Maintaining Our STIHL Chainsaws
It's snowing all day at my Bedford, New York farm - we're expecting to get up to a foot of snow in the area along with high winds.
When winter weather prevents my grounds crew from working outdoors, it's always a good time to take stock of the equipment and do any necessary maintenance. Last week, when it was bitterly cold, my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring, tended to some of these indoor chores including sharpening our trusted STIHL chainsaws. We use these tools nearly every day, so it is important to keep them in good working order at all times.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This is my giant Equipment Barn where we store all of the working vehicles, tractors, and tools. In the back of the building is a fully equipped work area where we do most of the maintenance work.
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- Our STIHL chainsaws are used all throughout the year on the farm. It is crucial these tools are always sharp and ready to use. STIHL’s most well-known tool is the chainsaw. STIHL designed and built its first electric chain saw in 1926 and 94 years later, it is still one of its best pieces of equipment. We use both gas-powered and battery-powered chainsaws.
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- For sharpening the chainsaws, Chhiring needs a STIHL chainsaw scrench, which is a 3-in-1 multi tool wrench and screwdriver, a flat file, and a STIHL file guide.
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- First, Chhiring inspects the teeth and the bar of the chainsaw to see what work needs to be done. This unit needs sharpening.
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- Using the scrench, Chhiring releases the nuts that hold the bar and chain in place.
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- The plate is removed from the body of the motor exposing the chain. Chhiring is now able to slide the bar off the motor.
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- And remove the chain from the bar.
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- Chhiring looks at the rails of the bar. With use, sometimes the chain can make the bar uneven. This bar needs a bit of work.
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- Chhiring places the bar into this heavy-duty bench vice to keep it secure. This will keep one’s hands free and prevent the saw from shifting as it is being filed.
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- Chhiring uses this flat file to smooth out the top of the rails. This multi-purpose single file allows one to sharpen and smooth out a metal edge.
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- He files the sides of the rails to remove any metal burs caused by the chainsaw teeth.
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- Then he files the top of the rails, so they are smooth.
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- Chhiring stops frequently to check his work and to assess where else he needs to file. Here at the farm, we also wear masks at all times – adhering to all the CDC pandemic safety guidelines.
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- Next, Chhiring returns the chain to the bar.
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- A chain on a chainsaw at a usable tension should have no visible slack. When it is lifted, it should have only about an eighth of an inch of give and snap back when released.
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- Chhiring uses a regular screwdriver to adjust the tension screws. He makes sure the chain is tight, but still able to move around the saw with little effort.
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- Chhiring brushes any dust or debris out from all the parts of the chainsaw.
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- And then places the tool back onto the vice. The chain itself is sharpened next. It needs to be sharpened if the shavings cut from the chainsaw become very fine and almost dust-like, or if the saw does not cut straight. If the teeth on the chainsaw chain become dull, the saw will not cut correctly or efficiently.
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- This is a STIHL 2-N-1 Easy File Chainsaw Chain Sharpener and Guide. It includes two round files, and one flat file, and comes with a unique file holder and filing guide for easy use.
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- Chhiring positions the file at about a 30-degree angle to the chainsaw teeth and holds it at about a 90-degree angle to the bar. Chhiring applies pressure as he files away from the teeth – two or three strokes per tooth. He does this for every tooth in one direction and then in the other, all the way around.
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- Chhiring also checks that the sharp rakers are kept at the right height. These rakers keep the depth of the cut consistent as the chain spins. Chhiring files any that are not level.
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- Once the chainsaw is sharpened, Chhiring fills it with gas.
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- Then, on the other side, Chhiring fills the resevoir for the bar and chain oil. The oil helps lubricate the chain and also helps keep the dust down during operation. In sappy wood situations it keeps the chain from getting gummed up.
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- And now this chainsaw is ready for work – just several more to check and sharpen.
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