The Basics Of Taking Care Of Your Chainsaw

Chainsaw Maintenance

Although chainsaws are tough tools, to prevent clogging, breakage or wear and tear, some time should be taken to care for your chainsaw so you can be sure you’re getting optimal use. Providing your chainsaw with regular servicing and maintenance can ensure that you keep your chainsaw in great condition to allow you to keep cutting to your hearts content.

Before performing any servicing, maintenance or repairs on any chainsaw, safety precautions should be undertaken to avoid injury, care should be taken and aside from basic maintenance additional alterations should be left to the professionals if you are unfamiliar with the process.

Depending on the make of your chainsaw, individual brands will have guidelines for maintenance to ensure optimal use or check your user manual for more information.

Cleaning

One of the main ways you can care for your chainsaw and increase longevity is ensuring that you keep it clean. This may mean cleaning it after every use as every time you use your saw, you run a risk of stuck debris. Keeping your chainsaw as clean as possible can make a significant difference in the lifespan of your saw as well as the handling experience.

Frequency of use can contribute to build up on your chainsaw, cleaning other aspects such as the air filter should also be conducted frequently, Stihl have also created a video instructing how to do this within their saws

Similarly, Husqvarna have created their own guide for their saws, showing how to change an air filter and also indicating the signs that your air filter might need replacing.

Stihl have created a useful tutorial of how to get to and clean the chain sprocket cover, guide bar and chain on one of their chainsaws.

This ensures that all essential aspects within your chainsaw are kept clean. And leads onto what could be considered the most important aspect of saw maintenance, chain sharpening.

Keeping your chain sharp

One of the most essential aspects of chainsaw maintenance resides in the chain itself. The chain takes the brute force of whatever its cutting leading to more chance of wear and the sharpness of your chain can determine the quality of cut you get.

Chain sharpening can be conducted with the use of a file and a chain filing kit, most manufacturers have their own sharpening kits and files which are most appropriately used with their accompanying saws.

During this Husqvarna demonstration they use the Husqvarna chain filing kit which aids the user in directionality to ensure that their blade is optimally sharpened.

Stihls files are also simple to use, and this video demonstrates just how quickly you can get your blade sharp with their 2 in one tool.

Looking for signs of wear

As well as knowing what you can do to keep your chainsaw in good working order, it’s just as important to know when something is wrong. Ensuring that you know signs of wear and when you may need to replace a component can be essential in ensuring the lasting life of your chainsaw but also in ensuring your saw is safe to use.

Husqvarna have created a great saw maintenance video highlighting the signs of wear from the different parts of the bar to direct you to when it might be time to replace some parts.

Checking that your chainsaw chain is lubricated is a simple yet essential task, this quick Husqvarna video shows just how easy it is.

Something as simple as checking the oil lubrication on your chain which takes less than a few seconds can have huge benefits. The oil aids in how the saw performs as lack of oil can increase friction and heat, causing a huge strain on your bar and chain. This also leads to severe safety concerns as the chance of teeth on your chain breaking is increased. Ensuring that your oil is both full and working will aid in in incident prevention and ensuring long term performance.

Storing

Perhaps you’re not frequently using your chainsaw or you want to put it away while you go away or simply for the winter. Knowing how to properly store your saw for long periods can aid in ensuing that when the time comes to use it again, that it works as well as when you put it away. Stihl have created a preparation video showing the steps that you should do when putting your saw away

These tasks are simple and quick but can make a big difference in maintaining the quality of your saw while its stored.

Safety Equipment

Not a part of chainsaw maintenance but an essential aspect to consider during any use of a chainsaw is safety equipment and ensuring that it is in good quality should you need to rely on it. Different brands have their own designed equipment such as helmets, gloves and trousers which protect you if a slip up happens. You’d much rather be prepared for the worst than counting on the best. Safety equipment for Husqvarna and Stihl can be sourced from Gammies in-store.

Frequent Servicing & Part replacement

Ensuring that you are looking after your chainsaw as intended can aid in ensuring it has a good quality lifespan. Monitoring any changes in saw performance is also essential as changes can be an indication of an issue or wear. Maybe you do all of this yet you are seeing a decrease in performance with your saw? Instead of scouring the internet for contradictory advice or attempting any alterations yourself get your saw into your local dealer, Gammies provide chainsaw servicing and repairs so you can leave it up to the professionals.

Has this reminded you that your chain or air filter needs replacing? Gammies part department stocks a large range of product parts for both Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws including chains, files and safety equipment to make sure you can keep your chainsaw in top condition all year round.