SAFETY FIRST

There are three routine checks you should make each time you use your saw, starting with your chain. A sharp chain cuts faster and will require less effort from the user to get through wood, so keeping it sharp will make it easier to handle and will be better for your saw.

Next, check that your chain is correctly tensioned. This will not only produce a faster and cleaner cut, it’s also better for the longevity of your bar, chain, and sprocket. Make sure your chain is tight enough to touch the bar all the way around without hanging off the underside, but not so tight that it restricts the movement of the chain along the bar. There are a number of models in the STIHL range that feature our quick chain tensioning system which makes this process a lot quicker and easier.

The last, but one of the most important checks, is the operation of your chain brake. Simply put, the main purpose of this feature is to stop the chain if it ever kicks back towards the user. If the chain brake is locked in the forward position, it is on, just like a handbrake in a car. If the chain brake is back and loose, it means it is off. Always start your chainsaw with the chain break forward (on), the chain brake should only be disengaged just before starting a cut.