Stihl MS 231 Instruction Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Stihl Manuals
  4. Chainsaw
  5. MS 231
  6. Instruction manual

Stihl MS 231 Instruction Manual

Hide thumbs Also See for MS 231:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

MS 231, 251
2 - 43
Instruction Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the MS 231 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Stihl MS 231

Summary of Contents for Stihl MS 231

  • Page 1 MS 231, 251 2 - 43 Instruction Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Mounting the Bar and Chain (side chain ten‐ Guide to Using this Manual sioner)............15 Mounting the Bar and Chain (quick chain This Instruction Manual refers to a STIHL chain tensioner)..........16 saw, also called a machine in this Instruction Tensioning the Saw Chain (side chain ten‐...

  • Page 3: Safety Precautions

    Engineering improvements the work in poor weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, wind). STIHL's philosophy is to continually improve all of its products. For this reason we may modify Persons with pacemakers only: The ignition sys‐ the design, engineering and appearance of our tem of your chain saw produces an electromag‐...
  • Page 4 (e.g. leather). match your model and meet your performance requirements. Refuelling STIHL can supply a comprehensive range of per‐ Gasoline is an extremely flammable sonal protective equipment. fuel – keep clear of naked flames and fire – do not spill any fuel – no smok‐...
  • Page 5 2 Safety Precautions English cap, hose connections and the manual fuel pump (on machines so equipped). If there are any leaks or damage, do not start the engine – risk of fire. Have your saw repaired by a serv‐ icing dealer before using it again. –...
  • Page 6 (e.g. tingling correct when possible. Have the machine sensation in fingers), seek medical advice. repaired by a STIHL servicing dealer if the saw chain still continues to move during idling. 2.14 Maintenance and repairs...

  • Page 7: Reactive Forces

    – risk of fire due to the fuel. Check fuel cap regularly for tightness. Use only spark plugs that are in perfect condition and have been approved by STIHL – see "Speci‐ fications". Check ignition lead (insulation in good condition, secure connection).

  • Page 8: Working Techniques

    English 4 Working Techniques object, e.g. when another limb is touched acci‐ the chain pulls the saw forward – to reduce this dentally during limbing. risk, always engage the spiked bumper securely – when the chain at the nose of the guide bar is in the tree or limb.
  • Page 9 4 Working Techniques English Country-specific legislation on felling technique chain saw in the vicinity of easily combustible must be complied with during felling work. materials, dry plants or scrub. It is mandatory that you ask the responsible forestry office about Sawing the current fire hazard.
  • Page 10 English 4 Working Techniques Preparing for felling erwise the cutting attachment may stick in the cut or kick back – risk of injury! Check that there are no other persons in the fell‐ ing area – other than helpers. Make sure no-one is endangered by the falling tree –...
  • Page 11 4 Working Techniques English – Clear escape paths, eliminate obstacles Determine direction of fall with gunning sight on – Put down tools and equipment at a safe dis‐ cover and fan housing tance – but not on the escape paths –...
  • Page 12 English 4 Working Techniques Sapwood cuts – With rotten trunks, leave a wider strip Plunge cutting – For relieving cuts during shortening – For wood carving Sapwood cuts in long-fibered softwood help pre‐ vent sapwood splintering when the tree falls. Make cuts at both sides of the trunk at same ►...
  • Page 13 – reposition logue to felling cut (E)). the chainsaw as little as possible Contact the STIHL dealer for the selection of the ► Make the felling cut up to the hinge (1) felling wedge (suitable length, width and height).
  • Page 14 English 4 Working Techniques ► Make the felling cut up to the stabilizing ► Make the felling cut towards the holding strap strap (3) – Do not cut into the stabilizing strap – Cut horizontally – Do not cut into the holding strap. The felling cut must be continued on the oppo‐...

  • Page 15: Cutting Attachment

    5 Cutting Attachment English Chain Scabbard ► Tip of the guide bar must penetrate the wood before the holding strap (4) – guide the chain‐ saw absolutely horizontally and swivel as widely as possible ► Make the felling cut up to the hinge (5) –...

