Fly Wheel

The fly wheel is a weights disk that rotates when the engine is on, regulating it speed. This ensures smooth operation and prevents vibration. In addition, the flywheel has small blades on the side that act as a fan, cooling the engine. If your tool is vibrating excessively or spinning at extreme speeds, your flywheel may have been damaged or chipped.

Throttle

The throttle is designed to regulate fuel levels to the engine’s cylinders. Te throttle is controlled by the user to vary the chain speed during operation. When pressed fully, the engine revs at maximum RPM. When depressed, the throttle stops the chain from moving and sits in idle. A jammed throttle can cause the engine to rev uncontrollably. A broken throttle will not send fuel to the cylinders, resulting in a motionless chain.

Throttle Interlock

Chainsaw parts are often designed with safety in mind, as in the case of the throttle interlock. This safety feature only allows the throttle to engage when the button is pressed. The throttle interlock is located on the grip portion of the handle. To operate and start the saw, this button must be pressed first.

Clutch

Just like the clutch on your car, a chainsaw clutch connects the engine to the “drive shaft”, or chain. At low speeds, such as when idling, the clutch does not engage. When the throttle is activated and engine speed increases, the clutch engages with the chain. This chainsaw part works through centrifugal force. The inertia of high speed rotation is what engages the drive.

Chain Brake

In 1995 the chain brake became one of the essential chainsaw parts due to safety concerns. This device quickly stops the chain in the event of kickback. Kickback happens when the chainsaw comes across a particularly rough area, causing the chain to get caught and release quickly. Oftentimes the tool pops up in the direction of the operator. The chain brake stops the chain quickly to minimize injury.

Decompression Valve

After each use of a chainsaw, the pistons are often left compressed. A chainsaw left in this state can be exceptionally difficult to start. A decompression valve releases this pressure to allow for easier starting. These types of convenience-oriented chainsaw parts make operating these tools much easier.

Hand Guard

Kickback can also be dangerous to the hands. The hand guard protects the operators hands during the event of kickback. It consists of a plastic shield that is mounted between the handle and the blade. Users should always hold the chainsaw at the designated handles.

Muffler

While it may seem that chainsaws are loud machines, they would be a whole lot louder without the addition of a muffler. The muffler is situated at the very end of the combustion sequence and is where burned fuel and air exits the machine. Sound waves are muffled before exiting, effectively reducing noise and damage to the operator’s ears.

Anti Vibration Handle

Chainsaws create an exceptional amount of unseen vibration which can reverberate through the user’s body. This vibration can be damaging to the hands and arms over time. Ergonomics can be improved with the addition of an anti vibration handle. This reduces the amount of vibration entering the body resulting in a more comfortable experience.

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Despite the popularity of the gasoline models, electric chainsaws are rapidly becoming a mainstream yard tool. In reality, most homeowners face light jobs around the home that don’t require the power of a gasoline model. Electric chainsaws can operate up to 100 feet from an electrical outlet using a heavy duty extension cord. Users don’t need to mess around with fuel mixtures, pulling a start-up cord, or performing greasy maintenance with these units. Electric chainsaws start up with the press of a button and shut down just as fast. They are lighter in weight than gas models and are exceptionally easy to maneuver.

Still working its way up in the ranks are portable electric chainsaws powered by batteries. These models have a limited cutting time and are the weakest of the chainsaws. They should be used for light jobs only such as pruning a tree or bush. Another disadvantage is that the battery can take several hours to recharge. You can find both electric and battery powered chainsaws for sale in varying price ranges to fit your budget. Electric models are generally less expensive than gasoline ones. Used chainsaws for sale are a popular way to buy a quality saw at a reduced price.

What Should I Look For In A Chainsaw?

As with any power tool, safety comes first. All but the cheapest chainsaws for sale are equipped with safety features to make your experience as risk-free as possible. A feature called “anti-kickback” shuts off the chain in the event that the tool kicks up toward the user when encountering resistance. Gas models are becoming more energy efficient, emitting less pollution into the air.  In addition, many models are designed to be easy to start, saving users the pain of pulling the cord repeatedly. Name brand models are easy to find chainsaw parts for, being that they are standardized and come straight from the manufacturer.

What Will You Be Cutting?

