Stihl 201 Tcm Manual

							{
STIHL MS 201 TC-MInstruction Manual 
						

							Original Instruction Manual Printed on chlorine-free paper
Printing inks contain vegetable oils, paper can be recycled. © ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, 2018
0458-599-0121-A. VA5.B18. 
0000006725_007_GB
MS 201 TC-M
English
1
{This instruction manual is protected by copyright. All rights reserved, especially the rights to reproduce, translate and process 
with electronic systems.
Contents
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a quality 
engineered STIHL product.
It has been built using modern 
production techniques and 
comprehensive quality assurance. 
Every effort has been made to ensure 
your satisfaction and trouble-free use of 
the product.
Please contact your dealer or our sales 
company if you have any queries 
concerning this product.
Your
Dr. Nikolas Stihl Guide to Using this Manual 2
Safety Precautions 3
Reactive Forces 9
Working Techniques 10
Cutting Attachment 12
Mounting the Bar and Chain 12
Tensioning the Saw Chain (side 
chain tensioner) 13
Checking Chain Tension 14
Fuel 14
Fueling 15
Chain Lubricant 17
Filling Chain Oil Tank 17
Checking Chain Lubrication 18
Chain Brake 18
Winter Operation 19
Starting / Stopping the Engine 20
Operating Instructions 22
Oil Quantity Control 23
Taking Care of the Guide Bar 24
Cleaning the Air Filter 24
M-Tronic 25
Spark Plug 25
Storing the Machine 26
Checking and Replacing the Chain 
Sprocket 27
Maintaining and Sharpening the 
Saw Chain 28
Maintenance and Care 32
Minimize Wear and Avoid Damage 34
Main Parts 35
Specifications 36Ordering Spare Parts 37
Maintenance and Repairs 37
Disposal 38
EC Declaration of Conformity 38 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
2 This Instruction Manual refers to a 
STIHL chain saw, also called a machine 
in this Instruction Manual.
Pictograms
Pictograms that appear on the machine 
are explained in this Instruction Manual.
Depending on the machine and 
equipment version, the following 
pictograms may appear on the machine.
Symbols in text
WARNING
Warning where there is a risk of an 
accident or personal injury or serious 
damage to property.
NOTICE
Caution where there is a risk of 
damaging the machine or its individual 
components.
Engineering improvements
STIHL's philosophy is to continually 
improve all of its products. For this 
reason we may modify the design, 
engineering and appearance of our 
products periodically.
Therefore, some changes, modifications 
and improvements may not be covered 
in this manual.Guide to Using this Manual
Fuel tank; fuel mixture of 
gasoline and engine oil
Tank for chain oil; chain 
oil
Engage and release 
chain brake
Coasting brake
Direction of chain travel
Ematic; chain oil flow 
adjustment
Tension saw chain
Intake air baffle: winter 
operation
Intake air baffle: summer 
operation
Handle heating
Actuate decompression 
valve
Actuate manual fuel 
pump 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
3
General
Observe all applicable local safety 
regulations, standards and ordinances.The use of noise emitting power tools 
may be restricted to certain times by 
national or local regulations.
If you have not used this model before: 
Have your dealer or other experienced 
user show you how to operate your 
machine or attend a special course in its 
operation.
Minors should never be allowed to use a 
chainsaw. Exceptions to this rule are 
young persons older than 16 who have 
been trained in special cutting 
techniques with the tree surgery saw.
Keep bystanders, especially children, 
and animals away from the work area.
The user is responsible for avoiding 
injury to third parties or damage to their 
property.
Do not lend or rent your chain saw 
without the instruction manual. All users 
must be specially trained in tree surgery 
work with a tree surgery saw and be 
familiar with this model and its operation.
To operate a chain saw you must be 
rested, in good physical condition and 
mental health. If you have any condition 
that might be aggravated by strenuous 
work, check with your doctor before 
operating a chainsaw.
Do not operate the chain saw if you are 
under the influence of any substance 
(drugs, alcohol) which might impair 
vision, dexterity or judgment.
