The best chainsaws according to consumers: choosing a powerful and functional tool

Technical parameters of the Ural chainsaw

Specific numbers can tell you in more detail and clearly about the advantages and capabilities of the Ural chainsaw. They give unbiased, dry information and make no attempt to embellish the reality. Let's look at the technical characteristics of the Ural chainsaw:

Technical characteristics of Ural chainsaws

• Engine power - 5 l. With.
• Weight excluding fuel and starter - 11.6 kg.
• Engine design : gasoline, two-stroke, single-cylinder.
• Fuel tank capacity is 1.6 liters.
• Oil tank volume - 0.24 l.
• Noise level - 105 dB (no more).
• The cutting direction when felling is from right to left.
• Dimensions (L/W/H) - 88/45.5/46 (50) cm.
• Temperature range - from -40° to +40°С.
• Air type cooling.
• The length of the working tire is 45.5 cm.
• The saw chain has 72 teeth with a pitch of 0.325 inches.

Attention! Currently, there are several models of Ural chainsaws that have their own characteristics, which may differ slightly from the indicated values. To clarify the parameters, it is recommended to carefully study the device passport.

Advantages and disadvantages [edit | edit code ]

The Druzhba chainsaw was developed in the early 1950s and by the end of the century was already significantly outdated. The saw has a large mass - 12 kg. Initially, the reliability of the saw was high (a number of saws produced in the 1960s are still in working order), but in the 1990s it dropped significantly due to manufacturing defects and production by small firms that did not have the necessary materials and technologies. The removable cable starter is inconvenient and often gets lost. The design of the saw does not contain elements that ensure its safety (Stop button, chain brake, Anti-kick function). Nevertheless, the simple design of the saw and its good knowledge, combined with the low price for a powerful saw and high cutting performance, determine the popularity of “Druzhba” even today.

The advantages of the saw also include the high position of the handles relative to the cutting plane, which allows the operator to work standing in a comfortable position (working with modern saws when felling trees is done with the operator kneeling or bent).

Friendship 4 is a legendary chainsaw that has been produced in two Russian cities since 1955: Perm and Biysk. Developed in 1953. It is worth noting that in 1958 an exhibition was held in Brussels in which the Druzhba 4 chainsaw took part, and it was there that it was awarded the “Gold Medal”. Surprised? Me too! I think for this reason alone it is worth reviewing this legendary instrument.

Chainsaw motor

The engine makes up the main part of the Ural chainsaw, almost completely forming it as a tool. Most of the technical characteristics relate to the operation of the motor. The single-cylinder two-stroke engine has a cylinder with a volume of 94 (109) cm3, with a diameter of 5.5 cm, providing a fuel consumption of 632 g for each kW/h of power. The crankshaft rotation speed is 6200 rpm (±200). The motor has stable performance characteristics, highly appreciated by experts.

Owner reviews

Roman, Krasnodar:

“I used an Electron 2T chainsaw while I had the opportunity, then I made a small modification and made myself a snow blower. This homemade product was very useful to me in everyday life. I had to tinker, and I needed to set up a lot of things and buy additional parts, but I managed. Now I use a snow blower with a 2T engine, it helps a lot in winter. Instead of the Urals, I bought another model of chainsaw, a German one. I was satisfied with the quality of the domestic chainsaw, but it was time to change something. I don't regret the new purchase. The Urals also have their pros and cons.

Among the disadvantages, I can highlight the heavy weight, the saw is more for professionals than for beginners, as well as high fuel consumption.

Advantages: power, functionality, technical parameters.”

How to break in a chainsaw?

Full operation of the Ural chainsaw engine, corresponding to the declared characteristics, is possible only after a special procedure called running-in. To complete it, you will need a certain amount of fuel, consisting of a mixture of gasoline and oil in a ratio of 15:1.

Chainsaw Ural - device

The break-in process consists of starting the engine, which should run for 10 minutes, after which it is turned off. Then starting, running for 10 minutes and stopping the engine are repeated, and this happens until all the fuel is used up. To complete the procedure, it is necessary to use 4 full tanks of lean fuel, and further work should be done with richer fuel, having a gasoline to oil ratio of 20:1.

After running-in, it is necessary to operate the Ural chainsaw for 25 hours at low loads.

Running in the saw is necessary to adjust all the parts of the mechanism, set the optimal qualities and performance characteristics of the Ural chainsaw. If you ignore this procedure, the device’s engine will constantly stall and will not be able to operate normally.

