The versatility of a chainsaw allows it to be utilized for a range of woodworking jobs. They are significantly more efficient and easier to use than an axe when cutting through wood.
If you are new to using chainsaws, you should understand how to maintain them properly. For a chainsaw to operate effectively, frequent maintenance is necessary.
A chainsaw needs two different kinds of oil. One oil is used in your engine and is combined with fuel to lubricate moving parts. The second oil is for the guide bar and chain, which are essential to the chainsaw’s durability and high level of performance. In order to ensure that your chainsaw operates reliably, you must maintain certain oil levels.
In this article, we will discuss exactly how to oil a chainsaw chain & bar, along with the importance of doing so and using the right oil.
Table of Contents
- Why Does a Chainsaw Chain Bar Need Oiling?
- Which Oil Is Right for Lubricating a Chainsaw Bar and Chain?
- How to Oil a Chainsaw in 5 Simple Steps?
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why Does a Chainsaw Chain Bar Need Oiling?
Your chainsaw’s main components are the bar and chain. The bar and chain of your chainsaw, whether it be gasoline or electric, need to be lubricated on a regular basis. A novice could be perplexed as to why lubrication is necessary and what would happen if you stopped providing it on a regular basis.
Visit our Electric vs Gas Chainsaw guide for more information on both!
A chainsaw’s bar and chain must be lubricated because they are constantly in contact with one another. You must be aware that high friction results from two metal components grinding against each other continuously in the absence of lubrication.
Because of the friction between the parts, the bar chain won’t travel very readily and will generate a lot of heat. By removing the friction, the lubrication enables the chain to glide effortlessly over the bar. You can use the chainsaw effectively for many hours thanks to this.
More about parts of a chainsaw on the blog.
If you don’t frequently lubricate these components, the chainsaw will operate more slowly and use a lot more gasoline. Furthermore, the heat generated may seriously harm the chainsaw’s components, rendering them worthless.
Which Oil Is Right for Lubricating a Chainsaw Bar and Chain?
You may have heard in many local publications that you can lubricate your chainsaw with various types of oil, but this is not always the case. Because it contains a component called tackifier that gives the bar and chain the essential lubrication, we strongly advise using the best bar and chain oil (or bar and chain oil substitutes) that is specially formulated for the job.
One of the most incorrect notions is that used engine oil can be used as a lubricant. That is a highly risky approach because it could seriously and permanently harm your chainsaw. The viscosity and particulate content of the old oil prevent adequate lubrication of the bar and chain components.
If you don’t have access to the oil that was first advised, there are other chainsaw oil alternatives that you can use. When using a chainsaw in the forest, the Forest Departments frequently forbid the use of goods containing petroleum. In its place, they are now permitted to use vegetable or canola oil in chainsaws.
These replacements should only be used as temporary stand-ins, and you should switch to the original bar and chain oil as soon as you can. For your chainsaws, STIHL, an approved US Chainsaw Brand, offers a premium bar and chain oil. The STIHL chainsaw bar oil is incredibly efficient and makes sure your chainsaw runs without a hitch.
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How to Oil a Chainsaw in 5 Simple Steps?
Because the chainsaw already has a reservoir that can store the oil and use it automatically when you use the chainsaw, oiling it is quite simple. There is also a chamber for bar and chain oil that may be filled as needed, similar to the gasoline tank.
The chainsaw frequently has an ideal bar and chain oil that runs out about the same time as your fuel tank, allowing you to replenish both at once.
Here is a useful YouTube demonstration thanks to Remington, with the steps detailed below!
Here are the steps to fill the bar and chain oil to your chainsaw
Total Time: 5 minutes
Place Chainsaw Flat
Place your chainsaw so that the bar is flat on the ground and on a level surface.
Unscrew Oil Cap
Remove the top from the bar and chain oil chamber after waiting a moment for the oil to settle.
Fill Reservoir
To completely fill the chain oil reservoir, use a funnel. Fill it with enough oil but don’t fill it up too full.
Wipe Excess Oil
After you add bar oil, wipe the area around it with a cloth before screwing the top back on.
You can now resume using your chainsaw. Regularly check the oil levels and top them off as necessary. Your tool will function well for many years just by following these simple procedures and using the proper oil. Therefore, you may increase the durability and dependability of your chainsaw with proper maintenance.
The process generally won’t vary much from brand to brand. However, it’s always good to check your specific chainsaw’s user manual for instructions.
Additional oil and fuel-related articles:
- Chainsaw Bar Not Getting Oil? How to Fix Your Chainsaw Oiler
- Can I Use Any 2 Stroke Oil in My Chainsaw? Fuel Oil Ratio Mix Guide
- Chainsaw Oil Types Guide – Which Oil to Use on Your Chainsaw Oiler
- Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil Substitute: Top Picks & Reviews
- Oil for Electric Chainsaw
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do you have to oil the bar on a chainsaw?
Yes, of course. Although chainsaws have many moving parts, the bar and chain are the ones that require the most upkeep. It’s likely that you need to apply bar and chain oil right away if your chainsaw chain is moving slowly or your gasoline tank empties much faster than it should.
Is bar and chain lubricant the same as oil?
No, bar and chain oil are highly viscous and thick, which keeps them from falling off the chain. Two-cycle oil is thinner and made to be diluted with gasoline in order to grease the engine’s internal components.
What happens if you don’t use bar and chain oil?
Without bar oil, a chainsaw will most likely heat up and finally break if used. The chainsaw may even need a new chain and bar as a result of the considerable damage this can inflict.
Can you use 2-cycle oil for bar and chain oil in a chainsaw?
No. Bar and chain oil is a lubricant made to be “sticky” (having a lot of “cling”) so it won’t be thrown off the chain as the chain spins around the bar quickly. Two-stroke motor oil has a straight weight of about 30 (typically). That is pretty thin and different to bar and chain oil. It also has a very small amount of additives, and those that are there are made to burn as cleanly as possible.
