Fall Chainsaw Maintenance: Get Your Saw Ready Before Cutting Season
Fall is one of the busiest times of year for chainsaws.
Whether you’re cutting firewood, cleaning up storm-damaged branches, clearing fallen trees or preparing a property for winter, a chainsaw that is properly maintained will work more efficiently and be easier to use.
A lot of basic chainsaw maintenance can be done at home. Just as importantly, there are times when having an experienced technician look at the saw is the better choice.
The goal is not simply to get the saw started. It is to make sure the entire cutting system is working properly before you rely on it.
Start With a Good Visual Inspection
Before starting the saw, look it over carefully.
Check for obvious damage, loose components or anything that doesn’t look right. Pay particular attention to:
- The saw chain
- Guide bar
- Chain brake
- Chain catcher
- Throttle and throttle lockout
- Fuel and oil caps
- Starter cord
- Handles and anti-vibration components
If you find cracked, bent, badly worn or damaged components, that is a good point to stop and have the saw inspected before using it.
Step 1: Make Sure the Chain Is Sharp
The condition of the chain has a huge effect on how a chainsaw performs.
A properly sharpened chain should cut efficiently without requiring you to force the saw through the wood.
Signs that a chain may be getting dull include:
- You need to apply more pressure to make the saw cut
- The saw produces fine sawdust rather than larger chips
- Cutting speed has noticeably decreased
- The saw tends to wander or cut to one side
- The chain becomes unusually hot
- You see smoke even though the chain is properly lubricated
A chain can be sharpened using the correct round file and a filing guide matched to the chain. The correct file size depends on the chain pitch, so it is important to use the right sharpening tools for your particular chain.
Don’t Forget the Depth Gauges
Sharpening the cutters is only part of maintaining a chain.
The small projections in front of each cutter are the depth gauges, sometimes called rakers. They control how deeply the cutter bites into the wood.
If the depth gauges are too high, the saw won’t cut aggressively enough. If they are filed too low, the chain can become overly aggressive.
This is one area where the right gauge and a little experience make a big difference.
If you’re not comfortable sharpening the chain or adjusting the depth gauges, there is nothing wrong with having it done professionally.
Step 2: Check the Chain Tension
Even a perfectly sharpened chain will not perform properly if the tension is wrong.
The chain should sit snugly along the underside of the guide bar while still being able to move freely around the bar.
Always shut the saw off before adjusting the chain. On battery saws, remove the battery; on electric saws, disconnect the power.
Wear gloves when handling the chain — even a chain that isn’t running has very sharp cutters.
Check It Again After You Start Cutting
A new or recently installed chain can stretch during its first period of use.
Check the tension periodically while working, especially after installing a new chain.
Avoid tightening a chain while it is extremely hot. A hot chain expands and will contract as it cools, potentially becoming too tight.
Step 3: Inspect and Clean the Guide Bar
The guide bar works just as hard as the chain.
Remove the bar and chain periodically and clean out:
- The bar groove
- Oil inlet holes
- Oil outlet channels
- The sprocket area
- Built-up sawdust and resin
Look for Uneven Bar Wear
The rails on the bar can wear unevenly over time.
This can contribute to poor cutting performance and may eventually cause the chain to sit incorrectly.
Turning the guide bar over periodically can help promote more even wear.
If the bar is badly worn, damaged or has excessive groove wear, replacement may be the better option.
Step 4: Make Sure the Chain Is Getting Oil
Bar and chain lubrication is essential.
The chain travels around the bar at very high speed, creating considerable friction. Without sufficient lubrication, the chain and bar can overheat and wear rapidly.
Check the chain-oil level before cutting and watch to make sure the saw is actually using oil during operation.
If the oil tank stays full after extended use, the lubrication system may need attention.
Possible causes can include:
- Blocked oil passages
- Debris in the bar groove
- A problem with the oiling system
- Incorrectly installed components
Cleaning the oil passages and bar is a good first step. If oil still isn’t reaching the chain, it is worth having the saw inspected.
Step 5: Clean the Air Filter
Gas-powered chainsaws need clean air to run properly.
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, contribute to poor performance and make the saw harder to start.
Remove the filter and clean it according to the instructions for your specific model.
If the filter is damaged or will no longer come clean, replace it rather than continuing to operate the saw with restricted airflow.
Step 6: Check the Spark Plug
The spark plug is another simple item that can tell you a lot about how the saw is running.
Check it periodically for:
- Heavy carbon buildup
- Damaged electrodes
- Excessive wear
- Cracks or damage
A badly fouled or worn spark plug can contribute to difficult starting and poor running.
If the plug keeps fouling shortly after cleaning or replacement, there may be another issue that needs diagnosis rather than simply replacing the plug again.