Repair Tips

Thanks to its simple design, you can repair the Druzhba chainsaw yourself. For example, saws of this brand often have problems with ignition, especially if a contact one is installed. It is extremely sensitive to various oils and gasoline. Therefore, it is better to purchase electronic ignition instead. Moreover, contact spare parts for the friendship chainsaw are expensive and irreplaceable.

If the spark plugs are heavily flooded, you should pay attention to the carburetor. In this case, it is necessary to bend the gasoline valve slightly inward; as a result, the amount of fuel supplied will decrease and the spark plugs will stop getting wet.

The carburetor is also easy to adjust:

1. The fuel screw is screwed in completely and unscrewed back 3 turns.
2. Close the propeller completely and turn it back 2 turns.

To prevent air from being sucked into the system from the outside, all seals must be tight.

Compared to other models, the Druzhba chainsaw is sold at a lower price due to the small number of functions, but has excellent quality and a long service life, which imported models cannot boast of.

The main malfunctions of the Druzhba chainsaw - video

[1] “Druzhba”
is a brand of chainsaw. Developed at ZMKB "Progress" named after. Academician A.G. Ivchenko in November 1953. Manufacturers - Machine-Building Plant named after. Dzerzhinsky (Perm) and State Unitary Enterprise PA "Sibpribormash" (Biysk). Produced in mass production since 1955. Around 2011, production at factories was finally stopped, but continues in 2022 by numerous small firms and entrepreneurs. In 1958, at an exhibition in Brussels, she was awarded the Gold Medal. In the 1990s, small private enterprises in various cities of Russia also mastered the production of saws and spare parts for them.

Carburetor settings

Ural chainsaw carburetor

Carburetor adjustment is necessary to transfer the engine operation from the enriched fuel mixture used during break-in to the normal working one. When purchasing, the carburetor of the Ural chainsaw is configured for a rich mixture, so subsequent adjustment is not necessary. To do this, you need to adjust the fuel supply using the carburetor adjusting screws. There are three of them, they regulate operation at idle, low and high speeds. They control the throttle valve, which regulates the volume of air and fuel mixture.

The result of adjusting the carburetor is a change in power, rotation speed and fuel mixture consumption. Therefore, for correct settings, you must be guided by the values ​​​​indicated in the device characteristics. The rotation speed is checked with a tachometer, and the fuel supply is checked visually. If the fuel composition is too lean, the saw begins to make a squealing sound, and if it is too rich, black smoke appears.

Modifications

During the entire production of the chainsaw, Friendship 4 has not undergone any major design changes. Let's see what minor changes have occurred in the design of the chainsaw:

1. 1950 - 1960 . The first structural modification concerned a change in the mounting option for the handles; they began to be attached to the fan cover, and subsequently the fastening was moved to the clamp that connected the engine and gearbox.
2. 1960 - 1980 . At this time, a modification of the chainsaw called Druzhba - 4A, which had two main advantages: a contact magneto and the well-known KMP-100 carburetor, entered the assembly line and was produced for 20 years. At the end of the 80s, the modification of the Druzhba -4A chainsaw was discontinued.
3. Late 1980s. Release of the Druzhba-4M Electron modification. Electronic ignition was used for the first time.

4. 1990s . Equipping the chainsaw with a modern (at that time) carburetor KMP-100U. Changes in the saw set - the use of modern type chains.

Adjusting the power unit for maximum power

You can achieve the greatest power from the Ural chainsaw motor by setting the optimal amount of fuel mixture supplied to the cylinders. The adjusting screw acting on the throttle control lever is adjusted to the mode that allows you to obtain maximum power.

When the screw is screwed in, the mixture becomes leaner, and when unscrewed, it becomes richer. To monitor the result, test cutting is carried out and the quality of the adjustment is assessed. If the obtained characteristics are not satisfactory, the procedure is repeated until an optimal result is obtained. The engine should not overheat (a sign of a lean fuel composition), stop, or smoke too much.

Adjusting screws for Ural chainsaws

Trouble-shooting

The design of the Druzhba 4 chainsaw is so simple that it allows you to easily repair many components yourself. The weakest point of the saw is considered to be the ignition and carburetor. There are even more problems with the contact ignition system. Let's figure out why these malfunctions occur and how to fix them yourself.

