Chainsaw. first start: assembly, proportions of oil and gasoline, care and storage
How to prepare your chainsaw for the first start? How to prepare the correct fuel mixture and quickly change the headset? In this article, we will answer these and many other questions, as well as give some tips for maintaining and storing your chainsaw.
Chainsaw chain maintenance
During operation, the chain stretches and does not fit well on the saw teeth. If the chain nuts are too loose on the saw teeth, then tighten the chain and then tighten the blade itself. When the chain is worn out, you need to change it, but first you can try to sharpen it.
Finding out about link wear is simple:
- Sawdust becomes powdery
- It takes more effort to work
- The saw vibrates strongly
- Fuel consumption increases
To sharpen the chain, you need a file (Fubag already has it in the kit). Having prepared the tool, you can get down to business:
Lock the chain in place 2. Take a round file of the correct size 3. Place the file on the cutter and start sharpening, keeping it straight 4. After sharpening each cutter, measure the depth and adjust to the correct size. 5. To minimize the likelihood of kickback and link breakage, round off the leading edge.
Let’s start with the engine
Engine care includes blowing out the cylinder cooling fins, checking the spark plug, oil, fuel and air filters.
The air filter and cylinder cover must be removed to clean the cylinder fins. When refitting the cylinder cover, check that the wires of the switch and the sealing ring are in the correct position.
To clean the fuel and oil filters, you need to remove them and rinse them with gasoline for chainsaws, or replace with a new filter.
It does not hurt to check the spark plug periodically. In case of contamination, clean the electrodes with a wire brush and restore the gap to 0.65 mm.
To check the air filter, we take it out, remove the dust from the surface. If it is heavily clogged, then it is better to rinse it in gasoline.
If cleaning with compressed air, direct the jet towards the inner surface.
Filling a STIHL chainsaw with fuel and chain oil
Assembling a chainsaw using the example of Fubag FPS 56
Like most analogues, the chainsaw is supplied disassembled: a body, a separate tire and a saw headset. In addition to the main parts, the kit includes: a set of tools, a container for gasoline mixture, a tire cover, a bumper, a file for sharpening a chain and reliable safety goggles.
Everything is clear with the kit. let’s move on to the assembly:
Move the guard towards the front handle to make sure the chain brake is disengaged.
Loosen the nuts and remove the chain cover.
Install the cutting link (for the FUBAG FPS 56 chainsaw it is included in the kit).
We turn the chain on the sprocket, and at the same time install the tire on the saw body.
Check if the direction of rotation of the saw chain is correctly set.
Install the chain cover on the main saw body and tighten the nuts by hand.
Adjust the chain tension by turning the tensioning screw until the connecting link touches the underside of the guide.
Raise the end of the tire and finally tighten the nuts.
Manually check the uniformity of rotation and the degree of saw tension.
If the chainsaw has a gas-powered tensioning system, as, for example, the FPS 37 saw model, then the assembly process will take no more than a minute. For this you need:
Place the bar and chain on the chainsaw pins in the correct way (the cutting teeth must point in the direction of travel). 2. Install the cover. Adjust the position to fit the cover correctly. pins on it so that they go into the holes of the tire.
Extend the screw stop and tighten a little until the bar and chain do not dangle, but there is some freedom to adjust the chain tension. 4. Adjust the chain tension by rotating the wheel.
Pull out the stop and tighten the cover, ensuring reliable fixation of the equipment.
It is not necessary to tighten the chain all the way, because soon it can stretch again. The chain should have a small margin, slightly sag. It is not difficult to test it with your hand. Ideal if it lends itself to bend off the tire by a millimeter.
TEST checking the supply of the fuel mixture
Our saw is fueled. Let’s start the engine and test the oil supply.
We check the caps of the gas tank and oil tank. They must be tightly closed. 2. This model has an easy start system and a primer. a fuel pumping button. Pull out the air damper handle and turn on the ignition switch.
Pull the recoil starter. Important! In this case, the saw should not be in hand, only on the ground! This is necessary to avoid injury when jerking.
Let the engine run for 30-40 seconds at idle, after which the air damper can be moved to its original position.
The saw is ready to work, press the start levers. This model is equipped with an anti-vibration system, which significantly reduces the burden on the operator. To stop the saw, simply release the start button. The chain will stop and the engine should be idled for a few minutes. After that, turn the ignition switch to position O.
Chainsaw care. engine, chain, tire
Before moving on to the topic of caring for a chainsaw, it is worth talking a little about the safety of use. The FUBAG FPS 56 model selected as an example is equipped with a chain brake that prevents the chain from rotating in the event of a kickback. Always check that the chain brake is working properly before starting work.
