A chainsaw is a handy tool that can be used for many different purposes. Whether you’re doing yard work, clearing brush, or cutting firewood, the right chainsaw can save you time and energy.
It’s important to take care of your chainsaw so it lasts for years and you get the most out of it. One thing that should be checked regularly is what type of oil you’re using in your chainsaw bar and chain lubrication system.
Choosing your Chainsaw Bar Oil
Chainsaw bar oil is what keeps the chainsaw going. It also helps lubricate and cool down the saw blade, ensuring that it doesn’t overheat or wear out too quickly. But what should you look for when choosing chainsaw oil?
There are many different types of oils on the market today. The best choice depends on your needs and how much money you want to spend. Different brands offer different qualities at different price points. You can even find an additive-free alternative if you’re looking for something more eco-friendly to use in your chainsaw!
Original Manufacturer’s Chainsaw Oil
Chainsaws need a special lubricant because they use metal parts that get easily worn down and require something with different properties than regular motor oil to prevent rusting.
Your chainsaw manual should tell you which type of oil is best for the job. Manufacturers often suggest their own brand of chainsaw bar oil as it’s been tested on their equipment in different conditions.
Chainsaws are surprisingly simple machines. The bar oil ensures that the chains spin smoothly and there is no friction against the bars, which will damage it if too much heat occurs.
The chainsaw bar oil that’s used in these machines must be viscous enough to stay on the chain as it spins around the bar. If this doesn’t happen then when you turn off your chainsaw after cutting some wood and it’s lying idle without cooling down first – well guess what? The sticky goo will quickly dry out from exposure to air leaving behind only dust. This means any dirt or debris left on the sides of blades while they’re spinning gets stuck inside causing friction against them ultimately damaging parts.
The oil that we use for our chainsaws is a kind of lubricant. It has this “slickness” to it which, in turn, makes the chain spin as fast and easily without being slowed down by friction with metal rubbing against metal.
Chainsaw Bar Oil Alternatives
Chainsaws need bar oil to lubricate the chain that drives the cutting blade so it won’t wear out as quickly. However, what do you do if you have no chainsaw bar oil to hand? No problem.
Check out these chainsaw bar oil substitutes you can use if the need arises:
If you don’t have standard bar oil for your chainsaw or if it’s been too long since the last time you refilled, consider trying some of these alternatives. These are not approved by manufacturers as a substitute and could void your warranty but they can be helpful in an emergency situation like when there is no store nearby to buy more with minimal risk over extensive use.
If you use these alternatives without toping up with standard bar oil then long-term damage may be caused.
Hydraulic Oil
Hydraulic oil tends to dry up quickly, so be sure to only use it like a chainsaw bar oil when you have no other option.
Before starting your chainsaw or any other power tool with hydraulic oil make sure the fluid has sufficiently penetrated into your appliance. This ensures that in the short term it only works wells but also last longer.
Mineral Oil
Another good substitute if chainsaw bar oil is unavailable is mineral oil. It can handle high heat and protect chains from friction damage while cutting wood.
Mineral oil is the best choice for working in low temperatures when you need a chainsaw bar alternative. This means that if you do a lot of woodcutting in wintertime or live somewhere where it gets cold outside frequently, mineral oil might be your new favorite chainsaw bar substitute!
Motor Oil
If you are in a tight situation and have no chainsaw bar oil on hand. Motor oil is an alternative that you can try using in the short term as an alternative for chainsaw oil. Motor oils will not cling onto your blade as proper lubricant would, but it is better than nothing at all.
Motor oils are often used by people who use cars and heavy machinery because they’re inexpensive and readily accessible. These fluids lack adhesive qualities, however, which make them less effective when cutting logs into pieces for firewood.
The dangers of motor oil extend beyond just the damage that it does to your car. Motor oil is a hazard for both people and wildlife, not only because it’s still toxic when you pour it out in large quantities but also due to the negative effect this sludge can have on trees and plants.
Some people might think that motor oil is too dirty to use on their chainsaw, but if you have no other options for bar oil then it will do the trick.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is a much more environmentally-friendly option than motor and hydraulic oil options.
While vegetable oil may be more efficient at spreading droplets around than a thicker one might be, you’ll need to keep topping up with each use.
You’ll end up going through a lot of vegetable oil just to cut through timber without kickback or stalling your chainsaw.
Baby Oil
One of the many benefits of synthetic based oil is that it will not break down as fast, which means less time spent on things like engine maintenance.
One downside to baby oil is how quickly its lubricating capabilities are lost after use – a problem solved by using manufacturer chainsaw oils instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chainsaw Oil
Can I use chainsaw oil in my car
The simple answer is no.
Chainsaws need an oil that will not break down under high heat conditions. So they are made to be a lot thicker in viscosity when compared to typical motor oil.
Chainsaw oils also do not provide the same level of protection against engine wear like other types of motor oils do. Motor oils have their performance enhanced with the addition of additives such as zinc or phosphorus compounds to them before distribution.
How do you unclog a chainsaw oiler?
A chainsaw oiler is a small tube that attaches to the saw’s bar, which delivers lubricating oil to the chain. This keeps it from getting clogged up with dirt and wood chips, keeping you safe when cutting through logs or trees!
There are a number of ways to unclog a chainsaw oiler. One is to use a cloth dipped in a solvent to remove any blockages caused by tough materials like wood chips so as long as they don’t get stuck too deep within.
Alternatively, unclog the oiler with a wire or stick. If that doesn’t work, try running it under hot water for about 10 minutes before trying again. The next thing you can do is use an air compressor and blow out any debris from the oiler tube inside the chainsaw engine housing where it connects to the bar chain cover plate.
How to get chainsaw oil out of clothes
If you’ve ever been cutting wood with a chainsaw, then you know that it can create some pretty messy clothes. If you’re not careful, the oil from the saw can easily stain your clothing and linger for days.
It’s easy to get this oil on clothes, but you don’t have to worry about it ruining your clothes if you follow these steps:
- Wash the clothing with cold water as soon as possible after getting the oil on them
- Use dish soap instead of laundry detergent, and allow the garment to soak for at least 30 minutes before washing it. This will help break down any oils on the fabric.
- If there are still stains after washing, use oxygenated bleach or oxy clean in place of laundry detergent and wash again.
How often should I oil my chainsaw?
In order to maintain your chainsaw in the best condition possible, it is important to oil the chainsaw regularly. Chainsaws are one of the most crucial tools for any homeowner or farmer and should be treated as such.
How often should you oil a chainsaw? Well, that depends on how much you use it and what type of chain oil (or bar lube) you’re using. If you’re just cutting firewood occasionally, once every other month might be sufficient. But if you use your saw more frequently like when clearing brush or doing other heavy-duty work, then it would need to be done at least monthly because this type of work requires more frequent lubrication than occasional cutting does!