The STIHL® MS 460/461Rescue SAW ARMOR Plate is for the STIHL® MS 460/461Rescue with a full wrap top handle. By fitting this protective plate to your saw, you will extend its useful life and reduce downtime from accidental damage.
It is designed to protect the following areas on the saw:
1. Crankcase frontal area and muffler. Will reduce particles contacting the muffler and catching on fire, and protect against impact damage.
2. Underside of the crankcase which is subject to abrasion from sitting on concrete or other abrasive surfaces.
3. Fuel tank under filling cap on the left hand side and exposed area on the right hand side from impact or sharp objects.
4. Rear tank handle/grip area, from impact damage in case of dropping the saw, or abrasion damage.
5. Reduce unwanted flex in the saw handle, making it less prone to breaking under situations where the saw bar is jammed in a cut.
The Saw Armor plate is only attached to the plastic tank handle/top handle and is not directly connected to the crankcase/motor of the saw. This preserves the anit-vibration characteristics of the saw. In addition to protecting the saw, plate also functions to limit the range of flex in the plastic tank handle, strengthening the saw and reducing the likelihood of damage to the tank handle if it is subjected to twisting forces.
Quick start installation instructions (approx 7-10 mins process):
You will need:
T27 driver
T30 driver
A small screwdriver/awl to align the plate with the mounting holes.
13mm or 1/2" socket and driver or adjustable wrench to remove heat shield mounting hardware.
Needle nose pliers to secure small nut behind sprocket cover (depending on original heat shield mount)
Channelock adjustable pliers or bullnose pliers
Supplied with the plate:
2 x T30, 30mm long STS Thermplast flat head for the two holes in front of tank handle underneath the saw.
1 x T30, 35mm long STS Thermplast flat head for right hand side of saw onto full wrap top handle.
Getting started:
1. Remove the existing muffler shield if it is in place. Remove the lower right hand muffler mounting bolt spacer if it is present with 13mmm or 1/2" socket/wrench (as you are facing the muffler). Replace it with the T27 machine screw bolt supplied in the hardware kit.
2. Remove the bar from the saw. Clean around the area in the front of the bar studs if needed.
3. Remove the original tank handle mounting screws, 2 from the bottom of the tank handle and 1 from the right hand side of the top handle.
4. Ensure that the top black handle mounting holes are reasonably lined up on the plastic underneath of the saw, if you are careful, it likely will not move after you remove the two screws. Keeping them lined up will speed up installation of the Saw Armor plate.
5. Set the Saw Armor plate down on a flat surface and bring the saw body into the plate from the left side, inserting the front area into the plate first, then inserting the rear of the plate into the plate, ensuring the flat white plastic area of the tank handle slides underneath the tab at the rear of the plate.
The saw will now be sitting partially into the plate and the left hand section of the tank will be resting on the plate by the filler cap.
Apply pressure to the the plate tab that is under the filler tab, pressing it away from the saw and push the saw into the plate.
It should drop in with a little resistance, or it may drop in by itself. Check to ensure that the rear tab at the rear of the pale is still latched onto the rear of the tank handle, and not underneath the tank handle.
6. Now flip the saw upside down and set on the chain brake handle/rea handle. Use a small screw drive or awl to ensure the plate, top handle and tanke handle mounting holes are correctly lined up by pushing the screwdriver/awl into one of the holes.
You may need to move the armor plate sideways a little to line everything up.
Insert a T30 x 30mm screw into one of the holes and tighten to finger tight. Insert the other screw and tighten down finger tight.
Insert a T30 x 35mm screw into the single mounting hole on the right hand side of the saw, and tighten down firmly.
Tighten down the two T30 bolts underneath the saw firmly.
7. Check to ensure there is at least 1/4" clearance between the muffler and the frontal area of the plate. Bend it out a little if needed. The front of the plate must not contact the muffler directly.
8. Use pliers to crimp down the the small U shaped tab at the rear handle of the saw to ensure a tight grip. This will prevent the plate from slipping out of the mount under high torque forces.
If you need to remove the plate, just use a thin screwdriver to bend it open again to ensure smooth release of the saw.
You should always check your externally accessible mounting screws on your saw every 20 hours of use. Check the Saw Armor supplied screws after the first 10 hours of use and then every 40 hours after that. They are very unlikely to work loose, we are suggesting this procedure for safety reasons.
8. WARNING: DO NOT USE ORIGINAL CAP SCREWS TO FASTEN SAW ARMOR PLATES. THEY ARE TOO SHORT AND WILL NOT ENSURE A SECURE FIT. SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY RESULT IF FASTENERS OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED BY SAW ARMOR ARE USED.
Contact Saw Armor for replacement fasteners if needed. Email tom@sawarmor.com with any questions.
If the front of the plate comes into contact with the muffler at any time, just grab the top of it and bend it back to ensure minimum 1/4 of clearance at all times.
Contact us with any questions. Thank you for protecting your saw with Saw Armor!
SAW ARMOR plates cannot protect your saw from every possible impact or abrasive force. The plate is intended to reduce the wear and tear on the underside and rear of your unit. There are still highly destructive forces or impacts that may cause damage to your saw. SAW ARMOR, LLC is not responsible for any direct, indirect or consequential damages to equipment or persons using this equipment. By using the SAW ARMOR plate, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. Always follow instructions your saw's manufacturer equipment safety manual. Regularly check the screws on your SAW ARMOR plate for tightness. If your plate comes loose, retighten the screws. Do not use your saw with a loose protective plate, if the plate screws do not remain tight, discontinue use of the plate and contact your local chainsaw dealer to check the condition of your saw.