You can use different chainsaws in your work - for three to four thousand rubles, purchased in a hypermarket at a discount, or for 15-20 - from an official dealer. Their quality, performance and resource will be different. But there is one component without which it is generally impossible to use this tool. Without the correct fuel mixture. Seemingly simple instructions turn out to be not so clear in reality, and an incorrectly prepared mixture can cause dire consequences.
Why mix oil and gasoline?
Most people are used to handling four-stroke engines.
Even in motorcycles, this type of engine is now more common than two-stroke engines. The requirement in itself to pour oil into gasoline does not lead to an understanding of the process. After all, in conventional car engines there is a whole system that prevents the mixing of oil and fuel. The whole trick is in the design features of low-power internal combustion engines with two cycles of operation. They are very simple in design and do not have an oil pan and a pump that would pump liquid lubricant to the right places. The crankcase contains only the cylinder and the crank mechanism with the crankshaft.
To ensure lubrication, the designers took a different route: they arranged the channel system in such a way that the fuel not only penetrates the combustion chamber, but also washes the moving components on the back side of the piston. Since the lubricating properties of gasoline are clearly insufficient to reduce friction, oil is added to it. By the way, due to these features, the rings on the piston are exclusively compression rings, there are no oil scraper rings.
What chain oil should I use?
The oil for lubricating the chain is recommended by the manufacturer and indicated in the tool data sheet. These are usually branded products that are of high quality. While the chainsaw is new, it is necessary to use it. Otherwise, if the tool breaks down, it is removed from the warranty and repairs are made at the user's expense. Subsequently, the oil is replaced with a cheaper one, but it must meet the following requirements:
- protect the chain from corrosion;
- increase wear resistance by reducing friction;
- do not form carbon deposits;
- maintain the ability to work with the tool in a wide temperature range.
To ensure long-term operation of the chainsaw in good condition, it is better not to skimp on chain oil.
Proportions of gasoline and oil
Very little oil is required for normal engine operation. Its quantity is always determined as a percentage, since the gas tank of saws can have different capacities. In addition, many operators prepare the mixture with a small reserve, especially if there is serious work to be done. After all, one tank of modern tools, despite all its efficiency, is rarely enough for more than 1 cubic meter of firewood.
1/50
This is a standard due to the high quality of manufacturing of modern engines. Characteristic of most modern saws made in German, Swiss, American, Japanese and Italian production. In a word, all saws released no more than 10 years ago by world-famous brands - Husqvarna, Shtil, Oleo-Mak, Makita, Echo and others - will require exactly this proportion. You can find out about this from the instructions.
However, many purely Chinese saws are also influenced by improved processing and assembly technologies. Thus, many saws of domestic brands assembled in the Middle Kingdom also work on a 1:50 mixture. For example, on recently released Bison models, the proportion marking label appeared in the form of a cardboard flag directly on the handle of the starter cord, apparently for those who do not like to look at the instructions.
1/40
This ratio is often called “break-in”. This means that after purchasing a new saw, you will need to pour a more oil-rich mixture into the gas tank. At this time, the moving parts of the cylinder-piston group are ground in; the process requires a larger proportion than usual. After burning a couple of tanks in a gentle mode, you can switch to the ratio recommended by the manufacturer.
Also, the 1/40 proportion is generally accepted by some manufacturers, for example, in Partner chainsaws. Considering that there is slightly more oil here than in the previous version, a slight excess of the norm will not harm any engine. When using high-quality fuel and lubricants, another question arises - the price of rather expensive consumables.
1/25
Today it is considered obsolete. Widely used in domestic chainsaws of old designs like Druzhba or Ural. Today it can still be found in some Chinese chainsaws of the “no-name” class or branded by retail chains. However, every year the number of such products is decreasing and constitutes the most budget and low-quality niche of gas-powered tools. In addition, for such products it does not matter how expensive and high-quality oil is poured into the gas tank - the engine life is still shamelessly short in any case.
What kind of gasoline should I use?
The quality of the combustible material affects the engine thrust, speed and coherence of all system elements. Different models of saws are filled with fuel with different octane numbers. Local tool manufacturers advise using low grade AI-80 fuel. Sometimes they make a mixture of AI-80 with AI-92. For foreign models, the octane number should not be less than 90, so AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline is recommended. In all cases, unleaded fuel must be used so that it does not contain lead, which has a detrimental effect on tool parts. How to dilute gasoline with chainsaw oil? You must follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Otherwise, it is quite easy to damage the instrument and disrupt all factory settings.
