Warning!
Breathing asbestos dust is dangerous
and can cause severe or fatal injury,
respiratory illness or cancer. The use
and disposal of asbestos-containing
products have been strictly regulated by
OSHA and the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency. If you have any reason to
believe that you might be cutting asbes-
tos, immediately contact your employer
or a local OSHA representative.
Operating Instructions
Warning!
Do not operate your power tool using
the starting throttle lock, as you do not
have control of the engine speed.
In the event of an emergency, switch off
the engine immediately – move the slide
control / stop switch to 0 or STOP.
Warning!
Always stop the engine before putting a
chain saw down.
Warning!
The saw chain continues to move for a
short period after the throttle trigger is
released (flywheel effect).
Accelerating the engine while the saw
chain is blocked increases the load and
will cause the clutch to slip continuously.
This may occur if the throttle is
depressed for more than a few seconds
when the chain is pinched in the cut or
the chain brake is engaged. It can result
in overheating and damage to important
components (e.g. clutch, polymer
MS 261, MS 261 C
housing components) – which can then
increase the risk of injury, e.g., from the
saw chain moving while the engine is
idling.
Warning!
Your chain saw is equipped with a chain
catcher. It is designed to reduce the risk
of personal injury in the event of a
thrown or broken chain. From time to
time, the catcher may be damaged or
removed. To reduce the risk of personal
injury, do not operate a chain saw with a
damaged or missing chain catcher.
Warning!
Inspect antivibration elements periodi-
cally. Replace damaged, broken or
excessively worn antivibration elements
immediately, since they may result in
loss of control of the saw. A "spongi-
ness" in the feel of the saw, increased
vibration or increased "bottoming" dur-
ing normal operation may indicate
damage, breakage or excessive wear.
Antivibration elements should always
be replaced in sets. If you have any
questions as to whether the antivibra-
tion elements should be replaced,
consult your STIHL servicing dealer.
Warning!
Your saw is not designed for prying or
shoveling away limbs, roots or other
objects. Such use could damage the
cutting attachment or AV system.
Warning!
When sawing, make sure that the saw
chain does not touch any foreign mate-
rials such as rocks, fences, nails and the
like. Such objects may be flung off,
damage the saw chain or cause the saw
to kickback.
Warning!
Never modify your muffler. Any modifi-
cation could cause an increase in heat
radiation, sparks or sound level, thereby
increasing the risk of fire, burn injury or
hearing loss. You may also permanently
damage the engine. Have your muffler
serviced and repaired by your STIHL
servicing dealer only.
Warning!
The muffler and other parts of the
engine (e.g. fins of the cylinder, spark
plug) become hot during operation and
remain hot for a while after stopping the
engine. To reduce risk of burns, do not
touch the muffler and other parts while
they are hot. Keep the area around the
muffler clean. Remove excess lubricant
and all debris such as pine needles,
branches or leaves. Let the engine cool
down sitting on concrete, metal, bare
ground or solid wood (e.g. the trunk of a
felled tree) away from any combustible
substances.
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