Why should you study parts of a chainsaw? Answer me. I bet one of your correct responses is that understanding parts of a chainsaw will enable you to put a chainsaw into the right use. Again, deep knowledge of parts of a chainsaw will enable you to exercise proper maintenance of this wonderful tool. What’s more?
The knowledge that you are about to acquire will enable you to comfortably use a chainsaw. And many more. Now that you know why it is very important to study these parts, why don’t you start reading? Welcome.
The Main Parts of a Chainsaw
1. Engine Control
The engine is one of the most important parts of your chainsaw. This part comprises the motor. The motor of the machine connects to the chain of the saw by clutch and the sprocket. The clutch stops stalling of the engine in a situation where the chain suddenly slows down or stops to work.
Besides, the clutch prevents the chain from rotating when the engine in case the engine starts to idle. This ensures that all accidental cases are kept off to the chainsaw or the user. Again, it enables the machine to run consistently and in an efficient manner. For this reason, it ensures safety and performance are achieved within the engine.
Nowadays, the chainsaws have a weighted wheel that provides the engine with the rotational energy. It is this rotational energy that ensures the device maintains a constant speed. The weighted wheel also keeps the engine cool by preventing overheating.
2. Anti-Vibration Handle
Any type of chainsaw comes with anti-vibration elements. An example of such elements is the anti-vibration handle. Found in the anti-vibration handle system, the handle reduces the strain of the chainsaw on the user’s hands and arms. It contains the spring. The spring absorbs the motion that originates from the chainsaw’s gas engine. The anti-vibration handle becomes one of the most important elements of a chainsaw when the operator of the chainsaw has to use the saw for extended durations of time.
3. The Pull Start Handle
It is also known as the recoil start handle. It sits on the left side of the engine. The pull start handle is found in engines that are powered by gas. The sole purpose of the pull start handle is to start the engine.
4. Throttle
This is the part of a chainsaw that controls the number of revolutions that the chainsaw makes per minute. It is actually the pedal of the gas. Apart from sending fuel to the engine, it also runs the engine. It can manage the revolutions because it regulates fuel supply to the engine of the chainsaw. Simply put, the throttle enables the user of the chainsaw to either maximize or minimize the speed at which the saw moves. A user sets the speed according to his or her needs.
As soon as you release the pressure off the throttle, the chainsaw automatically stops. This is a modification that is available in modern chainsaws only. The modification is to ensure the safety of the user is increased as he or she puts the chainsaw in use. Also, the modern chainsaws come with numerous interlocking features in the throttle.
For the interlock to work, you have to depress it. Failure to depress the interlock causes the throttle not to be engaged. This safety measure is very crucial. It helps in preventing the chainsaw from accidentally starting. Apart from the interlock locking features, the modern chainsaw comes with other features to ensure the safety of the user is guaranteed. These safety features keep the user safe when the machine is running, when the user is carrying the chainsaw or when he or she is storing it.
5. Spark Plug
It ignites the fuel in the engine. Comparatively, it resembles a smaller version of the plug that is found in the car. It can easily wear out, just like other fragile parts of the chainsaw such as the air filter. This means the spark plug needs to be replaced regularly. The replacement of the plug depends on factors like frequency of use and the hardness to which the user applies the chainsaw.
6. Chain Brake
It is a requirement that all manufacturers of the chainsaws introduce a chain brake in their chainsaws. This is a law that was initiated in 1995. The chain brake is situated at the engine front, just above the guide bar. The chain brake helps to stop the chain from moving whenever any kickback takes place within the chain. However, the user must take the utmost care when using the chainsaw. This is because the chain brake will not stop the chain from hitting the user.
Instead, the chain brake can stop the chain from rotating when the chain hits the user of the chainsaw. Again, you should keep in mind that not all chainsaws possess a chain brake. This because a chain saw is a feature that may be missing in your current market. Consequently, the user should ensure the chain brake is installed in the saw. This is, especially, an important factor to consider before you buy or replace your chainsaw.
