Stihl Pole Saw Choke Position (Starting Guide)
For a cold STIHL gasoline pole pruner, select the cold-start or full-choke setting. For a warm engine, select run or open choke unless your model’s manual says otherwise. Follow the manual’s starting sequence: controls vary by model. Battery-electric STIHL pruners have no choke. If a warm engine floods, stop pulling with the choke on and use the model-specific procedure.
A pole pruner that ran well last season may now refuse to start. The choke setting is a good first check, but it is not the only one: stale fuel, a flooded engine, or a control set incorrectly can all cause trouble.
I begin by identifying the exact model and reading its starting instructions. STIHL pole pruners do not all use the same control layout or sequence. The guide below explains the general cold- and warm-start settings, then shows how to check common causes if the engine still will not run.
Equipment Setup and Safety Preparation
Before starting, identify whether your tool is a gasoline pole pruner or a battery model, then check its manual and controls. A choke changes the air-fuel mixture for starting a gasoline engine; it does not apply to a battery motor. Safe setup also means keeping the chain clear and checking the unit before pulling the starter.
Confirm the model and controls
Find the model name on the unit and use its STIHL manual for the exact start sequence. The choke may be a lever, a position on a master control, or part of a combined control. Labels and symbols differ, so do not assume that a lever position on one model means the same thing on another.
On a gasoline model, look for the manual’s cold-start and run settings. Some controls also have an intermediate or warm-start position used after the engine first fires. Use that position only as directed for your model. A battery-electric pruner has no engine choke; follow its battery and start-control instructions instead.
Before starting, inspect the stop control, throttle lockout, guard, bar, chain, and fasteners. Check for fuel leaks or damage. Wear a helmet, eye and face protection, hearing protection, gloves, chainsaw-protective legwear, and boots. Keep bystanders at least 50 ft (15 m) from the cutting area. Identify overhead conductors and follow required electrical clearances and utility guidance; do not work near power lines without the required clearance and qualified guidance.
Starting-position quick guide
| Situation | Choke setting | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cold gasoline engine | Cold-start/full choke | Follow the model’s starting steps; move the control after the first ignition as directed |
| Warm gasoline engine | Run/open choke | Use the model’s warm-start procedure |
| Warm engine with full choke | Incorrect for most warm starts | Stop pulling with choke engaged; a warm engine can flood |
| Battery-electric pruner | No choke | Follow the battery model’s instructions |
Set the unit on stable ground with the bar and chain clear. Engage the chain brake if fitted, and use the purge bulb only if the manual calls for it. The bulb and choke do different jobs: a purge bulb moves fuel through the system, while the choke adjusts the starting mixture.
Cold start, step by step
Set the control to cold start or full choke. Pull the starter as described in the manual until the engine fires, or gives the first ignition the manual describes. Then move the control to the specified warm-start or intermediate position, if your model uses one, and pull until the engine runs. Confirm the choke is fully off before operating.
Do not keep pulling with full choke after the engine has fired. If the engine does not start after the manual’s stated steps, pause and check the control position and fuel condition rather than repeating pulls without a plan. Repeated unsuccessful pulls can overheat the starter.
Warm start, step by step
For a warm engine, use run or open choke unless the model manual directs otherwise. Set the unit securely, keep the chain clear, and follow the model’s warm-start instructions. Applying full choke to an already warm engine can flood it, making the next start harder.
If you are unsure whether the engine is warm enough for the run setting, use the manual’s distinction between cold and warm starts. Do not guess by holding the choke on for extra pulls.
Field Cutting and Landscaping Operation
Starting correctly is only the first step. Before cutting, confirm that the engine is running with the choke off and that the chain, bar, and safety controls are ready. Use a stable stance and the tool within its rated reach and capacity; safe operation depends on model instructions as well as the condition of the tree and work area.
Check before cutting
Let the engine settle at idle and confirm the chain is not moving at idle. If it moves, stop and follow the manual’s inspection or service directions; do not adjust the carburetor by guesswork. Confirm that bar-and-chain oil is present and that the oiling system works as the manual describes.
Keep a secure two-handed grip and stable footing. Cut within the tool’s rated reach and capacity, keep the bar clear of the ground, and avoid cutting with the bar tip. Do not cut above shoulder height. Stop if the pruner feels unstable, the chain behaves unexpectedly, or the work area becomes unsafe.
Field scenarios: what the choke setting tells you
These are practical diagnostic scenarios, not substitutes for the instructions for a specific model.
| What you observe | Likely next step |
|---|---|
| Engine is cold; it has not fired yet | Confirm cold-start/full-choke setting and follow the manual’s sequence |
| Engine fires once, then stops | Move to the manual’s stated warm-start position; do not leave full choke on by habit |
| Engine is warm but will not start | Check that the control is on run/open choke, then use the warm-start steps |
| Fuel smell after repeated full-choke pulls | Stop pulling; the engine may be flooded. Use the model’s flooded-engine procedure |
| Engine starts but chain moves at idle | Stop and inspect or seek service according to the manual; do not keep cutting |
When cutting is complete, release the throttle, use the stop control, and wait for the chain to stop. Let the unit cool before refueling, cleaning, transport, or adjustment. A running or hot unit is not ready for routine maintenance.
