Stihl Ms 270 C Owners Manual

Instruction Manual    
Manual de instrucciones
Warning! 
This saw is capabale of servere kickback 
which may cause serious or fatal injury. Only 
for users with extraordinary cutting needs and 
experience and training dealing with kickback. 
Chainsaws with significantly reduced kickback 
potential are available. STIHL recommends 
the use of STIHL reduced kickback bar and 
low kickback chain.
Advertencia! 
Esta sierra es capaz de causar contragolpes 
severos, los cuales pueden causar lesiones 
graves o...

1
MS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C English / USA
BA_SE_121_006_01_11.fm
Printed on chlorine-free paper.
Printing inks contain vegetable oils; paper can be recycled.
© ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, 2007 
0458 146 8621 A. M2. M7. CP. Printed in USA 
STIHlContentsGuide to Using this Manual  ..............  2
Safety Precautions and Working 
Techniques .......................................  3
Mounting the Bar and Chain
(Side chain tensioner)  ....................  26
Mounting the Bar and Chain
(Quick chain...

2 English / USAMS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 CPictogramsAll the pictograms attached to the 
machine are shown and explained in  
this manual.
The operating and handling instructions 
are supported by illustrations.Symbols in textThe individual steps or procedures 
described in the manual may be marked 
in different ways:
:A bullet marks a step or procedure 
without direct reference to an 
illustration. 
A description of a step or procedure that 
refers directly to an illustration may 
contain item...

3
MS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C English / USA
Because a chainsaw is a 
high-speed, fast-cutting 
power tool, special safety 
precautions must be 
observed to reduce the 
risk of personal injury. 
It is important that you 
read, fully understand and 
observe the following 
safety precautions and 
warnings. Read the 
instruction manual and 
the safety instructions periodically. 
Careless or improper use may cause 
serious or fatal injury.
!
Warning!
Reactive forces, including kickback, can 
be...

4 English / USAMS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C!
Warning!
Prolonged use of a power tool (or other 
machines) exposing the operator to 
vibrations may produce whitefinger 
disease (Raynauds phenomenon) or 
carpal tunnel syndrome. 
These conditions reduce the hands 
ability to feel and regulate temperature, 
produce numbness and burning 
sensations and may cause nerve and 
circulation damage and tissue necrosis.
All factors which contribute to white-
finger disease are not known, but cold 
weather,...

5
MS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C English / USA
!
Warning!
Wear an approved safety 
hard hat to reduce the risk 
of injury to your head. 
Chainsaw noise may 
damage your hearing. 
Wear sound barriers (ear 
plugs or ear mufflers) to help protect 
your hearing. Continual and regular 
users should have their hearing checked 
regularly.
Be particularly alert and cautious when 
wearing hearing protection because 
your ability to hear warnings (shouts, 
alarms, etc.) is restricted.
Never operate your power...

6 English / USAMS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 CFuelYour STIHL power tool uses an oil- 
gasoline mixture for fuel (see the chap-
ter on “Fuel” of your instruction manual).!
Warning!Gasoline is an extremely 
flammable fuel. If spilled 
and ignited by a spark or 
other ignition source, it 
can cause fire and serious 
burn injury or property 
damage. Use extreme caution when 
handling gasoline or fuel mix. 
Do not smoke or bring any fire or flame 
near the fuel or the power tool. Note that 
combustible...

7
MS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C English / USA
Before StartingTake off the chain guard (scabbard) and 
inspect the saw for proper condition and 
operation. (See the maintenance chart 
near the end of the instruction manual.)!
Warning!
Always check your power tool for proper 
condition and operation before starting, 
particularly the throttle trigger, throttle 
trigger interlock, stop switch and cutting 
tool. The throttle trigger must move 
freely and always spring back to the idle 
position. Never...

8 English / USAMS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C
With the 
first recommended  method, 
the chainsaw is started on the ground. 
Make sure the chain brake is engaged 
(see Chain Brake chapter in your 
instruction manual) and place the 
chainsaw on firm ground or other solid 
surface in an open area. Maintain good 
balance and secure footing.
Grip the front handlebar of the saw firmly 
with your left hand and press down. For 
saws with a rear handle level with the 
ground, put the toe of your right foot...

9
MS 270, MS 270 C, MS 280, MS 280 C English / USA
Important Adjustments!
Warning!
To reduce the risk of personal injury from 
loss of control and/or contact with the 
running cutting tool, do not use your unit 
with incorrect idle adjustment. At correct 
idle speed, the cutting tool should not 
move. For directions on how to adjust 
idle speed, see the appropriate section 
of your instruction manual. 
If you cannot set the correct idle speed, 
have your STIHL dealer check your 
power tool and make...