Try the Holmen tree canola oil to cut it with and make semi-green bar oil. I’d put the gear oil in better containers and find someone that needs gear oil then buy some cheaper bar oil. After reading about the bar oils being the low quality oils with an additive to make it tacky I figured gear oil or motor oil might be a reasonable substitute.
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.
You can use regular 10w30 motor oil on your chainsaw in case you don’t have access to the usual chain and bar oil. Normally, you would need to use bar and chain oil to lubricate your chainsaw because this type of oil was specifically formulated to be used on chainsaws. 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.
chainsaw oil vs gear oil Related Question:
Is gear oil the same as chainsaw oil?
Most gear oil is at least three times more viscous than traditional motor oil and thicker than proper chainsaw lubricant. Gear oil will likely get your chainsaw running, but you will probably void your manufacturer’s warranty with extended use.
Can you use gear oil in a chainsaw?
Theoretically, you may still be able to use gear oil for your chainsaw. However, you need to understand that gear oil is actually thicker than most oils. Its thickness may not be ideal for a chainsaw because of how it won’t be able to properly lubricate the bar and chain.
Can you use any oil for chainsaw bar oil?
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. Hydraulic oil is similar to motor oil and you can use it as a chainsaw bar oil substitute when you have nothing else available.
Can I use 10w30 for chainsaw bar oil?
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.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of bar and chain oil?
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.
Do Electric chainsaws need bar oil?
Electric chain saws derive their power from an electric source, so they don’t need fuel to run. Most gas chain saws require a premixed gas-and-oil fuel to operate properly. Electric chain saws don’t require this added oil, but the bar and chain do need to be properly lubricated.
What is bar oil equivalent to?
Canola oil It is thinner than regular vegetable oil, meaning it will tend to fly off the chainsaw more quickly – but it has a more suitable viscosity at lower temperatures so makes a good substitute for chainsaw oil when it is too cold to use vegetable oil.
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.
Is it OK to use motor oil instead of bar oil?
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.
What viscosity is bar and chain oil?
What viscosity is chainsaw bar oil? The viscosity of chainsaw bar oil can vary depending on the formula but 30W is standard. In cold weather, a thin 10W chainsaw oil may be advantageous, while very hot temperatures may require a much thicker 40W or 50W formula.
Can I use 2 stroke oil for chainsaw?
Is 2 stroke oil the same as chainsaw oil? Yes, 2-stroke oil is the same as chainsaw oil. However, a chainsaw engine could also be designed for a 4-stroke oil.
Do all chainsaws need oil?
To run properly, all chainsaws need two types of oil for different jobs. The first is engine oil. The chainsaw shown here has a two-stroke engine, so it needs two-stroke engine oil mixed with the fuel to help cool and lubricate the moving parts inside the motor.
When should I oil my electric chainsaw?
Electric chainsaws don’t require added oil, but there is a way you will use oil with your electric chainsaw. Electric saws are cleaner since they don’t run on gasoline. That means it will keep you cleaner — and the air you breathe will be cleaner as well.
What is special about chainsaw oil?
Bar and chain oil is stickier than regular motor oil, so it stays on the chain longer. Motor oil flings off the chain more quickly, so if you try Terry’s tip, be prepared to refill the oil on your chain saw more quickly than with regular bar and chain oil.
Can I use WD40 as chainsaw oil?
No. You should never use WD40 as chain lubricant since WD-40 is NOT a true lubricant. WD40 is primarily a solvent or rust dissolver.