A chainsaw is an essential tool for any homeowner, and there are many different models available to suit your needs. But what about when it rains?
Can you still use a chainsaw if it gets wet? Yes, but they can’t be submerged in water and should only be used after they are completely dry. Chainsaws are designed to operate in a variety of conditions including rain or snow as long as it is not too heavy or there’s no accumulation of ice.
If the chainsaw encounters any moisture, it will cause rust to form on the blades which will decrease its performance and eventually stop working altogether.
One of the common misconceptions people have is that they may be able to use their saw in the rain. However, this isn’t always true as water can get into certain parts of the chainsaw and cause serious damage. This is why it’s important to know how to clean your chainsaw after getting wet so you don’t end up ruining your entire investment!
What to Do Before Using a Wet Chainsaw
To start, remove all extra debris such as leaves or twigs from around your chainsaw before continuing with cleaning. After that, check out these steps below on how to safely dry your chainsaw prior to use.
- Disconnect the chainsaw cable (if available) and remove the air filter cover to access the engine
- Clean off any dirt or debris on top of the chain bar with a brush, then use a rag to wipe down the chain bar itself
- Check that all parts are in good condition before use – replace if necessary
- Apply oil to all moving parts, including inside the air cleaner cover and at each point where metal meets metal (i.e., where saw blade attaches)
- Make sure your chainsaw is running at full throttle before you start cutting into a tree or log
Risks of Using a Wet Chainsaw
A chainsaw is a dangerous tool to use when it’s wet outside. The most severe risks are slipping and tripping on the wet surface, puncturing your hand or foot with the saw blade, and electrocution if you accidentally cut into an electrical wire.
“Every year about 300 people are injured in chainsaw accidents,” says Dr John Howard of Northwestern University Medical School (1). “The majority of these injuries involve hands, feet or legs.”
If you have a chainsaw that is wet from being outside in the rain, then it can be very dangerous to use. There are many ways that water can get into your chainsaw and make it more difficult for the engine to run properly. Chainsaws need oil to lubricate them when they are running and if there is too much water in the engine, this will cause problems with operation and performance.
When a saw gets too wet, it will stop working, causing lost time on job sites or other projects like cutting firewood at home. Plus if any part of your saw becomes submerged in water then you should replace that part before using it again as corrosion will cause further issues down the road.
The risks to end-users are high enough that in some countries, laws have been enacted recently to ensure chainsaw users get the right amount of training before using a chainsaw (2).
Injuries from Chainsaws
The modern chainsaw has become an integral part of the American way. The operation of these newer saws combined with the millions and older saws in circulation results in over 28,000 injuries annually.
Most people are injured by kickback when they put too much pressure on a blade as it’s cutting through wood or hitting bone. These accidents most often happen to hands and lower extremities but there have been 10% head/neck injures recorded due to smaller blades being thrown off course during high-powered swings that could potentially fly towards your neck if you’re not careful!
Each year more than three million new chainsaws are sold across America – this is because their efficient design makes them indispensable for many common tasks like clearing out forests or making
Chainsaw injuries are most commonly caused by kickback.
This is when, due to contact with a more solid object like the ground or tree trunks in an older style saw, the chainsaw flies back towards the operator at high speed and can cause life-threatening neck injuries.
While these accidents do happen with newer types of safety systems installed on some models which have reduced injury rates considerably.
