Expert Advice & Tips on chain saw use and maintenance

What type of fuel to use- avoid gas with Ethanol

8/7/2012

Ethanol fuel or ethyl alcohol is an alcohol additive that is commonly used in nearly all gasoline in the United States. It is derived from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane and wheat. If you buy your gas at a gas station in the US then more than likely what you are buying contains corn-based ethanol. This gas, composed of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol is sometimes referred to as ethane. Nearly all gasoline sold in the United States contains ethanol, even if there is not a declaration of ethanol on the pump.

What type of fuel to use.

Ethane can be used in all current Husqvarna equipment. However we recommend using at least 89- octane E-10 gasoline, which is the mid-grade between medium and premium gasoline. Fuel that is labeled E-15, E-20, E-85 and Diesel fuel are not acceptable fuels to E-10 and will cause significant damage to outdoor power equipment. Look for an indicator at the gas pump to make sure you are making the right choice. Not all states require that the ethanol level to be identified at the pomp. In these circumstances, make sure you do your own research.

Because today’s gasoline contains ethanol and alcohol, it absorbs water if exposed to air. In many cases the operator is unaware that their gasoline has become contaminated with water and unintentionally pours it into their unit. This is because your fuel mixture will separate into layers if it contains a high enough percentage of water. If you don’t shake your mixture, you may unintentionally pour a damaging concentration of water into your unit. Always vigorously shake the fuel mixture immediately before pouring.

Other ways of preventing problems related to fuel- absorption of water.

Purchasing only enough fuel to last about 30 days – this helps assure that you are always using fresh, uncontaminated gasoline For two stroke engines, only mix enough fuel that will be used within the next 30 days.
In order to store the fuel with as little exposure to air as possible, avoid containers with vent caps.
Look for containers that are airtight and that also provide tight seals around the cap. These are examples of good gasoline containers.
Fuel stabilizers can be helpful in extending the life of the product, while also defending against the absorption of moisture. For maximum benefit, fuel stabilizers should be added to your gasoline at the time of purchase.
While using the stabilizer extends the life of the gas, a two stroke gas oil mixture with a fuel stabilizer should not be stored for more than 90 days. Using Husqvarna 2 stroke oil will help reduce the risk of engine failure and poor engine performance, by helping to prevent the fuel from becoming stale.
Whether you are a professional landscaper or a homeowner, always keep your cap secure on your gas containers between jobs. Even exposing your gas to air for a short period of time will allow it to absorb detrimental amounts of water.
Before storing your unit for the season, make sure you drain the fuel tank and run the unit until it’s dry. Most units that were made in the last five years have components that are resistant to the effects of Ethanol. However, older units should never be stored with fuel in them, since the fuel lines could be affected by the ethanol found in today’s gasoline.

By taking the time to understand the issues surrounding today’s gasoline you are more likely to enjoy your equipment and prevent much frustration.

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How to Work with Chainsaws - Safety

8/6/2012

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The chainsaw is an efficient tool but it can also be dangerous if used incorrectly, that's why safety must always come first.

NOTE: Refer to your Owner's Manual for specific safety instructions on your chainsaw.

Your clothing is a very important part of this. Even if you are just cutting some firewood outside the backdoor of your house, you must use the personal protective equipment that is required in your country.

The best items of your equipment are highly visible ventilated protective jacket and trousers fitted with saw protection. Of course protective equipment cannot prevent an accident from occurring, but it can help to reduce the extent of the injury. You should also have boots with a steel toe cap, saw protection and a heavy tread, and a helmet of course with a full coverage visor and hearing protection.

Make sure you’ve got a first aid kit ready and accessible and it's a good idea to carry a mobile phone and a whistle so did you can call for help easily if something happens. Protect your hands with a pair of strong gloves and, if possible, bring someone with you when you work especially if you are inexperienced.

Have fun and stay safe when using your chainsaw. For a list of chainsaw accessories check OttawaChainSaws.com.

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How to Sharpen a Chainsaw- Maintenance

8/6/2012

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Filing the chain is an important part of maintaining the saw and it’s not difficult if you use the proper instructions and equipment. It’s easiest if you file the chain relatively frequently.

Filing the chain on your chainsaw.

Fix the saw in place, lock the chain by activating the chain break. Start with the cutting teeth.
Place the file gage on the chain with the arrows pointing towards the bar nose.
Place the file at right angles to the rollers. File every second tooth with an even pushing stroke, then turn the soar around and file the rest of the cutting teeth.
About every 3rd time you file the cutting teeth file the depth gauges between them as well.
Hold the file gage steady with one hand, select “hard” or “soft”, depending on which type of wood you normally saw and file the depth gage until the file contacts the file gage.
After a number of sharpenings, when the longest part of the cutting tooth is less than 4 millimeters the chain should be replaced.
Remove the bar and put the new chain in place. Adjust the chain tension carefully, a loose chain can jump off and if it’s too tight, it will wear out the bar. You should be able to lift the chain approximately 1 centimeter from the track of the middle of the bar and it should be easy to pull the chain around by hand.

Regular Safety Inspection and Maintenance.
When it comes to other maintenance, there are a few parts that require cleaning now and then to ensure safety and efficiency of the chainsaw .

Remove the clutch cover and clean the chain brake band. You should also clean the bar occasionally.
Remove the cylinder cover and wash the air filter. Clean the cooling fins on the air intake if necessary.
Check periodically that the flywheel fins are clean to ensure good engine cooling.
There are other things that should be checked periodically to make sure that they are working as they should, in particular the chain brake, throttle control and chain catcher. Also check that the chain lubrication hole is not blocked.
whole isn’t blocked and that the chain drive wheel is hold and not too worn.

We hope you’ve learned more about how to use a chainsaw properly. It might seem like a lot to take in, but with a little practice, you will soon become competent with the saw. Try to bring along an experienced person and the beginning and study the user’s manual.

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What type of fuel to use- avoid gas with Ethanol

How to Work with Chainsaws - Safety

How to Sharpen a Chainsaw- Maintenance

Ottawa's Chainsaw Experts

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