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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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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