Stihl MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C Instruction Manual [en, fr]

STIHL MSA 160 C, 200 C

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Contents

English

Guide to Using this Manual 2 Safety Precautions 2 Reactive Forces 7 Working Techniques 9 Cutting Attachment 17 Mounting the Bar and Chain (quick

chain tensioner) 18 Tensioning the Saw Chain (quick

chain tensioner) 20

Original Instruction ManualPrinted on chlorine-free paper

Checking Chain Tension 20 Chain Lubricant 20 Filling Chain Oil Tank 21 Checking Chain Lubrication 23 Coasting Brake 23 Chain Brake 23 Connecting Charger to Power

Supply 24 Charging the Battery 24 LEDs on battery 25 Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on

Charger 27 Switching On 27

Printing inks contain vegetable oils, paper can be recycled.

Switching Off 28 Operating Instructions 29 Taking Care of the Guide Bar 30 Storing the Machine 30 Checking and Replacing the Chain

Sprocket 31 Maintaining and Sharpening the

Saw Chain 32 Maintenance and Care 35 Main Parts 37

Specifications 39 Ordering Spare Parts 40 Troubleshooting 41 Maintenance and Repairs 43 Battery Recycling 43 Disposal 43 Key to Symbols 44 CSA Standard 45 General Power Tool Safety

Warnings 46

Dear Customer, Thank you for choosing a quality

engineered STIHL product. It has been built using modern

production techniques and comprehensive quality assurance. Every effort has been made to ensure your satisfaction and trouble-free use of the product.

Please contact your dealer or our sales company if you have any queries concerning this product.

Your

Dr. Nikolas Stihl

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0458-701-8221-D. VA1.F18.

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MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

Guide to Using this Manual

This Instruction Manual refers to a STIHL cordless chain saw, also called a chain saw, engine-driven device or machine in this Instruction Manual.

Pictograms

The meanings of the pictograms attached to the machine are explained in this manual.

Depending on the model concerned, the following pictograms may be attached to your machine.

Chain oil tank; chain oil

Direction of chain rotation

Tension the chain

Thermal overload cutout

Unlock

Lock

Symbols in text

WARNING

Warning where there is a risk of an accident or personal injury or serious damage to property.

NOTICE

Caution where there is a risk of damaging the machine or its individual components.

Engineering improvements

STIHL's philosophy is to continually improve all of its products. For this reason we may modify the design, engineering and appearance of our products periodically.

Therefore, some changes, modifications and improvements may not be covered in this manual.

Safety Precautions

Special safety precautions must be observed to reduce the risk of personal injury when working with a chain saw because of the very high chain speed and very sharp cutters.

It is important that you read the instruction manual before first use and keep it in a safe place for future reference. Nonobservance of the instruction manual may result in serious or even fatal injury.

General

Observe all applicable local safety regulations, standards and ordinances.

The use of noise emitting power tools may be restricted to certain times by national or local regulations.

If you have not used this model before: Have your dealer or other experienced user show you how to operate your machine or attend a special course in its operation.

Minors should never be allowed to use a chain saw.

Keep bystanders, especially children, and animals away from the work area.

The user is responsible for avoiding injury to third parties or damage to their property.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

Do not lend or rent your chain saw without the instruction manual. Be sure that anyone using it understands the information contained in this manual.

To operate a chain saw you must be rested, in good physical condition and mental health. If you have any condition that might be aggravated by strenuous work, check with your doctor before operating a chain saw.

Do not operate the chain saw if you are under the influence of any substance (drugs, alcohol) which might impair vision, dexterity or judgment.

To reduce the risk of accidents or injury, put off the work in poor weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, wind).

Remove the battery from the power tool:

– before carrying out inspections,

adjustments or cleaning work

– when working on the cutting

attachment

– before leaving your chain saw

unattended

– before transporting – before storing – before performing repairs and

maintenance work

– in the event of danger or in an

emergency

This avoids the risk of the motor starting unintentionally.

Intended Use

The chainsaw may be used for cutting wood and wooden objects only. It is particularly suitable for cutting firewood and other woodworking projects close to the house.

It must not be used for any other purpose because of the increased risk of accidents.

Never attempt to modify your saw in any way since this may increase the risk of personal injury. STIHL excludes all liability for personal injury and damage to property caused while using unauthorized attachments.

Clothing and Equipment

Wear proper protective clothing and equipment.

Clothing must be sturdy but allow complete freedom of movement. Wear snug-fitting clothing with cut retardant inserts – do not wear a work coat.

Avoid clothing that could get caught on branches or brush or moving parts of the saw. Do not wear a scarf, necktie or jewelry. Tie up and confine long hair (e.g. with a hair net, cap, hard hat, etc.).

Wear suitable footwear with cut retardant inserts, non-slip soles and steel toe.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of eye injuries, wear close-fitting safety glasses in accordance with European Standard EN 166. Make sure the safety glasses are a comfortable and snug fit.

Wear a face shield and make sure it is a good fit.

Hearing protection is recommended if your daily working time is more than

2.5 hours. Wear a safety hard hat with chin strap

where there is a danger of head injuries from falling objects.

Wear heavy-duty work gloves made of durable material (e.g. leather).

STIHL offers a comprehensive range of personal protective clothing and equipment.

Transport

Before transport – even over shorter distances – always switch off the chain saw, set the hand guard to ƒ and remove the battery. This avoids the risk of the engine starting unintentionally. Fit the chain scabbard.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

Carry the chain saw only by the handle – guide bar pointing backwards.

In vehicles: Properly secure the chain saw to prevent turnover, damage and chain oil spillage.

