Disengaging The Chain Brake; Maintaining The Chain Brake - Stihl MS 261 Instruction Manual

12 The Chain Brake
WARNING
No chain brake device prevents kickback. This device is
designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury, if activated, in
certain kickback situations. For the chain brake to reduce
the risk of kickback injury, it must be properly maintained
and in good working order, @ 6.2.
In the event of a kickback, the chain 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.
Engaging the chain brake locks the chain. To manually
engage the chain brake:
► Push the front hand guard away from the front handle.
You will hear an audible click when the front hand guard
reaches the locked position.
NOTICE
High revs with the chain brake engaged will quickly damage
the powerhead and chain drive (clutch, chain brake). Always
disengage chain brake before accelerating the engine and
before starting work.
0458-573-8621-C

12.2 Disengaging the Chain Brake

WARNING
Before disengaging the chain brake and accelerating the
engine, be sure that the guide bar and saw chain are clear
of you and all other obstructions and objects, including the
ground, @ 5.6.
Disengaging the chain brake unlocks the chain. To
disengage the chain brake:
► Pull the front hand guard toward 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 engine can be accelerated.

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, @ 6.2. 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:
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