Prepare your working area

Preparing your working area

Before starting and handling your chainsaw you need to make sure your work area is safe.

You need to take the following precautions as a minimum:

  • Chain saws produce toxic exhaust fumes as soon as the engine starts running. These gases may be odourless and invisible. Never use your power tool in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space. Always make sure there is adequate ventilation.
  • Check the floor of your workplace. Remember there is a risk of slipping on wet surfaces, uneven terrain or on freshly stripped wood (bark).
  • If anyone else is nearby, especially children, keep them at a safe distance.

When you have fuelled your STIHL chainsaw you are ready to start it.

In your own interest you should observe the following safety instructions with regard to your starting location:

  • Always move at least 3 metres away from the refuelling location.
  • Check your working area for any obstacles (such as branches). Always have an escape route available for emergencies. Slippery, uneven or icy surfaces can be hazardous and should be avoided.
  • Also make sure there is no-one nearby. However, you should never work alone and you should always ensure that someone else – who can help in an emergency – is within a close distance.

Oils and lubricants

Oils and lubricants

To operate your petrol chainsaw you need a mix of petrol and engine oil to power the engine. The saw chain needs chain lubricant for good sawing results and no unnecessary chain wear.

The right way to fill up

without tools

The right way to fill up

Before filling up your STIHL chainsaw there are a few points you should consider with regard to safety:

  • Petrol is highly flammable, so keep a sufficient distance from naked flames. Take care not to spill fuel. Do not smoke. You should select a refilling site at least 3 meters away from your working location where you will start up the chainsaw.
  • Always switch off the engine completely before refuelling. Allow the engine to cool down before filling up. Otherwise, overflowing fuel can be a fire hazard.
  • Carefully open the fuel filler cap so that any excess pressure is slowly released and fuel does not spurt out of the tank.
  • Always refuel in a well-ventilated place.
  • When refuelling take care not to spill any fuel on the ground or on your clothes. If that happens, clean the power tool straight away and change your clothes.

Once you have observed these precautions, you can start your chainsaw