Cleaning

Clean plastic parts with a cloth. Harsh detergents can damage the plastic.

Clean the dust and dirt off the machine – do not use any grease solvents for this purpose.

Clean the ventilation slots if necessary. Keep the guide grooves of the battery

free of dirt – clean if necessary. Do not use a high-pressure cleaner to

clean the chain saw. The hard jet of water can damage parts of the machine.

Do not spray the chain saw with water.

Accessories

Only use those tools, guide bars, chains, chain sprockets, accessories or technically equivalent components that have been approved by STIHL for this machine. If you have any questions in this respect, consult a servicing dealer. Use only high quality tools and

accessories. Otherwise, there may be a risk of accidents and damage to the machine.

STIHL recommends the use of genuine STIHL tools, guide bars, chains, chain sprockets and accessories. They are specifically designed to match your model and meet your performance

0000-GXX-4668-A0

requirements.

Drive

Battery Observe the supplement sheet or

instruction manual for the STIHL battery and keep in a safe place.

Further safety instructions – see www.stihl.com/safety-data-sheets

Battery charger Observe the supplement sheet for the

STIHL charger and keep in a safe place.

Before starting work

Remove the battery from the chain saw before:

– Carrying out tests and adjustments

or cleaning work

– Working on the cutting attachment – Leaving the machine unattended – Transport – Storage

– Performing repairs and

maintenance work

– In the event of danger or in an

emergency

This avoids the risk of the engine starting unintentionally.

Check that the machine is properly assembled and in good condition – refer to appropriate chapters in the Instruction Manual:

– Functional chain brake, front hand

guard

– Correctly mounted guide bar – Correctly tensioned chain – Trigger switch and trigger switch

lockout must move easily – switches must return to initial position when released

– Trigger switch is locked when the

trigger switch lockout is not depressed

– Never attempt to modify the controls

or safety devices in any way

– Keep the handles dry and clean –

free from oil and dirt – for safe control of the chain saw

– Sufficient chain oil in the tank – Check contacts in battery

compartment of the chain saw for foreign matter

– Fit the battery correctly – it must

engage audibly

– Do not use defective or deformed

batteries

The chain saw should only be used if it is in full working order – risk of accident!

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

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To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury or death from unintentional starting, avoid contacting the trigger switch lockout and trigger switch when grasping the rear handle of the chain saw.

Switching On the Saw

Start the saw on level ground only. Make sure you have a firm footing. Hold the saw firmly – check that the cutting attachment is not touching any object or the ground.

The chainsaw is a one-person saw. Do not allow other persons in the work area – even when starting.

Do not attempt to switch on the saw when the saw chain is in a cut.

Switch on as described in the instruction manual.

During Operation

Make sure you always have good balance and secure footing. To avoid slipping, take special care when the bark is wet.

To reduce the risk of personal injury from unintentional starting when grasping the rear handle or carrying the

chain saw, wrap the fingers of your right hand tightly around the rear handle, identified by shading in the illustration above (1). Avoid grasping the chain saw outside the shaded area or contacting the trigger switch lockout or trigger switch.

Always hold your saw firmly with both hands: Right hand on the rear handle, even if you are left-handed. To ensure safe control, wrap your fingers tightly around the front handle and control handle.

In case of imminent danger or in an emergency, switch off the chain saw immediately, move the hand guard to ƒ and remove the battery.

This chain saw may be used in the rain and wet. Dry off your chain saw after finishing work.

Do not leave the saw outdoors in the rain.

Take special care in slippery conditions – damp, snow, ice, on slopes, uneven ground and freshly debarked logs.

Watch out for obstacles such as tree stumps, roots and ditches which could

0000-GXX-4960-A0

cause you to trip or stumble. Do not work alone – keep within calling

distance of other persons trained in first aid who can provide assistance in an

emergency. Helpers at the cutting site must also wear protective clothing (hard hat) and stand well clear of the branches being cut.

Be particularly alert and cautious when wearing hearing protection because your ability to hear warnings (shouts, alarms, etc.) is restricted.

To reduce the risk of accidents, take a break in good time to avoid tiredness or exhaustion.

The dusts (e.g. sawdust), vapor and smoke produced during operation may be dangerous to health. If dust levels are very high, wear a suitable respirator.

Check the saw chain at regular short intervals during operation or immediately if there is a noticeable change in cutting behavior:

– Switch off the saw, wait for the chain

to come to a standstill, remove the battery.

– Check condition and proper

mounting. – Check sharpness. Do not touch the chain while the

chainsaw is switched on. If the chain becomes jammed by an obstacle, switch off the saw immediately and remove the battery before attempting to free the obstruction – risk of injury.

Before leaving your saw, switch it off, move the hand guard to ƒ and remove the battery to avoid the risk of the motor starting unintentionally.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

To replace the saw chain, switch off the saw, move the hand guard to ƒ and remove the battery. This avoids the risk of injury from the motor starting unintentionally.

Your power tool is equipped with a system designed to quickly stop the saw chain – it comes to an immediate standstill as soon as you release the trigger switch – see "Coasting Brake".

Check this function at regular short intervals. Do not operate your chainsaw if the chain continues to run after you release the trigger switch – see "Coasting Brake" – risk of injury. Contact your servicing dealer.

Never operate your saw without proper chain lubrication – check oil level regularly during operation. Stop work immediately if the oil level is too low and refill the oil tank – see also chapters on "Filling Chain Oil Tank" and "Checking Chain Lubrication".

