Proven tips to maintain and extend the life of your chainsaw

Owning a chainsaw, like the BISON chainsaw, is a big responsibility, and these proven tips to maintain and extend the life of your chainsaw will help you keep it in top shape. To ensure its optimal performance and longevity, you need to maintain it properly. Unlock the potential of your BISON chainsaw with our guide. From pre-use checks to advanced maintenance tips, we cover everything you need to know to keep your chainsaw running at its best. Learn how to sharpen your chain, lubricate your saw, maintain the air filter, and more.

Pre-use checklist

Before using your BISON chainsaw, it's crucial to check the following. If any items are marked as "No", it might be unsafe to operate the chainsaw.

Chainsaw troubleshooting

You might occasionally encounter problems with your chainsaw. But don't worry! Many of these issues can be solved with simple maintenance steps. The following sections will guide you through some common maintenance tasks that you can perform to keep your BISON chainsaw running smoothly.

Always wear safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection when troubleshooting or servicing your chainsaw, since flying debris, sharp cutting edges, and residual engine noise can cause injury even when the machine isn't actively cutting wood. Never work on a chainsaw that is still running, and always disconnect the spark plug first, since skipping this step risks an accidental start and serious injury.

The chainsaw chain should be adequately tensioned

When you pull on the chainsaw’s chain, it should always return to its original position. Or you can do a snap test to ensure the chainsaw chain has the desired tension. If the chain is too tight, the blade will stall, and if it is too loose, it may fall. You must be able to adjust chain tension accurately.

Periodically flip the guide bar end-for-end to promote even wear on both sides, and check that all fasteners—bolts, nuts, and handles—are snugly tightened before each use to prevent vibration-related loosening. To tension the chain properly, hold the bar tip up fully and tighten the tensioning screw until there is no slack on the underside of the bar.

Keep your chainsaw chain sharp

If you want to cut things quickly, it's essential to make sure the teeth of the chainsaw are sharp. A sharp chain reduces the chance of slippage or kickback, making your tool safer. To sharpen your chain, follow these steps:

1. Secure the chainsaw in a vise to keep it steady.
   

2. Identify the lead cutter (it's the shortest tooth).

3. Use a round file of the correct file diameter (usually specified in your BISON manual, commonly ranging from 4 mm to 5.5 mm depending on chain type) and file holder to sharpen each tooth. Always file from inside to outside, maintaining the angle of the cutting edge — typically between 25° and 35°, in line with manufacturer guidelines. Move the file in the same direction on every stroke to keep tooth geometry consistent, filing every other tooth at a right angle to the rollers before turning the saw around to file the remaining teeth facing the opposite direction.

Don't forget the depth gauges between the cutting teeth — they only need filing roughly every third sharpening session, so check them each time but don't over-file.

When fitting a new chain, soak it briefly in bar-and-chain oil, mount and tension it, then run the saw lightly for a few minutes to let it warm and stretch before re-checking and re-tensioning—this break-in step helps the chain seat properly and stay sharp longer.

Keep the chainsaw lubricated and change the oil regularly

Keeping your chainsaw well-lubricated is one of the most effective ways to reduce friction and wear. If the chainsaw is not properly lubricated, the chain will not move smoothly, and your chainsaw is more prone to failure. So, if your chain seems dry, it's worth giving it the right amount of chain oil to ensure it works properly. A simple diagnostic test—placing a piece of paper under the revving chainsaw to check for oil spots—can confirm whether the automatic oil system is functioning.

• Clean the oil port regularly to prevent clogging.

• Use high-quality bar and chain oil.

• Regularly check the automatic oiler to ensure it's functioning properly.

Oiler holes can be cleared using blasts from an air compressor or compressed air can to remove debris. A clogged oil filter also restricts oil flow needed to lubricate the guide bar and chain, and can be cleaned with gasoline or replaced if cleaning doesn't restore flow. Rather than adhering to a rigid refilling schedule, chainsaw operators should visually inspect the chain for dryness and top up the bar and chain oil as needed to ensure proper friction reduction and wear prevention.

Substituting household oils or other improvised alternatives can damage your chainsaw by clogging the oil port and failing to adhere properly to the chain, so it's essential to use only dedicated bar and chain oil and refill before the reservoir runs dry. Over-lubricating is also a risk worth avoiding, since excess oil can attract debris and clog the saw. When applying oil manually, rotate the chain by hand while applying oil directly into the guide bar groove, with the chain brake engaged and the saw switched off.

Clean the chainsaw air filter

Gasoline-powered chainsaws add air to the fuel to help the engine run. A chainsaw air filter prevents contaminants such as dirt, dust, and other impurities from entering the fuel supply. Therefore, as soon as the filter is found to be dirty, it must be cleaned or replaced immediately to prevent any damage to the engine. A clogged air filter restricts airflow and causes the engine to run hot, so check it every time you refuel and clean it every 5–10 hours of use, or sooner in dusty conditions.

1. Remove the air filter cover.

2. Tap the filter gently to dislodge loose dust or debris.

3. For a thorough cleaning, wash it in warm soapy water, rinse, and let it dry before reassembly.

While you're in there, it's worth remembering that stored gasoline begins breaking down over time, so avoid letting fuel sit unused for extended periods—consider using fuel stabilizer to preserve fuel quality—as degraded fuel can leave deposits that make the air filter and engine dirtier faster and require more frequent cleaning.

Store the chainsaw properly

If you turn off your chainsaw, it's exposed to various elements. Moisture is the number one enemy of metal; therefore, your chainsaw must be protected. Proper storage prevents damage and maintains performance.

1. Clean your chainsaw thoroughly.

2. Empty the fuel tank, then run the engine at idle until it stalls to empty the carburetor of fuel so the diaphragms don't stick together during storage.

3. Apply oil to the chain and bar to prevent rusting.

4. Store it in a dry, safe place, away from children and pets. If you plan to store your chainsaw vertically or hang it up, make sure the fuel tank is completely empty first.

Checking the starter cord

Checking the starter cord for wear helps you catch problems before the chainsaw fails to start. Regularly check it for signs of wear and tear.

1. Remove the starter assembly cover.

2. Inspect the cord for fraying or damage and replace it if necessary.

Checking the spark plug

Remove the spark plug with a socket wrench and inspect the electrode for carbon buildup or wear. Clean it with a wire brush and check the gap against your manual's specification (typically 0.5–0.6 mm for most chainsaws). Replace the plug every 50–100 hours of use or once a season — a worn plug makes starting harder and wastes fuel.

Checking the carburetor

If your chainsaw is hard to start, runs poorly, or stalls, the carburetor could be the problem.

1. Check the fuel lines for blockages or leaks, and replace the fuel filter every few months, since a clogged filter makes the engine hard to start.

2. Clean the carburetor with a carburetor cleaner spray. While you're at it, wipe down the cooling fins on the cylinder every few uses to remove dust and debris that impede heat dissipation, and check the muffler screen—if it's damaged or excessively dirty, replace it rather than just cleaning it.

3. Clean the fuel and oil tanks every one to two months, since old gasoline residue harms engine performance and fuel consumption.

If you run a battery-powered chainsaw instead, skip the carburetor checks entirely and focus on keeping the battery clean and dry, charging it fully before storage, and avoiding extreme heat or cold, which can degrade battery life over time.

Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of your BISON chainsaw. Remember, always refer to your BISON chainsaw's user manual for specific maintenance instructions. When in doubt, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Proper maintenance will ensure your chainsaw remains a reliable tool for years to come.