How to Preserve a Chainsaw For the Winter

Significant seasonal changes in temperature and humidity determine one of the main tasks for owners of any diesel or carburetor household equipment, including chainsaws. It consists in providing normal conditions for storing tools and equipment equipped with internal combustion engines, or for their intended use in the cold season. The procedure for setting and withdrawing from conservation is regulated by the manufacturer and is almost always described in detail in the operating instructions. However, it is better to know in advance about some features of storage and operation of a chainsaw in winter. This will ensure high work efficiency and help extend the life of the tool.

What is useful to know for each owner of a chainsaw

Modern chainsaws are equipped with a single-cylinder two-stroke carburetor type engine.

Professional 2-Stroke Chainsaw

4-stroke and diesel units are not used in the design of chainsaws due to the large weight. It would be very difficult to physically handle such a tool manually.

The principle of operation of a single-cylinder 2-stroke engine of a chainsaw:

• During the compression stroke, the fuel mixture prepared in the carburetor enters the crankcase;
• In the lowest position, the cylinder exhaust ports open. Exhaust gases and part of the air-fuel mixture exit through them;
• The mixture from the crankcase under the influence of the pressure of the piston is fed into the cylinder in which it burns;
• The resulting overpressure moves the piston to its original position, which drives the main shaft of the engine.

2-stroke engines are not very economical. Therefore, in order to reduce fuel consumption and increase engine efficiency, many manufacturers use additional ventilation: the inlet valve opens to supply fuel to the cylinder after the exhaust gas is released.

Chainsaw 2-stroke engine diagram

The difficulty of operating a chainsaw in winter lies in the reaction to low temperatures of the materials from which its components and components are made, and working fluids. Fuel mixture and lubricant, as well as the formation of condensate on the components and mechanisms of the tool at temperature extremes. If your model is not designed for use in severe frosts, i.E. It does not have constructive insulation and an air heating system; it can only be used indoors. And then only with the correct maintenance and preparation of the engine and the proper condition of the material. It should have a temperature and humidity normal for cutting.

Chainsaw Operation in the Cold Season: Highlights

In the household, there is always a task for a chainsaw, so sending it on a “winter vacation” is not always rational. In such cases, the preservation of the tool is not carried out in full, i.E. Without complete disassembly.

Chainsaw tire and chain headset removed

The cold makes it difficult to start gasoline engines: the fuel does not evaporate well, so if you open the air damper immediately after the first strokes, the chainsaw will either not start at all or will die out immediately. As a result, it will have to be warmed up and started at a suction, as a result of which there is a risk of filling the candle with gasoline. All this takes too much time and leads to clogging and shortening the life of individual components of the tool.

If you plan to work with a chainsaw in the winter season, store it, and, in particular, the fuel mixture, should be in a well-ventilated, dry and warm, in extreme cases, unheated room, protected from external atmospheric influences.

Before starting work, make sure that the fuel has a temperature sufficient to ignite, and that the oil in the tool lubrication system has normal viscosity. Some chainsaw models are equipped with a system for supplying hot air to the carburetor from the cooling ribs of the cylinder, which reduces the risk of freezing of the air filter and prevents the formation of condensation on the carburetor itself.

Checking the lubrication system before starting work

You need to start the saw in the cold with the throttle closed, having previously checked the quality of the lubricant and the chain tension. After completion of work, it is impossible to bring the tool into the room immediately. This is guaranteed to lead to condensation, which is why you have to remove, disassemble and clean it.

Freeing a Stalled Machine with a Chainsaw

So that the oil does not thicken in the cold, it needs to be slightly diluted with gasoline. This ensures uniform lubrication and stability of chain tension.

Preservation

Most owners of chainsaws prefer not to work with gasoline powered tools in the winter, but put it on conservation, without waiting for severe colds.

To prepare the chainsaw for winter storage, you must:

1. Drain oil and fuel.
2. Using a wire probe or a home-made hook, remove the filter tips from the fuel and oil tanks, which should be washed, and if necessary replaced and replaced.
3. Start the saw and let it idle for a while to completely remove liquids from the carburetor channels and the lubrication system.
4. Remove the saw chain and the bar and properly clean them of residual wood, dust and dirt.

Saw bar removal

Dismantling the spark plug

Before packing, the saw bar and chain should be coated with protective grease and stored in a cloth or paper soaked in oil. The tool and its main components must be protected from direct sunlight, which can cause fragility of some parts.

When preserving a chainsaw, it is recommended that crankshaft crankshaft is renewed at least 1 time per month to update the lubricant KShM and CPG.

Re-preservation of chainsaws: highlights

With the onset of spring, much more work appears in the household than in the winter season. This means that the time has come for the chainsaw. It needs to be mothballed and prepared for the start of work. The procedure in this case will be as follows:

1. External inspection of the instrument for minor malfunctions and their elimination.
2. Checking the condition of the spark plug, if necessary. Replacement.
3. Checking fuel and air filters.
4. Updating the sharpening of the saw chain.
5. Installation of the saw bar and chain headset followed by a stretch.
6. Filling the oil tank and lubricating points and friction surfaces.
7. Cooking fresh fuel mixture and pouring it into the tank.
8. Check chain brake.
9. Check starter mechanism.
10. Starting and monitoring the operation of the chainsaw at idle.

Idle chainsaw launch

During long-term storage, the fuel mixture loses its quality, therefore, it should not be used. This can lead to various troubles, starting with loss of engine power and ending with contamination of the carburetor channels and fuel supply system.

Sharpening the chain in the photo

As in the case of the commissioning of new chainsaws, it is important to correctly adjust the saw set of the tool removed from conservation. The chain should not bite material and move jerkily. If it is tightened, the cranks will be difficult to perform, if it is weakened, significant vibrations and beating will occur during cutting. You can determine the degree of tension by taking the chain by the tooth in the region of the end of the tire and pulling it. With proper adjustment, about a third of the shank will remain in the groove of the saw bar, and the chain itself will move freely.

Check chain tension

Some chainsaw models are equipped with an automatic chain tension adjustment system. However, in this case, the quality of installation of the chain headset should always be checked, as they say, visually and manually.

Only the right attitude towards the tool can ensure its normal operation and long service life. Do not forget to put your chainsaw for winter conservation and perform all the necessary steps to put it into operation with the onset of spring. And it will serve you as long as possible without causing any hassle.