Chainsaw Maintenance and Inspection

Worker cutting wood with a STIHL® chainsaw

Chainsaw Maintenance and Inspection for a Safe, Reliable Machine

Chainsaws are pretty amazing devices. Imagine living in the days when you had to use a handsaw or an ax every time you needed to cut some wood. No thanks, right?

But with great power comes great responsibility. The incredible power of chainsaws means that they are potentially very dangerous. One way to make sure they are operating safely is to inspect and maintain them regularly. The more intimately you are acquainted with your machine and how it works, the less likely it is that it will malfunction and hurt you.

Please check out these inspection and maintenance tips that we’ve put together. If your chainsaw needs service, we’ve got an ace repair department here at Ryan Equipment Center in Hartselle, Alabama, near Decatur.

Every Day or Every Time You Use Your Chainsaw

  • Check the throttle trigger for smooth operation. If it sticks or if the engine doesn’t return to idle after you release the trigger, bring it in to our service center.
  •  Inspect your saw for loose parts before each use. Tighten anything that needs it. These machines vibrate like crazy when they’re cutting, so they can easily shake some hardware loose. 
  • Check the air filter. A dirty filter should be cleaned, dried, and reinserted. A damaged or extremely dirty filter should be replaced. 
  • Check all safety features such as the chain brake and the throttle trigger lockout for correct operation. Test the emergency stop switch and make sure the engine shuts off immediately.
  •  Turn the bar every time you use your chainsaw, and the bar will wear much more evenly. Prevent excessive wear by cleaning out the bar groove.
  •  Check the drive sprocket for wear, and replace it when necessary.
  •  Check the lubrication hole to make sure it's not clogged. Poor lubrication will damage the bar and the chain, and interfere with safe operation.
  •  Check the starter and the starter cord for damage or excessive wear and get it serviced if needed.
  •  Clean the air intake slots on the starter housing. 
  • Inspect the chain. Sharpen it if needed and replace it if it’s damaged. Check and adjust the chain tension.

Weekly Maintenance

  • Check the anti-vibration elements to make sure they're not deteriorating. 
  • Remove the chain and inspect the bar for burrs. File away any burrs.
  • Check the starter, clean the flywheel fins, and check the recoil spring for proper function. 
  • Wipe off the cooling fins on the cylinder. These ensure proper heat distribution and cooling.
  •  Clean the carburetor and air box. Check the screen in the muffler and clean or replace it as necessary. 
  • Lubricate the clutch drum bearings. 
  • Remove, inspect, and clean your spark plug. It should have a gap of 0.5 mm.

Monthly Maintenance

  • Check the fuel filter and clean it or replace it as appropriate.
  •  Wipe off the outside of your carburetor.
  •  Make sure all wiring, plugs, and cables are connected properly. 
  • Remove the plastic cover to the bar and chain and check the chain brake band (the thin metal band that wraps around the clutch drum). Inspect it for cracks or weak spots, especially where it attaches to the mechanisms near the front of the saw.
  •  Inspect the clutch while the cover is off -- check for wear on the clutch drum, the center of the clutch, and the spring. 
  • Clean the inside of the fuel tank and oil tank. 

If there’s one tool you want to work right every single time, it’s your chainsaw. Please take good care of it so it is your safe and reliable partner for chores around the house, ranch, or farm. If you have any questions or need a professional to tend to it, please reach out to us at Ryan Equipment Center in Hartselle, Alabama, near Decatur.