Correct chainsaw maintenance is essential if you want your tools to remain usable for a long time. Maintaining your chainsaw can help extend its lifespan, saving you money over time. To learn more, keep reading for some of our top tips for chainsaw maintenance…
Chainsaw terminology
Before we get into the details, we think it’s important to briefly review the different names and terminology we use to describe a chainsaw.
Note: In our diagram, we’ve labelled the parts of a Stihl chainsaw. Whilst the fundamentals will be the same across most models, some parts may be different if on an electric or battery powered chainsaw.
Below, we’ve highlighted some of the lesser known features for more information.
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Chain brake: when engaged, the chain brake stops the chain from working. This is for safety, and helps to protect you from kickback. This occurs when the chainsaw bounces off of the material you’re cutting, which can be a safety hazard.
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Chain tensioner: The tensioner tightens or loosens the chain from around the guide bar. Locating the tensioner on the side of the saw is safer as there is less risk of cutting yourself on the chain.
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Throttle trigger and lock: the throttle trigger controls when the saw blades are in motion. The throttle lock prevents the trigger from being activated accidentally by overgrowth, as both need to be engaged for the saw to start cutting.
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Carburetor box: the carburetor is where your fuel is mixed with air before combustion. Inside here you’ll also find your spark plug, which provides the necessary spark for ignition.
How often do chainsaws need maintenance?
We recommend completing regular maintenance checks on your chainsaw. This helps you stay on top of any wear and tear and spot issues before they develop into safety hazards.
This is especially important if you use your chainsaw daily, as consistent use puts the parts through a lot of stress.
In terms of frequency, we recommend completing several standard maintenance checks before and after every chainsaw use. This allows you to keep your saw running at its best.
More in-depth chainsaw maintenance can be done less often, with some activities only needing to be checked on a weekly or monthly basis.
To help you out, we’ve split the body of this article into daily, weekly, and monthly checklists accordingly.
Daily chainsaw maintenance
Whether you’re a tree surgeon, tradesman, or just a gardening enthusiast, regular chainsaw maintenance is essential to keep you safe.
The following section is a list of daily chainsaw maintenance tips to be done before/after every use.
Complete safety checks
The most important step in chainsaw maintenance is making sure it’s safe before every use. Chainsaws can be dangerous, and completing thorough safety checks protects you and the people around you.
The first step is to examine your chainsaw for any signs of damage, and decide whether anything needs to be replaced before you use it. Are there any breakages, unexplained leaks, or signs of excessive wear that could become an immediate problem?
Then, you should check to ensure each of the following parts are working correctly.
Chain brake and catcher
You should always ensure that the chain brake is working correctly, as this is designed to immediately stop the chain and protect you from physical harm caused by kickback.
A chain catcher is fitted to protect you if the chain breaks and swings back towards you during use, so it’s essential it’s not damaged in any way.
Air filter
The air filter is a key element in keeping your chainsaw working effectively, as this acts as a barrier to stop dirt and sawdust from entering the engine. If your air filter looks dirty or damaged, you should clean or replace it immediately.
Dirty air filters also reduce fuel efficiency because air cannot enter the carburetor correctly, making your chainsaw sluggish and dangerous to use.
Throttle trigger and lock
The trigger is what makes the cutting chain move, so you should check that this is operating smoothly and not getting stiff.
You should also check to make sure there is nothing obstructing the trigger or lock mechanism, as this could cause it to get stuck, making the saw dangerous to use.
Chain tension
Checking your chain tension helps to keep you safe, and ensures you’re not running the risk of needing to replace parts prematurely.
If your chain is too tight, it won’t be able to move around the guide bar smoothly, and might get stuck. Too loose, and you run the risk of it slipping off and causing injury or becoming damaged.
Top tip - always use the recommended tension settings from the manufacturer for maximum efficiency.
Off switch
Lastly, you should always make sure your off switch is working correctly and not blocked by any dirt or residue.
Turning your chainsaw off after use or in an emergency is vital to a safe working environment, as well as a way to preserve fuel or battery life.
Clean down after every use
Cleaning your chainsaw after every use helps you extend the lifespan of each part, which can help you save money in the long run.
Chainsaws naturally make a lot of mess; cutting wood creates sawdust and resin, and even more heavy duty applications will cause dust and dirt, which can become a problem over time.
Resin is particularly problematic. It’s initially sticky and can make excess dust and debris stick to your guide bar and the body of the chainsaw. Plus, it hardens as it dries, so a build up near the engine for example could cause serious blockages in the future.
