Thread: Chainsaw help! Stihl MS-290 or 310???

Hey fellas,

My father passed a few years back and left me many tools inlcluding his Stihl chainsaw. If I were to guess, it is probably 6 or 7 years old and I am not certain of the model. I know it was in the $300-$400 dollar range and I'm thinking it is a MS-290 or 310. I'm not certian of the model # because the chainsaw is not in my posession. It happens to be at my mothers house a state away and until now I have had no need to use it.

She recently let a neighbor borrow it and he was having difficulty with it (It was fine the last time my father used it). According to the neighbor, he could not get the chain to move when he gassed it. He told her that there was sufficient bar and chain lube in the resevoir. He also told my mother that he could get the engine sproket gear to move when the bar and chain were removed from the saw. So, I would guess that the bar or the sprocket teeth on the bar are damaged. This would be an easy fix. I am thinking he may not have known about pulling the handguard back to engage the chain but then I think about the engine sprocket moving when the bar and chain were removed from the saw. Could the chain be catching on something? Could he have tightened the chain too much? Sounds like an easy fix and really don't think this guy had a lot of experience with the saw.

Any ideas would help. I am picking the saw up this coming weekend and wonder if I should start thinking about taking it to the local Stihl dealer or if any of you guys knew what may be causing the issue. I know if could be hundred things but any help or suggestions would be appreciated when I go to work on this thing.

I am proud of the Stihl though. Since I can remember my father always bought Stihl chainsaws and I believe he went through 4 or 5 in his lifetime. I am confident in my ability to use it, as he taught me well starting when I was real young. Thanks for the help guys.

Kyle

I own a Sthil MS 280, much to my satisfaction I might add.

My best bet is that you're probably right in assuming that he didn't pull back the safeguard when he tried to operate the saw. That safeguard is connected to the chain break, which halts the chain in a split second when engaged, and keeps it locked. According to the manual, opening the throttle for more than a very short period, when the break is engaged, will damage the chainsaw. Of course, I have never tried, so I don't know how soon it will happen.
Maybe you're lucky, and all you need to do is pull the guard back to disengage the break.

Overtightening the chain could be possible, but it seems unlikely to me.

There is a little locking ring on top of the sprocket, that is easily lost whenever the chain is forced off the guiding blade, due to misconduct or insufficient chain tension. If that happens the engine can run without driving the sprocket.

If it's a defect, I would not start fixing it myself, unless you are completely confident you know what you are doing. Chainsaws are amongst the most dangerous tools. The malfunction of a safety part can lead to serious mutilation.
On that same note, I never lend my chainsaw to anyone. I rather lend myself operating the chainsaw, but I never give the thing out of hands.

Best regards,

Bart.

+1 I own a ms290 and I agree with bart 100% especially the loaning out part, either the chain is tootight binding up the drive sprocket/motor or the brake is on.

Hey fellas,

I got the chainsaw from my mom's house today and the darn thing cranked right up. I pulled the chain brake back and the chain moved freely. So, no problems. The guy that borrowed it must not have known to pull back the handguard/chain brake to engage to chain. For the record, the chainsaw is a Stihl model 039.

Thanks guys,

Kyle

Great news!

Good luck and may the trees always fall in the right direction...

Best regards,
Bart.

It was lucky that the guy that borrowed it could not get it to work. If he didn't know enough to release the brake, then he didn't know enough to use the damn thing. If he got it to work it's likely he would have cut more than just wood and I doubt a styptic stick would have been sufficient to stop the bleeding.

Originally Posted by Utopian

It was lucky that the guy that borrowed it could not get it to work. If he didn't know enough to release the brake, then he didn't know enough to use the damn thing. If he got it to work it's likely he would have cut more than just wood and I doubt a styptic stick would have been sufficient to stop the bleeding.

I couldnt agree more! He should have been smart enough to at least read the operators manual, if he doesnt know how to start it he shouldnt operate it. A good saw will cut wood like it was warm butter what it will do to a leg is something you'd rather not see.

Guys don't be to hard on this guy. I've used three different brands of saw in the last decade, and a verifiable antirque one as well. This is the first time I've ever heard of a chain brake. He could be a professional logger and never have used a saw with one.