Chainsaw Tips from the Pros

There are many reasons for homeowners to own a chainsaw. Preventing property damage from precarious trees and branches is probably the biggest reason homeowners need to have a chainsaw handy.

One of our primary concerns, especially for chainsaw beginners, is knowing chainsaw safety. But even those who regularly operate saws should brush up on chainsaw safety. Operating in autopilot mode is dangerous; potentially life-changing mistakes can happen when you’re not paying attention.

Use the Right Chainsaw for You and Your Job

Make sure the tool you’re using fits the job. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the chainsaw bar is 2 inches longer than the diameter of the tree you’re about to cut.

You need to make sure you’re working with a saw that has the power and size to get the job done. But, it’s important to remember that bigger is not always better when it comes to chainsaws. Choose a saw that you can confidently operate throughout the duration of the job. If a saw is too heavy, or feels unwieldy, you’re putting yourself and the people around you at risk.

Chainsaw Maintenance

Before you begin work, inspect your chainsaw.

Is the air filter clean? Engines need clean air to run efficiently.

Do you have enough bar oil in the tank? Without the right bar oil, you run the risk of ruining your chain and bar. Check out our quick video about chainsaw bar oil so you know which kind of bar oil to use for your chainsaw.

Is your chain tensioned properly? You don’t want the chain to be too tight, but if it’s too loose you run the risk of it jumping off the bar. Make sure your chain is properly tensioned before you start your machine to protect your chain, your bar and yourself. We go over how to tension a chainsaw in this video to give you the basics of chain tensioning.

Are you using the proper fuel? If you have a gas-powered chainsaw, it’s best to use Stihl MotoMix to protect the longevity of your engine. We say it all the time, ethanol fuel damages engines! If you’re a homeowner who uses your chainsaw a couple times a year, it’s likely that you leave fuel sitting in the tank for extended periods of time. If ethanol fuel is sitting in your tank, the water from the ethanol will separate from the gasoline and corrode the tank, carburetor and clog up engine parts.

Is your chainsaw chain sharp? A chain that’s hit the dirt is not going to cut effectively. Make sure your chain has been sharpened before you start your saw.

Properly maintaining your chainsaw is an extremely important part of chainsaw safety. Plus, when you maintain your machine you protect your investment, ensuring its longevity.

Chainsaw Safety Gear

As with all power tools: safety first. Make sure you’re wearing appropriate safety protection before you start your chainsaw. Chainsaw kickback happens to even the most experienced operator, which is why it’s important to wear your safety gear no matter the job or time of year.

Your double layered Carhartts are tough, but they’re not tough enough to stop a chain from slicing through your leg. When you purchase a chainsaw, you should also purchase a pair of chainsaw chaps. Chainsaw chaps are specifically designed by industry pros to stop the blade before it cuts through the chaps.

Our go-to chaps from Stihl® are made with light, breathable Avertic®, a cut-retardant material that’s designed to clog the sprocket on gas powered saws. Stihl makes 6 and 9-layered chaps that are machine washable. The 9- layered, Pro Mark™ apron chaps are one of the most popular chaps we sell.

Once you have your chaps, grab your safety glasses and a face shield helmet with built-in ear protection to protect yourself from branches and flying debris.

When you operate any power equipment you should always protect your face, ears and eyes. The Stihl Advance X-Vent Helmet is Class C certified and includes NRR 25 hearing protection. It fits securely, it’s breathable and lightweight; making it comfortable to wear for an extended period of time. Some of the newer ear protection even has built in bluetooth technology so you can connect your phone.

For homeowners who use their saws a few times a year we suggest picking up Stihl’s protective kit. It’s about $150.00 and it comes with chaps, gloves, eyewear, ear and face protection. It’s a great investment because you can use the gloves, eye, ear and face protection when operating other outdoor power equipment like a blower, hedger or trimmer.

Next up is foot protection. You’d be surprised by the number of people who wear old tennis shoes when they’re operating a chainsaw. Loggers have specially designed chainsaw boots to protect their ankles and feet.

We don’t blame you if you don’t want to spring for the cost of proper chainsaw boots when you’re just doing odd jobs around your property. However, you need to opt for something more protective than old tennis shoes when you’re operating a chainsaw. Invest in steel toed boots or indestructible shoes with good tread to give you sure footing.

On that note, before you start your saw, take a look around and get to know your surroundings. Make sure you know the dips and slopes of the terrain and remove any loose debris that you could trip on.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Your Chainsaw

At Carl’s Mower and Saw, we fix a lot of common mistakes that ruin chainsaws. So, we put together a series called, “How to Ruin Your Chainsaw” to help you avoid the common mistakes operators make that can cost you time and money.

We’re in business to help you get the most out of your outdoor power equipment. A huge part of what we do is educating our customers about the safety features that are built into chainsaws and other power equipment to help them properly operate and care for their machines for years to come.

You may think that’s counter intuitive revenue generation, but it’s quite the opposite. We’re invested in developing long-term relationships, not quick sales. That’s why we’re the #1 outdoor power equipment provider in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

The following list of videos reviews the most common mistakes that operators make so you can learn to avoid them.

Hitting the Dirt: Hitting the dirt with your chainsaw not only kicks up debris, but can damage the chain and guide bar, messing with the performance of your chainsaw.

Running with the Break On: This is a common mistake operators make that can total your machine. Not to mention, it’s extremely dangerous.

Flooding the Engine: Another common mistake we see is a flooded engine.

Master Control Lever: Are you sure you’re starting your chainsaw correctly? Set yourself (and your chainsaw) up for success by avoiding the Master Control Lever!

Running Straight Gas: Always use the right blend of gas and oil, better yet, save yourself the guesswork and use Stihl’s MotoMix. It will help your outdoor power equipment work more efficiently and last longer.

Save yourself time, money and energy by watching these videos before you operate your saw.

One Final Chainsaw Pro Tip

An important chainsaw pro tip is taking care of your saw after you’re finished using it, before you put it away. Getting into the practice of cleaning the air filter when you’re finished, checking the spark arrestor and spark plug and making sure your chain is clean and free of sap and debris.

And once more for good measure, if you used gasoline with ethanol, replace it with Stihl MotoMix or at the very least a fuel stabilizer to prevent engine damage while it sits waiting for your next job. Aftercare is not only important for gas-powered saws but also for electric chainsaws too.

Power Your Outdoors with Carl’s Mower & Saw, Whatcom & Skagit County’s leading source for outdoor power equipment sales, service, rentals, and parts. For more information give us a call 360-384-0799, or email us at info@carlsmower.com.