Instruction Manual

MS 231, MS 231 C, MS 251, MS 251 C
English
40
Sharpening and side plate angles
A Sharpening angle
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
designation.
B Side plate angle
The correct side plate angle results
automatically when the specified file
holder and file diameter are used.
The angles must be identical for all
cutters in the saw chain. Varying angles:
Rough, uneven running of the saw
chain, increased wear – even to the
point of saw chain breakage.
File holder
N Use a file holder
Always use a file holder (special
accessory, see table "Sharpening tools")
when sharpening saw chains by hand.
File holders have markings for the
sharpening angle.
Use only special saw chain files! Other
files are unsuitable in terms of shape
and type of cutting.
To check the angles
STIHL filing gauge (special accessory,
see table "Sharpening tools") – a
universal tool for checking sharpening
and side plate angles, depth gauge
setting, and tooth length, as well as
cleaning grooves and oil inlet holes.
Proper sharpening
N Select sharpening tools in
accordance with chain pitch
N Clamp guide bar if necessary
N Block saw chain – push the hand
guard forward
N To advance the saw chain, pull the
hand guard toward the handlebar:
The chain brake is disengaged.
With the Quickstop Super chain
brake system, additionally press the
throttle trigger lockout
N Sharpen frequently, removing little
material – two or three strokes of the
file are usually sufficient for simple
resharpening
N Guide the file: horizontally (at a right
angle to the side surface of the
guide bar) in accordance with the
specified angle – according to the
Tooth shapes Angle (°)
AB
Micro = semi-chisel tooth,
e. g., 63 PM3, 26 RM3,
36 RM
30 75
Super = full chisel tooth,
e. g., 63 PS3, 26 RS,
36 RS3
30 60
Ripping chain, e. g.,
63 PMX, 36 RMX
10 75
A
B
689BA021 KN
689BA025 KN
001BA203 KN
689BA018 KN
90°
689BA043 KN