Instruction Manual
Table Of Contents
- STIHL MS 261 C-M
- 1 Guide to Using this Manual
- 2 Safety Precautions
- 3 Reactive Forces
- 4 Working Techniques
- 5 Cutting Attachment
- 6 Mounting the Bar and Chain (side chain tensioner)
- 7 Mounting the Bar and Chain (quick chain tensioner)
- 8 Tensioning the Saw Chain (side chain tensioner)
- 9 Tensioning the Saw Chain (quick chain tensioner)
- 10 Checking Chain Tension
- 11 Fuel
- 12 Fueling
- 13 Chain Lubricant
- 14 Filling Chain Oil Tank
- 15 Checking Chain Lubrication
- 16 Chain Brake
- 17 Winter Operation
- 18 Electric Handle Heating
- 19 Starting / Stopping the Engine
- 20 Operating Instructions
- 21 Oil Quantity Control
- 22 Taking Care of the Guide Bar
- 23 Shroud
- 24 Air Filter System
- 25 Cleaning the Air Filter
- 26 M-Tronic
- 27 Spark Arresting Screen in Muffler
- 28 Spark Plug
- 29 Storing the Machine
- 30 Checking and Replacing the Chain Sprocket
- 31 Maintaining and Sharpening the Saw Chain
- 32 Maintenance and Care
- 33 Main Parts
- 34 Specifications
- 35 Ordering Spare Parts
- 36 Maintenance and Repairs
- 37 Disposal
- 38 EC Declaration of Conformity
689BA018 KN
90°
689BA043 KN
► Guide the file: horizontally (at a right angle to
the side surface of the guide bar) in accord‐
ance with the specified angle – according to
the markings on the file holder – rest the file
holder on the tooth head and the depth gauge
► File only from the inside outward
► The file only sharpens on the forward stroke –
lift the file on the backstroke
► Do not file tie straps and drive links
► Rotate the file a little periodically in order to
avoid uneven wear
► To remove file burr, use a piece of hardwood
► Check angle with file gauge
All cutters must be equally long.
With varying cutter lengths, the cutter heights
also vary and cause rough running of the saw
chain and chain breakage.
► All cutters must be filed down equal to the
length of the shortest cutter – ideally, one
should have this done by a servicing dealer
using an electric sharpener
31.7 Depth gauge setting
689BA023 KN
a
The depth gauge determines the depth to which
the cutter penetrates the wood and thus the chip
thickness.
a Required distance between depth gauge and
cutting edge
When cutting softwood outside of the frost sea‐
son, the distance can be increased by up to
0.2 mm (0.008").
Chain pitch Depth gauge
Distance (a)
Inches (mm) mm (Inches)
1/4 P (6.35) 0.45 (0.018)
1/4 (6.35) 0.65 (0.026)
3/8 P (9.32) 0.65 (0.026)
0.325 (8.25) 0.65 (0.026)
3/8 (9.32) 0.65 (0.026)
0.404 (10.26) 0.80 (0.031)
31.8 Lowering the depth gauges
The depth gauge setting is lowered when the
cutter is sharpened.
► Check the depth gauge setting after each
sharpening
2
689BA061 KN
1
► Lay the appropriate file gauge (1) for the chain
pitch on the saw chain and press it against the
cutter to be checked – if the depth gauge pro‐
trudes past the file gauge, the depth gauge
must be reworked
Saw chains with humped drive link (2) – upper
part of the humped drive link (2) (with service
English 31 Maintaining and Sharpening the Saw Chain
36 0458-153-8321-C