The correct selection of oil for a chainsaw is one of the main criteria that determines its service life. Currently, you can find a wide variety of lubricants for two-stroke engines on the market.
And some owners of gasoline saws use four-stroke internal combustion engine oils the old fashioned way. In this article we will try to figure out which oil to use in various chainsaws and situations.
How chainsaw oils work
Lubricants for two-stroke engines, despite the popular belief that they are interchangeable for all types of equipment, are quite different.
Conventionally, the following gradation can be made: the highest requirements are for lubricants for outboard engines.
Below – to motor vehicles. The simplest lubricants are used in chainsaws, lawn mowers, gas generators and other less loaded units.
Due to the fact that two-stroke gasoline saw engines use a dry sump system, the crank mechanisms are lubricated by oil vapor present in the fuel-air mixture.
Therefore, any 2-stroke chainsaw oils must have the following properties:
- mixes well with gasoline and does not precipitate;
- have sufficient volatility for easy mixing with air;
- reliably protect the crankshaft parts from wear;
- do not leave carbon deposits on the piston, rings and spark plug;
- have environmental qualities.
Most modern lubricants for two-stroke engines combine all of the above qualities to one degree or another.
Jars of 100 ml
A separate story, these are 100 ml jars.
Salespeople in gasoline stores always confidently claim that to prepare the mixture, it is enough to dilute this oil with five liters of gasoline and that’s it, you’re good to go. But in reality this is not the case, and we have just made sure of this, so be careful and prepare the mixture correctly.
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Basic rules of application
Two-stroke chainsaw oil is most often created on a mineral base. Less often it is synthetic or semi-synthetic. According to technology, oil for 2-stroke chainsaw engines is mixed with fuel before filling the tank.
Table of proportions
Pouring lubricant directly into the tank is also practiced, but this is not the most reliable way. Especially if the tank was completely empty. In this case, there is a possibility that gasoline will partially enter the system without lubrication. And the engine will run dry for some time.
The gasoline/oil ratio for chainsaws is strictly determined by the saw manufacturer. In some cases, oil manufacturers indicate their proportions. This is typical of expensive synthetic lubricants. And the gasoline/oil ratio in this case increases towards fuel.
If, when using a lubricant, it is discovered that a wet oil deposit remains on the spark plug, and dirty waste drips from the exhaust pipe, these are clear signs of incomplete combustion or the use of low-quality lubricant. It is necessary to reconsider the choice of motor oil for a chainsaw and the proportion of its use.
Stihl chainsaw oil
Engine oil for the Shtil chainsaw is today generally recognized as the best option for this equipment. And this is logical. No one knows better than the saw manufacturer what properties a lubricant should have to create the most favorable operating conditions.
Stihl produces several types of oil for gasoline saws. There are two common options in Russia.
Synthetic Stihl HP Ultra
Grease is greenish in color. It has very good biodegradability properties. Contains a minimal amount of sulfur and other inclusions that could potentially form carbon deposits.
It mixes well with gasoline and is capable of not precipitating for a long time. This feature is especially useful if the saw is not used daily, since there is no need to drain the fuel.
The cost is at a level close to the maximum for products of this type.
Mineral Stihl HP
Has a red tint. Does not have biodegradability properties. Operating a chainsaw indoors with this oil is highly discouraged.
The lubricant mixes well with gasoline. However, during prolonged downtime, it is recommended to completely drain the fuel from the tank, since in a diluted state the properties of the oil gradually decrease.
Even with long-term operation of the saw with Stihl mineral lubricant, deposits on the piston skirt, cylinder and spark plug are minimal. This lubricant is relatively cheap and is most popular in Russia.
Husqvarna chainsaw oil
, which is also a major manufacturer of chainsaws, produces its own set of lubricants for its equipment. Motor oil for Husqvarna chainsaws today is officially supplied to the Russian markets in only one form: Husqvarna HP.
Husqvarna HP gasoline chainsaw oil is a semi-synthetic product that fully complies with all requirements in force in the Russian Federation.
This lubricant goes well with equipment, but can also be successfully used in saws from other manufacturers. It has excellent lubricating properties and does not leave deposits on the parts of the cylinder-piston group.
The proportion of gasoline and oil for Husqvarna chainsaws is similar to the proportions for Shtil equipment and is 50:1.
How to dilute oil for a Husqvarna chainsaw and not make a mistake if there is no dispenser on the canisters with the products of this company? Here, all owners of gasoline saws are recommended to acquire a measuring container with a division value of 1 ml.
The fact is that both a lack and an excess of lubricant will have an equally negative impact on the service life of the piston group of a two-stroke engine. The deficiency will accelerate piston wear.
note
Scoring and grooves may appear on the piston and cylinder. An excess can lead to the formation of deposits and increased smoke, which will shorten the life of the spark plug.
What lubricant should I use for Husqvarna equipment if it is not possible to purchase the original? The answer is simple: any with similar properties. Stihl products will also work.
Chain
Conventional lubricant will be driven off the surface of the tire and drive sprocket by centrifugal force. Lubricants with high adhesive properties are effectively delivered to the bottom of the tire, which allows the most loaded parts to be lubricated and cooled, extending service life.
For products in the MC, MSA and MCE series, STIHL recommends the use of ForestPlus. In addition, it is worth noting a new product - TimberPlus, which has improved adhesive properties and is able to not freeze up to 40 degrees.
