Dinamitek presents the definitive guide to chainsaw maintenance.

Everything you need to know about petrol-engine chainsaws with Dinamitek

The chainsaw is the ideal tool for forestry tasks such as felling, pruning, and cutting. However, it's important to take certain precautions, understand the working techniques , and master the secrets of machine maintenance to make this work enjoyable and safe.

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We won't dwell on PPE for long, not because it's unimportant, but because, having listed the essentials, we recommend consulting your trusted supplier to determine the right product for you.

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Remember that you need to wear accessories and clothing that can adequately protect you, but that do not hinder your freedom of movement.

To use the chainsaw you must have:

• Approved protective helmet
• Protective ear muffs
• Protective glasses or visor
• Gloves with cut protection
• Trousers with cut protection
• Boots with cut protection, steel cap and non-slip sole.

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When using a chainsaw, it is a good idea to always have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and a shovel handy.

One of the first questions asked in forums about chainsaws and their use is:
“Can I start the chainsaw even if the engine is hot?”

The answer is yes, of course you can, but the steps involved are different . The instruction manual certainly specifies how to perform a cold start and how the hot start differs. Not knowing this difference is what leads to the belief that it's impossible to start the chainsaw when the engine is warm.

A precaution not to be overlooked is checking the condition of the chain : never work if the chain is not at the correct tension and if it is not well lubricated.

“A chain that is too loose easily jumps, and is dangerous as it can cause serious or fatal injuries.”
“Insufficient lubrication of the cutting equipment causes the chain to break with serious risk of personal injury or death.”

These are the indications of an important manufacturer, our trusted supplier, McCULLOCH.

Let's now turn to the working technique.

First of all, to avoid damage and accidents, you must avoid creating kickback , which results from contact between the risk area of the blade and any object. The tip of the blade is not used for sawing. Be especially careful when cutting small, light objects, which tend to get caught in the chain. The correct procedure is to cut one piece at a time after firmly holding the chainsaw with TWO HANDS . Don't be tempted to plunge the blade into an entire pile of wood: it's dangerous. If you happen to get the chainsaw stuck while cutting, the first thing to do is turn off the engine immediately. The only way to free the chainsaw without risking injury is to use a lever. The work area must always be kept clear and access must be prevented for other people and animals. The cutting height must never exceed shoulder height, and the operator must assume a very stable position before proceeding. Therefore, be careful when using ladders, scaffolding, and the like. The chainsaw must always operate at maximum speed while cutting , then slow down the engine (you risk damage if you keep it constantly at maximum speed, as well as if the chain spins idly) before starting cutting a new piece at the highest speed.

Cutting can be done with a push chain or a pull chain.

1. Push chain : You work with the upper part of the blade , cutting the lower section of the object. In this case, the chain applies force to the chainsaw, pushing it backward, thus against the operator. If the chain gets caught, you risk having the chainsaw thrown against you. Furthermore, the risk area of the blade is more likely to strike the workpiece, causing kickback.

2. Pull chain : The lower part of the chain is used to cut the upper part of the object, moving downward. This movement pulls the chainsaw toward the trunk, so the front edge of the chainsaw body serves as a support for the operator, who works with maximum control of the machine.

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We continue this treatise on chainsaws and forestry by providing the main maintenance instructions for chainsaws, to answer the questions we are frequently asked on the subject.

Please remember that the operator is only authorized to perform routine maintenance as indicated in the chainsaw's instruction manual and for all other interventions it is necessary to contact a service center.

Carburetor adjustment

The carburetor regulates the engine speed with the throttle. The carburetor is where the air/fuel mixture occurs. Adjusting this mixture allows you to make the most of the engine's power. Let's see how to proceed. Use the T-screw to adjust the throttle to idle; turning it clockwise raises the idle speed, while turning it counterclockwise lowers it. Adjust the T-screw until the chain starts to turn , then turn it counterclockwise until the chain stops. The idle speed is adjusted when the engine runs smoothly in every position and has a good margin before the chain starts to turn.