If your saw is subjected to unusually high loads for which it was not designed (e.g. heavy impact or a fall), always check that it is in good condition before continuing work – see also "Before Starting Work". Make sure the safety devices are working properly. Do not continue operating your saw if it is damaged. In case of doubt, consult your servicing dealer.

After finishing work

Switch off the chain saw, set the hand guard to ƒ, remove the battery from the chain saw and fit the chain scabbard.

Storage

When the machine is not in use, it should be stored in such a way that noone is endangered. Secure the machine against unauthorized use.

The chain saw must be stored in a dry room with the hand guard set to ƒ and only with the battery removed.

Vibrations

Prolonged use of the power tool may result in vibration-induced circulation problems in the hands (whitefinger disease).

No general recommendation can be given for the length of usage because it depends on several factors.

The period of usage is prolonged by: – Hand protection (wearing warm

gloves) – Work breaks The period of usage is shortened by: – Any personal tendency to suffer

from poor circulation (symptoms:

frequently cold fingers, tingling

sensations).

– Low outside temperatures. – The force with which the handles

are held (a tight grip restricts

circulation). Continual and regular users should

monitor closely the condition of their hands and fingers. If any of the above symptoms appear (e.g. tingling sensation in fingers), seek medical advice.

Maintenance and repairs

Before any repair, cleaning or maintenance work and any work on the cutting attachment, always switch off the chain saw, set the hand guard to ƒ and remove the battery from the chain saw. If the saw chain starts inadvertently – risk of injury!

The machine must be serviced regularly. Do not attempt any maintenance or repair work not described in the Instruction Manual. All other work should be carried out by a servicing dealer.

STIHL recommends that maintenance and repair work be carried out only by authorized STIHL dealers. STIHL dealers receive regular training and are supplied with technical information.

Use only high-quality spare parts. Otherwise, there may be a risk of accidents and damage to the machine. If you have any questions in this respect, consult a servicing dealer.

Do not modify the chain saw in any way – this can be extremely dangerous –risk of accidents!

Check existing electrical contacts, power cords and power plug of the charger for undamaged insulation and aging (brittleness).

Electrical components, e.g., the power cord of the charger, may only be repaired and/or replaced by qualified electricians.

Inspect chain catcher – replace if damaged.

Observe sharpening instructions – for safe and proper handling, always keep the saw chain and guide bar in flawless

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA036 KN

001BA257 KN

condition. Keep the saw chain properly sharpened, tensioned and well lubricated.

Change saw chain, guide bar and chain sprocket in due time.

Always store chain oil in containers approved for this purpose and ensure they are correctly labeled. Store in a dry, cool and secure place protected against light and sunlight.

In the event of a chain brake malfunction, switch off the machine immediately, set the hand guard to ƒ and remove the battery from the chain saw – risk of injury! Consult a servicing dealer – do not use the machine until the malfunction has been remedied, see "Chain brake".

Reactive Forces

The most common reactive forces are: kickback, pushback and pull-in.

Dangers of kickback

Kickback can result in fatal cuts.

Kickback occurs if, for example,

– The saw chain in the area of the

upper quarter of the guide bar nose unintentionally comes into contact with wood or a solid object – e. g., unintentionally touches another limb during limbing

– The saw chain at the nose of the

guide bar is briefly pinched in the cut

QuickStop chain brake:

This device reduces the risk of injury in certain situations – it cannot prevent kickback. If activated, the brake stops the saw chain within a fraction of a second – refer to chapter "Chain brake" in this Instruction Manual.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

Kickback occurs when the saw is suddenly thrown up and back in an uncontrolled arc towards the operator.

Reducing the risk of kickback

– Work cautiously and methodically – Hold the chain saw firmly with both

hands and maintain a secure grip

– Always cut at full throttle – Be aware of the location of the guide

bar nose

– Do not cut with the guide bar nose

English

001BA037 KN

001BA038 KN

– Be especially careful with small,

tough limbs, undergrowth and offshoots – the saw chain may become caught in them

– Never cut several limbs at once – Do not lean too far forward – Do not cut above shoulder height – Use extreme caution when re-

entering a previous cut

– Do not attempt plunge cuts if you

are not experienced in this cutting technique

– Be alert for shifting of the log or

other forces that may cause the cut to close and pinch the chain

– Always cut with a correctly

sharpened, properly tensioned saw chain – the depth gauge setting must not be too large

– Use low-kickback saw chains as

well as narrow-radius guide bars

Pull-in (A)

be drawn forward toward the log – to avoid this, engage the bumper spike firmly in the wood.

Pushback (B)

When the chain on the top of the bar – underbucking – is suddenly pinched, caught or encounters a foreign object in the wood, the chain saw may suddenly be driven straight back toward the operator – to avoid this:

– Do not allow the top of the guide bar

to become jammed – Do not twist the guide bar in the cut

Be very careful

Dead wood (brittle, rotten or dead wood) poses a significant, highly unpredictable hazard. It is extremely difficult or even practically impossible to recognise the danger. Use aids such as winches or draglines.

When felling close to roads, rail lines, power lines, etc., work with particular care. If necessary, notify police, power companies or railway authorities.

When the chain on the bottom of the bar – overbucking – is suddenly pinched, caught or encounters a foreign object in the wood, the chain saw may suddenly

– With freely hanging limbs – With trunks that are under tension

between other trees because they

fell unfavourably – When working in windbreaks In these cases, do not use a chain saw –

use a hoist, winch or dragline instead. Pull out trunks that are lying about and

have been cut free. Whenever possible, deal with them in open areas.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA082 KN

001BA033 KN

Working Techniques

Sawing and felling work, including all related work (plunge cutting, limbing, etc.) may only be carried out by persons who have been specially trained and instructed. Persons who are not experienced chain saw users should not carry out any such work – increased risk of accidents!

