With spring right around the corner, it’s time to make sure your chainsaw is in top operating condition. Chainsaws are powerful and very handy tools but they require upkeep and maintenance to stay safe. With any luck, you took care of most of these tasks before you put your saw up for the winter, but there’s always a chance that you didn’t have the time. Or you picked up a used chainsaw from family or friends. What do you need to take care of to make sure your saw works strong all year?
Your first step is going to be giving the saw a visual inspection and good cleaning. Not only can dirt and sawdust buildup cause problems, but they can also hide rust that might have developed during storage. A can of compressed air and a damp rag can go a long way here.
Once you’ve got the saw cleaned off, it’s time to inspect for rust. Rust can set in quickly but it’s certainly not the end of the world. You can remove it quickly and easily with some sandpaper, a wire brush or steel wool. If the rust proves a little more resistant, a good soak in some vinegar or a professional rust remover should loosen it up enough to scrape it off. Many companies make a spray-on rust guard that you should use before putting your chainsaw up next year to prevent having to do this in the future.
Next, you’re going to want to sharpen the blades on your chain. This is especially important if you had to remove rust, but it’s an important step to take regardless. As is true with any other bladed tool- the sharper it is, the safer it is. And it also means the work will get done faster! You can either sharpen the blades yourself or take the saw in to be sharpened by a professional. This is also a great time to inspect your chain for undue wear and tear. The typical homeowner may never have to replace their chain, but hitting rocks and nails, or improper storage could mean it’s time to replace the chain.
Once you’ve handled the chain and bar, it’s time to inspect the rest of the body of the chainsaw and the engine itself. Remove the spark plug and make sure it has remained clean and functional. Move any moveable parts to make sure they perform as expected. Finally, fire up the engine and make sure the chain brake is working, then check that the chain is lubricating properly.
Once all this is done, you can be assured that your chainsaw is ready for another busy season of work.
Drop by your local Greenway Equipment today and talk with our sales team about finding the right STIHL chainsaw for you.