Consequences of incorrect dosage
Many chainsaw users don't pay enough attention to proportions. 50 grams more or less - does it matter? But in vain: often the cause of saw malfunctions is operation with an incorrectly prepared fuel mixture. Moreover, you can make a mistake or intentionally violate the ratio either up or down.
If there is a lot of oil...
There is an opinion among chainsaw owners that “you can’t ruin an engine with oil.” But it’s not for nothing that they come up with the necessary parameters for the finished mixture. Excess oil can also be harmful and cause inconvenience. Indeed, despite the improved combustion characteristics without residue, some hydrocarbons still turn into soot and carbon deposits. At low concentrations there are few of them, but if you enrich the mixture with oil twice as much as the norm, then coking will result. This is especially dangerous for cheap mineral oils that do not have a “washing” effect.
It is also highly likely that you will find oil in the air filter when the carburetor is overfilled. The candle will also be sooted - it will need to be cleaned, rinsed and dried. Also, vapors from unburned oil will settle in the muffler, and during intensive operation they will burn out, forming a trail of soot and sparks.
After such refueling, almost all the insides of the saw will have to be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. The funniest “surprise” will be the “dying” of the piston rings - but this is only in the case of systematic abuse of oil overflow and work under heavy load.
...or little
“Greed” when preparing the fuel mixture has ruined more than one piston.
This is where it really is better to be “overcautious” than to be “underdressed.” After all, if in the first case you are faced with a thorough “washing” of the unit, then in the second you will have to change the CPG, and this is generally unprofitable on many saws, but for others it costs quite a lot of money. Conclusion: saving is pointless. If there is not enough oil, the piston begins to rub strongly against the cylinder, since at high temperatures gasoline is too fluid to act as a lubricant.
Sad result: scuff marks on the piston, ruined saw engine. If the owner comes to his senses in time, he will find that the piston and cylinder are cast in a beautiful blue. No master can give a guarantee how long these will last.
How to properly fill a chainsaw with a gasoline-oil mixture
Freshly prepared mixture should be stored in a dark room, but no more than 2 weeks. It is best to mix immediately before using the tool. The refueling procedure is carried out by performing the following manipulations:
- Before unscrewing the tank cap, you need to clean the surface, or even better, blow it with a hose from the compressor.
- Place the chainsaw on its side with the lid on top. At the same time, keep in mind one important point: refueling should not be done in the wind in order to prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the tank.
- Place a watering can on the neck, which will eliminate the possibility of fuel spillage.
- Fill the tank, but do it so that there is room left. This is done in order to eliminate the possibility of gasoline leaking when screwing on the cap.
- After refueling the chainsaw, be sure to pour oil into the tank to lubricate the chain.
We start the engine and make sure it is functioning properly. The smoke from the chainsaw should come out light in color and in volume only when the speed increases.
Recommendations for ingredients
Even a chainsaw owner who observes the proportions down to the gram can harm his tool if he uses low-quality or inappropriate components. The general recommendation is to use special fluids.
Two words about oil...
Oil for two-stroke engines is produced primarily for gasoline-powered household tools. It is always painted in some bright color - blue, green, red, pink. This is done so that when added to gasoline, it becomes clear that this is a ready-made mixture that can already be poured into the gas tank. Large manufacturers, such as Stihl, have several types of oils that differ in color.
If you have a saw that recommends oil from the same manufacturer, follow this recommendation if you are a beginner. Only through trial and error do experienced “pillars” find the very oil that suits them best.
Do not pour car motor oil into a two-stroke engine! Although the Internet is full of reviews from those who say “Lew, and the flight is normal,” believe me: they have not yet shown the piston of their instrument to the master. And the smoke from the muffler is unlikely to please you.
... and about gasoline
To say that in oil-producing and refining Russia gasoline is mostly of poor quality means repeating the obvious. You can get caught with bad fuel not only at nameless gas stations, but also at large gas stations with a big name. High-quality gasoline is very important for modern high-tech chainsaws - it allows them to work with maximum efficiency and minimal wear. The general requirement today is to use gasoline with an octane rating of at least 92. It has optimal performance for chainsaws.
It was possible to pour 76 gasoline into old Soviet units. Today you shouldn’t do this even with cheap Chinese saws - you will only speed up its “death”. It is also not recommended to go to the other extreme - pouring 95 or even 98 into an expensive instrument, thinking that it will be better for it.
Arkady, 39 years old, Moscow, consultant at a petroleum equipment store
We recommend pouring 92-octane gasoline into two-stroke engines, purchased from trusted places, the quality of which you have no doubt about. Buyers come and ask: the better the gasoline, the better the saw? Why not pour 95 then? After all, more advanced cars require only it.
Answer: most of the Russian 95 gasoline is the same 92, but with additives that reduce detonation. This parameter is not important for a chainsaw; it needs the purest gasoline possible, since additives are completely unnecessary. Therefore, the logic is simple: pure 92 is better than the more expensive 95, but with unnecessary additives.
— Arkady, 39 years old, Moscow, consultant at a petroleum equipment store
Characteristics of household chainsaws
Specialized equipment stores offer a wide selection of both domestic and foreign chainsaws. For household purposes, a lightweight tool is provided that does not have high performance. Its main element is a chain with cutting teeth. Its rotation is provided by a 2-stroke gasoline engine, which does not have a separate lubrication system for rubbing parts. To do this, not pure gasoline is poured into the gas tank, but a mixture of it with oil, which not only ensures engine operation, but also lubrication. When preparing the mixture, each owner should know how to dilute gasoline with chainsaw oil.
The rotation speed of the chain depends on the speed of the engine, which is cooled by air. A separate oil tank is provided for lubrication and cooling. As its rotation speed increases, the automatic oil supply also increases. For normal operation of the chainsaw, it is necessary to control the contents of two tanks - for the operation of the engine and the chain.
Instructions for preparing the mixture
When high-quality fuel and good special oil are prepared, all that remains is to prepare the mixture:
- Take a suitable measuring container. Many saws come with one free of charge. The main thing is that it has divisions and a tightly screwed lid. The volume should be two to three times larger than that of the gas tank. This will allow you to prepare the mixture with a small margin.
- Using a funnel, pour gasoline into a suitable container. Do not add four fingers to the edge, so that there is still room for shaking.
- Draw the appropriate amount of oil into the syringe with the needle removed. It is most convenient to use a 20 cc syringe - for a liter of gasoline this exactly corresponds to the proportion of 1/50. Squeeze the oil from the syringe into a container with gasoline.
- Screw on the cap and shake the container. Once you open it, the mixture should be a uniform pale shade of the same color as the butter. After that, you can safely pour it into the gas tank.
Mixture proportion for “Calm”
The German family company Stihl has production facilities in many countries around the world. The office is located in Waiblingen. Among the range of products produced for the needs of forestry, small-scale mechanization equipment takes pride of place.
Today a liquid golden age has arrived for the Stihl chainsaw:
The manufacturer has set the oil dilution standard at a ratio of 1:50. The proposed proportion establishes the possibility of diluting 1 part of oil in 50 parts of gasoline. Or in a ratio of 1:40.
The calculation is simple. We know that 1 liter of flammable liquid equals 1000 milliliters. Divide the value by 50, we get 20 milliliters of oil. Using a similar algorithm, its volume is determined, recommended in a ratio of 1:40. Having made simple calculations, we get the value of 25 milliliters.
Advice from experienced people
Bogdan Mikhailovich, 51 years old
14 years of chainsaw ownership experience
Now there is a lot of oil, it is very easy to run into a fake. The point here isn’t even that it’s somehow wrong, it’s just an ordinary mineral water, and you buy it at the price of branded, famous synthetics. Therefore, it is better to buy from official dealers - at least they have normal supplies. Among the companies I can recommend Shtil, Oregon, Husqvarna is also good, but in my opinion, a little expensive. Recently, Zubr began producing its own oils. I tried it - it seems ok, and cheaper, but it’s better not to use it in professional equipment. And for household ones it will do.
Anton, 37 years old
6 years of experience using chainsaws at home
I am surprised to see how not only newcomers to gasoline technology, but also quite gray-haired guys prepare a whole canister of the mixture so as not to have to do it all over again every time. Come to your senses, people, this is a mixture; over time, it separates a little, sediment falls out, and the properties change. it must be fresh. Its maximum shelf life is less than a month. And it’s even better to chat a new one before each session, your hands won’t fall off, it’s a matter of minutes. And then they complain about problems, that the saw is sneezing and all that. Of course, the oil peeled off, the cylinder was rubbed dry, it turned out to be a burr, and then a scuff. For repairs.
Main brands of motor oils for chainsaws
The leading companies producing chainsaw lubricants are Stihl and Husgvarna. The following oils are used for saws:
- Stihl HP is a mineral lubricant for tools of the same brand. It is red in color and comes in different packaging, even for one-time use, which is very convenient.
- HP Ultra - made on a synthetic base, has improved qualities, and is used at low temperatures.
- Vitals Semisynthetic - designed for budget models, used year-round.
- Husgvarna HP is semi-synthetic, equipped with additives that compensate for the low quality of gasoline. Suitable for use in equipment of other brands.
- Champion Jaso FD - provides reliable protection of all engine parts.
There is a large selection of products on the market for two-stroke engines from different manufacturers. How to dilute chainsaw oil is indicated on the packaging. It is better to buy products from well-known companies, this will help keep the tool in working condition longer.
Shelf life of ready-made fuel mixture for chainsaws
So, pure gasoline can not be stored for very long, and the finished fuel mixture can be stored even less. Some manufacturers indicate that, in a diluted state, storage is allowed for up to one month.
But experts recommend storing no more than 8-10 days.
It’s just that as soon as you mix, the oil immediately begins to gradually lose its properties. As a result, after a few days this fuel mixture is no longer the same as it was originally. What can we say about storing it for more than a month?
Therefore, do not prepare the mixture for future use. You need to cook as much as you are going to use for the upcoming work. Only experience can tell you how much you need to prepare. If you still don’t have enough, then prepare no more than one liter of fuel mixture. If it’s not enough, then cook more - it won’t take long. If it remains, it will not be such a large amount that you will regret it.
The prepared fuel mixture should be stored in a closed, opaque container. Or, if the container is see-through, then place it in a dark place. The container must be petrol resistant. For example, plastic bottles for various drinks (“one and a half bottles”) are not suitable. Their plastic is corroded by gasoline and all this crap gets into the engine.
You can use special metal or plastic canisters for flammable materials. Or simply use an empty canister of any used oil, after rinsing the inside several times with clean gasoline. Glass containers will also work, but keep in mind that they are easy to break.
Proportion for chainsaw Friendship
The pedigree for the Druzhba chainsaw began in 1953 with development at the Progress ZMKB. The production of goods was entrusted to two enterprises - the Siberian Instrument-Making Plant and the Perm Machine-Building Plant. Mass production of the mechanized product began, which is still the trend of the day, since the unit was systematically modernized.
Engines use low octane fuel. The unit shows the highest performance when filling the internal combustion engine with AI-76 and AI-80 gasoline.
It is recommended to dilute gasoline and oil according to the following algorithm:
Take 2 clean containers, dried from moisture with volume marks. Then the fuel is diluted with two-stroke oil in a ratio of 1:50. That is, the fuel is diluted with 20 milligrams of oil.
How to thread the saw
A plastic bottle is best for refilling a chainsaw. The container volume should be two liters if you will use the tool frequently. A smaller container should be used when you rarely use the saw.
Fuel and lubricant must be diluted in a separate bottle. It is necessary to observe the exact proportions indicated in the instructions. It is recommended to leave an empty space so that the liquid can be mixed well.
This mixture should be stored for no more than two weeks. Be sure to shake the bottle before use. Experts do not recommend diluting a large amount of the mixture at once and storing it for years. Storage temperature should not exceed more than twenty-five degrees Celsius. If it is more, then the shelf life is reduced.
Refilling the chainsaw with oil
Long-term storage of the mixture greatly impairs the traction capabilities of the engine. Carbon deposits form and the ability of the pistons to move quickly is reduced.
What is the correct way to breed?
It is not for nothing that the numbers of dilution proportions are given with such accuracy. That is, it does not say that “take approximately this amount of oil.” It is impossible to maintain the exact proportion by eye, so you will have to use something that will allow you to measure the exact amount of oil and gasoline.
Some inexpensive chainsaws usually come with a measuring tank with marks. As a rule, there are several scales on it for different proportions. Or one, if the manufacturer implies that this tank will only be used with the saw with which it comes with. There should be two horizontal marks on this scale. The lower one shows the level to which you need to fill gasoline. Upper is the level to which the mixture should reach after adding oil to gasoline.
To measure the oil more accurately, you can use a medical syringe. Preferably no less than 20 ml.
Basically, pour gasoline into a measuring container, add the required amount of oil measured with a syringe and shake.
Preparing the mixture must be done in a separate container, and not directly in the tank of the chainsaw. Otherwise, the oil, without having time to be diluted with gasoline, may get into the carburetor, which will complicate starting, up to the need to remove the carburetor and clean it.
Advantages and disadvantages of oils
Many consumers may say that any brand of oil can be used for a chainsaw. However, practice shows otherwise. It all depends on the saw itself. For example, the Husqvarna can work equally well with any lubricant, and the Shtil saw operates effectively with gear oil. Also, the choice of oil depends on the engine of the device: a two-stroke engine requires a lubricant that has a blue-green or red tint.
To independently prepare a mixture for a chainsaw, it is more practical to use heat-resistant oil, the density of which depends on natural and atmospheric conditions:
- Time of year (air temperature).
- Degree of air humidity.
- Presence/absence of sunlight.
- Atmospheric pressure, etc.
All the necessary information about the oil is usually placed on the canister itself or in the accompanying booklet. In the absence of any description of the properties of the lubricant, it is better to refuse to use it. High-quality lubricant is not capable of significantly changing viscosity with temperature and climate changes.
A special feature of the lubricant is its optimal use in air-cooled units. In chainsaws where engine speeds reach high levels, this type of cooling is used.
The shade of the oil is influenced by its origin: synthetics are blue-green, and the mineral composition is reddish.
When buying oil, you can get a fake instead of the expected product. That is why it is recommended to purchase goods from well-known and trusted suppliers.
Oil for two-stroke chainsaw engines
Modern garden chainsaws can be pre-equipped with 2- and 4-stroke power units.
Engines of these two types differ slightly in the principle of operation and the pattern of using the added lubricant. In powerful felling chainsaws with 4-stroke internal combustion engines, the engine crank group is lubricated with oil, which is located in the crankcase of the factory engine during active operation of the gas-powered tool. In 2-stroke factory internal combustion engines, lubricant comes from gasoline directly into the cavity located under the standard piston - this is where the crank group is located, equipped with a pair of bushings and bearings that require continuous lubrication. That is why engine oil must be added to the gasoline used for refueling for 2-stroke factory internal combustion engines. In order to accurately select a specific lubricant for the continuously rubbing parts of a chainsaw’s internal combustion engine, its owner must study the most important properties of the material:
- volumes of ash generated - during the combustion of gasoline, exhaust gas vapors appear, and when oil burns, ash and tar deposits appear. They accumulate on the walls of the cylinder and piston, thereby complicating its unhindered up and down movement. Some manufacturers do not guarantee sufficient combustion of the lubricant, but branded products burn almost completely;
- level of purification from foreign impurities - oils may contain not only useful additives, but also harmful substances. A lubricant in which the percentage of harmful components is minimal is considered to be of high quality;
- anti-wear, anti-corrosion and continuous lubrication properties - the oil should cover the rubbing parts of the power unit with a thin film, thereby protecting them from increased wear, heat and rust.
When developing lubricants to support the operation of 2-stroke engines, manufacturers focus on 2 standards: 2T and TC-W3. Oil of the second type is used for operation in standard engines equipped with liquid cooling - such internal combustion engines are equipped in jet skis and outboard motors. 2T standard oils are used primarily for lubrication of permanently air-cooled motors - chainsaws, trimmers and other types of household appliances.
The most popular oils on the market among experienced gardeners and fellers are the following brands:
Husqvarna - this Swedish manufacturer never skimps on quality. Direct proof of this is not only branded garden equipment, but also high-quality products for lubricating its parts. The oil of this brand - Husqvarna HP - contains a large number of additives aimed at stabilizing the operation of the internal combustion engine. This oil is produced on a carefully prepared semi-synthetic base and contains substances that reliably protect the power unit from corrosion and increased wear. During continuous operation, the lubricant of the Swedish manufacturer burns almost completely, forming minimal volumes of ash;
- Stihl is the most famous brand manufacturer of garden equipment. Lubricants of this brand have a balanced proprietary composition that contains all the required additives. Stihl HP oils are able to work properly when operating the saw at temperatures down to -10⁰C;
- Partner - oils from this chainsaw manufacturer are compatible with all 2-stroke power units. They are distinguished by their increased lubricating properties, high content of anti-corrosion and anti-wear additives, as well as the ability to operate stably at temperatures down to -15⁰C.
When choosing oil for 2-stroke chainsaw engines, it is important to pay attention to its expiration dates. Gardeners should be wary of the manufacturer’s notes that the service life of its lubricant can be 3–5 years or more. After all, the additives contained in the oil tend to evaporate and lose their basic performance properties.
As a rule, well-known brands advise using their lubricant products for 6–12 months, since after this time the oil becomes unusable
After all, the additives contained in the oil tend to evaporate and lose their basic performance properties. As a rule, well-known brands advise using their lubricant products for 6–12 months, since after this time the oil becomes unusable.