For owners of the GTA 26 cordless minisaw, the manufacturing company offers a special biodegradable composition Multioil Bio, which comes in a small container with a convenient cap for lubricating the sawing set. Taking into account the design features of the GTA 26, the lubricant serves to protect the working parts of this unit from corrosion. Important: Multioil Bio is not intended for use with chain saws!
Other lubricants
There are two more well-known manufacturers of chainsaws, whose products occupy a significant market share in the Russian Federation. These are Makita and Patriot. Motor oil for chainsaws from these manufacturers is also available under their own brands.
What oil should I use for a Makita chainsaw? Ideally, of course, it’s original from the same manufacturer. Lubricants produced under the Makita brand have a balanced set of qualities and a relatively low price among similar branded products.
What oil should I use for the Patriot chainsaw? There are also branded lubricants here. It's best to use them. Moreover, these oils are produced in several versions.
The line of branded products also includes lubricants for chains. Patriot brand chainsaw lubricants have proven themselves well. And today they are often used as alternatives in other techniques.
Among domestic products, Lukoil 2-stroke oil stands out clearly. At a low cost, this product has truly impressive properties.
After its use, in most cases, no carbon deposits form in the combustion chamber. Lukoil oils mix well and have good lubricating and protective properties.
It is also worth noting such an immortal option as regular M8 engine oil. Despite the large abundance of specialized lubricants, many owners of chainsaws use it the old fashioned way.
This option is acceptable in the short term and only for light operating conditions. But you need to be prepared for the appearance of heavy deposits if you use motor lubricants on a regular basis.
They cannot be used in the industrial sector: they will greatly affect the service life of the saw. It is safer to use specialized lubricants.
Four-stroke
The company's product range includes two types: summer SAE 30 and all-season 10 W-30, differing in viscosity and soot threshold. Summer is recommended for use at air temperatures from +4 to +40°C, and all-season can be used in the range from minus eighteen to plus forty degrees Celsius. The basic recommendation for these products is the first replacement in a new engine after 5 operating hours, subsequent replacements every 30 operating hours.
Answers to frequently asked questions
We will briefly answer the most frequently asked questions by chainsaw owners.
Is it possible to put car oil into a chainsaw?
Yes, you can. One-time use for performing simple tasks without heavy loads. For example, let's imagine this situation.
Two-stroke engine piston after running in lean lubrication conditions
Initially, no work was planned using a chainsaw. Therefore, specialized 2T lubricant was not purchased in advance.
But upon arrival at the dacha, it was discovered that, for example, a tree had fallen on the fence. And it urgently needs to be cut up and removed. In this case, you can use one-time motor lubricants.
Consequences of long-term use of conventional motor oil for 4-stroke engines
How much oil does a chainsaw need in this case?
It is recommended to fill in 30-50% more lubricant. The saw will smoke more, but the likelihood of damage to the piston will be reduced. For example, for 100 grams of gasoline it is better to take 2.5-3 grams of oil. The main idea here is this: an inappropriate lubricant is better for a saw than no lubricant at all.
Should you choose synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral oil?
Here again, everything depends on the type of saw and its structural purpose, as well as the nature of the work. If the saw is used in industry for cutting thick logs or processing hardwood, and not at home (for household needs), in the long run it may well be more profitable to use synthetics or semi-synthetics.
Rules for selecting oil for chainsaws and lawn mowers - video
If the chainsaw is for domestic use, then ordinary mineral water is quite suitable.
How to mix gasoline with oil?
There is no exact technology for the mixing procedure itself (not proportions), which should be strictly adhered to. Usually, an empty container with a measuring scale is taken and gasoline is poured into it.
For example, 1 liter. Then lubricant is added. To take the required portion of the lubricant, use a syringe or measuring cup with a division value of 1 ml. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and poured into the saw.
It is not recommended to use a method such as diluting oil with gasoline directly in the fuel tank of the scythe. Especially if the tank was completely dry before. Immediately after filling the tank, gasoline will enter the fuel line without oil.
That is, after oil is added, the saw will still operate without lubrication for some time after starting. And this is right at the moment of starting and warming up, when the engine needs protection the most.
What is the best gasoline oil for a chainsaw?
There is also no clear answer to this question. It all depends on the design features of the chainsaw and its operating mode. In any case, purchasing branded oil from the saw manufacturer is a win-win option.
In general, the trend is this: the more expensive the lubricating fluid, the more reliably it protects the engine from wear and forms less deposits in the cylinder.
Today on sale you can find counterfeit chainsaw oils, which at best are a tinted spindle.
Therefore, it is better to buy two-stroke lubricants, especially branded ones, which counterfeit manufacturers love to counterfeit, from large reputable chains.
The likelihood of buying a fake in large specialized stores is minimal. Such points of sale value their reputation and are almost never associated with counterfeit products.
Be careful - counterfeit!
Small private companies from China and other Asian countries specialize in the production of motor oils, which are sold at a lower cost in the markets under the brand names of leading manufacturers.
- The characteristics of counterfeit products are an order of magnitude lower than the branded originals. The constant use of counterfeit products negatively affects the operation of the chainsaw and the durability of its operation.
- Only an experienced specialist can determine the status and quality of the oil, so you can avoid possible risks by purchasing consumable components from a network of branded and licensed retail outlets.
- The use of substandard lubricants by service technicians is a legal basis for depriving the owner of a faulty saw of warranty repair obligations.
