Don't think that electric saws don't require oil. On the contrary, high-quality lubricant is almost the most important and necessary substance. A good product allows you to use a power saw for a longer period and provides protection from negative impacts.
I have an electric saw at home and my main task is to protect the tool during storage. I think many are looking for options to provide protection for the electric saw chain during the conservation period. In this review, I will talk about which lubricants are most suitable for applying to an electric saw chain and whether motor oil can be used for this purpose.
Why do you need lubrication?
Owners of such tools often mistakenly believe that oil is not required to lubricate the chain of an electric saw. The chain is subject to serious stress in the form of heat and constant friction. Obviously, this mode of operation will very quickly render the instrument completely unusable. You can solve the problem very quickly and simply - apply it to the chain and neutralize the negative impact.
The components present in the lubricant protect the device element from heat by reducing friction. As a result, the service life of the electric saw can be extended for a long time. Sometimes there are cases when cutting will require additional effort. If this happens, it means that the lubricant used is of insufficient quality or the product volume is insufficient.
In a situation like this, I would suggest doing two things. First you need to check the oil level in the saw tank. Lubricate the chain additionally before starting work. High-quality lubrication will make the saw work more efficiently, easier and extend the life of the tool. Equipment without maintenance is prone to frequent breakdowns. It will not be able to serve the owner for a long time.
Types of lubricants for electric saws
The modern lubricant market offers several options for such products. The compositions differ in the base - synthetics, mineral water or semi-synthetics. In recent years, lubricants developed based on plant components have begun to gain popularity. Each option has strengths and weaknesses:
- Synthetic lubricants. If we consider lubricants in terms of stability, synthetics will take the lead. The substances can ensure the operation of electric saws even in very cold times (down to -40 degrees Celsius). Among the disadvantages, the high cost of the product can be noted.
- Mineral lubricants. Products from this group are quite popular because they cost several times less than synthetics. On the other hand, the technical parameters are inferior to synthetic lubricants. Mineral-based oils cannot withstand temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius. The lubricant hardens and has a detrimental effect on individual parts of the saw. The substance is not suitable for the winter period.
- Semi-synthetic lubricants. An intermediate link between synthetics and mineral water. They cope well with their functions. They have an affordable price. The properties do not reach the level of synthetics.
Today, choosing the appropriate composition for lubricating an electric saw is not difficult. When choosing, you should focus on the operating conditions of the saw and the composition of the lubricant.
Electric saw chain lubrication system - design and principle of operation
In most cases, the factory lubrication components of the electric saw headset include:
- reservoir for periodic addition of liquid;
- a mesh filter that cleans the liquid from foreign solids;
- a short hose made of technical rubber, through which the composition is supplied from the tank to the moving parts of the tool;
- oil pump - under its action, liquid is pumped from the reservoir to the rubbing elements of the tool drive;
- gear – through it the force from the electric motor is transmitted to the saw’s oil pump.
The pump plays a key role in this unit. As soon as the engine crankshaft speed increases, the built-in gear receives enough force to drive the oil pump. While working, the pump increases the pressure inside the lubrication system. As a result, air pushes fluid out of the tank towards the tire. Once at the point of contact between the saw housing and the guide, the liquid flows into the groove, which is needed to lubricate the tire. The final link of the lubrication system is a chain, the links of which also have grooves or holes. Through them, the chain oil for the electric saw is distributed along the entire length of the cutting element.
Popular brand lubricants
Many manufacturers produce lubricants for saws. Among the current offers there are little-known and not very popular ones. If you need a lubricant for your electric saw chain, then you should pay attention to the most popular formulations:
Name of lubricant | general description |
Forest plus | Oil is in demand. The composition has excellent adhesion. The product can be used at temperatures down to -15 degrees. Retains its properties for up to three years. |
BioPlus | Made on a plant basis. When it penetrates the soil, it begins to decompose. Can be used at temperatures from -15 degrees. |
Sunth Plus | Made from synthetic materials. Easily bears heavy loads. Suitable for use at temperatures down to -25 degrees. |
Champion | A unique product suitable for use at very low temperatures. Sold in containers of 3 and 10 liters. It is characterized by low cost. |
Husqvarna | Popular composition. It is characterized by low cost. Gives good results. |
You can easily select the appropriate product from the lubricants presented. It is important to consider at what temperature the electric saw will be operated in the future.