7. The Muffler
Do you love your hearing? If you do, then this an important part of the chainsaw that you must possess. The muffler: friendly to pronounce, friendly to your ears! It is the part that prevents the chainsaw’s excess sound from reaching your precious ears. A chainsaw requires a certain amount of backpressure to function properly. Also, the muffler prevents the junk from accessing your cylinder; without which lots of damage would result. For this reason, it is not advisable to operate your chainsaw in the absence of a muffler.
8. Chain Catcher
The cutting ability of chains of the saws makes the chainsaws to be very dangerous devices if not handled with extreme carefulness. The kickbacks mostly result from using the nose of the chain cutting the wood. As the chain rotates, it will make the nose of the chainsaw to be projected upwards towards the upper parts of your body such as the head.
For this reason, it is a requirement for chainsaw manufacturers to include components that have the safety elements. This is to minimize the risks of accidents that the user is subjected to. The chain catcher is one such safety element. It is also known as the chain stopper. It is made of metal or plastic material. It has been designed to intercept the broken or derailed chain. With the chain catcher, the chain will not strike the user’s hand. Instead, it will simply land on the chain.
9. The Guide Bar
This is a long, round steel bar that directs the chain as it cuts the wood. The guide bar replaced the bow bar. Bow bar is a loop like a guide bar. Bow bars were used in bucking logs. They were also used to clear the bushes. Due to countless injuries that were associated with the bow bars, they had to be replaced by the modern guide bars.
The guide bar ensures the chain has been held in position. On average, a guide bar has a length of 16 to 36 inches. The outside surrounding edge slot of the bar guides the saw of the chain of the saw. Besides, it correctly holds the chain into position. The user controls the device by putting the guide bar against the wood that he or she wants to cut.
10. The Choke
On the chainsaw that is powered by a gas, the choke is located next to the recoil start handle. However, the location of the choke varies with the brand of the chainsaw. The function of the choke in a chainsaw is to adjust the flow of air that would affect the mixture of fuel and air.
The choke has a valve that helps in starting the engine. It is manufactured to start the gasoline-powered chainsaw. It is applied when the chainsaw is cold. During the process of starting the saw, the choke valve cuts the flow of air. By so doing, it creates a combination that is rich with fuel and air.
11. The Filters
The chainsaw has two types of filters. These include the air filters and fuel filters. The air filters prevent sawdust and other impure substances from entering the carburetor. The air filter is covered by air filter cover. The air filter cover keeps the air filters in place. They also cover the carburetor. The fuel filter works in the same manner as the air filters. They, too, stop the entry of dust and other impurities into the carburetor of the chainsaw.
12. The Carburetor
The carburetor accurately records very small quantities of fuel. It then mixes the fuel with the air that gets into the engine. This enables the engine to run smoothly. In case of insufficient fuel to mix with the air, the engine to “runs lean.” By so doing, neither the carburetor nor the engine will continue working. As a result, none of the two will be damaged.
On the other hand, excess fuel and air mixture make the engine “run rich.” During this process, neither the air nor the fuel runs. Consequently, the engine produces excess smoke. Again, the engine bogs down and stalls easily as well as wastes fuel. The carburetor always prevents this from taking place by monitoring the balance between the air and the fuel. Unlike most carburetors, the chainsaw’s carburetor is very simple because it has to work when: 1) the engine is in idle state. 2) the engine is wide open. 3) you are trying to cold start the engine.
13. The Chain
It composes of several other parts. These include; cutter teeth, the drive link, the depth gauge, and the tie strap. The teeth are used for cutting the wood. The depth gauge controls the depth of the cut whereas the tie strap holds the different parts of the chain in one place during cutting. Finally, the drive link makes it possible for the guide bar to guide the chain efficiently.