We recommend cleaning your chainsaw after every use, and taking care to ensure no resin dries on or around the important mechanisms.
Check the chain oil hole
Alongside more generalised cleaning, it’s incredibly important to ensure the chain oil hole is free from any debris and that it’s working properly.
Chain oil acts as a lubricant to help the saw blade move smoothly along the guide bar. Without this, you run the risk of premature wear and damage to the chain and bar. Plus, correct lubrication reduces friction and helps to stop your chainsaw from overheating.
Checking for blockages regularly prevents any dirt build up, and helps you notice if there are any breakages that could become more expensive fixes in the future.
Rotate the guide bar
Any chainsaw use will eventually cause your guide bar to wear. You’ll notice this the most along the underside of the bar where it makes the most contact with materials during cutting.
Regularly rotating your guide bar ensures that it wears evenly on both sides, helping you to keep your chainsaw working efficiently for longer.
Tighten any loose screws and bolts
Loose screws and bolts are a risk with any machinery as they can cause parts to come free during use. This is especially true for chainsaws where there is a lot of vibration.
Ensuring you tighten any loose screws or bolts will help to keep you safe, and ensure you can complete your work. Without any setbacks
Sharpen the cutting chain
Keeping your chainsaw cutting chain sharp not only improves your efficiency, but it actually keeps you safer.
Dull cutting chains can bounce off the material rather than cut through it, which can be dangerous as it increases the chance of kickback occuring. A dull chain also forces the chainsaw to work harder to cut the same amount, which could cause the engine to overheat.
We recommend sharpening your chainsaw blades little and often to keep it ready for use whenever you need it. Frequent sharpening also prevents you from having uneven blades, which could cause you to cut crooked.
Shop Chainsaw Sharpening Equipment
Top tip - always wear gloves when sharpening your chainsaw blades to prevent injury.
Weekly chainsaw maintenance
Likewise with daily checks, there are some more in-depth chainsaw maintenance tasks that still need to be completed regularly, but don’t need to be completed with every use.
Remove any burrs from the guide bar
Alongside rotating your guide bar, you need to be on the lookout for any burrs or uneven wear that could cause issues for your chainsaw.
It’s worth regularly filing down any burrs (sharp raised edges along the guide bar rail) because these can cause your chainsaw to move irregularly and make the chain and tracks wear away quicker. You should also make sure the rails are even and file as necessary.
Check the anti-vibration elements
The anti-vibration (AV) system on your chainsaw is essential. As the name suggests, this system reduces the impact of vibration on your body, making your chainsaw more comfortable and safer to use for long periods of time.
Monitoring the AV mounting system regularly helps you notice any obvious signs of wear and tear early and get them fixed before more complicated issues occur.
Check the spark plug and starter
Without a spark plug, your chainsaw won’t work. It’s that simple. So checking your spark plug is in good condition is essential. There are three main things to look at when you’re checking the condition of your spark plug.
Colour
Ideally, your spark plug should be a chocolatey brown colour. If it’s too dark, your fuel ratio could be too rich, meaning there’s not enough air.
If your spark plug is white or burnt, it could mean the engine is running too hot or your fuel mix is too lean (has too much air).
Spark plug gap
You should also make sure you have the correct spark plug gap. This is where the spark arches to ignite the fuel, so it needs to be the right size. For chainsaws, this gap is usually 0.5mm.
Damage
If there are any dents or breaks in your spark plug it will need replacing immediately. This is for your own safety, and to ensure your chainsaw runs properly.
Additionally, you should check that the starter rope is in good condition without any fraying or bumps that could cause it to snap or jam. If you’re having consistent issues with your starter, it’s worth checking that the mechanism is clear of any dirt or debris.
Check the cooling systems
Like many other power tools or machinery, chainsaws can overheat if their cooling systems aren’t functioning properly.
In a chainsaw, the cooling system consists of a flywheel fan that circulates air around the engine and cooling fins cast into the engine. If these become obstructed or damaged they can cause your chainsaw to overheat, which damages the machinery over time.
You should check the cooling systems regularly to keep them clean and ensure they’re working efficiently.
Monthly chainsaw maintenance
Whilst this isn’t a set schedule, you should try to complete the following chainsaw maintenance checks a minimum of once a month.
Complete a more in-depth clean
As we said above, you should complete a basic clean after every chainsaw use to help prolong the lifespan of each component. However, you should also schedule in a regular deep clean for the following harder to reach places.
Carburetor
The carburetor is where the fuel and air is mixed before entering the combustion chamber. This can get sooty and dirty from the burning of fuel, as well as sawdust and other materials getting in when the chainsaw is in use.
