Stihl MS171: how to remove the top cover

[MoreCowbell]

Hello - first post:

Can someone please tell me how (the best way without using brute force) to simply remove the top cover on this saw??
A lot of fragile plastic in the hinge at the front ...

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Squeeze the throttle trigger, move the master control to the choke position.
Slide the lock to the rear.
Remove the shroud up and to the rear.

My guess is you are not depressing the choke lever first?

If you did not buy new, see if you can find online or download a copy of the 171, 181, 211 owners manual.
If you did buy new- read the owners manual.
Should be on about page 45 of the English version.

 

[MoreCowbell]

I did buy it new and do have the complete manual. I now see that this is described ever so briefly on p.44 of the Manual (it refers to the cover as the "shroud"). I actually find that the task has really nothing to do with "Squeeze the throttle trigger, move the master control to the choke position." or the choke lever. With the shroud tilted up, I just bplled it back and and the plastic hinge pins disconect.

Thanks for your response, Bob.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

If you do not apply the choke you have to lift the cover higher to clear it- putting extra pressure on the front mounting points.

 

[MoreCowbell]

Maybe I have a slitgtly different version of the MS171. At the back of the shroud, the black plastic choke lever protrudes through a SLOT. The shroud can tip up regardless of what position the black lever is in. The position of the choke lever has no bearing on the tilting of the shroud. Trust me, Bob.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Okay, I am just quoting the owners manual.
Trust me.

 

[MoreCowbell]

I do trust you, Bob. And I saw that, too. But in my case, it was as I described. I was mainly interested in knowing how to remove the shroud in the event I might have to inspect/replace the spark plug.

Thanks again for your help.