How to start a STIHL chainsaw
The steps and safety considerations, with clear starting instruction video guides.
02.10.2024
Before starting your STIHL chainsaw
Before you can start your petrol chainsaw, you need to make sure you have a safe area to use it in.
Preparing a space for chainsaw work
- Petrol chainsaws generate toxic emissions from the moment the engine starts. These gases may be odourless and invisible, so it’s important to only use your chainsaw outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces. A closed room is not a safe environment for working with your STIHL chainsaw.
- Check the ground of your working area: uneven ground and freshly shaved bark can be trip hazards, along with slippery, wet, snowy, icy, or sloped surfaces.
- Keep other people, especially children, away from your working area.
It’s also important to keep these safety considerations in mind before you start work with your STIHL chainsaw:
- Petrol can be extremely hazardous, so always ensure the refuelling site is at least 3 metres away from where you intend to use your STIHL chainsaw.
- Inspect your work area carefully and be aware of potential obstacles. Maintain a clear escape route in case of emergency. Slippery, uneven or icy surfaces can be dangerous so try to avoid these if possible.
- Make sure you are wearing the correct PPE, and the PPE is in good condition.
Step by step starting sequence
You’ve checked your working area is safe, so now it’s time to get going with your saw. The steps below take you through the start process for your STIHL chainsaw, but you must also always refer to the safety information in your operating instructions.
Follow the instructions appropriate for your STIHL chainsaw: we have provided steps for how to start a chainsaw without M-Tronic, as well as the instructions you need if you have an M-Tronic tool.
Though the instructions steps given are for starting your chainsaw on level ground, they can be adapted if thick shrubbery or snow makes a ground start impractical: you can instead hold your STIHL chainsaw between your knee and thigh to start it, and skip the steps that aren’t relevant.
How to start a STIHL chainsaw without M-Tronic
Before you start the chainsaw it’s vital to engage the chain brake by pushing the chain brake handle forward.
Always remove the scabbard before starting your chainsaw.
If your chainsaw has a decompression valve, pressing it now will make it easier to start your chainsaw.
If your STIHL chainsaw has a manual fuel pump, press the primer bulb several times; this makes start-up easier and reduces the number of pulls needed on the starter cord.
Set the master control lever to Choke/Cold start: first press the throttle trigger lockout and the throttle trigger, then push the master control lever to the lowest position.
Put your chainsaw down on a level floor to start it. The cutting attachment must not come into contact with the ground, as this can blunt the chain and put you at risk.
Your STIHL chainsaw needs to be held steady while you start it. With the chainsaw still on the ground, put your left hand on the handle, right hand on the starter cord, and your right foot on the rear handle.
You should pull the starter cord straight up, keeping it as vertical as possible, and avoid letting it make contact with the fan housing. Using your right hand, pull the starter cord slowly at first, until you feel some resistance – then pull it forcefully several times until the engine fires.
The engine will only briefly spring to life, and will then turn off again immediately. Now you need to open the choke by moving the master control lever up one position to the half-throttle setting.
Pull the starter cord again until the engine starts.
As soon as you start the chainsaw and the engine is running, briefly tap the throttle trigger; the master control lever will jump to the normal idle position.
Slowly lift your STIHL chainsaw off the ground, making sure not to touch the throttle lever.
Now it’s safe to release the chain brake. Hold on to the chain brake with your left hand while keeping youe thumb around the main handle and pull it towards you. Don’t let go of the handle until you hear a click – this means the chain brake is off and the chain is free to move.
Before you get going with your chainsaw, check the chain lubrication. With the saw running at full throttle, hold it over a light-coloured surface such as a piece of paper or timber. If the chainsaw leaves a clear trail of oil, you can start work!
Your STIHL chainsaw is ready to go – remember to follow all the guidelines for safe working that you’ll find in the operating instructions.
How to start a STIHL chainsaw with M-Tronic
Before you start your chainsaw, you need to engage the chain brake by pushing the chain brake handle forward.
Always remove the scabbard before starting your chainsaw.
If your chainsaw has a decompression valve, pressing it down will make it easier to start your chainsaw.
If your STIHL chainsaw has a manual fuel pump, press the primer bulb several times; this makes start-up easier and reduces the number of pulls needed on the starter cord.
Set the master control lever to the start position (▲).
Put your chainsaw down on a level floor to start it. The cutting attachment must not come into contact with the ground, as this can blunt the chain and put you at risk.
Your STIHL chainsaw needs to be held steady while you start it. With the chainsaw still on the ground, put your left hand on the handle, right hand on the starter cord, and your right foot on the rear handle.
You should pull the starter cord straight up, keeping it as vertical as possible, and avoid letting it make contact with the fan housing. Using your right hand, pull the starter cord slowly at first, until you feel some resistance – then pull it forcefully several times until the engine fires.
As soon as you start the chainsaw and the engine is running, briefly tap the throttle trigger; the master control lever will jump to the operating position (I).
Slowly lift your STIHL chainsaw off the ground, making sure not to touch the throttle lever.
Now it’s safe to release the chain brake. Hold on to the chain brake with your left hand while keeping your thumb around the main handle and pull it towards you. Don’t let go of the handle until you hear a click – this means the chain brake is off and the chain is free to move.
Before you get going with your chainsaw, check the chain lubrication. With the saw running at full throttle, hold it over a light-coloured surface such as a piece of paper or timber. If the chainsaw leaves a clear trail of oil, you can start work!
Your STIHL chainsaw is ready for work – remember to follow all the guidelines for safe working that you’ll find in the operating instructions.
STIHL ErgoStart and STIHL ElastoStart make starting easy
As well as the M-Tronic system STIHL offers other features that also make it easier to start your chainsaw: STIHL ErgoStart reduces the amount of power required for start-up and the special STIHL ElastoStart shock absorber grip makes the starting process smooth, with no sudden load peaks.
NOTE
These instructions are intended to supplement the operating instructions for your STIHL chainsaw. The videos depict just one chainsaw as an example, and other chainsaws may have different controls. Make sure you familiarise yourself with your own chainsaw before using it, and read the operating instructions in full. Contact your STIHL dealer directly if you have any questions.
Powerful: STIHL Chainsaws
Summary: how to start a STIHL petrol chainsaw
- The right way to start a STIHL chainsaw may vary depending on the model
- Before starting your tool, you must carefully read the operating instructions
- To start a STIHL chainsaw safely, you can either do a ground start or a knee start
- You need fewer steps to start a chainsaw with M-Tronic – for example there is no need to pull the starter cord a second time
- Don’t start working with your chainsaw until you have successfully completed the start-up sequence. If you are doing a ground start, do not pick up the chainsaw until it is running correctly
- If you follow these instructions and your STIHL chainsaw still doesn’t start properly, we recommend you contact a STIHL dealer
