How To Use a Chainsaw Safely?

Chainsaw is an essential garden tool to have and it’s equally important to know how to operate it safely, as well as, preserve it in a safe manner for later use. Well, if you follow safe work techniques, the risk of accidents and injury is greatly reduced.

Let’s uncover safe chainsaw operating techniques:

• Never ever start the saw at the place of refuelling; it’s imperative to move at least three metres away.
• Make sure the area is safe and that no other persons or pets are there within a two-metre radius.

Drop starting is not an acceptable safe method of starting a chainsaw.

Method 1: Starting saw on the ground

This method is recommended for cold starting, and for heavy or hard to start saws.

1. Remove scabbard.

2. Depress decompression button.

3. Ensure ignition switch is on.

4. Apply chain brake.

5. Place saw on the ground, guide bar pointing to left.

6. Clear away any obstacles, particularly near the tip of the guide bar.

7. Kneel on left knee and place the right foot through the rear handle. The left hand is on the front handle with the left arm straight and locked. Keep back straight.

8. Pull the starter cord with the right hand.

 

Method 2: Using “leg lock” method This method is recommended for most situations and starting warm saws.

1. Remove scabbard.

2. Depress decompression button.

3. Ensure ignition switch is on.

4. For a warm start, have a chainsaw on idle.

5. Apply the chain brake.

6. Grip the front handle with the left hand, keeping the arm straight.

7. Place rear handle behind right leg with saw body supported on upper left leg.

8. Use right hand to pull the starter cord.

9. Maintain straight back, look straight ahead.

Voila! Now that you know how to safely operate a chainsaw, it’s imperative for you to know how to take the best care of your chainsaw so that you can preserve it in a safe manner for later use.

Related: Read Chainsaw Buying Guide Here

Smart Tips: How To Care For A Chainsaw? 

It’s imperative to know how to preserve your chainsaw for a safe use. These days, chainsaws come with more safety features than ever before, yet they are considered to be extremely risky equipment. Thus, it is very important to keep the chainsaw in top working condition so that it can thwart an unseen accident, and can be a lifesaver, as well as, extend the life of the equipment.

To take care of your chainsaw maintenance tips are listed below:

The sharpness of the chain is vital

The first thing is to retain the sharpness of the chain. A blunt chain can lead to unfortunate mishaps and exhaust you as well. The saw does the cutting when the chain is sharp. It will emit out lumps of wood up to a fourth inch across. If the chainsaw is discharging sawdust and you feel that only half the work is being carried on then it is time to replace to a sharp chain or you need to sharpen the chain that you are using.

Sharpen the chain yourself or pay for sharpening

Either you can sharpen the chain yourself if you know it or learn it or have it done from the professional, which would cost you around ten dollars. If you can pay for sharpening, it would be advisable that you have a couple of sharp chains ready with you all the time so that you can easily replace one that gets blunt as you may occasionally land up on uneven surfaces.

Keep the chain oiled, firm & clean

It is crucial to keep the chain oiled, firm and clean. When you are working with chainsaws, ensure that the sawdust and wood chips are not heaping up in the chain. You need to inspect prior to each use, that the chain fits comfortably adjacent to the bar, but it ought to be adequately free so that it could be easily moved using your gloved hand.

Regular Chainsaw Maintenance Guide:

• Prior to each use, inspect the chain oil and fill the tank as required.
• When you notice saw is losing power, you need to clean the air filter or you may need to change it as well.
• When the chainsaw is used regularly, you should inspect and clean the filter often and also make sure that the fuel filter is cleaned frequently.
• To maintain chainsaw in top working condition, you should regularly examine all the nuts, bolts and screws to ensure they are staying firm.
• Occasionally, the spark plugs and carburettor should be cleaned and tuned up. Inspect and change the hoses and starter rope as required.
• Adding petrol requires adequate care when maintaining your chainsaw. Mix oil and petrol as instructed in the owner’s guide. The oil can sink to the base of the petrol-can, so mix them well prior to adding to the chainsaw.
• Ensure the chain is not mobile when the chainsaw is in idle condition. For safety, you need to turn down the idle speed. If your chainsaw is not operating correctly and you can’t figure out the cause, you need to take a professional aid, as using a faulty chainsaw would prove to be a risky affair.
• When you want to keep the saw at rest for a certain time frame, you need to remember certain basic things. You need to empty all the fuel from the tank and from the lines and also empty the oil. Take out the chain and store it in a firmly covered container that is filled with oil. Prior to storing, completely clean the saw.

In this way, you can maintain your chainsaw well so that you can use it for several years. All it requires is applying common sense and paying attention to the facts.

Read full chainsaw maintenance guide here