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How To Store A Chainsaw In 8 Easy Steps?

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Chainsaw maintenance is critical for extending the life of your tool. A few basic procedures might assist in keeping your chainsaw in peak working order.

If you are not planning on using your chainsaw for a lengthy period, such as three months or longer, you must store it properly to ensure that it is ready to use when you return to work. Knowing how to store a chainsaw is important.

Chainsaw needs to be stored properly because if it’s not, then the chainsaw will rust, leading to it being unusable. In this article, we will tell you how to store a chainsaw. Properly storing your chainsaw can mean the difference between a chainsaw lasting 20 years and one lasting 20 minutes.

How To Store A Chainsaw
via Pixabay

A Guide on How to Store A Chainsaw

Step 1: Drain The Carburator

  • The first step to take in learning how to store a chainsaw is to ensure that the saw’s carburetor, which is where the engine gets the air and fuel mixture it requires to run, is drained.
  • After you have finished using your chainsaw, you should disconnect the spark plug and pour out any remaining fuel in the tank if it has not been emptied of fuel.
  • This will prevent your saw from draining its oil or having its carburetor clog with debris.
  • Ensure to do this in an extremely well-ventilated area as the carburetor diaphragms can stick together if the area is not well ventilated.

You can either drain the carburetor or Add a fuel stabilizer

This is to keep the fuel from producing any harmful things. If you choose to add a fuel stabilizer, make sure you run the chainsaw for three minutes. To help disseminate the stabilizer throughout the gasoline system after being added.

Step 2: Clean the Tank of Chainsaw

  • After you have drained the fuel from your chainsaw, it is now time to remove any fuel dregs from the chainsaw’s tank.
  • To do this, you will need to take a cloth and wipe the inside of the tank until it is clean.
  • Once the cloth comes out of the tank roughly around your finger, all of the dirt and debris will have been removed from the tank.
  • This will give you a much better idea of how clean the inside of your chainsaw’s tank is.
  • Repeat this process until the cloth comes out of the tank completely clean.

Step 3: Take off the Bar Guide and Chain

  • After you’ve emptied the fuel from your chainsaw, you’ll want to remove the chain and then the guide bar.
  • After that, you’ll want to begin cleaning the driving gears, chain, and bar. All of the dirt, grime, and wood chips should be removed.
  • This is a good opportunity to change the chain or sharpen it if you haven’t already.

Step 4: Re-Oil The Chain

  • The next step in storing a chainsaw is to ensure that your chain has proper lubrication.
  • If you do not oil the chain, it will rust and make it harder to cut through the wood and shorten its life.
  • To oil, the chain, take a cloth and apply some bar and chain oil to it.
  • Rub the cloth along the entire chain length and let any excess oil drip off.

Step 5: Clean The Air Filter & Fuel Filter

  • The next step in how to store a chainsaw is to clean the air filter and fuel filter.
  • The air filter keeps any dust or dirt particles out of your saw’s air intake, which is important as this will damage the engine.
  • The fuel filter keeps any dirt particles from entering your chainsaw’s carburetor.
  • Cleaning these filters will improve the overall quality of your saw’s engine and help extend its life.
  • To clean the air filter, remove the cover to your chainsaw’s air intake.
  • Take a can of compressed air and spray any dirt or debris inside the cover.
  • Once the debris has cleared, wipe any excess dirt or oil off the filter.
  • To clean out your fuel filter, you will need to remove the screw that holds your fuel filter into place.
  • Take some gasoline and pour it directly onto the filter.
  • Let the filter sit for around five minutes, and then take a cloth and wipe any dirt or debris from around the outside of the filter.
  • Repeat the process until the cloth comes up completely clean.

Step 6: Remove the Spark Plugs

  • Remove the spark plug and place it somewhere safe.
  • This will prevent any unneeded strain on your chainsaw’s engine.
  • Once the spark plug has been removed, place some bar and chain oil on a cloth and spread it over the entire surface of the saw’s bar and opening of the spark plug.

Step 7: Tighten the Screws

  • This is a relatively straightforward procedure that is frequently forgotten.
  • It’s as easy as going all the way around the chainsaw and fastening the screws and bolts.
  • This is a basic yet critical step.

Step 8: Store The Chainsaw

  • The final step in how to store a chainsaw is ensuring that the chainsaw is stored correctly.
  • It is recommended to put the chainsaw in a protective case.
  • If you choose to place your chainsaw in a warm area, make sure to place a cover over it, so moisture does not build up inside the case.
  • If you choose to place your chainsaw in a cold area, make sure that it is stored in an area where there is at least some air circulation.
  • Keeping your chainsaw in an area with very little airflow will cause moisture to build up inside the saw, which can damage the engine and lead to poor performance.
  • Ensure that your chainsaw is stored in an area where it will not be disturbed for at least a month.
  • This will give the stabilizers time to settle in with the gasoline and prevent it from ruining your saw when you run it again.
  • You will know your chainsaw is correctly stored as it should be ready to run when you need it again.

Final Remarks

Many chainsaw owners appear to overlook the need to properly store their chainsaws, only to be surprised when their chainsaw stops working after a few months.

Your expensive instruments will be better protected with proper maintenance and storage. One of the most important things you will need to know about how to store a chainsaw is to drain out all of the oil inside it.

If you don’t do this, the oil will turn into sludge, which can cause severe damage to your chainsaw. The best way to drain the oil is to take off the gas cap and pour out all of the oil inside.

You should read the manual before using your chainsaw for the first time after storing it. You should also clean and dry the chainsaw before storing it because doing so aids in preventing rusting.

Additionally, you can use a commercial oil designed to prevent rust. You will need to check the manual on how much anti-rust oil to put in your chainsaw.

So, now you know how to store your chainsaw. You can easily make sure that it is ready when the time comes to use your chain saw again. I hope that this information may assist someone concerned about keeping or cleaning their chainsaw.