English
Marking (a)
7
To sharpen the chain:
► Switch off the chain saw, engage the chain
brake and remove the battery.
► Select a chain file with a diameter matching
the pitch of the chain.
Other files are unsuitable and can result in
improperly filed chain, which can increase the
potential and force of kickback and other reac‐
tive forces.
► Clamp the guide bar if necessary to make fil‐
ing easier.
► To advance the chain, first disengage the
chain brake,
14.2.
► Use a file holder.
File holders have markings that indicate the
proper sharpening angle.
► File all the cutters with an identical angle. Two
or three strokes of the file are usually sufficient
for simple resharpening. Remove a little mate‐
rial with each stroke.
Sharpening at varying or inconsistent angles
or heights can be very dangerous and may
result in rough or uneven running of the chain
and increased wear, even to the point of chain
breakage. It also can increase the tendency
and force of kickback and other reactive
forces.
► Guide the file horizontally at a right angle to
the side surface of the guide bar in accord‐
ance with the specified angle.
► File only from the inside of the cutter outward.
► Lift the file on the backstroke. The file only
sharpens on the forward stroke.
► Do not file tie straps or drive links.
► Periodically rotate the file in order to avoid
uneven wear.
► To remove a file burr from the cutter tooth, run
the cutter across a piece of hardwood.
► Check the sharpening angle with a file gauge.
All cutters must be of equal length and filed down
to the length of the shortest cutter. Otherwise,
38
Saw Chain Pitch
1/4" PICCO
23 Inspection and Maintenance
the tendency and force of kickback and other
reactive forces will increase.
STIHL recommends having your chain sharp‐
ened by an authorized STIHL servicing dealer to
reduce the risk of severe or fatal injury from an
improperly sharpened chain.
WARNING
■ Depth gauges that are too low increase the
potential and force of kickback and other reac‐
tive forces, which can increase the risk of seri‐
ous personal injury. Always maintain the
proper distance (a) between the depth gauge
and the top of the cutter.
The depth gauge determines the depth to which
the cutter penetrates the wood and thus the chip
thickness.
A depth gauge that is too low will increase the
kickback tendency of the chain saw and can
increase kickback forces.
A depth gauge that is too high will prevent the
cutter from entering the workpiece and will lead
to poor cutting performance. Always keep the
required distance (a) between depth gauge and
cutting edge,
25.4.
To properly lower the depth gauge:
► Lay the appropriate file gauge for the chain
pitch on the chain and press it against the cut‐
ter to be checked. If the depth gauge pro‐
trudes past the file gauge, the depth gauge
must be filed down.
► File the depth gauge so that it is flush with the
top of the file gauge.
a
0458-009-8202-B