Gasoline chain saws are more suitable for felling and limbing than cordless chain saws.

The cordless chain saw is not suitable for cutting in blowdown areas and must not be used for such work.

If, however, a tree is to be felled and limbed with a cordless chain saw, it is imperative to observe the countryspecific legislation on felling technique.

Sawing

Work calmly and carefully – in daylight conditions and only when visibility is good. Do not endanger others – stay alert at all times.

It is advisable for first-time users to practice cutting logs on a sawbuck – see "Sawing thin wood".

Use the shortest possible guide bar: The chain, guide bar and chain sprocket must match each other and your saw.

Make certain that all parts of your body are well clear of the extended range of travel of the saw chain.

Always pull the saw out of the cut with the saw chain running.

Use the chain saw only for sawing – not for prying or shovelling away limbs or roots.

Do not underbuck freely hanging limbs. Be careful when cutting scrub and young

trees. Thin shoots can be scooped up by the chain saw and hurled towards the user.

Be careful when cutting shattered wood – risk of injury from slivers being caught and thrown in your direction!

Make sure your saw does not touch any foreign materials: Stones, nails, etc. may be flung off and damage the saw chain. The chain saw may kick back unexpectedly – risk of accident!

If a rotating saw chain hits a stone or another hard object, there may be sparks, which under certain conditions can cause easily combustible materials to catch fire. Even dry plants and scrub are easily combustible, especially in hot, dry weather conditions. If there is a risk of fire, do not use the chain saw in the vicinity of easily combustible materials,

dry plants or scrub. Always check with the relevant forestry commission if there is a risk of fire.

On slopes, always stand above or to the side of the trunk or felled tree. Watch out for rolling trunks.

When working at heights:

– Always use a lift bucket – Never work on a ladder or in a tree – Never use the machine in unsteady

locations

– Never cut above shoulder height – Never use the machine with one

hand

Begin cutting with the saw at full throttle and engage the bumper spike – then saw.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA151 KN

001BA152 KN

001BA189 KN

Never use the chain saw without the bumper spike, the saw may pull you forward suddenly. Always engage the bumper spike securely.

At the end of the cut, the chain saw is no longer supported by the cutting attachment in the cut. The chain saw's weight must be borne by the user – risk of loss of control!

Sawing thin wood: – Use a sturdy, stable fixture –

sawhorse

– Do not hold the wood in place with

your foot

– Other persons must neither be

allowed to hold the wood nor help in any other way

Limbing:

– Use a low-kickback saw chain – Support the chain saw as much as

possible

– Do not stand on the trunk when

limbing

– Do not cut with the guide bar nose – Watch out for limbs that are under

tension – Never cut several limbs at once Lying or standing logs under tension: Always make the cuts in the correct

order (first compression side (1), then tension side (2)), otherwise the cutting attachment may stick in the cut or kick back – risk of injury!

N Make relieving cut in the

compression side (1)

N Make bucking cut in the tension

side (2)

If the bucking cut is made from the bottom upwards (underbuck) – risk of pushback!

NOTICE

Lying logs must not touch the ground at the point where the cut is made – otherwise the chain will be damaged.

Ripping:

Sawing technique without use of the spiked bumper – risk of pull-in – position the guide bar at as shallow an angle as possible – be especially careful – increased risk of kickback!

Preparing for felling

Only persons who are engaged in felling may be present in the felling area.

Make certain that no one is endangered by the falling tree – engine noise can drown out shouting.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

The distance to the next worksite must

001BA088 LÄ

1 1

001BA040 KN

45°

001BA146 KN

be at least 2 1/2 tree lengths. Specify the direction of fall and escape

paths Select a gap in the timber stand into

which the tree can be felled. Pay special attention to the following

points:

– The natural inclination of the tree – Unusually heavy limb structure,

asymmetrical growth, damage to

tree – Wind direction and speed – do not

fell trees in high winds

– Direction of slope – Neighboring trees – Snow load – Take the general condition of the

tree into account – be especially

careful with trunk damage or

deadwood (brittle, rotten or dead

wood)

A Direction of fall B Escape path (escape routes)

– Establish escape paths for each

worker – approx. 45° diagonally opposite to the direction of fall

– Clear escape paths, eliminate

obstacles

– Put down tools and equipment at a

safe distance – but not on the escape paths

– When felling, stand only to the side

of the falling trunk and only move back laterally onto the escape path

– Plan escape paths on slopes

parallel to the slope

– When getting out of the way, watch

out for falling branches and the crown area

English

Preparing the work area at the trunk – Clear the work area at the trunk of

branches, brush and other obstacles – secure footing for all workers

– Carefully clear the base of the trunk

(e.g., with an axe) – sand, stones and other foreign objects will blunt the saw chain

– Remove large buttresses: remove

the largest buttress first – saw first vertically, then horizontally – only if the tree is in sound condition

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA271 KN

001BA246 KN

001BA247 KN

001BA243 KN

Felling notch

Preparing the felling notch

The felling notch (C) determines the direction of fall.