A dirty carburetor can cause your chainsaw to become sluggish since the dirt makes it harder to achieve combustion, so it’s important to clean it regularly.
Fuel tank
As fuel ages, it degrades and leaves residue on the inside of your fuel tank. This can cause blockages within your fuel system, which will make your chainsaw run poorly or even stop it all together.
To prevent this, you should clean out your fuel tank regularly and make sure it’s fully dry before your next use to prevent water contamination.
Oil tank
The oil tank stores the oil lubricant used to keep your chainsaw chain moving smoothly across the guide bar. If this gets too dirty, it limits how efficiently your chainsaw can work and could cause the chain to lock or grind the bar too much.
You should clean this monthly to prolong the life of your chainsaw as much as possible.
Check for general wear and damages
As we mentioned above, you should inspect your chainsaw for any obvious signs of damage before every use.
However, the internal mechanisms are harder to take a quick look at, so we recommend examining them at least once a month when you have more time to dedicate to the task. You should check the following parts for signs of excessive wear and replace them as necessary.
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Sprockets.
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Clutch.
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Clutch drum and spring.
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Chain brake band.
Top top - you should also make sure these components are well lubricated to prevent them from prematurely wearing away.
Check the power connections
You should examine your chainsaw’s wiring at least once a month to make sure everything is well connected and intact. This is especially important for electric chainsaws, as a faulty power connection could cause serious injury.
Additional chainsaw maintenance tips
We believe in being thorough, so we’ve included some more generalised chainsaw maintenance tips below. These don’t fit within a certain timeline, but are still important when it comes to properly caring for your chainsaw.
Use the correct fuel
If you have a petrol powered chainsaw, it’s essential that you use the correct fuel to run it. Most chainsaws use a 50:1 ratio of unleaded petrol and 2-stroke engine oil, although you can always check the manual if you’re unsure.
You should try to use high-quality petrol wherever possible to maximise performance, which means sticking with a minimum octane rating of 90 RON. Any lower than this could potentially cause the engine to overheat and seize, making it more dangerous.
Top tip - don’t leave fuel in the tank, as it can degrade and clog your fuel system. Try to leave your tank as empty as possible after the job is finished.
If you premix your fuel, try to only make what you will need for that job. Alternatively, you may want to use a fuel stabiliser to help it last longer.
For more casual chainsaw users, it may be worth buying premixed fuel that matches your chainsaw requirements. This is easier and safer, and protects your chainsaw over time.
Store your chainsaw properly
Storing your chainsaw correctly is a simple way to extend its lifespan because you can protect it from avoidable damages.
Make sure your chainsaw is kept in a dry, well-ventilated area that’s protected from the elements. Try to keep it in a flat position, away from anywhere that it could be easily knocked onto the floor to prevent accidents.
Break in new chains
When you replace an old chain, you should take some time to break the new one in. This helps you make sure everything is working properly and can prevent issues when you next come to use it.
To break your chain in properly, you should consider doing these steps:
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Preemptively soak the chain in oil to ensure the whole thing is properly lubricated. Then hang it up to allow any excess oil to drop away.
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Install the new chain and adjust the tension.
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Run the chainsaw for a short while to warm the chain, then turn it off and readjust the tension.
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Stick to light-duty work for at least half an hour to help the chain acclimatise before starting any harder tasks.
If in doubt, have your chainsaw serviced by the experts!
Should you not have the time or inclination to service your chainsaw yourself, why not have an expert do it for you?
Here at Hughie Willett Machinery we offer a comprehensive servicing and repair service. Our mechanics complete manufacturer training courses (Kubota, Stihl, Husqvarna etc) to ensure they offer the very best service.
As an approved dealer for brands such as Husqvarna and Stihl, we are able to obtain the very best OEM parts and consumables for your chainsaw.
Where to buy chainsaws and accessories
We hope you’ve found this chainsaw maintenance guide useful, and that it’s helped you feel more confident looking after your equipment.
If you’re in need of new chainsaw parts, or have been inspired to buy a new model of chainsaw, look no further than our excellent range at Hughie Willett Machinery.
We’re a top supplier of big name chainsaw brands, including Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo, so you’ll be sure to find the right one to suit your needs.
Alternatively, for more advice why not reach out to our team of experts? Contact us on 0121 308 1262 or send a message on our contact form and we’d be happy to help you.
Buy a new chainsaw now at Hughie Willett Machinery
For more hardware buying guides and machinery expertise and information, check out the Hughie Willett Machinery blog…
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