How to do it? We start the saw at full speed for a couple of seconds and press the protection lever. The chain must stop immediately. If this does not happen, but you need to contact the service.
The chain brake is easy to check with the engine off. It is enough to hit the end of the tire on a hard surface, the protection lever should automatically fold back. Remember? Moving on.
Correct use guarantees the correct performance of the tool for many years. After each working session, it is advisable to clean all the elements in order to get rid of accumulated dust.
In what proportions to mix oil and gasoline for chainsaws?
The chainsaw is equipped with a single-cylinder two-stroke engine that uses a fuel mixture for operation. To refuel, you will need 92 gasoline and special oil for air-cooled two-stroke engines.
We prepare a mixture in the proportion of oil and gasoline. 1:40. In other words, we observe the ratio per 1 liter of gasoline. 25 grams of butter. Most often, such a volume is contained in a standard cap of a container with a technical liquid.
Mix the mixture well in a separate container. Owners of FUBAG FPS 56 are in luck, because it is already included in the kit. After completing the preparation of the fuel mixture, pour it into the gas tank.
Which chainsaw oil to choose? For our engines, we recommend Fubag 2T Extra semi-synthetic oil. optimally selected quality composition. Please note that oil for four-stroke engines or for outboard motors will not work in any way.
Chainsaw fuel mixture isn’t the only one that uses oil. The devices have another technological tank, where the lubricant for the chain is poured. By the time the fuel runs out, the oil for the chain also runs out, so it will need to be refilled every time after refueling the tool.
How to choose chain oil? We recommend the special brand Fubag Super Chain oil.
The correct ratio of oil to gasoline for your chainsaw
Hello everyone! This article will focus on the correct ratio of oil to gasoline for your chainsaw. This is perhaps the most important thing to know when operating this unit. Too little oil will lead to excessive friction, and too much oil will lead to excessive carbon build-up and overheating. As a result, both will lead to quick engine breakdown. Repair can cost half the price of a new chainsaw.
In addition to the correct proportion, we will also talk about other important things that will allow your chainsaw to last as long as possible. what gasoline to use, what oil to pour, dilution methods, shelf life of the finished mixture, etc so I advise you not to quit reading the article after the section on proportions. since further there will also be information that will be useful to you.
Oil producers
One of the best oils, admittedly by most experts, is produced by STIHL, the same one that also makes chainsaws very well. Therefore, if you have an expensive chainsaw, then it is better not to save by buying cheaper oils.
Another major global manufacturer of chainsaws, Husqvarna, also produces a two-stroke oil of the same name. But many users noted that when it is used on equipment of other brands, it leads to excessive smoke, and in general chainsaws do not work at full capacity. At the same time, Husqvarna equipment itself works perfectly with this oil. Therefore, if you have a Husqvarna chainsaw, then buy the same oil for it. For other equipment, it is better not to take.
There are also well-known world brands producing various malas, including two-stroke ones. For example, Ravenol. Oil from such manufacturers can also be bought without fear.
There are oils produced in Russia. In principle, they are not bad if the saw is used for domestic use. That is, it will certainly reduce the resource of the chainsaw somewhat, but in everyday life you will not notice this, since the engine of the chainsaw, in any case, in such gentle operating conditions, serves for many years. For professional activities, I do not recommend taking such oil.
How to properly breed?
The numbers of dilution proportions are not in vain given with such accuracy. That is, it does not say that “take approximately this amount of oil.” The exact proportion cannot be observed by eye, so you have to use something that will allow you to measure the exact amount of oil and gasoline.
Some inexpensive chainsaws usually come with a measuring tank with risks. As a rule, it has several scales for different proportions. Or one, if the manufacturer implies that this tank will only be used with the saw with which it comes in the kit. There should be two horizontal marks on this scale. The lower one shows the level to which you need to pour gasoline. Upper. the level to which the mixture should reach after adding oil to gasoline.
For more accurate metering of oil, you can use a medical syringe. Preferably not less than 20 ml.
In general, pour gasoline into a measuring container, add the required amount of oil measured with a syringe and shake.
Re: Why You Should Fill Gas & Oil at the Same Time In Your Chainsaw
Preparation of the mixture must be done in a separate container, and not directly in the tank of the chainsaw. Otherwise, the oil, without having time to dilute with gasoline, can get into the carburetor, which will complicate the start-up, up to the need to remove the carburetor and clean it.
Shelf life of ready-made fuel mixture for chainsaws
So, pure gasoline can be stored not very long, and the ready-made fuel mixture is even less. Some manufacturers indicate that in a diluted state, storage up to one month is allowed.
But experts recommend storing no more than 8-10 days.
It’s just that as soon as you mix, the oil immediately begins to gradually lose its properties. As a result, after a few days, this is not the same fuel mixture that it was originally. What can we say about storage for more than a month.
