Proper Chainsaw Maintenance

Proper Chainsaw Maintenance

When you have a tool that is as powerful and destructive as a chainsaw can be, it’s important to keep it well-maintained and to follow the old rule of, “if you respect your tools they’ll respect you back”:

Sharpen the chain
Dull chainsaws are not only ineffective but dangerous. Make sure that the blades on the chain are sharpened before you proceed with using it.

Check the fluid levels
After reading the manual for the proper mixtures and amounts, fill your chainsaw with the proper amount of fuel and oil. Unleaded gas is intended for larger engines so don’t put it in the chainsaw.

Check the plugs
After you have replaced the fluids, check the spark plugs. If they are saturated with fuel, put a new, clean plug in. If there’s nothing wrong with the one you took out, besides being contaminated with fuel, clean it off and use it next time.

Check the air filter
If your chainsaw is frequently used, you should check it every couple of weeks to see if any dirt or grime has gotten into the air filter. If it’s getting dirty, putting it in water and mild dish soap should do the trick in cleaning it off. After you rinse and let it dry completely, put it back in the chainsaw.