Whether you use your chainsaw regularly or it’s sat in the
shed for most of the year, here’s some common problems you may encounter and a
few tips on extending product life.
Make sure your chain is clean and free from gunk and whether
you have an auto-lubricating chainsaw or a manual one, making sure the chainsaw
chain is lubricated is a must in keeping your chainsaw cutting well.
We recommend
Stihl
Special Cleaner Varioclean Spray £13.40 perfect for removing build ups of
resin, oil and organic gunk
Stihl
Hedgetrimmer Chainsaw Resin £20.86 spray on after every use to dissolve tree
resin
When cleaning your chain look out for any damage or wear marks
and replace whatever’s needed.
View our range of chains and bars here
Signs you need to sharpen the blade
Common symptoms of a dull chainsaw blade are:
- The saw chain does not bite into the wood and will only cut when pressure is applied
- The chainsaw won’t cut in a straight line and pulls to the left or right
- Smoking even though the chain is lubricated and the tension is set correctly
- The saw bounces back toward you or rattles whilst cutting
We recommend
Portek
ChainSharp 12v Chainsaw Sharpening Kit £29.99
Portek
Ultra 3 Professional Chainsaw Sharpener £159
The recommendation from Stihl is that you turn the bar of the chainsaw over with every sharpen, this will extend the life of the bar by allowing it to wear evenly. If you are unsure if your bar needs replacing take it to a local expert to be sure.
If your chainsaw hasn’t been in use for a few months there is a chance it won’t fire up and run as well as it did when you stored it away.
Common starting problems include:
Fuel problems – does it have old fuel in the tank and carburettor? If you have stored the chainsaw with petrol in it without using a fuel additive this can cause problems. The ethanol in fuel mixes with moisture and becomes sticky and corrosive. If your machine is hunting or surging this would be the first thing to check.
We recommend B3C Mechanic In A Bottle £13.79 which cleanses and revitalises your fuel system (note: this isn’t a replacement for an actual mechanic! and it doesn’t fix broken machines)
Spark plug – check for a spark and any corrosion. Give the spark plug a clean with a wire brush or replace it. Stihl recommends replacing the spark plug after every 100 service hours.
Flooding the engine – if you’ve been a bit over excited with the primer and you can smell petrol there’s a chance you have flooded the engine. Consult your chainsaws user guide for the correct procedure for your machine.
How to store your chainsaw when it’s not in use
Lets talk about safety first, always store the chainsaw out of reach from children and pets for obvious reasons.
The chainsaw needs to be stored away from the elements. Sunlight can cause discoloration but most importantly it can cause UV embrittlement which can result in lack of impact strength. Dust is a common hazard to chainsaw health, if you can’t store the chainsaw in a dust-free environment, storing the saw in a carry bag can keep it protected as well as making it easier and safer to transport.
We recommend
Mitox Universal Chainsaw Bag £29.80
Stihl Carrying Bag £37.60
Mitox Chainsaw ARMA Case £43.80
Petrol engines should be drained of fuel unless you are
using a fuel additive to prolong the petrol’s shelf life. Run the engine to
make sure the carburettor is empty.
We recommend
Briggs
& Stratton Fuel Fit £5.84
B3C
Ethanol Shield Fuel Stabiliser £13.79
Always refer to your user guide for troubleshooting before starting any maintenance on your chainsaw.