Therefore, do not prepare the mixture for future use. You need to cook as much as you are going to use for the upcoming work. How much needs to be prepared in this case, only experience can tell. If you still do not have enough of it, then prepare no more than one liter of the fuel mixture. If it is not enough, then cook some more. it will not take long. If it remains, then it will not be such a large number as to regret it.
The ready-made fuel mixture should be stored in a closed, opaque container. Or, if the container is translucent, then put it in a dark place. The container must be petrol resistant. For example, plastic bottles from various drinks (“poltorashki”) will not work. Their plastic is eaten away by gasoline and all this stuff gets into the engine.
You can use special metal or plastic canisters for flammable materials. Or just use an empty canister from any used oil, after rinsing it several times from the inside with clean gasoline. Glass containers will work too, but keep in mind that they are easy to break.
Correct proportions
So, I will not beat around the bush for a long time, but I will go straight to the numbers. The most common dilution ratios are 1:50 and 1:40. That is, one part of oil is poured into 50 or 40 parts of gasoline. For those who did not understand, I will explain in more detail. We take one liter of gasoline and divide it by 50 or 40, respectively. As a result, we get the right amount of oil for one liter of gasoline. That is, one liter is 1000 ml. Divide 1000 ml by 50, we get 20 ml of oil. Divide by 40, we get 25 ml. This is exactly how much oil you need to add to one liter of gasoline.
But you will say that you do not know what the proportion should be on your chainsaw. Well, if you have lost the instruction or for some reason there is no information about the proportion in it, then you can use the following rules:
- if the chainsaw and oil are from the same brand (for example, STIHL chainsaw and STIHL oil), then dilute gasoline with oil in the proportion indicated on the oil (usually 1:50);
- if the chainsaw and oil are of different brands, then observe the ratio of 1:40;
- if the brand is the same, but there is no information on the oil, then dilute in a ratio of 1:40;
- if nothing is known at all. you do not know either the brand of the chainsaw or the oil., then you still dilute in a ratio of 1:40. The main thing is to know that the oil is exactly suitable for two-stroke engines of chainsaws.
If the saw is new and runs in, it is recommended to increase the amount of oil for the first three fuel tank fillings by about 20%. That is, the proportion of 1:50 turns into 1:42, and 1:40 into 1:33. Or 24 or 30 ml of oil per 1 liter of gasoline, respectively. Well, I will note here that in addition to increasing the amount of oil in the fuel mixture, no more running-in measures with a chainsaw are needed, unless otherwise indicated in the instructions. That is, it is not necessary, for example, to leave it idling for a long time or to cut it not at full speed, as this will lead to its overheating and faster failure. Always cut only at maximum speed. And after running out of three tanks of fuel (meaning the tank of the chainsaw), go to the usual proportions of 1:50 or 1:40.
But sometimes it happens that the manufacturer indicates a different proportion, compared to those that I gave above. For example, 1:25 or 1:32. In this case, these proportions must be observed. Although if you know about them, then what did you forget in this article?
What gasoline to use?
It is better to use AI-92 gasoline for modern chainsaws. It is better not to use the 95th. Firstly, because the saws are set up to work with 92 gasoline. And, secondly, 95th gasoline is obtained by adding special additives to gasoline with a lower octane number. And as experts say, this is not good.
In general, fill in 92nd gasoline and you will be happy. Just do not stock up on it, as its octane number drops during long-term storage.
In general, they say (they say!) That our refineries can produce only 80 gasoline in pure form. But already it is brought to the 92nd and 95th due to additives. In the 95th, there are naturally more additives. So, during long-term storage, these additives “evaporate” and gasoline again becomes 80th. True or not, I don’t know, but I learned this information back in 2009 at one of the seminars on servicing gasoline equipment from the head of the service department for Russia of one of the manufacturers of gasoline equipment. If this was true, then maybe today (2018) the situation has improved.
In any case, it is better to buy gasoline at proven gas stations, where you have already refueled and everything was fine.
Mineral or synthetics?
Yes, just like for cars, there are both mineral and synthetic oils for chainsaws. Due to the lower price, in most cases, mineral oil is used. However, synthetic provides a longer service life of the chainsaw, since no carbon remains on the cylinder walls with it.
But don’t be afraid of mineral oil if you can’t get a synthetic one. Although there is carbon deposits with it, there is not much of it. However, the service life of the saw with such oil will be slightly lower (but not catastrophic).
What you just can’t do is start using synthetic oil after you have used mineral water on your chainsaw for a long time (more than 100 hours). This is due to the fact that synthetics will wash away the accumulated carbon deposits and it can get in pieces where it is not needed. Therefore, if you initially started using mineral oil, then use only it.