Important: – Make a felling notch at right angle to

direction of fall – Saw as close to the ground as

possible – Cut to a depth of approx. 1/5 to 1/3

of the diameter of the trunk Specify the direction of fall – without the

gunning sight on the shroud and fan housing

If the chain saw is designed without the gunning sight on the shroud and fan housing, the direction of fall can be determined or controlled using a meter stick:

N Snap the meter stick in the middle

and create an isosceles triangle

N Position both ends of the meter stick

in the front trunk area (1/5 to max. 1/3 of the trunk diameter) – align the tip of the meter stick in the defined direction of fall

N Mark the trunk at both ends of the

meter stick to limit the felling notch

Making a felling notch

When making a felling notch, align the machine so that the notch lies at a right angle to the direction of fall.

During the procedure various sequences are permitted for making a felling notch with a bottom (horizontal) cut and top (angled) cut – comply with national legislation regarding felling technique.

N Make the bottom cut (horizontal cut)

– until the guide bar reaches both markings

N Make the top (angled) cut

approx. 45°- 60° to the bottom cut Checking the direction of fall The bottom cut and top cut must meet in

a continuous straight sink chord.

N Position the meter stick at the pivot

point of the sink chord – the tip of the

meter stick must point in the

direction of the specified direction of

fall – where necessary, correct the

direction of fall by cutting the felling

notch accordingly

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English

001BA150 KN

001BA259 KN

1/10

001BA269 KN

Sapwood cuts

With long-fibered wood, sapwood cuts prevent the sapwood from splintering when felling the trunk – saw both sides of the trunk at the level of the felling notch base to approx. 1/10 of the diameter of the trunk – with thicker trunks, not more than the width of the guide bar.

Do not use sapwood cuts on diseased trees.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

Backcutting principles

Basic dimensions

The felling notch (C) determines the direction of fall.

The hinge (D) functions like a real hinge to guide the tree to the ground.

– Width of hinge: approx. 1/10 of the

trunk diameter

– Never saw through the hinge while

felling – otherwise the tree will fall in a direction other than the one planned – risk of accident!

– With rotten trunks, leave a wider

hinge

The tree is felled with the backcut (E).

– Exactly horizontal – 1/10 (min. 3 cm) of the width of the

hinge (D) across the bottom of the felling notch (C)

The holding wood (F) or safety strip (G) supports the tree and secures it against premature falling.

– Width of strip: approx. 1/10 to 1/5 of

the trunk diameter – Do not cut into the strip during the

backcut – With rotten trunks, leave a wider

strip Plunge cutting

– For relieving cuts during bucking – For wood carving

N Use a low kickback chain and be

especially cautious

1. Begin the cut by applying the lower

portion of the guide bar tip – do not

use the upper portion – risk of

kickback! Cut at full strength until

the depth of the kerf is twice the

width of the guide bar

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001BA270 KN

001BA260 KN

001BA261 KN

2. Swing the machine slowly into the plunge cutting position – risk of kickback and pushback!

3. Make the plunge cut very carefully – danger of pushback!

Where possible, use a plunge blade. The plunge blade and the upper/lower side of the guide bar are parallel.

During plunge cutting, the plunge bar helps to keep the hinge parallel in form, i.e. the same thickness at all points. To do this, guide the plunge bar parallel to the sink chord.

Felling wedges Insert the felling wedge as soon as

possible, i.e. as soon as saw control cannot be hindered. Position the felling wedge in the backcut and drive in with suitable tools.

Only use aluminium or plastic wedges – do not use steel wedges. Steel wedges can seriously damage the saw chain and cause dangerous kickback.

Select suitable felling wedges dependent on the trunk diameter and the width of the kerf (analogue to backcut (E)).

Contact the STIHL servicing dealer for the selection of the felling wedge (suitable length, width and height).

Select the appropriate backcut

The selection of the appropriate backcut is dependent on the same tree characteristics that must be noted when determining the direction of fall and the escape paths.

There are various different features of these characteristics. This Instruction Manual will only describe the two most commonly occurring variants:

Left: Normal tree – vertically

upright tree with uniform crown

Right: Leaner tree - Crown pointing

in direction of fall

Back cut with safety strip (normal tree)

(A) Thin trunks Implement this backcut when the trunk

diameter is smaller than the cutting length of the machine.

Give a warning cry of "timber!" before making the backcut.

N Plunge cut the backcut (E) – plunge

the guide bar fully in

N Engage the bumper spike behind

the hinge and use this as the rotation point – reposition the machine as little as possible

N Make the backcut up to the

hinge (1)

– Do not cut into the hinge N Make the backcut up to the safety

strip (2)

– Do not cut into the safety strip

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA273 KN

001BA263 KN

001BA274 KN

N Plunge cut the backcut N Make the backcut up to the

hinge (4)

– Do not cut into the hinge N Make the backcut up to the safety

strip (5)

– Do not cut into the safety strip

N Set the felling wedge (3) Immediately before felling the tree, give

out a second warning cry of "timber!". N Cut through the safety strip,

horizontal level with the backcut, with arms fully extended

B) Thick trunks Implement this backcut when the trunk

diameter is greater than the cutting length of the machine.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

Give a warning cry of "timber!" before making the backcut.

N Engage the bumper spike at the

height of the backcut and use this as the rotation point – reposition the machine as little as possible

N Tip of the guide bar must penetrate

the wood before the hinge (1) – guide machine absolutely horizontally and swivel as widely as possible

N Make the backcut up to the

hinge (2)

– Do not cut into the hinge N Make the backcut up to the safety

strip (3) – Do not cut into the safety strip The backcut must be continued on the

opposite side of the trunk. Ensure that the second cut is at the

same level as the first cut.

N Set the felling wedge (6) Immediately before felling the tree, give

out a second warning cry of "timber!". N Cut through the safety strip,

horizontal level with the backcut, with arms fully extended

Backcut with holding wood (leaner tree)

A) Thin trunks Implement this backcut when the trunk

diameter is smaller than the cutting length of the machine.

