MSE 170 C, MSE 190 C, MSE 210 C, MSE 230 C
English
14
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:
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