  • Page 16: Mounting The Bar And Chain (Quick Chain Tensioner)

    English 7 Mounting the Bar and Chain (quick chain tensioner) ► Turn the screw (1) counterclockwise until the ► Turn the tensioning screw (4) clockwise until tensioner slide (2) butts against the left end of there is very little chain sag on the underside the housing slot.
  • Page 17 7 Mounting the Bar and Chain (quick chain tensioner) English Fitting the saw chain ► Remove screw (2) ► Position tensioning gear (1) and guide bar (3) relative to one another ► Insert and tighten screw (2) WARNING Releasing the chain brake Put on protective gloves –...

  • Page 18: Tensioning The Saw Chain (Side Chain Tensioner)

    English 8 Tensioning the Saw Chain (side chain tensioner) Tensioning the Saw Chain (side chain tensioner) Retensioning during cutting work: ► Switch off the engine. ► Loosen the nut. ► Hold the bar nose up. ► Use a screwdriver to turn the tensioning screw (1) clockwise until the chain fits snugly against the underside of the bar.

  • Page 19: Checking Chain Tension

    11.2.2 Engine oil A new chain has to be retensioned more often If you mix the fuel yourself, use only STIHL two- than one that has been in use for some time. stroke engine oil or another high-performance ► Check chain tension frequently – see chapter engine oil classified as JASO FB, JASO FC, on "Operating Instructions".

  • Page 20: Fueling

    STIHL MotoMix however can be stored for up to 5 years without any problems. ► Shake the canister containing the fuel mixture thoroughly before refueling WARNING ►...
  • Page 21 English 12.3 Filling Up with Fuel Take care not to spill fuel while fueling and do not overfill the tank. STIHL recommends you use the STIHL filler noz‐ zle for fuel (special accessory). ► Fill the fuel tank. 12.4 Closing ►...

  • Page 22: Chain Lubricant

    Take care not to spill chain oil while refilling and do not overfill the tank. STIHL recommends you use the STIHL filler noz‐ zle for chain oil (special accessory). ► Close the filler cap. There must still be a small amount of oil in the oil tank when the fuel tank is empty.

  • Page 23: Checking Chain Lubrication

    Press the hand guard towards the nose of the ried out only by authorised STIHL dealers. The guide bar with the left hand - or automatically following intervals must be complied with:...

  • Page 24: Winter Operation

    English 17 Winter Operation Part-time use: every six months In case of erratic idling behavior or poor acceler‐ occasional use: annually ation ► Turn the low speed screw (L) 1/4 turn counter‐ 17 Winter Operation clockwise Whenever the low speed screw (L) has been adjusted, it is usually also necessary to adjust the idle speed adjusting screw (LA), see "Setting 17.1...
  • Page 25 18 Starting / Stopping the Engine English 18.2 Setting the Master Control 18.4.1 On the ground Lever To move the Master Control lever from the nor‐ mal run position (F) to choke closed (l), press down the throttle trigger lockout and squeeze the throttle trigger at the same time and hold them in that position –...
  • Page 26 English 18 Starting / Stopping the Engine 18.4.2 Between knees or thighs ► Pull the starter grip slowly with your right hand until you feel it engage – and then give it a brisk strong pull and push down the front han‐ dle at the same time.
  • Page 27 18 Starting / Stopping the Engine English 18.7 When engine begins to fire 18.6.1 Versions with manual fuel pump STOP ► Press the manual fuel pump bulb at least five ► Set the Master Control lever (4) to the starting times –...

  • Page 28: Operating Instructions

    English 19 Operating Instructions 19.2 During work NOTICE NOTICE Always disengage chain brake before accelerat‐ ing the engine. High revs with the chain brake Do not make the mixture leaner to achieve an engaged (chain locked) will quickly damage the apparent increase in power –...

  • Page 29: Taking Care Of The Guide Bar

    20 Taking Care of the Guide Bar English 21 Shroud NOTICE 21.1 Remove shroud Always slacken off the chain again after finishing ► Move the Master Control Lever to the stop work. The chain contracts as it cools down. If it is position 0 not slackened off, it can damage the crankshaft ►...

