrew the nuts with the combination wrench. Then remove the chain sprocket cover.
Turn the adjusting wheel
Turn the chain tensioner backwards (to the left) until the tensioner slide contacts the recess in the housing (in the direction of the sprocket).
Lay the chain on the bar
Wear gloves when working with the chain (high risk of injury due to the sharp teeth). When you have put on your gloves, pick up the chain and bar and lay the chain over the bar, starting at the bar nose. (Ensure that the chain is facing in the right direction => see illustration).
Bar hangs in chain
Turn the chain over so that the bar is completely enclosed in the chain.
Chain facing in right direction?
Check again that the chain is correctly located on the bar and facing in the right direction. The cutter tooth must face forwards on the upper side of the bar.
Lay the chain and bar on the power unit
Now take the complete chain and bar and fit the saw chain round the chain sprocket. Slide the guide bar onto the stud bolts and the tensioner slides into the hole provided.
Screw on the chain sprocket cover
Lay the chain sprocket cover back on the power unit and tighten down the two nuts by hand. The bar with chain can no longer become displaced and you can adjust the chain tension without difficulty.
Check the chain tension
The chain is now loose and sags. This is evident from the fact that the drive links of the chain are not located in the bar groove.
Turn the adjusting screw
Loosely tighten the chain tensioner screw until the chain sags only slightly and the noses of the drive links enter the bar groove.
Lift the bar nose
Lift the bar nose up and turn the chain tensioner screw further. The drive links should now engage in the bar groove.
Tighten down the nuts
Screw the fastening nuts tight with the combination wrench.
Check the chain tension (visual check)
Check that the chain is located in the bar groove and does not sag.
Check the chain tension (by pulling)
Now check that the chain is not over-tensioned. Pull the chain in the direction of movement with your hand (the chain brake must be released otherwise the chain will not move). Working gloves must be worn without fail for this test in order to prevent injury due to the sharp chain. If the chain cannot be moved, unscrew the nuts and repeat the preceding steps.
Apply the chain brake
Your chainsaw is now fully assembled. The chain brake must now be re-applied.
Please note: This is an offer by ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, Germany. Please read the notes on your respective country page www.stihl.com and the country-specific instructions for use of your product.