One of the first questions a beginner thinks about after buying a new chainsaw is how to use a chainsaw. Do you ever feel the same?
Using a chainsaw is very simple. Whether you’re using a gas-powered chainsaw or an electric chainsaw, the process is largely the same. Just make sure you’re in the right stance and have a sharp chainsaw chain, and you’ll feel right at home. In this article, you will get to know all about starting a chainsaw, using a chainsaw, and maintaining a chainsaw.
How to start a gas-powered chainsaw?
Before you start using a chainsaw, it is important to know how to start it first. Gas-powered chainsaws can be tricky to start, especially for beginners. Remember to wear the mandatory safety equipment as well as the necessary protective clothing. Make sure that you’re wearing a helmet, ear protection, work gloves, eye protection, chaps, and steel-toe boots. Once you’re ready with the safety equipment, now comes the time to start the chainsaw.
Step 1: Check the condition of your chainsaw
Remove the chainsaw from the box, clean out any dust/dirt, remove the cover, and check its condition.
Step 2: Engage the chain brake
For starting a gas-powered chainsaw with a cold engine, you’ll need to first place it on a flat surface. Now, push the chain brake forward until it is engaged.
Step 3: Set the choke before priming the gas engine
Push the choke control to the ‘on’ position. Then, proceed to push the decompression valve and press the primer bulb 4-5 times to prime the gas engine.
Step 4: Firmly hold the chainsaw and pull the card
Hold the front handle of the chainsaw firmly with your left hand, and place the right foot on the rear handle. Then, pull the cord on the chainsaw with your right hand a couple of times until the engine revs up.
Step 5: Start the chainsaw
Push the choke in and pull the cord again. Once the chainsaw starts, squeeze the throttle to disengage the high idle. For stopping the chainsaw, simply turn off the ignition switch.
How to use a gas-powered chainsaw?
Once you’ve started your gas-powered chainsaw, you’re ready to start using it. For making a cut, hold the front handle of the saw with your left hand. Keep the thumb wrapped underneath and grab the rear handle using your right hand. Get in a nice stance, legs apart for better stability, and pull back the chain brake for disengaging it. Then, simply squeeze the throttle. Remember, your chainsaw will cut best when its engine is at full throttle.
- Ensure that you are making the cuts away from the bar tip. Cutting with the upper part of the chainsaw tip may result in kickback. This is an extremely dangerous situation. If it somehow engages, simply pull back to unlock.
- It would be smart to cut at waist level, don’t try to hold your chainsaw above shoulder height.
- Avoid cutting or pruning too close to the ground when the blade might dig into the ground and kick back.
- Prefer cutting from the side of the chainsaw and not when hovering over the work area. A kickback in such a position could be extremely dangerous.
- You should cut downward with the bottom of the bar. This process is called cutting with a pulling chain as the chain will pull the chainsaw out from you. You could also go upward with the top of the bar, called cutting with a pushing chain. This is the case as the chain will push the chainsaw toward you.
How to start an electric chainsaw?
Similar to a gas-powered chainsaw, it is important to first know how to start an electric chainsaw. While an electric chainsaw isn’t as complex to start as a gas-powered chainsaw, the risk of injuries is still there. Before you start operating an electric chainsaw, put on your safety gear and follow other protective measures. Put on thick chaps, protective gloves, a helmet, a faceguard, steel-toed boots, and noise protection. Remember to wear safety glasses for protecting your eyes. Avoid wearing loose clothing as it could potentially get caught in the chainsaw’s teeth and injure you. Remember not to use a chainsaw without wearing protective gear.
Moreover, keep others at least 15-20 feet away from the area you’re using the chainsaw. When cutting trees, increase the distance to around double the height of the tree.
Step 1: Check the condition of your chainsaw
Remove the chainsaw from the box, clean out any dust/dirt, remove the cover, and check its condition.