Step 7: Use Fresh, Correct Fuel
Old or contaminated fuel is one of the most common causes of starting and running problems in gasoline-powered chainsaws.
Most STIHL gasoline chainsaws use a 50:1 fuel-to-oil mixture, so it is important to use the correct two-stroke oil and follow the manufacturer’s specifications for your particular saw.
How Long Should Mixed Fuel Be Kept?
If you mix your own fuel using premium gasoline and quality two-stroke oil, make only what you expect to use in the near future.
As a practical rule, think in terms of about a month rather than an entire season. STIHL recommends that self-mixed two-stroke fuel not be stored for more than approximately 30 days, particularly because ethanol-containing gasoline can absorb moisture and the fuel mixture can deteriorate over time.
That means a homeowner who uses a chainsaw only occasionally may be better off mixing a smaller quantity rather than filling a large fuel can that could sit around for several months.
For Occasional Users, STIHL MotoMix Can Be a Great Alternative
If you only use your chainsaw periodically — perhaps for storm cleanup, firewood or occasional property maintenance — STIHL MotoMix can be a very convenient alternative to mixing your own fuel.
MotoMix is:
- Premixed at the correct 50:1 ratio
- Made with high-octane alkylate fuel
- Ethanol-free
- Mixed with STIHL HP Ultra synthetic two-stroke oil
- Designed specifically for STIHL equipment
- Suitable for long-term storage when kept sealed and stored properly
For someone who uses a saw every week, mixing fresh fuel may make perfect sense.
For someone who may use the saw once this month and then not touch it again for several months, MotoMix can help eliminate the uncertainty of wondering how old the fuel is when the saw is needed again.
Rental Village Tip: Fuel is inexpensive compared with a carburetor repair. If you’re not sure how old the mixed fuel in your can is, starting fresh is usually the safer choice. Dating your fuel container when you mix it is also an easy habit that removes the guesswork.
Step 8: Clean the Saw After Use
Cleaning may be one of the simplest ways to extend the life of a chainsaw.
Sawdust, resin, oil and dirt gradually collect around:
- The sprocket cover
- Bar groove
- Oiling passages
- Cooling fins
- Air intake areas
- Chain and bar
Over time, that buildup can interfere with cooling, lubrication and normal operation.
A few minutes spent cleaning the saw when the job is finished can save considerably more time later.
Before You Cut: Don’t Overlook Safety Equipment
A well-maintained chainsaw is only one part of working safely.
Appropriate chainsaw protective equipment should include items such as:
- Chainsaw protective pants or chaps
- Safety footwear
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
- Gloves
- Appropriate head protection for the work being performed
Never operate a chainsaw if important safety components such as the chain brake or throttle lockout are not functioning properly.
Always follow the operating manual and safety instructions for your particular saw.
What Maintenance Can You Reasonably Do Yourself?
For many owners, routine chainsaw maintenance is quite manageable.
Jobs you may be comfortable handling yourself include:
- Cleaning the saw
- Checking chain tension
- Cleaning the guide bar
- Checking chain lubrication
- Cleaning or replacing the air filter
- Replacing a spark plug
- Sharpening a chain if you have the proper tools and know the correct specifications
Where people tend to get into trouble is when a simple maintenance issue becomes a diagnosis.
For example:
- The saw starts but won’t stay running
- It bogs down under load
- The chain isn’t receiving oil
- The chain keeps loosening
- The saw is difficult to start when hot
- It runs poorly despite fresh fuel and a clean filter
- There is excessive vibration
- The bar, sprocket or clutch appears badly worn
At that point, replacing parts based on guesswork can quickly become more expensive than having the saw properly inspected.
Sometimes the Best Tool Is an Experienced Technician
There is real value in knowing when to do the work yourself and when to hand it over to someone who works on this equipment every day.
Rental Village has an experienced service team that works with outdoor power equipment and can help with routine maintenance, sharpening and more involved repairs.
We’re also an authorized STIHL dealer, which gives our team access to STIHL equipment, parts and product knowledge when working through a customer’s needs.
If you’re unsure whether your chainsaw needs a simple adjustment or a more complete service, bring it in and let us take a look.
You can find your nearest Rental Village location before dropping it off.
The objective isn’t to service something that doesn’t need servicing. It is to help make sure the saw is ready when you actually need it.
A Simple Fall Chainsaw Checklist
- Is the chain sharp and undamaged?
- Is the chain tension correct?
- Is the guide bar clean and in good condition?
- Is the chain receiving enough oil?
- Is the air filter clean?
- Is the spark plug in good condition?
- Is the fuel fresh and properly mixed?
- Are the chain brake and other safety features working?
- Is the saw clean and free of heavy sawdust or resin buildup?
- Do you have the proper protective equipment?
If you can answer yes to those questions, you are starting your fall cutting season from a much better position.