METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SPEED LIMIT OF A COMBUSTION ENGINE

The invention relates to a method for controlling the speed limitation of an internal combustion engine (8) in a hand-held work device (1), such as a motor chainsaw. A cylinder (9) of the internal combustion engine (8) has a combustion chamber (22) bounded by a piston (10), wherein the piston (10) drives a crankshaft via a connecting rod (11). The crankshaft drives a work tool via a clutch (33) that closes as a function of the engine speed (n), whereby above a clutch engagement speed of the clutch (33) a drive connection with the crankshaft (13) is established and below the clutch engagement speed the drive connection is interrupted. A spark plug (23) is arranged in the combustion chamber (22), which is controlled by an ignition device (30). A speed control device (50) monitors the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine (8) and comprises a speed limiter circuit (51) that limits the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine to a limit speed (nG) below the clutch engagement speed. When the internal combustion engine (8) is started, the speed limiter circuit (51) is switched on; it is switched off after the internal combustion engine (8) is put into operation upon the presence of a deactivation signal, wherein the deactivation signal is generated when an operating change signal of the internal combustion engine (8) is detected.