Step 2: Plug the chainsaw into a power outlet
In case your chainsaw has a cord, plug the saw into a power outlet. If it runs on battery, ensure that your chainsaw is fully charged.
Step 3: Flip the power switch
Once your chainsaw is getting constant power, flip/toggle the power switch to an ‘on’ position.
Step 4: Release the chain brake and squeeze the trigger
Then, all you’ll need to do is release the chain brake and squeeze the trigger to start the chainsaw.
How to use an electric chainsaw?
Once you’ve started the chainsaw, now comes the time to use it. Hold the chainsaw properly and have the right stance, as it’ll serve as the foundation of your cutting. Similar to a gas-powered chainsaw, for making a cut, hold the front handle of the saw with your left hand. Keep the thumb wrapped underneath and grab the rear handle using your right hand. Get in a nice stance, legs apart for better stability, and pull back the chain brake for disengaging it. Then, simply squeeze the throttle. Remember, your chainsaw will cut best when its engine is at full throttle.
Choose the direction in which you want to cut the tree
Look for a spare area away from people, buildings, or objects. Move any objects that might come in the vicinity and clear out the space. Ensure that you can easily move around the area once you start cutting or pruning. In case the tree is leaning in a particular direction, cut it down such that it falls that way.
Make notches on the side the tree will be falling toward
Make 1-2 cuts (about 24 inches) from the ground. Remember to cut at a 45-degree angle to the depth of around 20-25%of the diameter of the tree. Then, you can make another cut at a downward 45-degree angle that meets the first cut. Create a kid of notch in the tree. This notch will create a hinge and direct the way the tree falls.
Cut the tree on the opposite side of the notch
Now, bring the chainsaw to full speed and cut into the backside of the tree. This will be the opposite side of the notch. Remember to keep the chainsaw blade parallel to the ground and cut to a depth of around 10% of the diameter of the tree. The tree will eventually start leaning in the direction of the notch and fall under its own weight. Make sure that you move out of the tree’s way as it starts falling.
Chainsaw maintenance tips for better performance and longer lifespan
It is important to know that your chainsaw should be properly maintained. Regardless of whether you’re using a gas-powered chainsaw or an electric chainsaw, the rules are the same. Remember that maintaining your chainsaw will not only improve its performance, but also ensure a longer lifespan.
- Each time you’re using your chainsaw, make sure you check for the chainsaw tension. If something doesn’t meet your standards, adjust as necessary.
- Regularly inspect the guide bar and keep it in a clean condition.
- Check the air filter (if you’re using a gas-powered chainsaw), keep it clean, and replace it if it is damaged.
- Inspect the operation of the throttle lockout, chain catcher, chain brake, and oiler.
- For gas-powered chainsaws, remember to use the appropriate mixing fuel when in use. If the saw isn’t being used, drain out the fuel as it could end up clogging and damaging components.
- For electric chainsaws, remember to keep the chainsaw batteries full.
The maintenance aspect will expand to the sharpness of the chainsaw chain as well. Keeping the chainsaw sharp will be essential. Check for the chainsaw’s user manual on how to sharpen the chainsaw chain. Some chains will use a specific method and shouldn’t be manually sharpened. Some manufacturers will recommend that you should have the chain and depth gauges on the chainsaws filed by professionals. If you sharpen the chainsaw chain manually, it won’t be hard to do with a kit that includes tools to sharpen a chainsaw like a round tile, depth gauge, flat file, and more.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, this will be enough to help any beginner understand how to start a chainsaw, be it a gas-powered or an electric chainsaw. It is an easy process as long as you know the right steps. Starting the two types of chainsaws is different, but operating them is largely the same. A chainsaw will help you get the job done within minutes, whether you’re cutting, pruning, or trimming in your yard. Operating the chainsaw is easy, especially if you do it with the right safety measures. Remember, it is important for beginners to know about chainsaw operation and maintenance as handing chainsaws is a risky business.