Maintenance, Chain Sharpening, and Tuning
Good starting habits work best with sound fuel and a maintained cutting system. Fuel ratio, chain fit, tension, oiling, and engine settings are model-dependent details that affect reliable operation. Use the manual and the markings on your bar and chain for specifications; never treat one STIHL model’s parts or adjustments as universal.
Fuel and air-fuel checks
For STIHL two-stroke engines, use a 50:1 gasoline-to-oil mix by volume with approved two-stroke engine oil. STIHL specifies gasoline with at least 89 AKI (R+M)/2. Do not apply this mix ratio to a four-stroke engine or a battery model. Use fresh, properly mixed fuel; stale or incorrectly mixed fuel can cause starting and running problems.
If the engine will not start, check that the fuel is suitable for the model and has not been left sitting too long. Follow the manual for storage and fuel handling. Do not compensate for questionable fuel by changing the choke sequence or turning carburetor screws.
Chain, bar, and oiling checks
Chain and bar specifications depend on the model and the fitted bar. For example, some STIHL HT 56 C configurations may use a 3/8-inch P chain with .043-inch (1.1 mm) gauge. That is an example, not a universal specification. Check the bar and chain markings and the model manual before buying or fitting parts.
Bar length and drive-link count are also specific to the approved bar-and-chain combination. With the engine off and cool, set chain tension so the drive links remain engaged in the bar groove while the chain can still be pulled around by hand. Follow the manual’s tensioning steps and safety warnings.
Use bar-and-chain oil, and confirm oil delivery as the manual directs. Keep debris from building around the bar and chain. A dull, damaged, or poorly tensioned chain is a reason to stop and inspect, not to press harder or adjust the engine settings.
Avoid guesswork on engine settings
Idle speed and maximum engine speed are model-specific. There is no safe generic RPM target for every STIHL pole pruner. Do not tune the carburetor by guesswork or change settings to mask a starting problem. If basic checks do not resolve the issue, use the model’s service guidance or contact a qualified STIHL dealer.
Storage and Seasonal Care
Seasonal reliability starts before the tool is put away. Fuel and storage steps vary by model and fuel type, so use the manual’s directions rather than relying on a single rule for every machine. Clean the tool, protect the cutting parts, and make a note of any starting trouble while it is still fresh.
Before storage, stop the engine and let the unit cool. Clean off debris and inspect the chain, bar, fasteners, and guard. Follow the manual for fuel storage or draining; do not leave old or improperly mixed fuel in the system and expect an easy start months later.
At the next start, check the model and control position again. A cold engine needs the cold-start/full-choke setting; a warm engine generally needs run/open choke. If the engine floods, do not keep pulling with choke engaged. Use the documented flooded-engine procedure for that model.
Frequently Asked Questions
These short answers cover the choke questions that most often come up when a STIHL gasoline pole pruner will not start. The exact sequence still depends on the model, so use these as setting guidance and confirm the steps in the manual.
What choke position should I use for a cold STIHL pole saw?
Use the cold-start or full-choke position on a gasoline model. Follow the manual’s sequence, including when to move the control after the engine first fires.
What choke position should I use for a warm STIHL pole saw?
Use run or open choke unless that model’s manual gives a different warm-start procedure. Full choke on a warm engine can flood it.
Do all STIHL pole pruners have the same choke control?
No. Control layouts and starting sequences differ by model. Check the model manual rather than copying the lever position or steps from another machine.
Does a battery STIHL pole pruner have a choke?
No. Battery-electric models do not have a gasoline engine or choke. Follow the instructions for the battery, start control, and model.
What should I do if my pole pruner seems flooded?
Stop pulling with the choke engaged. Follow the model’s documented flooded-engine procedure, and do not keep making repeated pulls.
Should I press a purge bulb before starting?
Only if your model’s manual specifies it. The purge bulb and choke have different functions, and not every model uses the same starting steps.
What fuel mix does a STIHL two-stroke pole pruner use?
STIHL specifies a 50:1 gasoline-to-approved two-stroke-oil mix by volume for its two-stroke engines. Confirm the requirements for your model; this ratio does not apply to battery or four-stroke models.
Can I use a chain specification from another STIHL pole pruner?
Not without checking. Bar length, chain pitch, gauge, and drive-link count must match the approved combination for your model and bar.
Why does the chain move while the engine idles?
Stop the engine and follow the manual’s inspection or service directions. Do not continue cutting or change carburetor settings by guesswork.
What should I check before restarting after winter storage?
Check the fuel and control position, inspect the bar and chain, and follow the manual’s storage and start instructions. For a cold engine, select cold start/full choke; for a warm engine, use run/open choke unless directed otherwise.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Harrison Croft. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