To reduce the risk of accidents or injury, 
put off the work in poor weather 
conditions (rain, snow, ice, wind).
Persons with pacemakers only: The 
ignition system of your chainsaw 
produces an electromagnetic field of a 
very low intensity. This field may interfere with some pacemakers. To 
reduce health risks, STIHL recommends 
that persons with pacemakers consult 
their physician and the pacemaker 
manufacturer before operating this 
power tool.
Intended Use
Tree surgery chainsaws are special-
purpose saws equipped with a top 
handle. They are designed specifically 
for tree surgery and maintenance in the 
crown of the standing tree.
Chainsaw operators must be properly 
secured while working in a tree (e.g. lift 
bucket, personal safety equipment, 
safety harness).
The chainsaw may be used for cutting 
wood and wooden objects only.
It must not be used for any other 
purpose because of the increased risk of 
accidents.
They must not be used for felling trees or 
cutting firewood. Normal chainsaws with 
wider spaced handles are 
recommended for such operations.
Never attempt to modify your saw in any 
way since this may increase the risk of 
personal injury. STIHL excludes all 
liability for personal injury and damage 
to property caused while using 
unauthorized attachments.
Clothing and Equipment
Wear proper protective clothing and 
equipment.
Safety Precautions
This special chain 
saw shall be used 
only by persons 
who are trained in 
special cutting and 
working 
techniques.
Due to the special handle 
design (closely spaced 
handles) there is an 
increased risk of injury 
using this kind of saw (cut 
injuries due to uncon-
trolled reactive forces of 
the chain saw). Special 
safety precautions must 
be observed to reduce 
the risk of personal injury 
when working with a 
chainsaw because of the 
very high chain speed 
and very sharp cutters.
It is important that you 
read the instruction man-
ual before first use and 
keep it in a safe place for 
future reference. Non-
observance of the 
instruction manual may 
result in serious or even 
fatal injury. 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
4 Avoid clothing that could get caught on 
branches, brush or moving parts of the 
machine. Do not wear a scarf, necktie or 
jewelery. Tie up and confine long hair 
(headscarf, cap, hard hat, etc.).
WARNING
Wear a face shield and make sure it fits 
correctly.
Wear "personal" hearing protection – for 
example, ear defenders.
Wear a hard hat with a chin strap 
wherever there is any risk of falling 
objects.STIHL can supply a comprehensive 
range of personal protective clothing 
and equipment.
Use a personal fall arrest system.
Use only certified equipment that is 
suitable for the application concerned.
Check the condition of the equipment 
before use and replace broken parts.
Transporting
Always stop the engine, engage the 
chain brake and fit the chain guard 
(scabbard) before carrying the saw short 
distances. This avoids the risk of the 
chain running unintentionally.
Always carry the saw by the control 
handle – with the hot muffler away from 
your body – the guide bar must point to 
the rear. To reduce the risk of serious 
burn injuries, avoid touching hot parts of 
the machine, especially the surface of 
the muffler.
In vehicles: Properly secure your saw to 
prevent turnover, fuel spillage and 
damage.
Cleaning
Clean plastic parts with a cloth. Harsh 
detergents can damage the plastic.Clean the dust and dirt off the machine – 
do not use any grease solvents for this 
purpose.
Clean the ventilation slots if necessary.
Do not use a high-pressure cleaner to 
clean the machine. The hard jet of water 
can damage parts of the machine.
Accessories
Only use those tools, guide bars, chains, 
chain sprockets, accessories or 
technically equivalent components that 
have been approved by STIHL for this 
machine. If you have any questions in 
this respect, consult a servicing dealer. 
Use only high quality tools and 
accessories. Otherwise, there may be a 
risk of accidents and damage to the 
machine.
STIHL recommends the use of genuine 
STIHL tools, guide bars, chains, chain 
sprockets and accessories. They are 
specifically designed to match your 
model and meet your performance 
requirements.
Refuelling
Switch off the engine before refuelling.