English

001BA265 KN

001BA266 KN

001BA267 KN

B) Thick trunks

N Plunge cut the guide bar into the

trunk until it exits on the other side

N Make the backcut (E) towards the

hinge (1)

– Exactly horizontal – Do not cut into the hinge

N Make the backcut towards the

holding wood (2)

– Exactly horizontal – Do not cut into the holding wood

Immediately before felling the tree, give out a second warning cry of "timber!".

N Cut through the holding wood at an

angle from above with arms fully

extended

Implement this backcut when the trunk diameter is greater than the cutting length of the machine.

N Engage the bumper spike behind

the holding wood and use this as the rotation point – reposition the chain saw as little as possible

N Tip of the guide bar must penetrate

the wood before the hinge (1) – guide the chain saw absolutely horizontally and swivel as widely as possible

– Do not cut into the holding wood and

hinge

N Make the backcut up to the

hinge (2)

– Do not cut into the hinge N Make the backcut up to the holding

wood (3)

– Do not cut into the holding wood

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA268 KN

001BA248 KN

The backcut must be continued on the opposite side of the trunk.

Ensure that the second cut is at the same level as the first cut.

N Engage the bumper spike behind

the hinge and use this as the rotation point – reposition the machine as little as possible

N Tip of the guide bar must penetrate

the wood before the holding wood (4) – guide machine absolutely horizontally and swivel as widely as possible

N Make the backcut up to the

hinge (5)

– Do not cut into the hinge N Make the backcut up to the holding

wood (6)

– Do not cut into the holding wood

N Cut through the holding wood at an

angle from above with arms fully

extended

Cutting Attachment

A cutting attachment consists of the saw chain, guide bar and chain sprocket.

The cutting attachment that comes standard is designed to exactly match the chain saw.

– The pitch (t) of the saw chain (1),

chain sprocket and the nose sprocket of the Rollomatic guide bar must match.

– The drive link gauge (2) of the saw

chain (1) must match the groove width of the guide bar (3).

If non-matching components are used, the cutting attachment may be damaged beyond repair after a short period of operation.

Immediately before felling the tree, give out a second warning cry of "timber!".

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

001BA244 KN

3999BA001 KN

3999BA029 KN

2310BA015 KN

2310BA016 KN

2310BA017 KN

Chain Scabbard

Your saw comes standard with a chain scabbard that matches the cutting attachment.

If guide bars of different lengths are mounted to the saw, always use a chain scabbard of the correct length which covers the complete guide bar.

The length of the matching guide bars is marked on the side of the chain scabbard.

Mounting the Bar and Chain (quick chain tensioner)

Removing the chain sprocket cover

N Set hand guard to ƒ N Remove the battery from the

machine

N Swing grip (1) into position (until it

engages) N Turn the wing nut (2) to the left until

it hangs loosely in the chain

sprocket cover (3)

N Remove chain sprocket cover (3)

N Remove screw (2)

N Position tensioning gear (1) and

guide bar (3) relative to one another

Mounting the tensioning gear

N Insert and tighten screw (2)

N Remove and reverse tensioning

gear (1)

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3999BA010 KN

181BA012 KN

181BA013 KN

3999BA004 KN

3999BA005 KN

3999BA006 KN

Releasing the chain brake

N Pull hand guard towards the front

handle until it engages audibly and the hand guard is in the position ‚ – chain brake is released

Fitting the saw chain

N Fit the saw chain – starting at the

nose of the guide bar – pay attention

to the position of the tensioning gear

and the cutting edges N Turn tensioning gear (1) to the right

as far as possible N Turn the guide bar so that the

tensioning gear faces the user

N Place the saw chain on the chain

sprocket (2) N Slide the guide bar over the collar

screw (3); the head of the rear collar

screw must protrude into the oblong

hole

N Guide the drive link into the bar

groove (arrow) and turn the

tensioning gear to the left as far as

possible

N Fit chain sprocket cover, sliding the

guide lugs into the engine housing openings

When fitting the chain sprocket cover, the teeth of the adjusting wheel and the tensioning gear must mesh; if necessary,

N turn the adjusting wheel (4) a little

until the chain sprocket cover can be slid completely against the engine housing

N Swing grip (5) into position (until it

engages)

N Fit wing nut and tighten lightly N Go to chapter "Tensioning the saw

chain"

WARNING

Put on protective gloves – risk of injury by the sharp cutters

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3999BA007 KN

3999BA008 KN

Tensioning the Saw Chain (quick chain tensioner)

For retensioning during operation: N Remove the battery from the

machine

N Fold out the wings of the wing nut

and loosen the wing nut

N Turn the adjusting wheel (1) to the

right as far as possible

N Tighten the wing nut (2) by hand N Fold in the wings of the wing nut N Next step: Continue with "Check

chain tension"

A new saw chain must be retensioned more frequently than one that has been in use already for an extended period!

N Check chain tension frequently –

see "Operating Instructions"

Checking Chain Tension

N Remove the battery from the

machine

N Put on protective gloves N Pull hand guard towards the front

handle until it engages audibly and

the hand guard is in the position ‚

– chain brake is released N The saw chain must lie against the

bottom of the bar and it must be

possible to pull it across the guide

bar by hand N if necessary, retension saw chain A new saw chain must be retensioned

more frequently than one that has been in use already for an extended period.

