Forestry & Tree Care
Saw Chain
How do I measure the length of my chain?
Count the number of drive links on your saw chain in order to determine its length. A drive link is the saw chain component that guides the chain through the guide bar rails and around the sprocket. It is very important that the number of drive links are a match for the guide bar you are using since your chainsaw won’t function properly otherwise.
Common examples of drive length count are 70 for "D" or "72" chain and 56 for "S" or "91" chain.
How tight should I tension my chain?
A snap test should be performed. Grasp the chain along the bottom of the bar, pull down, and let go. The chain should snap back to its original position, solidly contacting the bottom of the bar rail. For general instructions on how to tension your chain, check out our chain instructional guide and video.
How do I tighten a chainsaw chain?
A snap test should be performed. Grasp the chain along the bottom of the bar, pull down, and let go. The chain should snap back to its original position, solidly contacting the bottom of the bar rail. For general instructions on how to tension your chain, check out our chain instructional guide and video.
How do I sharpen my chain?
Please watch our chain sharpening video.
How long should the drive sprocket on my saw last?
It's important not to run a new chain on a badly worn drive sprocket. Replace drive sprocket systems after every two chains, or sooner.
How do I know when my chain is dull, and when should I sharpen it?
Keep in mind that a sharp chain will cut large-size chips. A chain that is dull or has abrasive damage will create sawdust. It's time to sharpen when you have to push on the saw, or the saw is no longer self-feeding.
What is chain pitch?
Chain pitch is the size of the chain, and is defined as the distance between any three consecutive rivets divided by two. Oregon chain is made in several pitches - 1/4" is the smallest, 3/8" is the most popular, 3/4” is the largest. Pitch is important because the drive sprocket must be the same pitch as the chain, and if applicable, the bar nose sprocket. The easiest way to determine the pitch of your chain is to look at the number stamped on the drive link.
What is Chain Gauge?
Chain Gauge is the Drive Link's thickness where it fits into the bar groove. The gauge of the chain and the gauge of the bar must match. Oregon has several gauges for chainsaws - such as, .043”, .050", .058” and .063". Normal wear can make it difficult to accurately measure chain gauge on a worn chain. Always order by the number stamped on the drive link of your old chain to assure correct gauge.
How often and what type of lubrication should I use on my saw?
Keep your saw's chain-oiling system filled with clean bar-and-chain oil. Never put used oil or old motor oil in your saw or on your chain. Be sure your chain, bar, and sprocket are always receiving oil from the saw during operation. Fill your oil reservoir each time you fill your gas tank.
How do I sharpen my chain?
Please watch our chain sharpening video.
How much slack should be in a chainsaw chain?
See chain tensioning instructional guide and video for additional information.
How do I know when my chain is dull, and when should I sharpen it?
It's time to sharpen when you have to push on the saw, or the saw is no longer self-feeding. Also, the waste material from your saw is an important indicator of your saw’s sharpness. While a sharp chain will cut large-size chips, a chain that is dull or has abrasive damage will create sawdust.
A good rule of thumb is to sharpen your chain every time you refill gas.
Chain Lubrication
How often should I lubricate my chainsaw?
Fill your oil reservoir each time you fill your chainsaw’s gas tank. Make sure that your saw chain, guide bar, and sprocket are always receiving oil from the saw during operation.
What type of lubrication should I use on my saw?
Keep your saw's chain-oiling system filled with clean bar and chain oil. Our bar and chain oil is specifically compounded to provide extra high tackiness and prevent "throw off" even under adverse weather conditions.
Never put used oil or old motor oil in your saw or on your chain. Used motor oil contains metal shavings that reduces the life of your bar and chain. Lubricating your bar and chain with used motor oil also voids your warranty.
Guide Bar
How do I know what size guide bar I have?
Guide bars are measured by the actual cutting length when mounted on a saw.
The cutting length is the distance from the front of the saw to the tip of the guide bar, rounded to the nearest inch. For example, the overall length of a 16-inch bar may be about 20 inches.
How do I clean my chainsaw guide bar?
In our guide bar maintenance video, a forestry expert from the Oregon Technical Services department demonstrates correct way to clean your chainsaw bar.
Protective Gear
How long should chainsaw chaps be?
Chaps should be long enough to cover the tops of your boots. To know how long your chaps should be, measure from your waist (just below the belt where the chaps will sit) to the beginning of your foot. This length will provide full coverage and protection.
Precise measurement is an important step in ensuring that you get chaps that are the right size. If chaps are too short, your legs could be exposed. Chaps that are too long, however, are also unsafe since they could cause you to trip.
How do I choose chainsaw chaps?
Check to see that the chainsaw chaps comply with safety standards issued by international certifying bodies. These products have been tested by professionals to ensure that the chaps really do provide protection from contact with a chainsaw. Chaps are rated by OSHA and ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and receive certification from UL (Underwriters Laboratories). In order for chaps to have an OSHA rating, they must be made out of cut-resistant material and provide coverage from the beginning of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg. ASTM has two standards for chaps: a standard for the performance of chaps (ASTM F1897-14) and a standard for testing chaps (ASTM F1414). Chainsaw chaps with the UL label meet ASTM’s performance and testing standards.
When evaluating the material of chainsaw chaps, research the number of layers as well as how thick they are. Each chap has a different number of layers – the more layers the better. Oregon’s
Apron Chaps and
Full-Wrap Chaps are made from 8 layers of fabric. When evaluating the thickness of chap layers for the term denier – this measurement denotes how thick chaps are. Pay attention to sizing in order to maximize your protection from injury. The length given for a pair of chaps is the overall length – not the length of the inseam. For more information on how to find the right size see the question “How long should chainsaw chaps be?” below. For even more information about chainsaw chaps, read our
chainsaw protective gear instructional guide.
How do you wash chainsaw chaps?
Wash your chainsaw chaps by hand. Then, hang them to try in order to protect the material structure.
How do chainsaw chaps work?
Chain saw chaps are not cut proof but what they do is prevent the moving chain from cutting your leg; the kevlar material in the chaps tangles up in the chain providing a few seconds to move your chainsaw away from you or shut it off completely. If you should stumble and accidentally trip while walking - you will be protected.
Sprockets
How long should the drive sprocket on my saw last?
Replace drive sprocket systems after every two chains, or sooner. It's important not to run a new chain on a badly worn drive sprocket.
What is the drive sprocket?
The sprocket and the clutch drum are connected to the saw motor. The sprocket is designed to drive the proper-pitched chain around the guide bar.
Safety
What is ANSI?
Certain provisions of the safety standard known as "ANSI (American National Standards Institute) B175.1 - Gasoline powered Chainsaws - Safety Requirements" contain requirements designed to reduce the risk of injury from chainsaws sold in the United States. The following information should be used as a guide for the selection of appropriate replacement chains in order to maintain compliance with the ANSI B175.1 standard (United States only).
The ANSI standard B175.1 divides all chainsaw power heads into two groups:
- Under 3.8 cubic-inch (62cc) engine displacement, the chainsaw MUST meet the low kickback provisions of the standard.
- 3.8 cubic inch (62cc) and larger, the chainsaw MAY OR MAY NOT meet low kickback provisions of the standard.
Any chainsaw that does not qualify as a low kickback cutting system will bear a warning such as: “WARNING – This chainsaw is capable of severe kickback that could result in serious injury to the user. Do not operate this chainsaw unless you have extraordinary cutting needs and experience and specialized training for dealing with kickback. Chainsaws with significantly reduced kickback potential are available.”
Be sure to read the labels on a chainsaw before purchasing one.