Never refuel the machine while the 
engine is still hot – the fuel may spill over 
– risk of fire! Clothing must be sturdy 
and snug-fitting, but allow 
complete freedom of 
movement. Wear snug-
fitting clothing with cut-
retardant pads for feet, 
legs, hands and forearms 
– an overall, not a loose-
fitting jacket.
Wear suitable safety 
shoes – with cut-retard-
ant material, non-slip 
soles and steel toe caps.
To reduce the risk of eye 
injuries, wear tight-fitting 
safety goggles conform-
ing to standard EN 166. 
Make sure that the safety 
goggles fit correctly.
Wear sturdy protective 
gloves made of a resist-
ant material (e.g. leather) 
– with cut-retardant 
material.
0012BA024 KN
*aVROLQH LV aQ H[WUHPHO\ 
IOaPPaEOH IXHO 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
5 Open the fuel filler cap carefully so that 
any excess pressure is relieved 
gradually and fuel does not splash out.
The machine may only be refuelled in a 
well ventilated place. Clean the machine 
immediately if fuel is spilled. Do not spill 
fuel over your clothing – contaminated 
clothing must be changed immediately.
The machines can be equipped with the 
following filler caps as standard:
Cliplock filler cap (bayonet-type)
This helps reduce the risk of unit 
vibrations causing an incorrectly 
tightened filler cap to loosen or come off 
and spill quantities of fuel.
Before Starting Work
Check that your saw is properly 
assembled and in good condition – refer 
to appropriate chapters in the instruction 
manual.
–Check the fuel system for leaks, 
paying special attention to visible 
parts such as the tank cap, hose 
connections and the manual fuel 
pump (on machines so equipped). If there are any leaks or damage, do 
not start the engine – risk of fire. 
Have your saw repaired by a 
servicing dealer before using it 
again.
–Check operation of chain brake, 
front hand guard
–Correctly mounted guide bar
–Correctly tensioned chain
–The trigger and trigger lockout must 
move freely and spring back to the 
idle position when they are 
released.
–Master Control lever must move 
easily to STOP, 0 or †
–Check that the spark plug boot is 
secure – a loose boot may cause 
arcing that could ignite combustible 
fumes and cause a fire.
–Never attempt to modify the controls 
or safety devices in any way.
–Keep the handles dry and clean – 
free from oil and dirt – for safe 
control of the saw.
–Make sure there is sufficient fuel 
and chain oil in the tanks.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, do 
not operate your saw if it is damaged or 
not properly assembled.
Starting the Saw
Start the saw on level ground only. Make 
sure you have a firm footing. Hold the 
saw firmly. To reduce the risk of injury 
from the rotating chain, check that the 
cutting attachment is not touching any 
object or the ground .The chainsaw is a one-person saw. Do 
not allow other persons in the work area 
– even when starting.
Do not attempt to start the saw when the 
saw chain is in a cut.
Starting the saw in a tree is very 
dangerous since the user may lose 
control of the machine – risk of injury.
The tree surgery saw should be 
checked, fueled, started and warmed up 
by an assistant on the ground before it is 
transported up to the operator in the 
tree.
Start the engine at least 3 meters from 
the fueling spot, outdoors only.
To reduce risk of chain rotation and 
personal injury, lock the chain with the 
chain brake before starting.
Do not drop start the power tool – start 
the engine as described in the 
instruction manual.
During Operation
When working in the tree, always secure 
the chainsaw with a rope – tie it to the 
ring and attach it to the lifeline. Always 
engage the chain brake before letting 
the chainsaw hang by the rope. Place the cliplock filler 
cap (bayonet-type) in 
position, turn as far as 
stop and fold the cliplock 
down.
Look out for leaks! Never 
start the engine if fuel has 
been spilled or is leaking 
– Fatal burns may result! 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
6 Use the tree surgery chainsaw with one 
hand only:
–if two-handed cutting is not possible 
and
–if one hand is required for support 
during the cut and–if the saw is held firmly and
–if all parts of your body are clear of 
the cutting attachment.
