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 - Limbing

8/7/2012

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Things to consider when limbing.

Work calmly and methodically as it’s easy to get kickbacks.
Try to place the trunk so that you can work between waist and knee height.
Stand to the left of the trunk and work from the base of the tree upwards.
Stand firmly with your feet apart and keep the saw close to your body.
Work with both a pulling and a pushing chain and always try to rest the saw on the trunk or against your hip.
Take care not to contact branches with the upper part of the bar nose.

Only move when you have the trunk between yourself and the bar of the saw. Branches on the upper side of the trunk can be cut with the saw lying on its side. You can limb the branches on the underside of the trunk at the same time as the rest if you have a good working height. If the tree has large branches, they can be under great tension, in which case you should limb them from the outside and in towards the trunk. Saw with the bar held vertically to reduce the risk of it getting caught. If the branch is very large, you might have to cut it from two sides. Observe how the branches are tensioned so that you can saw them from the correct side, otherwise there is a risk that the saw will get caught.

If the tree is lying right on the ground, you will have to wait with the branches on the bottom, until you are finished with the others and can roll the trunk over. Be careful when the trunk is close to the ground, since it’s quite a risk that you will touch something with the tip of the bar, which will cause a kickback. Now you got crosscutting left, study the tree before you start especially if the trunk is thick.

How use the chainsaw for Cross Cutting

First, try to see how the trunk is tensioned.
Watch how the trunk reacts when you start to saw, you might have misjudged the tension.
Stand off to the side of the cuts since the trunk can jump up when it comes apart.
Never stand below the trunk if the ground is sloping. If the trunk lies so that the pressure comes from above, start with a cut from above, saw about one third of the way through the trunk or until it starts to pinch the bar.

Then cut from underneath to meet the first cut.
If instead the trunk lies so that the pressure comes from below, you work the other way around.
Start by sawing from underneath about one third of the way through the trunk or until it starts to pinch the bar, then cut from above to meet the first cut.
If the bar gets stuck don’t try to pull out the saw. Instead stop the engine, bend open the trunk until the saw comes loose.

When you finished work, it’s a good idea to take a look at your saw to make sure it’s functioning properly, it’s safe and ready to go the next time you need it. Of course, maintenance requirements depend on how much you use the saw.

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How to Work with Chainsaws - Felling Trees

8/6/2012

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How to Work with Chainsaws - Felling Trees

Before felling any trees, find out which environmental regulations apply and make sure that you have the necessary permits. When you’ve decided to fell a tree you should think about what you can do to prevent accidents. Take note of everything that could affect safety: are there any roads, overhead lines or buildings nearby?

If so and you are a beginner, you should leave the job to someone with more experience. If you know that people often pass through the area, you should set out warning signs. Assess the tree and take notes of the various factors that could affect the felling:

Factors that can affect the felling.

Is the tree leaning?
Which way is the wind blowing?
Considering the surroundings and ease of subsequent work, which direction should it be felled in?
Make sure that there are no people within the safety radius, which is at least twice the length of the tree that you intend to fell.

Safety procedures.
Stand by the tree and decide exactly which direction you want it to fall in. Choose a feature from the surroundings as a guide. Clear obstructive undergrowth from around the tree; remove branches and other obstacles on the ground. On both sides of the tree you should be able to walk unobstructed and an angle away from the falling tree and remain there at a safe distance. The general idea of directional felling is that you first saw a directional notch, which determines which direction the tree will fall. The directional notch can be made in a variety of ways.

Felling a tree: “The opened directional notch.”

Firstly, you make a top cut into the stem at an angle of about 60 degrees. Saw to a depth of about 20 to 25 percent of the tree’s diameter, then make a horizontal undercut to meet the top cut.
Next, you saw a horizontal felling cut slightly above the level of the undercut. It’s important that you stop sawing just before you reach the directional notch, leaving what is called the hinge.
The hinge guides the tree as it falls.The hinge should be 10% of the tree’s diameter, or at least 2 centimeters wide.

How you use the saw when felling is decided in part by the thickness of the tree.

First, let’s look at what you do when the bar is longer than the diameter of the
tree.

Stand with your legs apart and lean against the tree trunk with your shoulder. To avoid an unnecessarily high stump, make the directional notch low.
Hold the saw at the correct angle and side towards the physical feature in the surroundings that you selected. It should coincide with the felling size on top of the saw.
Give the saw full throttle and start sawing.
From time to time, check that you are keeping the correct angle and direction.
Stay in the same position and make the undercut. Make sure that you meet the top cut exactly.

