Tomorrow, because proper maintenance is a key to optimum, injury-free use, we’ll cover how to keep your saw in tip-top condition. There are two methods to safely start a chain saw: on the ground and, yes, between your legs. “Pinching the bar” is a good segue into the directional pressures present in the limb, log, or standing tree that dictate how the saw operator will approach the cut.
Kickback happens when the chain’s rotational energy gets thrown back at you, and you lose control of the saw. LINEAR KICKBACK. If the chain gets pinched on either side by the wood being cut, the whole saw can get pushed back at you, full speed. PULL-IN KICKBACK. If your saw hits a branch on the other end of the wood, or even a nail, it can yank the saw forward and away from you.
Before you go firing that bad boy up and hacking away at everything in sight, there are a few rules you need to follow for how to use a chainsaw safely. If you don’t own a chainsaw yet, and you’re reading this guide just to get a good idea of how to operate one before you buy it, I invite you to check out my top battery chainsaw reviews. As a reminder, if you’re in the market for a new chainsaw, don’t forget to check out my top battery chainsaw reviews, top chainsaws list, and the best chainsaws for firewood.
For starters, knowing how to operate a chainsaw isn’t your everyday task, but it is a dangerous one. There are rules for operating a chainsaw safely and, today, we’re going to give you the rundown, including appropriate equipment, starting methods, and proper chain and gas maintenance. We spoke to STIHL representative Jeff Taylor to gather everything a beginner needs to know when learning how to use a chainsaw.
how to operate chainsaw Related Question:
What should you not do with a chainsaw?
Don’t Cut With Improper Blade Tension A overly loose or tight chain also wears out the drive sprocket and causes rapid chain and bar wear. To determine if your chain is properly tensioned, pull up on the chain. The drive links should still be in the bar groove. If the links come out of the bar, the chain is too loose.
Do you start a chainsaw with the brake on or off?
Check the Chain Brake When engaged, the chain brake stops the chain from rotating around the saw’s guide bar. When using a chainsaw, you should always start it with the chain brake engaged so the chain does not move.
When should I use choke on my chainsaw?
The choke position is the fourth setting on the master control lever. This setting is used to start the saw when its motor is cold. Stihl chainsaws denote the choke position using a nearly horizontal squiggle between two vertical lines at the lowest position on the master control lever.
How does chainsaw kickback happen?
There are two circumstances that can cause kickback when using a chain saw. The first occurs when the moving chain at the tip or the nose of the guide bar strikes an object. The second situation is when the wood closes in, pinching the saw chain in the middle of the cut.
Can you cut wet wood with a chainsaw?
Can you cut wet wood with a chainsaw? Yes, you can cut the wet wood with a chainsaw. Besides, there is a misconception that wet wood can impact the chainsaw bar and chain. But actually, the damp wood will not dull the chainsaw any faster than using it on other types of wood.
Can you cut dry wood with a chainsaw?
When it comes to actually cutting these wooden discs, your mind probably doesn’t immediately jump to a chainsaw as your tool of choice. But a chainsaw actually makes it easy to cut wood slices, especially if the raw material is a log, stump, or other large chunk of wood.
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.
How do most chainsaw accidents happen?
The most common hazards associated with chainsaws are injuries caused by kickback, pushback, and pull-in. Kickback is the most common and poses the greatest hazard. Kickback occurs when the rotating chain is stopped suddenly by contact with a more solid area throwing the saw rapidly backward toward the operator.
How safe is a chainsaw?
Chainsaws are potentially dangerous machines which can cause fatal or major injuries if not used correctly. It is essential that anyone who uses a chainsaw at work should have received adequate training and be competent in using a chainsaw for the type of work that they are required to do.
What is the choke on symbol?
The choke on symbol for most small engines looks like a horizontal ( — ) or diagonal ( / ) line. It also can simply say ‘Choke’, ‘Full Choke’, or ‘Start’. The off symbol for most small engine chokes is represented by a vertical line ( | ) or the word ‘Run’. Hopefully you have learned something here.
Are chainsaws easy to use?
If you need to do regular maintenance in your backyard, perhaps removing branches here and there or cutting down small trees, then a small gas-powered chainsaw with a 16-to-18-inch bar is an irreplaceable tool. Due to the small weight and size of the chainsaws in that class, they are really easy to use.
How do I stop my chainsaw from pinching?
To stop your chainsaw from getting stuck, make a cut on top of the log or tree that’s preferably one-third of the log’s diameter. Use your chainsaw to cut from the underside until you meet the initial top cut. Always stand on the side when cross-cutting to prevent injury.
Why is my chainsaw hard to pull and kicks back?
If your chainsaw is hard to pull, here are some common causes: The pully system is snagged or stuck. The starter assembly is stuck or sticky. The housing may be damaged.
What are metal bucking spikes on a chainsaw?
Bumper Spikes: This series of sharp metal spikes protruding from the saw near the base of the bar provide leverage for easier, more controlled sawing. Jab the spikes into the log, then pivot the bar downward to guide the chain through the cut.