During one-handed cutting:
–never support yourself on the limb 
being cut
–never cut with the bar nose
–never attempt to hold falling limbs
Make sure you always have good 
balance and secure footing. To avoid 
slipping, take special care when the bark 
is wet.
In the event of impending danger or in 
an emergency, switch off the engine 
immediately – move the Master Control 
lever in the direction of STOP, 0  or †.
Never leave a running saw unattended.
Take special care in slippery conditions 
– damp, snow, ice, on slopes, uneven 
ground and freshly debarked logs.
Watch out for obstacles such as tree 
stumps, roots and ditches which could 
cause you to trip or stumble.
Do not work alone – keep within calling 
distance of other persons trained in first 
aid who can provide assistance in an 
emergency. Helpers at the cutting site 
must also wear protective clothing (hard 
hat) and stand well clear of the branches 
being cut.
Be particularly alert and cautious when 
wearing hearing protection because 
your ability to hear warnings (shouts, 
alarms, etc.) is restricted.
To reduce the risk of accidents, take a 
break in good time to avoid tiredness or 
exhaustion. The dusts (e.g. sawdust), vapor and 
smoke produced during operation may 
be dangerous to health. If dust levels are 
very high, wear a suitable respirator.
When the engine is running: Note that 
the chain continues to rotate for a short 
period after you let go of the throttle 
trigger (flywheel effect).
To reduce the risk of fire, do not smoke 
while operating or standing near your 
chainsaw. Note that combustible fuel 
vapor may escape from the fuel system.
Check the saw chain at regular short 
intervals during operation or 
immediately if there is a noticeable 
change in cutting behavior:
–Shut off the engine and wait until the 
chain comes to a complete 
standstill.
–Check condition and proper 
mounting.
–Check sharpness.
Do not touch the chain while the engine 
is running. If the chain becomes jammed 
by an obstruction, switch off the engine 
immediately before attempting to 
remove the obstruction – risk of injury.
Always shut off the engine before 
leaving the saw unattended.
Shut off the engine before changing the 
saw chain. This avoids the risk of injury 
from the engine starting unintentionally.
To reduce risk of fire, keep hot exhaust 
gases and hot muffler away from easily 
combustible materials (e.g. wood chips, 
bark, dry grass, fuel). Mufflers with a 
catalytic converter can become 
particularly hot. To reduce the risk of 
accidents and injuries, 
always hold your saw 
firmly with both hands: 
Right hand on the control 
handle, even if you are 
left-handed. To ensure 
safe control, wrap your 
fingers tightly around 
both handles.
One-handed operation is 
particularly dangerous, 
e.g. when cutting dry, 
knotty and dead wood, 
the chain may not enter 
the cut properly. The 
resultant reactive forces 
may cause the saw to 
skate or bounce on the 
limb and slide out of con-
trol. This increases the 
risk of serious or even 
fatal injury.
0012BA019 KN
HL 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
7 Never operate your saw without proper 
chain lubrication – check oil level 
regularly during operation. Stop work 
immediately if the oil level is too low and 
refill the oil tank – see also chapters on 
"Filling Chain Oil Tank" and "Checking 
Chain Lubrication".
If your saw is subjected to unusually 
high loads for which it was not designed 
(e.g. heavy impact or a fall), always 
check that it is in good condition before 
continuing work – see also "Before 
Starting Work".
Check the fuel system in particular for 
leaks and make sure the safety devices 
are working properly. Do not continue 
operating your saw if it is damaged. In 
case of doubt, have the unit checked by 
your servicing dealer.
Make sure the idle speed setting is 
correct. The chain must not run when 
the engine is idling with the throttle 
trigger released. Check and correct the 
idle speed setting regularly. It the chain 
continues to rotate when the engine is 
idling, have your dealer make proper 
adjustments or repairs.Ensure proper ventilation when working 
in trenches, hollows or other confined 
locations – risk of fatal injury from 
breathing toxic fumes!
