How To Clean your Chainsaw

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CLEAN YOUR CHAINSAW?

Maintaining the cleanliness of your Chainsaw is crucial for preserving the performance of its individual components, extending its lifespan and ensuring your safety. Here are step-by-step instructions for cleaning your Chainsaw, as well as some handy tools that can make the job quick and easy:

BEFORE YOU START: SAFETY FIRST

Wear sturdy protective work gloves. Ensure that the Chainsaw is completely switched off and cannot start up while you clean it. This means: 

  • For a Battery Chainsaw, remove the battery and apply the chain brake.

  • For a Petrol Chainsaw, switch off the engine and apply the chain brake.

  • For an Electric Chainsaw, unplug it.

TOOLS YOU'LL NEED TO CLEAN YOUR CHAINSAW

You'll need the following items:

CLEAN YOUR CHAINSAW AFTER EACH USE

Wipe the Chainsaw housing clean with a damp cloth. If you have a Battery Chainsaw, use the damp cloth to clean the battery and the battery slot. A clean paintbrush is also a useful cleaning tool. 

Check the air intake slits - if necessary, clean them with a paintbrush or compressed air. It’s important to ensure that the air intake slits are working correctly as they help to prevent the engine from overheating.

 

Remove the sprocket cover and clean the area around the sprocket. You can use STIHL SuperClean which is a resin solvent to tackle particularly stubborn dirt.

CLEAN THE GUIDE BAR & CHAIN

Follow the steps below:

  • Remove the Saw Chain and the Guide Bar.

  • Check the oil level in the oil tank. If the oil level does not decrease as you use your Chainsaw, there may be a blockage in the lubrication oil conveyor system. In this case, contact your nearest STIHL SHOP for assistance.

  • Remove oil residue and dirt from the oil outlet port and channel.

Clean the oil inlet hole and the bar groove. You can use a Filing Gauge or STIHL SuperClean is also very effective.

Remove any burrs that have developed on the Guide Bar using a Flat File.

EXPERT TIPS

PREPARE YOUR CHAINSAW FOR LONG TERM STORAGE

In addition to the quick clean you do after using your Saw, your Chainsaw also needs a really thoroughly clean every so often, especially if you plan to store it for more than a month without using it.

PREPARING A BATTERY CHAINSAW FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE

When storing Battery Chainsaws, it is important to ensure that the Battery is also stored correctly:

1. Remove the Battery from the tool. Check the state of charge to make sure that 2 LEDs light up, if necessary pop the battery on the charger before storing. 

2. Remove any dirt from the Battery with a slightly damp cloth.

3. Store the battery in a closed box to protect it from moisture and sun.

4. We recommend a frost-free but cool storage temperature - the garage or a well-insulated shed.

5. Store your Batteries in a safe place away from where children can reach.

6. A Battery Cover can be inserted into the tool’s battery slot to prevent dirt and dust build-up.

PREPARING A PETROL CHAINSAW FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE

Preparing your Petrol Chainsaw for storage requires a little more effort. Follow the steps below:

1. Empty the fuel tank in a well-ventilated area. Disposing of any remaining fuel prevents damage to the fuel system components.

2. Start up the Chainsaw, allow it to run idle for a short time until there is no more petrol in the tank and the Chainsaw switches off. This will prevent the diaphragms in the carburettor from sticking together.

3. Check the spark plug and cool air intake opening; clean if necessary.

4. Clean the air filter: remove it from the housing and then tap it to get any dirt out. It is essential that the air filter is cleaned regularly to ensure the performance of your Chainsaw does not diminish over time.

5. Always store your Chainsaw with its scabbard on and in a dry place.