N Check chain tension frequently, see

"Operating Instructions"

Chain Lubricant

For automatic and reliable lubrication of the chain and guide bar – use only an environmentally compatible quality chain and bar lubricant. Rapidly biodegradable STIHL BioPlus is recommended.

NOTICE

Biological chain oil must be resistant to aging (e.g. STIHL BioPlus), since it will otherwise quickly turn to resin. This results in hard deposits that are difficult to remove, especially in the area of the chain drive and chain. It may even cause the oil pump to seize.

The service life of the chain and guide bar depends on the quality of the lubricant. It is therefore essential to use only a specially formulated chain lubricant.

WARNING

Do not use waste oil. Renewed contact with waste oil can cause skin cancer. Moreover, waste oil is environmentally harmful.

NOTICE

Waste oil does not have the necessary lubricating properties and is unsuitable for chain lubrication.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3999BA012 KN

001BA236 KN

001BA232 KN

001BA234 KN

001BA237 KN

001BA234 KN

Filling Chain Oil Tank

N Check oil level before starting work,

while sawing, and each time the battery is changed

N Refill chain oil at the latest every

second time the battery is changed

If the oil tank is still partly full, the reason may be a problem in the oil supply system: Check chain lubrication, clean the oil passages, contact your servicing dealer for assistance if necessary. STIHL recommends that all maintenance and repairs be carried out by STIHL servicing dealers

Oil filler cap

Opening

N Open cliplock

N Twist filler cap (ca. 1/4 turn)

N Remove the filler cap

Filling chain oil tank

Take care not to spill chain oil during refilling and do not overfill the tank.

STIHL recommends use of the STIHL filling system for chain oil (special accessory).

N Filling chain oil tank

Closing

N Thoroughly clean the filler cap and

the area around it to ensure that no dirt falls into the tank

N Always position the machine so that

the filler cap is facing upwards

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

Markings on filler cap and oil tank must align

Clip is in an upright position: N Position filler cap – markings on filler

cap and oil tank must align

N Push the filler cap down as far as it

will go

English

001BA233 KN

001BA231 KN

001BA235 KN

001BA241 KN

001BA238 KN

001BA239 KN

N Hold the filler cap down and twist it

clockwise until it engages

Then the markings on filler cap and oil tank will align

N Close cliplock

Filler cap is locked

If the filler cap will not lock onto the oil tank

The base of the filler cap is tilted in relation to the upper part.

N Remove the filler cap from the oil

tank and look at it from above

Left: Base of filler cap is tilted –

interior marking (1) is aligned with the exterior marking

Right: Base of filler cap is in the cor-

rect position – interior marking is below the clip. It does not align with the exterior marking

N Fit filler cap and twist it

counterclockwise until it engages in the seat of the filling port

N Continue to twist the filler cap

counterclockwise (approx. 1/4 turn) – this will twist the base of the cap into the correct position

N Twist the filler cap clockwise and

close it – see section "Closing"

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

143BA024 KN

3999BA009 KN

3999BA010 KN

Checking Chain Lubrication

The saw chain must always throw off a small amount of oil.

NOTICE

Never operate your saw without chain lubrication. If the chain runs dry, the whole cutting attachment will be irretrievably damaged within a very short time. Always check chain lubrication and the oil level in the tank before starting work.

Every new chain has to be broken in for about 2 to 3 minutes.

After breaking in the chain, check chain tension and adjust if necessary – see "Checking Chain Tension".

Coasting Brake

The coasting brake stops the rotating saw chain when the trigger switch is released.

1 Coasting brake inactive 2 Coasting brake active

Chain Brake

Blocking the chain

– in an emergency Press the hand guard towards the nose

of the guide bar with the left hand (ƒ position) – or automatically due to

0000-GXX-4957-A0

kickback: Saw chain is blocked - and stops running.

Releasing the chain brake

N Pull the hand guard toward the

handlebar (‚ position)

The chain brake is activated automatically by a sufficiently strong kickback – due to the mass inertia of the hand guard: The hand guard shoots forward toward the nose of the guide bar

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3901BA015 KN

3901BA019 KN

3901BA009 KN

– even if the left hand is not on the handlebar behind the hand guard, for example, when making a horizontal cut.

The chain brake functions only if the hand guard has not been modified in any way.

Checking the chain brake for proper functioning

Each time before starting work: N Set hand guard to ‚ – chain brake

is released

N Switch on the machine N Push the hand guard toward the bar

tip (ƒ position)

The chain brake is OK if the saw chain is stopped within fractions of a second.

The hand guard must be free of dirt and easily moveable.

Servicing the chain brake

The chain brake is subject to wear due to friction (normal wear). In order for it to fulfill its function, it must be serviced and maintained periodically by trained personnel. STIHL recommends that maintenance and repair work be carried out only by authorized STIHL dealers. The following intervals must be complied with:

Connecting Charger to Power Supply

Power supply (mains) voltage and operating voltage must be the same.

N Insert the plug (1) in the wall

outlet (2).

A self test is performed after the charger is connected to the power supply. During this process, the light emitting diode (1) on the charger lights up green for about 1 second, then red and goes off again.

Charging the Battery

A factory-new battery is not fully charged.

Recommendation: Fully charge the battery before using it for the first time.

N Connect the charger to the power

supply – mains voltage and operating voltage of the charger must be the same – see "Connecting Charger to Power Supply".

Operate the charger only in enclosed and dry rooms at ambient temperatures between +5°C to +40°C (+41°F to +104°F)

Only charge dry batteries. Allow a damp battery to dry before charging.

N Push the battery (1) into the

charger (2) until noticeable resistance is felt – then push it as far as stop.

