Chainsaws are essential for woodworking projects, such as felling trees, trimming branches, and crafting fences. As a responsible chainsaw owner, it’s important to keep your saw in good condition with regular maintenance, including proper oiling of the blade. Regular maintenance of your chainsaw will help to ensure that your machine runs safely and smoothly. It will also increase the lifespan of the machine.
For proper lubrication of your chainsaw, you must use two distinct types of oil. The first type is engine oil, mixed with fuel that helps keep the engine parts lubricated. The second type of oil is bar and chain oil which is used for lubricating the chain when cutting.
Ensuring that you select the proper oils for these tasks as well as correctly adding them to the chainsaw, are crucial in keeping your chainsaw running at optimal conditions.
Why a Chainsaw Needs Lubrication?—What Happens If I Don’t Oil It?
The bar and chain are the two main components of a chainsaw—be it electric or gas-powered. To maintain top performance, lubrication of these components is essential to ensure their longevity.
You may ask what happens if I don’t lubricate my chainsaw regularly.
To keep your chainsaw running smoothly, you must provide sufficient lubrication between its bar and chain. Without it, the two metal components will rub against each other at a high friction rate. This will result in an uncomfortable sawing experience, generating excessive heat that can potentially damage the machine.
By lubricating the parts, you can reduce friction and facilitate a seamless flow of the chain over the bar. This allows the chainsaw to run at its peak for extended periods.
Conversely, if these segments are not adequately oiled regularly, your chainsaw could run more slowly while consuming more fuel than necessary. Furthermore, failing to maintain it properly might even lead to irreparable damage due to overheating, rendering your machine obsolete.
Tools
- 2-part divided gas can
- Chainsaw
- Slot-head screwdriver
- Socket wrench set
Oil/Lubricants You Need
- 2-stroke motor oil for air-cooled engines
- Medium grade bar and chain oil
- Premium gasoline
Which Oil Is Ideal For Lubricating A Chainsaw?
Despite what you might have heard from various sources, not all oil types are suitable for lubricating your chainsaw. To ensure optimal performance and longevity of a chainsaw’s bar and chain, we strongly recommend using the best possible bar and chain oil specifically designed for this purpose.
A common misconception is that you can use old engine oil for chainsaw lubrication. But this can potentially cause irreparable damage to your saw. Used oil contains metal particles, debris, and other impurities, and also its unsuitable viscosity is a bad choice for lubricating the bar and chain. However, there are alternatives if you don’t have access to chainsaw oils.
Some manufacturers have mandated that chainsaws use non-petroleum-based oils such as canola and vegetable oils. But, this is meant to be a short-term solution. Nevertheless, chainsaw owners should always resort to traditional chainsaw lubricants and use this alternative sparingly.
Use Thinner Oil During Winters
The oil’s viscosity changes in colder temperatures. The thick consistency of your bar and chain oil can cause it to become sluggish and potentially damage your chainsaw. To prevent this, try using a thinner-grade bar and chain oil in winter while cutting.
As the weather gets warmer, you can revert to your standard bar and chain oil. Usually, a 30-weight will do, but any range between 20 and 50 is also acceptable.
Step-by-step Guide To Lubricating Your Chainsaw
1. Turn Off Your Chainsaw
Turn off your chainsaw and let it cool down. After everything is cooled down, open the side cover.
2. Remove The Chain Guard
Next, remove the chain guard by unscrewing it or removing it with a screwdriver.
3. Clean Inside The Chainsaw
Using a slot-head screwdriver, meticulously scrape away the accumulated sawdust and grime around the bar and chain. Turn over the plastic guard to clean out all of its crevices.
4. Put The Chain Guard Back And Tighten The Chain
and Slide the chain guard back onto the saw. Ensure the chain remains within its narrow slot along both sides of the bar. Then, you need to tension the chain. Tighten the chain until there’s no slack around the bar, but it can move freely back and forth if you pull it.
5. Mix Saw Gas
Use two-stroke oil designed explicitly for air-cooled chainsaws. Refer to your owner’s manual to determine the ideal ratio of motor oil to gasoline. Modern saws typically require either 50:1 or 40:1 gasoline and oil proportions, while older models usually demand 30:1.
To get the right amount of chain saw fuel, use the measuring guide on your oil container to calculate precisely how much oil you need. Now pour that amount of oil into the larger side of your partitioned gasoline canister. Always pour the oil first.
6. Prepare Chain Oil
Always use bar and chain oils designated for chainsaws. These lubricants come in various viscosities that are suitable for different temperatures. We recommend you pick the medium-grade option, which is ideal for year-round use, whether hot or cold. After opening the container, pour the oil into one side of your divided gas canister.
7. Add Bar and Chain Oil
Your chainsaw has a separate reservoir for bar and chain oil. Most chainsaws have a bar and chain oil reservoir as large as its fuel tank. So, you can be assured the bar and chain oil will last several sawing sessions.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Position your chainsaw on a level surface with the bar side pointing downwards so it is lying flat.
- Start by unscrewing the bar and chain oil cap using a socket wrench set.
- Pour an appropriate amount of oil into the reservoir using a small funnel. Do not overfill it.
- After waiting for the oil to settle, gently tighten the bar cap and chain oil reservoir cap.
- Wipe down any excess oil around its surrounding areas, and you’re good to go!
Final Words
There you have it — a clear guide to lubricating your chainsaw. Be sure to regularly check the oil levels and replace oils when necessary, as this will ensure that your saw runs smoothly for longer periods. It is also essential to adjust the tension on your chain before each use, depending on whether you’re running in colder or warmer temperatures. By following these tips, your chainsaw will run for years.