Regardless of whether it’s before you use your chainsaw, while you are working with your chainsaw or after you finished you work, inspection and maintenance are critical to not only the chainsaw’s mechanical integrity but also your chainsaw’s ability to function properly and safely. Most owners’ manuals will have a section with a maintenance chart detailing the types of maintenance you should perform and at what intervals.

In your manual, the section will cover the basic inspection and maintenance that you must perform to keep your chainsaw in top shape. If you are unable to perform any of the functions for any reason, return your chainsaw to any authorized dealer to have your inspection and maintenance performed before you use your chainsaw.

Performing an inspection and performing proper maintenance of your chainsaw and its components prior to using your saw will result in a more productive and safer cutting experience.

Always make sure that you have turned off the engine, the chain is stopped and the muffler is cooled before refueling, making adjustments, performing maintenance and repairs, changing the saw chain or cleaning the saw and never attempt any maintenance or repair work not described in your owner’s manual. Have those items taken care of by your authorized dealer.

First check the fasteners on your chainsaw, making sure they are snug. Retighten any loose fasteners and replace any that may be missing or damaged.

Check the AV system and that all of the buffers are in place and functioning properly. Replace damaged, broken or excessively worn buffers immediately. They may result in a loss of control of your chainsaw.

A sponginess in the feel of your chainsaw, increased vibration or noticeable bottoming during normal operation may indicate damage, breakage or excessive wear and if replacement is necessary, always replace the buffers in sets.

Check your air filter often. There are several different types and designs of air filters and if yours is dirty, clean the filter according to the manufacturers directions in the owners’ manual or replace the filter if necessary. Most filters can be cleaned temporarily by simply tapping them on the log, for instance, releasing the heavier particles that have built up on the filter.

A tip when accessing your air filter: always close the choke on your carburetor before removing the air filter. This will block sawdust and other dirt from accidentally falling into the throat of the carburetor.

Your chainsaw will require sharpening. The frequency for sharpening your chain will depend on several factors such as whether or not you have let the chain come into contact with the ground or any other foreign object, the type of wood you are cutting, the amount of dirt and foreign object that can be embedded in the wood.

For example, barbed wire fence can become absorbed by a tree through the years of growth and your chain can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour and its it comes into contact with the ground for just a split second, that can be more than enough to dull the chain to the point that will require immediate sharpening.

Even a standing tree will have a certain amount of dirt embedded in its bark from wind blown debris that will dull your chain over time. One good rule of thumb to make sure your chain remains sharp and in good condition is to file the chain with a few light strokes on each tooth using a filing guide each time you refuel even if you think it's still sharp.

You can determine the chainsaw's condition by physically inspecting the cutting edges for rough or worn spots. Also be sure to inspect the chain links and ribbets for wear, cracks or damage. If any part of your chain is cracked, worn or damaged, you should replace it immediately and have the damaged chain inspected and repaired if possible by your authorized dealer.

When operating your chainsaw, there are certain things you can look for that will indicate the condition of your chain. When the chain is sharpened properly, it will produce large well-defined chips from the cut. When a chain isn't sharpened properly or is dull, it will produce a finely granulated form of powdered sawdust. Looking at the sawdust is a good first indication of the condition of your chain.

In operation, the chainsaw is designed to cut effortlessly and with very little pressure applied by the operator. If you find you have to apply excess pressure to the saw in order to cut, the chain is most likely dull or you may have a problem with your bar and chain lubrication system.

Often when you find you have to apply a lot of pressure to mark the chainsaw cut, you will also see smoke coming off the top of the bar, another good indication of the chain's condition or lubrication problem. If the conditions occur, you may need to sharpen your chain immediately or replace it and check the bar and chain lubrication system. To continue cutting with the dull chain or lack of bar and chain lubricant will cause operator fatigue and a high rate of wear on critical parts of your chainsaw.

Another indicator to look for is if your chainsaw tends to drift to the right of left in the cut. This would indicate that the angle on your chain has been sharpened incorrectly and will need to be resharpened or it could mean your bar rails are worn unevenly. This could also cause operator fatigue, unsafe operating conditions or damage to your chainsaw.

With the right tools and instruction, you can maintain your bar, chain and sprocket with confidence. Let's look at how you would perform this service in the field.