The most common ways in which chainsaws start fires are with sparks from the chain, heat from the exhaust, and being left on flammable materials when still hot. Each of these risks needs to be carefully mitigated.
Saws with the mufflers on the side like the old Homelites, Macs etc. Were fire hazard prone saws while felling close to the ground. Catalytic converter could change that a bit, but on a front mounted muffler with the saw sitting right side up, just about impossible.
New Zealand has experienced a number of forest fires over recent years where chainsaws may be the ignition source. Chainsaws are inherently at risk of starting forest fires. A forest fire last year prompted me to enquire amongst colleagues, rural fire interests and forest owners and managers around New Zealand whether others have had similar experiences of fires in commercial forests where chainsaws are involved.
I have been around 2-strokes my entire life and if there is no spark arrestor or a failing one, yup, could start a fire. I know this is obvious but accidentally hit the ground when bucking and if there is a nice rock there, sparks. Old spikes in the trunk of that beautiful old tree, sparks.
how do chainsaws start fires Related Question:
Why do chainsaws spark?
The most common cause of sparks from a chainsaw is metal-on-metal grinding. Whether it’s cutting through wood that has a nail in it or a grinding of gears in the chainsaw housing, a metal-against-metal grinding is the most likely cause.
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.
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.
Why does my chainsaw burn the wood?
Your chainsaw burns wood because of poor lubrication Lubrication allows the mechanical parts to coordinate much better by avoiding a phenomenon of friction which risks causing traces of burns. This is one of the main reasons that your appliance gives off too much heat and that the wood burns.
Can you start a fire with a chain saw?
Lawn mowers, weedeaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe.
Can bamboo start a fire?
Bamboo is a fast growing grass species that can make a good privacy screen – as long as you live in outside of the Wildland Urban Interface. When exposed to flames or wind blown embers, bamboo ignites readily and will take your house with it.
Can you use bamboo for friction fire?
In this video, you’ll learn about friction fire lighting using wild bamboo sticks. So, if you’re ever stuck out in Thailand on a cold and damp night, cut down some bamboo and light your own campfire to stay warm!
How common are chainsaw accidents?
They can also quickly cause severe injury or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 36,000 people are injured by chainsaws annually. Medical costs for chainsaw injuries based on these facts amount to about 350 million dollars per year.
What is the most common chainsaw injury?
More than 36 percent were injuries to the legs and knees. Approximately 40 percent of all chainsaw accidents occur to the legs and well over 35 percent occur to the left hand and wrist.
Should you run a chainsaw at full throttle?
Engine Protection Generally, two-stroke chainsaw engines are built to conveniently run at full throttle without an engine breakdown. Therefore, running at any throttle speed below the full throttle is not advised.
Is it normal for a chainsaw bar to get hot?
It is normal for the blade of your chainsaw to produce some heat. But it should not overheat or smoke. If you notice any overheating or smoke coming out of the blade, you should stop its use at once.
Why is my chainsaw chain smoking?
This most commonly is a result of a dull chain and exerting to much pressure on the bar and chain trying to make the chain saw cut. This could also be either a lack of bar and chain oil ( tank empty, restricted oiler hole ) or an inferior type of oil that is being slung off the chain and not lubricating.
Is it worth sharpening a chainsaw?
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. It takes less effort to cut through wood and your chain will make cleaner cuts with sharp blades. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened multiple times without much of a cost.
How often should you change the bar on a chainsaw?
If you are looking for a general idea for how often you should replace a chainsaw bar, a rule of thumb is to replace the bar of your chainsaw once after you have gone through three chains on the same bar.
Why does chainsaw chain keep coming loose?
Chain Not Set Properly One of the most common reasons why your chain might be coming loose is because it was not set properly. When you go through the steps to tension your chain, you need to finish those steps by setting the tension so it won’t change as you work your saw.