Carburetor adjustment

The first cause of problems with the carburetor is spark plugs filled with fuel mixture. This does not mean that you need to immediately disassemble the carburetor. First of all, pay attention to the gasoline valve; sometimes it is enough to bend it a little inward. This operation will reduce the amount of fuel supplied.

If this does not help, then move on to a simple carburetor setup operation:

1. Tighten the fuel screw all the way.
2. Unscrew it back 3 full turns.
3. Tighten the propeller all the way.
4. Loosen the propeller 2 full turns.

Don’t forget to check the seals for leaks to eliminate the possibility of air being sucked into the system; this can also cause a malfunction when the chainsaw starts and stalls.

How to set the ignition

People come to repair the ignition very often, especially if it is a contact one. The problem is expressed in the problem of starting a hot engine. This is due to a weak ignition system. You can’t just set it up, here you need to know the approach to how to adjust the ignition on the Druzhba 4 chainsaw, because... there are pitfalls.

We invite you to watch a video, the author of which talks in detail about adjusting the ignition of a chainsaw.

In principle, there is nothing complicated. To adjust the contactless, it is enough to connect the marks of the housing and the ignition unit. When adjusting the contact there are many nuances, the process itself is complex, so it’s worth watching the video above, the author talks in detail about the process. Here are the first adjustment steps:

1. Set the piston to BDC.
2. Clean the contact.
3. Check the gap - 0.3mm.
4. If the gap is smaller, then unscrew the fastening screw and increase the gap to 0.3 mm.
5. Tighten the screw and check the clearance again.
6. Set the ignition trigger so that it fires less than 4 mm before TDC (how to do this is described in detail in the video above).

Note, in order to avoid constant problems with contact ignition, it is being converted to contactless.

Basic faults

Rarely, but still other malfunctions occur with the saw. For example, there is no spark at the spark plug or the chainsaw does not start at all. For a better understanding and assimilation of information on troubleshooting such faults, we recommend watching the video.

Chainsaw oil

For the Ural chainsaw, M-8B oil is used. It is mixed with A-72 gasoline (currently AI-92 or AI-93 is used) in a ratio of 1:20. Long-term practice has shown the reliability, high characteristics of this oil, the absence of premature wear and the appearance of carbon deposits on the spark plug. The same oil is used to lubricate the saw chain gearbox, which increases its service life and makes the saw easier to operate.

Liquids for refilling chainsaws Ural

Modifications [edit | edit code]

One of the first samples was made by Kyiv aircraft manufacturers in a sharashka near the Lapshanga station [2].

Over the years of production, the general design of the saw remained the same, but minor changes were made:

• in the 1950s - 1960s, a modification of the “Friendship” was produced with handles attached to the fan cover; later the handles began to be attached to a clamp connecting the engine and gearbox.
• until the end of the 1980s, the Druzhba-4A model with a contact magneto and a KMP-100 carburetor was produced - discontinued;
• in the late 1980s, electronic ignition was used (from the contactless magneto MB-1), the saw received the designation “Friendship-4A-Electron”;
• in the 1990s, a more advanced KMP-100U carburetor was used, the saw received the designation “Druzhba-4M” (produced by ZiD) and “Druzhba-Altai” (produced by Sibpribormash), modern type saw chains were used.

Design features

MP-1 engine designed by ZMKB "Progress" named after. Academician A. G. Ivchenko - single-cylinder, two-stroke, carburetor, air cooling, working volume 94 cm 3. power 4 l. With. Engine lubrication is oil mixed with gasoline. The engine and the sawing apparatus are made in the form of independent units and are connected together using a flange connection secured with a clamp (which is attached to the saw handles). This assembly allows you to rotate the sawing apparatus at any angle and, if necessary, quickly replace a failed unit.

Due to its multifunctional completeness and ease of mounting, the Druzhba chainsaw engine was used to drive walk-behind tractors (Kumir, Sadovod), water pumps (Skif, TsBN-1, TsBN-2, PMP-4), constant current generators (GZ -106A) for charging batteries in the field, mechanical winches for skidding forests, in the Kama outboard motor, in lawn mowers. This engine was also popular among those who liked to build equipment with their own hands. In the 60s, at the Metropolitan Aviation Institute, attempts were made to boost this engine and install it on ultra-light aircraft. Light helicopters X-3, X-4, X-5 were made, each of which was equipped with propeller-motor units of four Druzhba engines operating through a common gearbox on the main rotor. None of the devices passed flight tests due to the low reliability of the engines. Nevertheless, information about these aircraft spread across Russian scientific, technical and popular science magazines, and, perhaps, served as the basis for the emergence of an urban legend about homemade helicopters supposedly made by prisoners in logging camps with an engine from Druzhba, on which, supposedly, there were escapes from places of imprisonment.

