How to Maintain Your Electric Chainsaw for Peak Performance

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Electric chainsaws should certainly be a staple within your equipment stack at home, despite some households choosing to outsource their garden maintenance to a gardener.

Ownership of electric chainsaws, however offer several benefits, especially for homeowners and casual users. From being a low-maintenance and environmentally-friendly option, they’re certainly more suitable for light to medium-duty tasks, whether that looks like pruning hedges or cutting firewood for your indoor log-burner.

With that being said, there are plenty of key benefits when it comes to maintaining your electric chainsaw in order to achieve peak performance. Let’s take a look at those key benefits as well as proactive steps needed to maintain a piece of equipment like this one.

What are the key benefits of an electric chainsaw?

So what are the benefits of having this type of equipment in your shed or garage? Let’s take a look at why it’s worth adding to your collection of garden and home maintenance equipment. 

Ease of use

Electric chainsaws will typically start with the push of a button. This eliminates the need for exhausting pull-starts, chokes, or engine priming. You’ll also notice they’re lighter and more ergonomically designed, which is helpful when you want to reduce your fatigue during operation.

Low maintenance

There are fewer moving parts with electric chainsaws. That means there’s no need to worry about fuel mixing or oil changes and spark plug replacements. Basic maintenance is something that everyone can do when it comes to looking after this piece of equipment – it really doesn’t need much.

Quieter operation

Electric motors will produce a lot less noise than the internal combustion engine that you’ll typically find now on older models. This is ideal for use in residential or urban areas without the need to disturb your neighbors.

Environmentally-friendly

They produce zero emissions at the point of use, therefore contributing to cleaner air and a smaller carbon footprint, too. You’ve got no noxious exhaust fumes to avoid, making them safer to operate in enclosed spaces, especially those that might be poorly ventilated.

Cost-effective

Electric chainsaws will often come at a lower price point initially and also have lower running costs, too, as electricity is cheaper than fuel and oil.

Enhanced safety

Many electric models will feature instant chain brakes and automatic shut-off functions. This is helpful for the purpose of safety.  With a lower power output compared to the heavy-duty ones fueled by petrol, it can also reduce the violence of potential kickback incidents from happening.

Considerations to think about

Some considerations to think about with electric chainsaws are that they typically come in two types: corded models and battery-powered cordless ones.

Corded models offer continuous power, but they’re limited by mobility due to the length of the extension cord.

With battery-powered options that are cordless, they provide excellent mobility, but their runtime is limited by battery life. Having a spare battery available, though, can help extend your sessions with the chainsaw.

Maintaining your electric chainsaw

Maintaining your electric chainsaw for peak performance should involve a few simple and regular tasks. Unlike the gas models, electric chainsaws have fewer components, and therefore, the maintenance of this equipment is a lot easier and faster.

After each use

The most crucial part of maintenance for any chainsaw is what you do after each use. Cleaning the body by wiping off sawdust or debris from the saw’s body, as well as the ventilation slit,s will help prevent buildup and cause overheating. You can use a soft brush or a damp cloth for this.

You should also clean the bar and chain. Remove the chain cover and clean the guide bar groove, the sprocket area, and the oil inlet hole. Any built-up resin or sawdust can ultimately block oil flow and cause problems over time.

Make sure to remove the battery from cordless electric chainsaws, as this helps prevent short-circuiting and degradation. It’s best to disconnect and store the battery in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight.

Before each use

Before using the electric chainsaw, there are a few steps to take before you press the button. Firstly, check the chain tension. This should sit snugly against the guide bar, but with gloves on, it can still be pulled around by hand and should snap back after being pulled away slightly.

Check the bar and chain oil levels. Ensure the oil reservoir is filled with a high-quality bar and chain oil designed for chainsaws. You’ll find that electric chainsaws have smaller tanks, so this is a crucial check that needs to happen before every job, ideally. Without enough oil in the tank, the chain overheads and can dull quickly, putting a strain on the motor.

It’s vital you’re performing a visual check for any damage, cracks, or loose nuts and bolts on the saw, as well as the safety features like the chain break.

Periodic maintenance

For maintenance that you should do periodically, there are a few suggestions worth making sure you check off every so often:

• Sharpen the chain – A sharp chain cuts efficiently and safely. Sharpen the chain every 5 to 10 hours of use, or when it’s no longer cutting effectively.
• Inspect and flip the guide bar – The guide bar can also wear unevenly over time. To help promote good wear, flip the bar over regularly. Inspect it for burrs and file them if necessary.
• Battery and charger care – Check the battery and charger for any damage. Be sure to clean the battery contacts and check the manufacturer’s guide for long-term storage. Avoid storing your battery in extreme temperatures.
• Inspect the power cord – This is only necessary for corded only but check the cord for any cuts, fraying, or damage before each use to avoid electric shock hazards.

If you’re planning to store your chainsaw for an extended period, make sure to perform comprehensive cleaning and check everything before removing the battery and storing it in a cool, dry place.

With these tips, you’ll be able to maintain your electric chainsaw so that you continue to have peak performance with every use.

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