Full-time use: quarterly Part-time use: every six

months

Occasional use: yearly

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3901BA014 KN

3901BA010 KN

The LED (3) on the charger comes on when the battery is inserted – see "LED on Charger"

Charging begins as soon as the LEDs (4) on the battery glow green – see "LEDs on Battery".

The charge time is dependent on a number of factors, including battery condition, ambient temperature, etc., and may therefore vary from the times specified.

The battery heats up during operation in the power tool. If a hot battery is inserted in the charger, it may be necessary to cool it down before charging. The charging process begins only after the battery has cooled down. The time required for cooling may prolong the charge time.

The battery and charger heat up during the charging process.

AL 100 Charger

The AL 100 charger has no fan and waits for the battery to cool down before starting the charging process. The battery is cooled by heat transfer to the ambient air.

End of Charge

The charger switches itself off automatically when the battery is fully charged:

– LEDs on the battery go off. – The LED on the charger goes off. – The charger's fan is switched off (if

charger is so equipped) Remove the fully charged battery from

the charger.

LEDs on battery

Four LEDs show the battery's state of charge and any problems that occur in the battery or machine.

N Press button (1) to activate the

display – the display goes off automatically after 5 seconds.

The LEDs can glow or flash green or red.

LED glows continuously green.

LED flashes green.

LED glows continuously red.

LED flashes red.

AL 300, AL 500 Chargers

The AL 300 and AL 500 chargers are equipped with a battery cooling fan

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3901BA018 KN

80 - 100 %

60 - 80 %

40 - 60 %

20 - 40 %

0 - 20 %

3901BA010 KN

3901BA016 KN

80 - 100 %

60 - 80 %

40 - 60 %

20 - 40 %

0 - 20 %

3901BA041 KN

During charging

The LEDs glow continuously or flash to indicate the progress of charge.

A green flashing LED indicates the capacity that is currently being charged.

The LEDs on the battery go off automatically when the charge process is completed.

If the LEDs on the battery flash or glow red – see "If the red LEDs glow continuously / flash".

During Operation

N Press button (1) to activate the

display – the display goes off

automatically after 5 seconds. The green LEDs glow continuously or

flash to indicate the state of charge.

If the LEDs on the battery flash or glow red – see "If the red LEDs glow continuously / flash".

If the red LEDs glow continuously / flash

A 1 LED glows

continuously

Battery is too hot

1) 2)

/cold

red:

B 4 LEDs flash

red

C 3 LEDs glow

continuously red:

D 3 LEDs flash

red

When charging: Charge process

Malfunction in

battery Machine is too hot

– allow it to cool down.

Malfunction in machine

starts automatically after the battery has cooled down / warmed up.

During operation: Machine cuts out – allow battery to cool down; it may be necessary to take the battery out of the machine for this purpose.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

3901BA019 KN

Electromagnetic problem or fault. Take the battery out of the machine tool and refit it. Switch on the machine – if the LEDs continue to flash, the battery is faulty and must be replaced.

Electromagnetic problem or fault. Take the battery out of the machine. Use a blunt tool to remove dirt from the contacts in the battery compartment. Refit the battery. Switch on the machine – if the light emitting diodes still flash, the machine is faulty and must be checked by a servicing dealer – STIHL recommends an authorized STIHL servicing dealer.

Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on Charger

The LED (1) on the charger may glow continuously green or flash red.

Green continuous light ...

... indicates the following: The battery

– is being charged – is too hot and must cool down

before charging See also "LEDs on battery". The green LED on the charger goes off

as soon as the battery is fully charged.

Red flashing light ...

... may indicate the following: – No electrical contact between

battery and charger – remove and

refit the battery – Malfunction in battery – see also

"LEDs on Battery". – Malfunction in charger – have

checked by a servicing dealer.

STIHL recommends an authorized

STIHL servicing dealer.

English

Switching On

When delivered, the battery is not fully charged.

It is advisable to charge the battery completely before using it for the first time.

N Before inserting the battery, remove

the battery compartment cover if there is one; to do this, press both safety catches at the same time – cover is unlocked – and remove the cover

Inserting the battery

0000-GXX-5281-A0

N Insert battery in the battery

compartment of the machine – press gently until it clicks into place – top of battery must be flush with the top edge of the housing

Switching on the machine

N Remove the chain scabbard N Assume a firm and secure stance N Ensure that there are no other

persons within the swivel range of the machine

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

English

3999BA010 KN

3999BA009 KN

N Hold the machine with both hands –

wrap hands tightly around the handles

N Make certain that the saw chain has

not yet been positioned for cutting and is not touching any other objects

N Pull hand guard towards the front

handle until it engages audibly and the hand guard is in the position ‚ – chain brake is released

Trigger switch

The motor speed can be controlled using the trigger switch. The more the trigger switch is depressed, the higher the motor speed.

Switching Off

0000-GXX-5279-A0

N Release trigger switch (2) so that it

springs back into its original position – in the original position, the trigger switch is once again blocked by the trigger switch lockout (1)

The coasting brake stops the saw chain.

N Press trigger switch lockout (1) with

thumb

N Depress trigger switch (2) with

index finger

N Guide the machine into the wood

with the saw chain running

The motor will not run unless the hand guard is set to ‚ and the trigger switch lockout (1) and trigger switch (2) are pressed at the same time.

0000-GXX-4958-A0

N Set the hand guard to ƒ – the saw

chain is blocked

During breaks and after work, remove the battery from the machine.

MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C

+ 78 hidden pages

Stihl MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C Instruction Manual [en, fr]

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual