How to Start and Use a Chainsaw

Starting a chainsaw may look like a child’s play, but it is a technical thing to do. You need to take care of a lot of things before firing up the chainsaw engine and cutting woods. A lot of people are confused about starting their chainsaws. If you are one of them and wonder how to start your chainsaw, this guide is best for you. We will discuss starting the most common and famous chainsaw brands such as Husqvarna, Stihl, Homelite, Makita, Greenworks, and Echo.

Please note that a cold start means starting an engine when it is not in use for some time. It has no link with the weather. Similarly, a hot start means that your chainsaw has been used recently and does not need a choke to fire it up.

Things to Consider while Starting a Chainsaw

Either you own an electric or gasoline chainsaw; there are some things you need to take care of. Follow the directions given below before starting a chainsaw.

• Read the instruction manual before starting the chainsaw.
• Do a general inspection of the chainsaw before starting it up. Check the tension on the chain and ensure that it is properly sharpened.
• Make sure there is fuel in the tank for gasoline models. The oil to gas ratio must be followed, as explained in the user manual.
• Never drop start or throw start your gasoline chainsaw. It means not to start your chainsaw while standing and holding it in your hands. It can lead to a hazardous situation.
• There must be oil in the oiler so that the chain remains lubricated while cutting wood.
• For electric chainsaws, the cable must be plugged in, and the on/off button must be on. You must spread the cable without any hiccups and minimize the chances of stumbling upon it.
• If you own a battery-operated chainsaw, the batteries must have enough juice to last for your intended work.
• Make sure that fuel and oil caps are tight.
• Wipe off any fuel that may have fallen during refilling.
• Remember to start a gas-powered chainsaw at least 10 feet away from the site where you added the fuel.
• If anyone approaches you while working, engage the chain brake and turn the saw off.
• You must follow all the safety precautions. Wear safety gloves, ear protection, and work boots with steel toe and safety goggles. Make sure you stand in the right posture and don’t come in the way of the blade. Keep the children away from the worksite.
• Never wrap the starting cord around your hands and never let go of it freely. It can cause you injuries and also break the recoil assembly or rewind spring.

How to Start a Husqvarna Chainsaw

For Cold Start

When your chainsaw is cold, follow the direction given below.

1. Make sure that the chain brake is engaged.
2. If your Husqvarna chainsaw comes with a decompression switch, press it.
3. Turn on the coke.
4. If your engine has a primer, press it a few times. You will see fuel bubbles in it. It means that fuel has been pumped to the carburetor.
5. You must start your chainsaw while it is on the ground. Some people also suggest starting the chainsaw on the table, but it is not safe. If you start your chainsaw on the ground, place your right foot in the rear handle and put your left hand on the front handle. If the chainsaw is between your legs, place the rear handle between your thighs and behind your right knee. Your left hand must hold the front handle strongly.
6. Now pull the starting cord until the engine comes alive.
7. Turn the choke off and release the chain brake.
8. Accelerate so that engine comes in an idle position. You must not accelerate the engine with the chain brake is engaged as it can cause damage to the internal parts of the engine.

For Hot Start

If the engine is hot, you don’t need to turn on the choke or press the primer. Follow all the other steps and the engine will fire up in 2-3 tries. However, you may need to apply half throttle to turn it on sometimes. You can do this by fully activating the choke and then moving the control back.

Important things to Consider before Buying a Circular Saw

How to Start a Stihl Chainsaw

Starting a Stihl chainsaw is almost the same as compared to starting a Husqvarna chainsaw. The starting process has been explained above in detail. The cold start and hot start are the same. The choke or primer bulb may be located at different places on different brands and models. You can refer to the instruction manual for locating these parts on your saw. Some Stihl models have designated choke positions for the cold and hot start. If you own one like this, adjust it accordingly. A choke moved fully down is for a cold start and the second last level is for the hot start.

How to Start a Homelite Chainsaw

Starting a Homelite chainsaw is slightly different from the choke, and the primer bulb is located underneath the ignition switch. When the engine is cold, turn the choke on fully and press the primer bulb 4-5 times. Press the decompression switch and then pull the starter cord to get the engine running. Once the engine fires up, turn the coke to the running position and accelerate. The starting posture will be the same as discussed above in starting a Husqvarna chainsaw section. For a hot start, keep the choke on the second level and pull the starting cord. Once the engine revs up, move the choke to the running position.

How to Start a Makita Chainsaw

Makita chainsaws come with feather-light starting technology. They require less effort to start as compared to other chainsaws. The starting procedure remains the same as discussed above for the Husqvarna chainsaw.

How to Start a Greenworks Chainsaw

Greenworks produces reliable and economical battery-operated chainsaws. Starting a battery-operated chainsaw is easier than a gas-operated chainsaw as you don’t have to worry about mixing oil and gas.  Secondly, they require minimum effort while starting as you don’t have to pull the starting cords, again and again, to get the work done. Thirdly, there is no issue of a cold start or a warm start with the saw. However, an electrical chainsaw has its limitations as well. It won’t produce enough power as compared to a gasoline chainsaw. For corded models, you need electric power to run in, and for cordless models, recharging the battery during work time can be a big hassle.

The starting procedure for a Greenworks battery-operated chainsaw is outlined below.

1. Make sure that the battery is charged before you start a Greenworks cordless chainsaw.
2. Turn on the power button. You may need to hold the button in some models until the green light comes on. In some models, a small beep sound also indicates that the saw is now ready to start.
3. Since you don’t have to pull a starting cord in an electric chainsaw, you don’t need to place your foot in the handle. Just hold the saw with both hands firmly. One hand must rest on the front handle, and one will hold the back handle.
4. Turn off the safety switch/lever/knob.
5. Press the trigger, and the blade will start rotating.
6. Disengage the chain brake before throttling the saw.

If you have a corded chainsaw, all the steps will be the same instead of the first step. You will have to make sure that the saw is plugged in before you start it.

How to Start an Echo Chainsaw

Echo is also a gas-powered chainsaw and will start in the same way as the other gas-powered chainsaws. The cold start and warm start are also the same. To locate the choke, primer, and decompression valve, refer to the user manual.

How to Use a Chainsaw

We have just learned how to start chainsaws of different brands. All the chainsaws, regardless of the brand and power source, are operated in the same way. A step-by-step guide is given below for using your chainsaw safely.

1. Make sure you are wearing the right personal protective wear. (Gloves, safety cap, thigh protection, hearing protection, safety goggles, and work boots).
2. Once the saw has been started, place the blade on the log. You must place the middle section of the lower side of the bar on the wood and then cut through. Don’t cut with the tip of the guide bar, as it can lead to kickback injuries. You must not cut the log completely as it can result in damaging the chain.
3. Roll over the log and then complete the cut.
4. Keep your body away from the line of the blade while cutting.
5. You must sit or stand on solid ground while operating the chainsaw.
6. If you are using a gasoline chainsaw, you will need to turn it off to stop it from running. Pressing the chain brake between making cuts is also good enough, but beginners must not do it. For electric chainsaws, the saw is turned off when the throttle is let go off.

For a more detailed guideline on how to use a chainsaw and safety measures, click here. (Link Article: Chainsaw Usage Guide for Beginners).