The Gas Chainsaw: Tool of the Lumberjack, and You

Nothing’s more satisfying than making your own pile of wood. Before you start stacking those logs, get to know some basics about your gas chainsaw.

Gas Chainsaw: Basic parts

1. Front and Rear Handles: For holding on tight and keeping control of your saw
2. Chain Brake Lever and Front Hand Guard: Engages the chain brake and immediately stops the chain.
3. Bar Retaining Nuts: Hold the guide bar in place.
4. Tension Adjustment Screw: For adjusting your chain tension.
5. ON/OFF Switch: Must be in the ON position to start. Turning to OFF immediately kills the engine.
6. Primer Bulb: Releases fuel into the carburetor for easier starting.
7. Choke Lever: Activates the choke for starting.
8. Air Filter: Prevents sawdust and such from getting in your engine.
9. Bucking Spike: Helps to provide stability and leverage.
10. Starter Handle: For starting the engine.
11. Throttle Lockout: Prevents your saw from accidently starting
12. Throttle Control Trigger: Start and stop trigger
13. Fuel Tank: Mixed fuel goes here.
14. Chain Oil Reservoir: Chain oil goes here to lubricate the saw chain as it runs.
15. Guide Bar and Bar Tip: Support and guide the saw chain.
16. Saw Chain: This does the cutting.

How to Start and Stop Your Chainsaw

Before starting:
– Remove all children and pets from the area
– Make sure the saw’s fueled up
– Check the chain tension
– Ensure bar chain oil reservoir is filled
– Ensure Fuel tank is filled with 40:1 fuel mix.

To Start:
1. Set chainsaw on ground and disengage chain brake

2. Switch to ON

4. Press primer bulb 10X

5. Pull choke knob out (Do not touch throttle control)

6. Hold front handle with left hand, step on boot loop with right foot

7. Pull starter rope 5X

8. Push choke knob in and pull rope 3-5X more to start

9. Chain will be spinning at fast idle – press throttle lockout and release trigger to stop chain

10. Let it warm up 30 sec – 1min

11. Press throttle lockout and squeeze trigger to cut

To Stop:
1. Release throttle control
2. Switch to STOP
3. Wait for the chain to come to a complete stop
4. EMERGENCY STOPPING: push chain brake lever and hand guard forward, then move the switch to the STOP position.

So now you know how to start and stop your chainsaw. Need any other chainsaw tips?