Model range overview

Gasoline saws "Ural" appeared as a result of modernization of the tool of the "Friendship" series. Improvements made it possible to reduce the weight of the saw and increase the power and efficiency of the unit. Later, new chainsaw models appeared with increased performance and improved ergonomics. The plant produces several varieties of Ural saws with an electronic drive; a household power supply of 220 V is used for power supply. The electric drive is equipped with a protective casing that prevents the ingress of fine wood dust.

Uralstal UBP-6300

The UBP-6300 chain saw is equipped with a modernized engine with enhanced technical features. The engine capacity is 62 cm³, power increased to 8.6 hp. Adjustment of the engine speed is carried out on the trigger switch located in the handle. The design of the saw provides an emergency brake; a double exhaust duct with an acoustic muffler is used to divert the flow of exhaust gases.

To increase the reliability of the Ural saw, a reinforced piston with 2 grooves for compression rings is used. The fuel is supplied by a membrane carburetor, which ensures the maintenance of a measured consistency. Magnesium alloys are used in the design of the engine crankcase, which makes it possible to reduce the weight of the equipment while maintaining strength. The kit comes with a chain with hardened teeth, designed for sawing tough woods.

Where are chainsaws used?

The equipment is intended for collecting firewood for the winter, cutting down bushes and trees at home or in the country. It is used in repairs and construction. A gasoline saw can be useful even when fishing in winter - for cutting through ice for an ice hole, or on a hike.

In construction, the device is used to roughly saw logs longitudinally and transversely, saw out boards, and cut off branches. The thickness of logs that the tool can handle depends on the length of the guide bar. The smallest chainsaw has a bar length of 30 cm, the professional model is equipped with a guide that reaches 1 meter or more. In addition to wood, the device cuts foam concrete, plastic pipes and is highly reliable.

Classes of gasoline saws

The tool is classified into several categories based on performance, weight, and price. It is customary to distinguish three classes of devices:

• household,
• semi-professional,
• professional.

Home appliances are the best inexpensive chainsaws for the home. The category of the tool is usually indicated in the instructions. The devices are used only at home. The characteristics are designed for small-scale work, such as cutting firewood for a bathhouse or home. This type of saw is usually the lightest and most compact. It has a small working life, but since it is rarely used, it will last about 10 years.

Even the best chainsaws designed for home use have problems. For example, depressurization of the tank lid or damage to the wiring in the housing may occur. You can replace such parts and perform minor repairs yourself. Another typical breakdown of household devices is the failure of the carburetor, the occurrence of cracks in the fuel supply tube. But, despite the listed disadvantages, even among the cheapest household chainsaws there are devices that have proven themselves well among consumers. Of course, subject to infrequent use, which lasts a maximum of 40 minutes. Next, you need to let the tool cool down. Only after this can it be used again. In intensive mode, even the best chainsaw will quickly exhaust its working life. Thanks to its small size and light weight, you can take the tool with you anywhere, for example, on a hike.

If we talk about what kind of chainsaw is worth purchasing for construction, cutting trees and collecting firewood at home or in the country, we can answer unequivocally - a semi-professional one. This is equipment that is used not only for cutting, but also for felling small trees. It is also indispensable during construction and repair work. Such a chainsaw cannot be called the most reliable, but, nevertheless, you can work with it for hours and efficiently. The device will not break due to overheating. The most powerful semi-professional chainsaw is equipped with a 40 cm bar and a power rating of 3000 W, so it is suitable for cutting thick logs. The devices are equipped with improved anti-vibration protection, so the operators’ hands do not get too tired when working.

And yet, which chainsaw can confidently be called the best? The choice of experts is professional models. The working life of the professional device is designed for daily intensive use. The tool can be used for 8 hours without a break, which is why it is used at logging enterprises. It is not surprising that it is professional chainsaws that always top the reliability rating and deserve the best consumer reviews. The power of the tool varies between 3000-6000 W. The length of the tire allows you to fell trees with thick trunks.

Thus, it is definitely impossible to talk about which chainsaw is worse and which is better. It all depends on the scope of use of the tool. To know how to choose a good chainsaw, you first need to decide on the purposes for which you will buy it. And if you are planning serious work, you should not choose a cheap model.