stihl chainsaw 250 manual

The STIHL Chainsaw 250 is a lightweight, professional-grade chainsaw designed for demanding cutting tasks. It features a powerful 2-stroke engine, an anti-vibration system, QuickStop® inertia chain brake, STIHL Ematic™ lubrication system, and a decompression valve for easy starting. Below are key sections for safety, features, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Features at a Glance

Key components: Engine with decompression valve, Anti-Vibration System, QuickStop® Inertia Chain Brake, STIHL Ematic™ lubrication, side-access chain tensioner, and fuel/oil caps.

Safety Instructions

Read and understand all instructions before use. Always wear protective equipment.

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear safety helmet, hearing protection, eye protection (goggles/face shield), cut-resistant gloves, chainsaw chaps, and sturdy boots.
2. Work Area Safety: Keep bystanders and pets at least 15 meters away. Ensure secure footing. Do not operate in poor weather or visibility.
3. Kickback Zone: Avoid contact with the upper quadrant of the guide bar tip. Hold saw firmly with both hands.
4. Fuel Safety: Refuel in a well-ventilated area, with engine off and cool. Use STIHL MotoMix® or mix gasoline (min. 89 octane) with STIHL HP Ultra oil at 50:1 ratio.

WARNING! Chainsaws are dangerous. Failure to follow safety rules can result in serious injury or death.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack and inspect contents. Assemble guide bar and chain.

1. Attach guide bar and chain: Place chain on bar, align with sprocket, fit bar onto studs, tighten nuts finger-tight.
2. Tension chain: Use side-access tensioner to adjust until chain fits snugly against bar but can be pulled around by hand. Retighten bar nuts.
3. Fill fuel and oil: Add fuel/oil mix to fuel tank. Fill bar and chain oil tank with STIHL chain oil.
4. Check controls: Ensure throttle trigger, throttle trigger lockout, and master control lever function correctly.

CAUTION! Ensure chain brake is disengaged (pushed forward) before starting.

Specifications

• Engine: 2-stroke, 45.4 cc, air-cooled.
• Powerhead Weight: 5.2 kg.
• Fuel System: Diaphragm carburetor with manual choke.
• Ignition System: Electronic, capacitor discharge.
• Starter: STIHL ErgoStart™ for easier pulling.
• Chain Brake: QuickStop® inertia-activated.
• Lubrication: STIHL Ematic™ system for efficient oil use.
• Recommended Guide Bar: STIHL Rollomatic® E.
• Sound Pressure Level: 106 dB(A).
• Vibration Levels: Left/Right handle: 4.5/5.5 m/s².

Controls and Components

Master Control Lever: Combines stop switch, choke, and fast-idle functions. Throttle Trigger Lockout: Must be depressed to allow throttle operation. Chain Brake Lever: Manual activation; also inertia-activated. Decompression Valve: Reduces cylinder pressure for easier starting.

Main Components: Muffler, Spark Plug, Air Filter, Fuel Cap, Oil Cap, Chain Catcher, Front Hand Guard, Rear Handle, Anti-Vibration Elements.

Starting & Stopping

Cold Start:

1. Set master control lever to choke position (full down).
2. Press decompression valve (if equipped).
3. Place saw on firm ground, hold rear handle with right foot, grip front handle with left hand.
4. Pull starter rope sharply until engine fires (usually 3-5 pulls).
5. Move master control lever to half-throttle (fast idle) position.
6. Pull starter rope again until engine starts.
7. Briefly blip throttle to disengage fast idle.

Warm Start: Set master control lever to run position (horizontal). Pull starter rope.

Stopping: Release throttle, move master control lever up to STOP position.

Operating Instructions

Always use correct cutting techniques to maintain control.

1. Basic Stance: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, left foot slightly forward. Hold saw firmly with both hands.
2. Starting a Cut: Apply light throttle, let chain touch wood gently, then increase throttle smoothly.
3. Felling Trees: Notch cut (1/3 diameter), then back cut. Use wedges if needed. Have escape path planned.
4. Limbing & Bucking: Cut from top side of log. Support log off ground. Beware of tension in wood.
5. Kickback Prevention: Do not cut with bar tip. Maintain firm grip. Keep chain sharp and properly tensioned.

Tip: Let the chain do the work; do not force the saw.

Maintenance Schedule

Chain Sharpening & Tensioning

A sharp, properly tensioned chain is essential for safety and performance.

1. Sharpening: Use correct round file size (typically 4.0 mm / 5/32"). Maintain 30° cutting angle and 10° top plate angle. File all cutters to equal length.
2. Depth Gauges: Use depth gauge tool to file down gauges after several sharpenings (maintain 0.65 mm / 0.025" below cutter).
3. Tensioning: Chain should be snug against bar but pull freely. Adjust with side tensioner when chain is cool. Recheck after first few minutes of operation.

WARNING! Always wear gloves when handling chain. Ensure saw is off and spark plug disconnected.

Storage

For storage longer than 30 days:

1. Drain fuel tank and run engine until it stops to clear carburetor.
2. Remove spark plug, add 1-2 teaspoons of engine oil, pull starter slowly to coat cylinder.
3. Clean entire saw, especially cooling fins and air filter.
4. Remove chain, clean and soak in oil. Store in dry place.
5. Cover saw and store in dry, locked area away from children.

CAUTION! Never store with fuel in tank for extended periods.

Troubleshooting

Service: For repairs beyond basic maintenance, contact an authorized STIHL servicing dealer.

STIHL Support: Visit www.stihl.com or contact your local STIHL dealer.