Certain materials require more power to cut through, especially hardwoods and tree trunks. If you will be cutting down trees or lopping up big chunks of firewood, a gas chainsaw is the best choice. A powerful engine and long guide bar are essential (at least 18 inches in length). The longer the guide bar, the larger the objects you can cut. Smaller jobs such as felling small trees and chopping up small logs will require an engine of at least 38 cc’s. An alternative would be a powerful electric saw model with a guide bar wider than the object to be cut. Cutting thin-diameter limbs and other small jobs can be done with  an engine in the 33cc range or an electric model with a 12 or 14 inch guide bar. Cordless chainsaws should be reserved for only the smallest of jobs.

How Much Stuff Will You Be Cutting?

Chainsaws for sale come in many forms, but the ones with the most power will be able to get a job done in a shorter period of time. If you have to clear a yard of several fallen trees, a gas model with a long bar is ideal. A guide bar longer than 20 inches is considered to be professional. Cutting up firewood for the winter season can be done quickly with a smaller gas or even electric model. for small pieces of firewood or pruning trees, a cordless model might even work. Remember than the more power you have, the quicker you will be able to complete a job. Most people find a balance between power and completion time to fit within their budget.

Does It Need To Be Portable?

Remember that electric chainsaws can only be operated up to 100 feet from an electrical outlet. If you plan on heading into the woods or will be moving around a lot, a more portable gasoline chainsaw might be better. On the other hand, if all of your work resides within 100 feet, the “plug n go” functionality of an electric model can be used.

Length Of The Guide Bar

Always pay attention to the guide bar length on a chainsaw for sale. for people who use their saw occasionally or do light work, a guide bar of 12 to 14 inches will be ideal in most cases. For homeowners whose jobs vary around the yard, a larger 16 inch bar is ideal. The heavy duty cutting of large-diameter trees is best done with a 20 inch or larger bar. The engine should be of an appropriate power for the length of the bar.

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The Guide Bar

As a prospective petrol chainsaw owner, you probably want to know about the different features available to you. Most small motors like this are considered to be a 2 stroke engine. This type of motor completes a full thermodynamic cycle in two movements of the piston. We’ll talk more about this in a later section. A chainsaw guide bar hold and guides the chain as it spins around. A high quality saw will feature a sturdy guide bar. A flimsy bar can bend if it is accidentally dropped, which is a possibility when working at higher elevations such as on a ladder. The guide bar plays a key role in the capacity of the saw. The longer the bar, the larger the logs you can cut. For example, a 16” saw can cut up to a depth of 16 inches. Because logs are circular, you can actually cut a log up to 32 inches in diameter if you follow the cut all the way around.

Cutting Chain, Oiler and Chain Adjustment

The cutting chain is actually quite sophisticated.  It is similar to a bicycle chain except it has sharpened teeth at equal spacing. The chain must be oiled frequently to prevent jamming and to promote smooth operation.   A new feature on the market automatically oils the chain for you. Simply pour oil into the onboard oil container and the system will distribute oil over time directly to the chain. The chain works best when it is flush with the guide bar. Over time the chain can become loose from use, and will require re-tensioning. This can be done by turning a screw or using a tool-less adjustment knob which is featured on some models.

Kickback, Vibration Reduction and Chain Brake

Kickback is one of the safety issues every petrol chainsaw user needs to be aware of. This occurs when the blade gets caught in a groove which forces the whole unit into a jerking motion. Some chainsaws have a kickback safety function which reduces this effect. When the blade is running, the engine can produce quite a bit of vibration which can make users uncomfortable. Look for a model featuring vibration reduction to effectively reduce this problem. When you shut down the blade, you want the saw to stop spinning as soon as possible. A built in chain brake stops the blade quickly so it does not pose a danger.

Advantages Of A 2-Stroke Engine

Unlike 4-stroke engines like those in your motor vehicle, 2-stroke engines only need two movements of the piston to complete a cycle. This gives the engine a high specific power. The reduced amount of internal mechanics allows for a lightweight engine suitable for power tools. If the engine is built with an aluminum engine block, the motor will have a weight advantage over a steel block. Regular maintenance is necessary for these engines. Petrol must be mixed with motor oil to prevent seizing of the piston. The air filter will also need occasional replacement. The carburetor mixes fuel and air into the proper ratio for combustion.  Trimming the carburetor may be necessary to keep the system running most efficiently.

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