Making the felling cut.

Use either a pushing or a pulling chain.
Saw until you have enough room to push in a breaking bar.
Make sure you don’t touch the breaking bar with the chain when you continue sawing.
Leave a hinge that is as even in thickness as possible. Remove the saw and lift the bar until the tree starts to fall.
The breaking bar is a felling tool for smaller trees; it prevents the tree from falling in the wrong direction and from pinching the blade while sawing.

Best practices when using a chainsaw.
If you are not used to using a chainsaw, we recommend that you first get acquainted with the saw by practicing a while on a suitable log. There are some basic rules for using a chainsaw:

Hold it firmly on both handles and hold your thumbs and fingers right around the handles, make sure you hold your left thumb under them front handle to reduce the force of a possible kickback. It’s good to have respect for the saw, but don’t be afraid of it.
If you hold it close to your body it won’t feel as heavy and you will be more balanced and in better control of the saw.
For the best balance, stand with your feet apart. You can saw with both the upper and the lower edge of the bar.
When using the lower edge, you are sawing with the pulling chain, which means that the chain pulls the saw away from you.
Using the upper edge of the chain, you are sawing with the pushing chain, and the chain pushes the chain towards you.
Protect your back by not working in a bent over position; bend your knees
instead if you are working at a low level. When moving, make sure the chain is
not rotating by activating the chain break or turning off the engine. For longer
distances, of course, use the bar guard.

Felling larger trees.
Now let’s look at what you do with a larger tree. Just like before you create a good working environment, you might need to remove some of the branches from the bottom of the trunk.

The safest way to do this is with a pulling chain, moving from above downwards.
Use the trunk as a protection between you and the saw.
Never prune higher than the shoulder height.
If the tree has buttress roots, it may be easier if you remove them. Here, the bar is shorter than the diameter of the trunk so a slightly more complicated felling technique is required.
If you are not particularly experienced it’s wise that you have somebody with you who is.
As the bar doesn’t reach through the trunk, you have to complete the directional notch from the other side, make sure that the new cuts meet up with the old ones as closely as possible.
Don’t leave the tree unguarded if you have to call for help.

For more information on chainsaw safety and other ways of working with chainsaw, check OttawaChainSaws.com

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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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Fred Sova (Root Plus Inc.) Winner of Husqvarna Chain Saw @ Ottawa Green Trade Expo

2/17/2012

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Thank you all for entering the YARMAND draw to win a Husqvarna Chain Saw at the Ottawa Green Trade Expo 2012.

The lucky winner of the draw is Mr. Fred Sova of Root Plus Inc. !

ROOT PLUS provides lawn care and general landscaping to residential and commercial properties throughout Ottawa West and East end communities. Mr. Sova is the owner of ROOT PLUS and the company has been growing since its inception in 1998.They are a member of the Better Business Bureau, Landscape Ontario and ICPI certified.

As the spring season is approaching, Mr. Sova is making sure their equipment fleet is complete and all the maintenance has been performed a head of time. He is also preparing designs and draft proposals for clients. Mr. Sova and his associates often attend trade exhibitions. He found the Ottawa Green Trade Expo 2012 to be quite useful in providing an opportunity for him and his staff to meet with equipment dealers and material suppliers and to learn about options that would lead to further growth of their company. You can get in touch with Fred Sova and ROOT PLUS through their website: http://www.rootplus.ca/

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How to replace bar & chain on a chain saw?

11/15/2011

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At some point you will have to replace the bar and chain on your chainsaw. The steps are pretty much the same for all brands. Here is quick look at how it's done:

1- Make sure the saw is not HOT
2- Disengage the safety brake. (don't forget!)
3- Remove the bar cover nut(s)
4- Clean debris from cover and surrounding area
5- Put the new bar on and new chain over it with cutting teeth facing forward.
6- Install bar cover and hand tighten the nut(s)
7- Use the adjuster screw to give tension to the chain
8- Tighten the cover nut(s)

Helpful tips:
- Use the right chain by matching the: Gauge, Pitch, & number of Drive links.
- Flip bar after installing new chain
- Wear gloves and eye protection

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First Post!

11/14/2011

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Start blogging by creating a new post. You can edit or delete me by clicking under the comments. You can also customize your sidebar by dragging in elements from the top bar.

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