Stihl Chainsaw Maintenance

Stihl is one of the world's best selling chainsaw brands. Chainsaws are typically reliable tools, but also need regular maintenance to ensure they are in proper working order. Maintaining a chainsaw properly is important for the safety of the user and of those in the working area.

Check the chain of the saw often to ensure it is at the right tension. Do this by moving the chain along the guide bar using a gloved hand. It should be loose but not sagging and should move along the bar evenly when moved. If the chain is too loose it will bind when you pull it. Do not allow the chain to sag as it will catch on the cutting material, causing kickback and potential injury. Make sure the chain is properly sharpened to prevent the saw from overheating when you cut through thick material. This will wear down the engine and possibly cause injury. Check the chain for damage and for any large chips. If a link looks damaged, have it replaced. When checking the chain, wear heavy duty gloves to prevent cuts. When the chain is not in use, put on the protective scabbard that came with the saw. Always make sure the chain is cleaned and lubricated before and after use.

Have the chain sharpened, or sharpen it yourself, if it does not cut in a straight line or if the chain jumps or shudders while cutting. Sharpen the chain using the file specified for your specific chain model. File size and gauges are different depending on the chain variety. The angle at which you run the file through the chain teeth depends on the chain variety as well, so check the manufacturer's instructions. After every fifth sharpening, have the chain professionally sharpened.

Do not attempt to adjust the chain when the engine of the saw is running. Chains on sprocket nose bars can be tensioned tighter than chains on solid nose bars. The chain of your saw should not be tight when the chain is not cutting. As the chain heats the chain will loosen slightly.

Make sure to loosen the chain when the saw is not in use to keep it from tightening on the cutting bar. As you tighten and loosen the chain, wear work gloves. Loosen the bar mounting nuts and hold up the nose of the bar. Tighten the chain adjusting screw until the chain moves freely by hand. It should not bunch up. Retighten the mounting nuts.

After every use make sure to clean the saw of any cutting debris and loosen the chain. Leaving old wood on the saw may cause binding of the saw in the next use. Check the gas before use. If you need to refuel, check the oil levels to make sure they are correct. Check the lubricant on the chain by running the engine at half throttle over a surface that is light in color. You should see small splotches of oil appear over time. Make sure during and after use that the oil inlet holes and the bar groove are free of dirt. Points to check for proper lubrication include any areas where there is friction between moving parts such as rivets and drive links, drive links against cutters and the chain against the bar.

Adjust the carburetor to prevent smoking and insufficient power to the chainsaw. The carburetor has three adjustment screws--the idle adjustment, low speed and high speed adjustment. The idle adjustment controls how much of the throttle stays open when the trigger is released. The low speed adjustment controls how much fuel is released at the idle speed. If it is too rich, the engine will cut out. The high speed adjustment controls the fuel release when the saw is cutting. If not adjusted properly, the saw will not cut properly at high speeds. Adjust these settings by turning the screws by small turns. Adjust the carburetor if you change altitudes, or if the weather has changed since its last use.