How to Prepare Your Chainsaw for Winter

Preparing any outdoor tool for storage over winter is crucial to ensure that it’s still in excellent working order come springtime. Chainsaws are no exception, and now’s the time to winterize them. If you haven’t prepared your chainsaw for the incoming colder weather, don’t panic. The process is generally straightforward and should only take a few minutes.

It’s important to take these precautions since a failure to do so can lead to serious problems. These problems most commonly occur during extended periods where temperatures fall below freezing. However, suitably winterizing tools like chainsaws and lawnmowers will protect them from the worst potential effects tied to sub-zero weather conditions.

With that, here’s a three-step guide to appropriately winterizing a chainsaw.

Successfully preparing a chainsaw for winter involves just two or three steps. The exact number of steps depends on how a chainsaw is powered — either electrically or by gas. For those with electric chainsaws, step one can be omitted. However, the rest of the process remains much the same.

Over winter, fuel-powered chainsaws should be stored empty of gas. If you haven’t used the chainsaw recently, run it until the engine is warm. Then, empty the fuel left in its tank. Keep the gas in a separate can to refill the chainsaw in the spring. However, when doing this, it’s vital to add a stabilizer to any stored fuel to keep it in good condition.

After as much gas as possible has been removed, run the chainsaw’s engine again. Doing so will use up any residual fuel. Once the engine dies out, which should only take a moment, you can be confident that the tool’s gas tank is empty.

It’s a good idea to periodically remove a chainsaw’s bar and chain. Doing so offers the perfect opportunity to clean various crucial components and check for any damage. In most cases, the process will start with opening the chain sprocket cover. From there, removing the chain and bar should be largely straightforward.

In cases where you’ve only lightly used the chainsaw, simply inspecting the chain and bar may suffice. Either way, be sure to simultaneously clean the sprocket itself, removing any dust, dirt, or other grime. Before reassembling, it may be pertinent to apply a corrosion inhibitor to the chain and bar to help prevent rust. You can also apply a suitable lubricant at the same time.

All chainsaws will have an air filter. If you’re unsure where to find this, refer to the tool’s user manual. A chainsaw’s manual should further include instructions on how best to clean its filter, as well as guidance on when to replace it. Quite often, a gentle clean with a cloth or brush is sufficient.

Where a filter is particularly dirty, it may be possible to clean it with a little soap and warm water. However, if adequately cleaning a chainsaw’s filter isn’t possible, you may need a replacement. Where necessary, it’s a good idea to replace a chainsaw’s filter ahead of storing it for the winter. That way, it’ll be ready for use in the spring.

Preparing a chainsaw for winter should be seen as an essential part of ownership. Alongside regular maintenance, all outdoor tools benefit from an added degree of care, especially in the run-up to winter.

Correctly cared for, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers should all last for many years. Moreover, one of the best ways of prolonging the life of any outdoor tool is with an extended warranty.

Upsie offers a range of outdoor and tool warranty packages. In addition to chainsaw warranty solutions, consumers can also purchase protection for power tools, lawnmowers, snow and leaf blowers, grills, and more. Customers can purchase an Upsie warranty for outdoor tools and appliances bought within the last 60 days.

Upsie’s warranties cost up to 70 percent less than warranties from manufacturers and retailers. Additionally, customers can make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device with no deductibles.

For the best protection, choose Upsie.