How to Maintain Your Chainsaw

Chain saws are powerful tools that accomplish powerful tasks. Chain saws are not cheap, but they can last years without incident. Proper care and maintenance is the key to a long-lived chain saw. Failure to properly maintain your saw could lead to injury, extra money, and extra effort in work. While all models have slight nuances, there are several general tips to follow when dealing with chain saws of all brands. This guide will explain how to properly care for your machine.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• screw driver
• pliers
• plunger handle
• gauge needle
• grease reservoir
• grease

1. Check all screws with your fingers around the bar, safety guards, and chain to make sure they are all tight. Since chain saws vibrate, sometimes violently, screws and bolts can easily come loose.

2. Inspect the mechanism that protects the user from kickback. This is called the Chain Brake Mechanism. Not all chain saws have them, but many do. Make sure this feature works correctly before each use. It could save your life.

3. Inject the sprocket on the tip of the guide bar with grease. You will need a specific grease reservoir, plunger handle, and gauge needle designed for your chain saw. Each time you use your saw, you should lubricate. This will lengthen the chain's life.

4. Flip the guide bar to create an even pattern of wear. Take off the bar retaining nuts to remove the cover on the clutch and drive sprocket on the chain. Then, turn the adjustment screw on the front of the motor to release the tension on the chain. You can then take off the chain, bar protector plate, and guide bar. Flip the guide bar and reassemble.

5. Check the fuel filler cap and any areas near the engine for signs of a fuel leak. Never run a chain saw with leaky fuel. You must get the leak fixed by a licensed service center if you do find one.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you store your chain saw for a long period of time, make sure you drain the fuel tank. They can be extremely difficult to start if you let destabilized gas sit in the tank.
• Don't let gas sit in the engine and carburetor before storing. Turn the chain saw on until it stops on its own. This will help it start better the next season of use.