  • Page 30: Cleaning The Air Filter

    ► Place the air filter in position. ► Push the air filter in the direction of the filter housing and turn it clockwise at the same time until it engages – the "STIHL" name must be ► Rotate the air filter a 1/4 turn counterclockwise horizontal.
  • Page 31 24 Adjusting the Carburetor English 24.2 Standard setting WARNING ► Switch off the engine ► Check the air filter – clean or replace it if nec‐ If the saw chain continues to keep rotating in idle essary even after adjustment, have the chain saw checked by a servicing dealer.

  • Page 32: Spark Arresting Screen In Muffler

    – or sooner if the electrodes are badly the risk of engine damage through lack of lubri‐ eroded. Install only suppressed spark plugs of cation and overheating. the type approved by STIHL – see "Specifica‐ tions". 25 Spark Arresting Screen in 26.1...

  • Page 33: Storing The Machine

    ► Remove saw chain and guide bar; clean and spray with protective oil ► Thoroughly clean the machine - pay special attention to the cylinder fins and air filter ► When using biological chain oil (e.g. STIHL BioPlus), fill the lubricant oil tank 0458-737-8321-C...

  • Page 34: Maintaining And Sharpening The Saw Chain

    28.2 Install spur chain sprocket / rim sprocket ► Clean crankshaft stub and needle cage and lubricate with STIHL lubricant (special acces‐ sory) ► Slide needle cage onto the crankshaft stub ► After refitting, turn the clutch drum and/or spur chain sprocket approx.
  • Page 35 A Sharpening angle 29.5 To check the angles STIHL saw chains are sharpened with a 30° sharpening angle. Ripping chains, which are sharpened with a 10° sharpening angle, are exceptions. Ripping chains have an X in the des‐...
  • Page 36 English 29 Maintaining and Sharpening the Saw Chain 29.7 Depth gauge setting 90° The depth gauge determines the depth to which the cutter penetrates the wood and thus the chip thickness. a Required distance between depth gauge and cutting edge When cutting softwood outside of the frost sea‐...
  • Page 37 29 Maintaining and Sharpening the Saw Chain English ► Lay the file gauge on the saw chain – the high‐ mark) is lowered at the same time as the depth est point of the depth gauge must be flush with gauge of the cutter.

  • Page 38: Maintenance And Care

    Clean Lubricating oil tank Clean STIHL recommends STIHL servicing dealer When using professional chainsaws (with a power output of 3.4 kW or more) for the first time, tighten the cylinder block screws after 10 to 20 hours of operation 0458-737-8321-C...
  • Page 39 Safety information label replace STIHL recommends STIHL servicing dealer When using professional chainsaws (with a power output of 3.4 kW or more) for the first time, tighten the cylinder block screws after 10 to 20 hours of operation 0458-737-8321-C...

  • Page 40: Main Parts

    26 Rear hand guard # Serial number 32 Specifications 32.1 Engine STIHL single cylinder two-stroke engine 32.1.1 MS 231, MS 231 C Displacement: 42.6 cc Bore: 42.5 mm Stroke: 30 mm Engine power to ISO 7293: 2.0 kW (2.7 bhp) at...

  • Page 41: Ordering Spare Parts

    114 dB(A) dry, without bar and chain MS 231 C: 114 dB(A) MS 231: 4.8 kg MS 251: 114 dB(A) MS 231 C with ErgoStart and quick 5.1 kg MS 251 C: 114 dB(A) chain tensioner: MS 251: 4.8 kg 32.7.3...

  • Page 42: Maintenance And Repairs

    Deutsche Prüf- und Zertifizierungsstelle für Land- und Forsttechnik (NB 0363) Max-Eyth-Weg 1 D-64823 Gross-Umstadt Certification No. STIHL products must not be thrown in the gar‐ all versions of MS 231: K-EG-2010/5603 bage can. Take the product, accessories and all versions of MS 251: K-EG-2010/5605 packaging to an approved disposal site for envi‐...
  • Page 43 36 EC Declaration of Conformity English ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG Produktzulassung (Product Licensing) The year of manufacture and serial number are applied to the product. Done at Waiblingen, 03.02.2020 ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG p p. Dr. Jürgen Hoffmann Director Product Certification &...
  • Page 44 *04587378321C* 0458-737-8321-C...

This manual is also suitable for:

Ms 251

Table of Contents