It's important to check the machine's safety devices are working properly. The chain brake, which protects against kickback, is checked by checking the wear of the band. Furthermore, the brake and clutch drum must always be kept clean. The braking band must always be at least 0.6 mm thick, obviously measuring the point of greatest wear. The kickback guard must always be intact before using the chainsaw, otherwise it will need to be replaced. Never use the machine without the kickback guard or with a damaged guard. Also check that the guard moves freely but is securely anchored to the clutch cover.

One check to perform is the automatic inertia brake . Proceed as follows: place the chainsaw on a stable support, then release the front handle, using gravity to make the chainsaw fall in a rotating motion on the rear handle toward the stump (it's really easier to do than to write). The goal is to hit the tip of the blade against the stump and see if the chain brake engages.

Another check for the operator is the braking system . Proceed as follows: start the engine and place the chainsaw on a stable surface, making sure that the chain does not come into contact with the ground or other foreign objects. After holding the machine firmly with both hands, accelerate to maximum speed and activate the chain brake. The chain brake is activated by turning your left wrist toward the anti-kickback guard; this is done without releasing the front handle. If the chainsaw is working properly, the chain stops immediately .

Always remember that chainsaw maintenance should only be performed by professionals at specialized centers. For simple tasks you perform yourself, remember to always proceed with the engine off and the spark plug wire disconnected.

Here are the main maintenance points of the chainsaw

Gas stop

With the throttle latch in the rest position, the throttle should be locked at idle . If you press the throttle latch, it should return to its original position as soon as it's released. The key to checking is the movement of the throttle latch and the throttle, paying attention to the movement of the return springs. When you start the engine and accelerate to full throttle, you should check that the chain stops as soon as you release the throttle and, above all, that it remains still. If the chain moves when it shouldn't, it means you need to check the carburetor's idle speed adjustment.

Chain stopper

First of all, the chain catcher must be intact in all its parts. Check that it is properly assembled into the body of the chainsaw.

Right hand protection

The protection must be complete and must not have any defects; observe the material carefully to verify this.

Vibration damping system

Check the shape of the dampers : there should be no distortion or damage. If intact, check that they are well anchored between the motor assembly and the handle assembly.

Stop switch

The engine should stop as soon as the switch is moved to the stop position .
Start the engine and check that the engine stops by moving the switch to the stop position.

Muffler

A chainsaw should only be used if the muffler is in good condition . Always make sure the muffler is properly secured to the chainsaw. Check the spark arrestor mesh; if it's in poor condition, you'll need to replace it. If it's clogged, the machine will overheat during use. This causes damage to the cylinder and piston. Even if it still appears to be in good condition, after 75 hours of actual use, you'll need to take the chainsaw to a service center to have the muffler replaced.

Air filter

A clean air filter prevents carburetion problems , makes starting easier, reduces the power developed by the chainsaw and avoids unnecessary wear on the mechanical components of the chainsaw, significantly reducing fuel consumption.
The filter can be washed with soapy water, but it will never be completely clean. It's up to the user's common sense to decide when to replace it. If damaged, it should no longer be used.

Candle

A chainsaw with a properly calibrated carburetor, the correct fuel mixture, and an unclogged air filter will have a healthy spark plug. This means easy starting and a smooth idle. Therefore , if the machine is difficult to start, has poor power, or has an irregular idle, the spark plug should be checked immediately. It should be free of fouling and have a gap of at least 0.5 mm between the electrodes. The spark plug should be replaced approximately every month of operation. It is recommended to use original spark plugs, or ones equipped with a radio interference suppression device.

Centrifugal air purification "CCS"

It purifies the air before it enters the carburetor , allowing the fan to separate the air from the dirt. To keep the system efficient, the starter air intake, flywheel fins, the space around the flywheel, the intake duct, and the carburetor housing should be cleaned regularly.

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Now that you have your chainsaw perfectly inspected and set up, all that's left to do is focus on your garden.

Excellent felling, pruning and cutting with Dinamitek