12 The Chain Brake
Engaging the chain brake locks the chain. To manually
engage the chain brake:
► Push the front hand guard to the
front handle.
You will hear an audible click when the front hand guard
reaches the locked position.
In the event of a kickback, the brake is designed to engage
if the left hand contacts the front hand guard and pushes it
forward.
The chain brake is also designed to be activated by the
inertia of the front hand guard if the forces are sufficiently
high. When the brake is activated by inertia, the hand guard
accelerates toward the bar nose, even if your hand is not
behind the hand guard, e.g., during a felling back cut.
12.2 Disengaging the Chain Brake
WARNING
Before disengaging the chain brake and switching on your
chain saw, be sure that the guide bar and saw chain are
clear of you and all other obstructions and objects, including
the ground, @ 6.6.
0458-729-8621-A
position, away from the
Disengaging the chain brake unlocks the chain. To
disengage the chain brake:
► Pull the front hand guard to the
front handle.
You will hear an audible click when the front hand guard
reaches the unlocked position. In this position, the chain
brake is disengaged and the saw can be switched on.
12.3 Maintaining the Chain Brake
WARNING
An improperly maintained chain brake may increase the time
needed to stop the saw chain after activation, or it may not
activate or stop the chain at all, @ 7.2. The chain brake is
subject to wear, depending on the amount of usage,
conditions under which the saw is used and other factors.
Excessive wear will reduce the effectiveness of the chain
brake and can render it inoperable.
► Your chain saw should be returned to your authorized
STIHL servicing dealer for periodic inspection and
servicing of the brake system according to the following
schedule:
– Heavy Usage: every 3 months
– Part-Time Usage: every 6 months
– Occasional Usage: every 12 months
English
position, toward the
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