For optimum benefit, proper maintenance and safety are essential to these parts, especially when they are in use. To minimize damage, there should be chain tension. To achieve chain tension, tensioners are used. There are two types of tension. These are the left tensioners and the right tensioners. The tensioners are positioned at the sides of most chainsaws. Besides, they enable the user of the chainsaws to always tension the chain with ease.
14. Chain Sprockets
Sprouts are used to drive a well-pitched chain around the guide bar. They are connected to the motor. They easily get damaged. Once you start to see jerking, skipping as well as drag and stretch of the chain, it means the chain needs serious service. The best way to maintain the chain at this stage is to replace the sprockets. There are 3 types of chain sprockets. These can be replaced with different degrees of ease. Let’s see the relationship of ease of replacement of the sprouts:
Spur Sprockets—with these types of sprockets, it is possible to run a chainsaw from the teeth (5-star shaped) onto the sprocket itself. It is very difficult to replace them. This is because replacing them would lead to replacing the whole sprocket system. Furthermore, they are the most expensive types of sprockets.
Rim Sprockets— they are one of the easiest to replace. Besides, they are the cheapest to buy. However, they tend to get old faster than the Spur sprockets.
Sprocket Bearings — applicable where the sprocket bearings need replacement and the user is only interested in removing the sprocket. This is because, with these, the user can easily slide them out and replace them with new types of sprockets.
15. Chain Pitch
This is the distance between the 3 bearings of the chain. The distance is measured in inches. It can be determined by measuring the distance between the 3 bearings (rivets) then dividing by 2. There are various types of pitches. However, the most common types are 0.325 and 3/8 inches. They are favored by both homeowners and professionals. This is due to its smaller weight. It is always favored for its wonderful cuts and outstanding speed.
Like the chain gauge, a large pitch is a reflection of a bigger chain. Such a chain is heavier and stronger than a chain that has a smaller pitch. The 3/8-inch pitch offers great flexibility, strength, weight and a superb speed of cutting. An example of a smaller pitched chain is 0.325 inches.
16. Chain Gauge
The chain gives more information about the thickness of the drive link. It usually slides into the groove of the guide bar. The size of the chain is directly proportional to the weight of the chain. The larger the chain gauge, the stronger and heavier the chain becomes. Similarly, a smaller chain gauge comes with a lighter chain. The size of the chain gauge influences the performance of the chain. A smaller chain gauge performs better than the larger one. However, the chain will not last for a long time. For this reason, most people prefer a larger chain gauge to a smaller one.
Again, the width of the chain gauge should be the same as that of the groove in the guide bar. If the two fail to match, your chain will lack sufficient space for rotation around the guide bar of the chainsaw. Just like the pitch, the measurement of the chain gauge is in inches. 3 standard sizes are used. These are; 0.063 inches, the 0.058 inches gauge and the 0.05-inch chain gauge. The 0.05-inch chain gauge is the most popular of the 3 sizes of chain gauge.
17. Depth Gauge
This is a little extension of steel at every cutting tooth. Its depth determines how deep a chip of wood would be removed for each of the cuts. That is, your chainsaw is most likely cut deeply into the wood if it has deeper gauges. Contrarily, a low depth gauge results in deep bites. This leads to kickbacks and loss of control. For this reason, it is advisable to sharpen the depth gauges regularly. Again, you should maintain the specified clearances as per the guidelines from the Owner’s Manual, which comes from the manufacturer of the chainsaw.
Final Note
There are numerous parts of a chainsaw. Most of these parts are found within a larger part. However, each of the sub-parts of the chainsaw comes with a specific purpose. At times, several parts perform a similar function or come together to initiate a critical role within a chainsaw. Just like any other team, the parts of the chainsaw must work together to ensure that the overall purpose of the chainsaw is achieved.
What does this imply? This means you and I must have a deep understanding of this system. Failure to do so, we won’t be in a position to manage this wonderful tool. Since you now have a deep knowledge of this system, you can now go and use the machine comfortably.