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Chainsaw Use In Winter

Moisture Meter Guide

The complete moisture meter website

Just because it is winter does not mean that you must pack away your chainsaw and store it until warmer times. Dress yourself with suitable warm clothing under your safety clothing and get out there!

In winter though the conditions are tougher on your chainsaw because cutting frozen wood definitely puts more strain on the chainsaw. And because of this the user will naturally apply more pressure on the chain and bar.

Another issue is that oil will thicken in colder temperatures. This means that it could prove to be difficult to ensure that the chain and bar are properly and continually lubricated sufficiently.

This all mounts up to an increased wear level on the bar rails and bottoms of the chain cutters. Any extra pressure will also take effect on the engine of the chainsaw and increase the strain and fatigue on the user.

When using a chainsaw in winter the maintenance levels have to intensified and winter work procedures followed.

Moisture Meter Guide 2010                                                                                               Contact details:garnett65@hotmail.com

Cold Weather Chainsaw Care

To Care Is To Share

When you use the chainsaw in cold conditions and in snow to cut frozen wood there will be rapid wear and even breakage of your chainsaw. There are certain precautions you can take to help reduce any excessive wear.

Oil.

Cold temperatures will result in oil thickening. This is not good for chainsaw chain and bar lubricating oil, which needs to be thin and continually flowing. So in winter you should use a lighter weight chain oil. If you do not have access to a lighter oil then dilute your existing chain and bar oil by about 25%. To dilute you need to use clean kerosene or diesel oil. You will need to use twice as much of this diluted oil than the normal oil and do be sure to see that it is free flowing and there are not any blockages to the chain.

Chain Tension.

It is imperative that under the extra stress that you keep the chain at the correct tension. You need to keep a constant eye on the chain and check and adjust often.

Cutters.

The chain must remain sharp at all times. After every hour of use check and sharpen accordingly.

Depth Gauges.

The height of the leading part of each cutter regulates the bite of the cutters. This is called the depth gauge. You need to check the depth gauge every time that you sharpen.

Chain Bar.

This needs to be kept clean as much as possible and that the oil holes are always open and unblocked. Remember to turn the chain bar over occasionally to ensure an even wear of the rails.

Drive Sprocket.

If you see wear on the drive sprocket you need to change it immediately. A good routine to stick with is to change the drive sprocket after every 2 chains