Your chainsaw is subjected to a great deal of stress during use, so you need to perform the right maintenance to preserve its exceptional performance.
Clean and check your chainsaw before and after every use. This helps it cut properly and reduces long-term wear. Some maintenance tasks also need doing at set intervals.
You’ll find full details of maintenance measures and timings in the tool’s operating instructions.
Checks to perform every time you use your chainsaw
- Before use, check the chainsaw is safe. Look for visible damage to the tool or controls. Make sure the guide bar, saw chain, chain catcher and other parts are fitted correctly.
- Test the throttle trigger, throttle trigger lockout, choke knob, stop switch and master control lever, depending on the model.
- Check that the chain brake works.
- Inspect the saw chain and guide bar. Check sharpness, chain tension and general condition.
- Make sure the chain is properly lubricated.
- Check that the fuel and oil tank caps are sealed.
- Make sure there are no fuel leaks.
- After use, clean the chainsaw and remove shavings and dust.
Periodic maintenance for long-term care
- Clean the guide bar, including the sprocket nose, oil inlet hole, oil outlet channel and bar groove.
- Clean the chain sprocket cover, cylinder fins, shroud interior and filter cover.
- Turn the guide bar regularly and remove burrs if you see signs of wear.
- After breaking in a new saw chain, check the chain tension and keep the chain lubricated.
Ongoing chainsaw maintenance
Cleaning after every use is one of the most effective ways to keep your chainsaw in good condition. During work, resin and sawdust mix with chain lubricant and can harden over time. This build-up can affect the guide bar and work its way into the housing.
Remove resin from the bar and housing as soon as possible.
Maintenance overview for electric and petrol chainsaws
Electric chainsaw maintenance
Electric chainsaws have fewer components than petrol models, so maintenance is simpler:
- Remove shavings and dust from the chainsaw using a soft brush, paintbrush or resin solvent.
- Clean the sprocket area with a damp cloth or resin solvent.
- Clean the bar groove.
- Remove burrs from the bar groove.
- Clean the ventilation slots with a paintbrush.
Use a STIHL guide bar leveller to remove burrs from the guide bar.
Cordless chainsaw maintenance
In addition to the steps above:
- Remove debris from the battery slot and wipe it with a damp cloth.
- Clean the electrical contacts in the battery slot with a soft brush.
Petrol chainsaw maintenance
Petrol chainsaws need a few extra checks:
- Check that the fuel and chain oil tanks are sealed and not leaking.
- Clean the air filter and air filter housing regularly.
- Check the spark plug for wear and remove soot when needed.
Summary: chainsaw maintenance
- Check and clean your chainsaw before and after every use.
- Follow the maintenance intervals in the operating instructions.
- Contact us for more details about servicing tasks on your STIHL chainsaw model if you are unsure.
This article is based on content originally published by STIHL. The original version can be found here. Content used with permission
