Heat from summer thins oil, and cold from winter makes it thick. To prevent this, chainsaw manufacturers make bar oils matched to the air temperature and the saw in which it is operated. Although they don’t disclose the weight of their oil, the University of Missouri Extension recommends in lieu of using a bar oil, select SAE 30 weight oil in summer and SAE 10 in winter.
Knowing the available chainsaw oil options, learning how to choose the right one and determining the right fuel/oil ratio can help ensure your chainsaw runs smoothly every time. Common Issues if Chainsaw Oil Is Bad. Chainsaw engine oil can go bad. Two-cycle oil is good for up to five years when sealed, and many manufacturers list the oil’s shelf life on the container. “One thing we do for our customers who buy a chainsaw that requires an oil/gas mix is we have them buy a gas can and we write the formula right on the can with a big black Sharpie. Then, the next time they need to make the mixture, they can dump in the right amount of oil and take the can to the gas station and pump in the right amount of gas.”
The reason a special type of chainsaw bar oil exists is that chainsaw chains and bars need a lubricant with certain qualities to keep those parts running smoothly. Motor oil will work to keep your chainsaw from burning up if you don’t have any standard bar oil on hand. Hydraulic oil is similar to motor oil and you can use it as a chainsaw bar oil substitute when you have nothing else available.
Most high quality or professional chain saws have sophisticated chain oilers that are more efficient and have the capability of controlling the amount of oil being used. FERIC STUDY The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada tested and reported on field trials of a vegetable-based oil for lubricating chain saws. Rottne harvester operators noticed a significant reduction in the oil mist that collects on the machines windows due both to the cleanliness of the Binol compared to petroleum-based oil and to the reduced consumption of oil.
Unless you have a stockpile of gear oil available if your chainsaw oil runs out, it’s not a sound economic decision to buy gear oil as a backup. We recommend turning to canola oil as the best chainsaw bar oil substitute on our list. Chainsaw bar oil substitutes that derive from vegetables like canola oil are the best for your chainsaw.
which oil for chainsaw Related Question:
What oil Can you use in a chainsaw?
Rapeseed-based (usually called canola) oil is currently the most common environmentally compatible chain-and-bar lubricant. Vegetable-based oils are triglycerides or natural esters that come from agricultural crops.
Can you use regular motor oil in a chainsaw?
If your manufacturer’s bar and chain oil is unavailable, you can use SAE 30 weight motor oil to lube your chain during the summer and SAE 10 weight during the winter, according to the University of Missouri Extension.
Can I use 10w30 for chainsaw bar oil?
As a matter of fact, you can actually use regular 10w30 motor oil on a chainsaw as one of the alternatives in case you don’t have bar and chain oil. That’s because 10w30 oil has enough thickness and viscosity that will allow it to withstand the friction that is happening whenever you are using a chainsaw.
Can I use 2 stroke oil as bar oil?
Can You Use 2 Cycle Oil As Bar Oil? You should only use two-cycle oil as the mix, never as a chainsaw bar oil alternative. Using two-cycle oil on the bar will not provide enough tackiness to stick to the chainsaw chain in the summer months. Two-cycle oil also will not work in the winter.
Can you use old motor oil for chainsaw bar?
Some people caution against using motor oil on a chain saw, but not for safety reasons or concerns about equipment. Bar and chain oil is stickier than regular motor oil, so it stays on the chain longer.
Can I use any oil for chainsaw bar?
But motor oil will work to keep your chainsaw from burning up if you don’t have any standard bar oil on hand. If you have the choice, use SAE30 motor oil when it’s hot outside and SAE10 motor oil when it’s cold because the variations in oil viscosity are better for certain temperatures.
What is special about chainsaw oil?
Chainsaw bar oil is lubricant that is designed to reduce friction between the chain and bar. An oil reservoir releases the oil onto the bar.
Can you use vegetable oil chainsaw?
Effective – Vegetable oils have natural properties including good lubricity, resistance to shear, a high flash point, and a high viscosity index. These qualities lend themselves to chain lubricant requirements similar to petroleum-based chain oils, and do not contribute to chain or bar wear over time.
Can you use 10w40 in a chainsaw?
You can but it’s not very good for the chain or the environment. The Husqvarna / Stihl stuff is much thicker and vegetable based so it doesn’t fling off the chain as easily or poison your garden! 10w30. Thicker.
Do I use 2 stroke oil for chainsaw?
Modern two stroke chainsaws do not require generic brand oils to operate at temperatures and rpms that are comparable to those of generic brand oils. Our recommendation is to use only high quality two stroke oil designed for air cooled high performance engines when using your modern two-cycle engine.
Can you use transmission fluid for chainsaw bar oil?
On occasion I’ve used tranny fluid to clean out old oil residue in old chainsaws . It works well . In addition to that tranny fluid seems to pump better on some saws with whimpy oilers in cold weather .
What happens if you run a chainsaw without bar oil?
Without lubricant, the speed at which the chain moves over the chainsaw bar can cause some serious friction. A slowed-down chain and excessive fuel burning mean there’s a lot of friction between your bar and chain, which means a lot of heat is being produced that could do major damage to your saw.
What does 10W30 mean?
The 10W30 designation on engine oil means that the viscosity of the oil is rated at 10W when an engine is cold and 30 when the engine is hot. This is different than an oil labelled 5W30, which has a thinner viscosity when the engine is cold at 5W.