Supplying Oil to the Electric Saw Chain
What kind of oil should be poured into an electric saw?
For most owners of electric saws, it is no big secret that the oil used to lubricate the electric saw chain is one of the main consumables. However, here it is rare that due attention is paid to the quality of the lubricant. Not entirely in vain, since the extent to which this element will lubricate the working surface of the chain well will determine its further service life. Therefore, while pouring oil into the electric saw, it is necessary to study its technical characteristics.
Why is it necessary to lubricate the chain on an electric saw?
Electric saw oil is used to lubricate the chain in order to neutralize the frictional forces that arise and reduce the level of heat generation. For this reason, fast, uninterrupted operation of the cutting blade is achieved. If it happens that at some stages of cutting it is necessary to make additional efforts to obtain the required cut, this directly indicates an insufficient amount of lubricant or its not very good quality. Oil supply to the chain: features of the alpina ea1800 electric saw: weight is 4.4 kilograms. Here it is recommended to immediately check the oil level in the tank or simply lubricate the chain to complete the current work.
Most new models of electric chain saws have a built-in automatic oil supply system to the surface of the cutting element, and manual lubrication is only necessary for older equipment.
Main components of the lubrication system
Typically the oil goes into the chain lubrication
electric saws from a special tank, where it is periodically added.
From there it is pushed out by a powerful oil pump, doing this at certain time intervals sufficient to expend the previous injection. The main task of the oil mechanism is to prevent the occurrence of such situations when the lubrication on the chain becomes insufficient, and as a result, severe overheating of the cutting part may occur due to sharply increased friction forces. As a result, the chain
may become dull and fail. Therefore, the oil must be constantly monitored. Typically, the lubrication system of an electric saw consists of the following components:
- oil tank for chain lubrication
; - oil
filter ; - oil line, which is a small rubber hose that serves to supply oil from the tank;
- an oil pump that pumps lubricant from the tank to the cutting mechanism;
- a special gear, with the help of a busy gear, force is transferred to the pump from the electric saw motor.
You could also add something other than a tire to this list, since there are special holes for oil supply.
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Operating principle of the chain lubrication system
As already mentioned, the main link in the lubrication system is the pump. It works like this. When the engine speed increases, the gear, which is located on the main shaft, begins the pump operation process through a transmission. If during operation there is no oil supplied to the chain, oil is supplied to the chain when fuel is supplied. In this case, the pressure in the oil supply system increases, and it begins to move towards the tire. This movement ends where the saw housing comes into contact with the tire, in the very place where the longitudinal groove is located, to which the oil channel itself is not directed during the installation of the tire. This groove is required to supply lubricant to the tire at any tension level of the chain mechanism, i.e. Regardless of the position of the bar during operation of the electric saw, the groove will ensure that lubricant reaches its surface. The next feed link is the chain itself. On its links there is a separate groove and a separate hole through which the material is distributed along the length of the chain.
Electric saw chain automatic lubrication system
If the engine speed increases, the lubricant pumping speed also increases. Therefore, it is recommended to pour oil into the electric saw only when the engine is turned off.
Probably modern models of electric saws, nettle, Makita, have built-in pumps with additional adjustment of the passage, which requires the option to regulate the amount of lubricant supplied. In older modifications of saws this feature is usually missing. There, supply is carried out in a constant, unchangeable mode; otherwise, as in the very first models, the user has to lubricate the chain manually. Those who own outdated copies need to know how to properly lubricate the chain mechanism by hand. It's not difficult at all:
- take any old container and do not fill it with oil;
- the chain mechanism is carefully immersed in this container.
These actions are carried out periodically throughout the consumption of lubricant on the chain.