If you feel sick, have a headache, vision 
problems (e. g., your field of vision gets 
smaller), hearing problems, dizziness or 
inability to concentrate, stop work 
immediately. Such symptoms may be 
caused by an excessively high 
concentration of exhaust emissions – 
risk of accident!
After finishing work
Switch off the motor, engage the chain 
brake and attach the chain scabbard.
Storage
When the machine is not in use, it 
should be stored in such a way that no-
one is endangered. Secure the machine 
against unauthorised use.
Store the machine in a safe, dry room.
Loss-proof chain scabbard
The loss-proof chain scabbard is 
designed especially for using the chain 
saw in a tree.Rings (1) – for fastening the chain 
scabbard to the user's harness.
Snap fitting (2) – the loss-proof chain 
scabbard is held firmly on the sprocket 
cover of the chain saw. This keeps it 
from slipping off of the guide bar during 
transport.
Broad base (3) – for covering the spiked 
bumper
Application
Always push the chain scabbard onto 
the guide bar as far as it will go. Snap 
fitting (2) must snap onto the chain 
sprocket cover. The chain saw produces 
poisonous exhaust gases 
as soon as the engine 
starts. These gases may 
be colourless and odour-
less and may contain 
unburnt hydrocarbons 
and benzene. Never work 
with the machine indoors 
or in poorly ventilated 
areas, even if your 
machine is equipped with 
a catalytic converter.
230012BA029 KN
1
0012BA028 KN
2 
						

							MS 201 TC-M
English
8 Always use one of the two rings to fasten 
the chain scabbard to the harness for 
storage while working.
Always use the pull-out ring (4) on the 
back of the chain saw to transport and 
secure the chain saw on a rope.
Never use one of the chain scabbard 
rings (1) to transport or secure the chain 
saw – risk of accident due to falling chain 
saw!
Vibrations
Prolonged use of the power tool may 
result in vibration-induced circulation 
problems in the hands (whitefinger 
disease).
No general recommendation can be 
given for the length of usage because it 
depends on several factors.
The period of usage is prolonged by:
–Hand protection (wearing warm 
gloves)
–Work breaks
The period of usage is shortened by:
–Any personal tendency to suffer 
from poor circulation (symptoms: 
frequently cold fingers, tingling 
sensations).
–Low outside temperatures.
–The force with which the handles 
are held (a tight grip restricts 
circulation).
Continual and regular users should 
monitor closely the condition of their 
hands and fingers. If any of the above 
symptoms appear (e.g. tingling 
sensation in fingers), seek medical 
advice.
Maintenance and repairs
Always switch off the engine before any 
repair, cleaning or maintenance work 
and any work on the chain. Risk of injury 
if the engine starts inadvertently!The machine must be serviced regularly. 
Do not attempt any maintenance or 
repair work not described in the 
Instruction Manual. All other work should 
be carried out by a servicing dealer.
STIHL recommends that maintenance 
and repair work be carried out only by 
authorised STIHL dealers. STIHL 
dealers receive regular training and are 
supplied with technical information.
Use only high-quality spare parts. 
Otherwise, there may be a risk of 
accidents and damage to the machine. If 
you have any questions in this respect, 
consult a servicing dealer.
Do not modify the machine in any way – 
this may increase the risk of personal 
injury –risk of accidents!
To reduce the risk of fire due to ignition 
outside the cylinder, move the master 
control level to STOP, 0 or † before 
turning the engine over on the starter 
when the spark plug boot is removed or 
the spark plug is unscrewed!
Do not service or store the machine near 
a naked flame – risk of fire due to the 
fuel!
Check fuel cap regularly for tightness.
Use only spark plugs that are in perfect 
condition and have been approved by 
STIHL – see "Specifications".
Check ignition lead (insulation in good 
condition, secure connection).
Check that the muffler is in perfect 
working condition.
Do not use the machine if the muffler is 
damaged or missing – risk of fire, 
damage to hearing!
Never touch a hot muffler – risk of burns!
0012BA026 KN
4
1
0012BA027 KN