Consequences of lack or excess of lubrication on the chain
For each mechanism, the operating mode of which is associated with lubrication based on machine oil, certain parameters are made to be observed. Electric saws on the chain through due to lack of oil in the mechanism or due to. This concerns immediately the amount of oil required for its normal operation. Such problems happen if there is not enough oil:
- circuit overheating;
- premature dulling of cutting teeth;
- jamming as it is also called chain break;
- additional time spent on cutting;
- increased sprocket wear;
- tire failure.
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For an electric chain saw, it is recommended to fill the oil tank in the following proportion: one full filling of oil per full filling of the gas tank, i.e. 1:1. In some models, nettle, the Bosh lubrication system operates in fully automatic mode; when there is too much oil on the chain, the saw itself begins to regulate its supply. However, if a malfunction occurs and oil literally begins to pour from the chain mechanism, then its excess leads to the following undesirable consequences:
- increased oil consumption;
- excessive contamination of the instrument body;
- wide emission of oil splashes from the chain.
As you can see, an excess of lubricant does not lead to critical consequences, but its overconsumption will definitely have a real impact. Considering that the cost of quality oil
for lubrication is quite high, it is better to use it carefully.
General recommendations for choosing lubricant for electric saws
When choosing oils to lubricate an electric saw, which user wonders which option is more profitable and not acceptable - special oil for chain mechanisms or regular machine oil? If you listen to the experts, then, of course, the first option is preferable, since the oil for lubricating chains was specially developed taking into account the technical characteristics of the electric saw.
Technical characteristics mean a certain temperature regime and no friction of the working parts of the lubrication mechanism.
Although regular motor oil is cheaper than special motor oil, it must be taken into account that it serves completely different purposes and cannot guarantee moderate wear of working parts . So you can gain a little in price now, but then you will have to overpay for the repair of prematurely worn out mechanisms.
Many experts recommend using a special brand of oil with the letter N to lubricate the electric saw. It is a little more expensive, but guarantees long-term and trouble-free operation of the chain. Its main advantages include:
- excellent biodegradability;
- increased adhesive capabilities;
- the presence in the composition of special additives that protect against premature wear.
By following these recommendations, you can significantly increase the service life of the chain mechanism of your electric saw. However, the final choice of lubricant always remains with the user.
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Review of brands from various manufacturers
Today there are many tempting offers on the market from a variety of manufacturers of specialty oils that can operate in high temperature conditions and still provide excellent gear lubrication performance. The most popular of them are presented in the following list.
- Forest Plus has high adhesive characteristics and can be used at ambient temperatures down to - 15°C. If a number of conditions are met, the oil's shelf life is three years. Sold in 1-liter and five-liter packaging. Cost one liter. – three hundred thirty rubles, five l. – one thousand one hundred and forty rubles.
- Bio Plus products are made on a plant basis. When released into the soil, it quickly decomposes. The oil can be used at temperatures down to - 15°C. Oil supply device for chain oil supply using a model of an electric chain saw. Packaging – one and 5 liter containers. Cost one liter. - three hundred sixty rubles.
- CHAMPION adhesive oil is designed to operate over a wide temperature range. Sold in three and 10 liter containers, which is very convenient for use in forestry. Cost 3l. – four hundred ninety rubles, ten l. - two thousand two hundred rubles.
- The HUSQVARNA Vegoil product is one of the most economical solutions for the lubrication mechanism of an electric saw. According to the manufacturer, the consumption of this material is 40% less than others. Cost one liter. - three hundred ninety rubles.
Synth Plus is made on a synthetic base. Withstands increased loads and can be used at particularly low temperatures down to – 25°C. Packaging – one and 4 liter containers. Cost one liter. – seven hundred ninety rubles, 4l. - two thousand nine hundred seventy rubles.
Oil is not supplied to the chain of the Makita electric saw. Simple DIY repair
No oil supplied to the chain
. Airing the oil pump. Makita 4320 electric saw. Oil pump. How to adjust the oil supply to the oil supply chain. Chain? Electric saw repair. Repair.
Using special oil to lubricate the chain mechanism of the electric saw will ensure its uninterrupted operation for a long time. This will allow work to be carried out quickly, efficiently and with a high level of safety, which will ultimately lead to significant savings on repairs and maintenance of the entire tool.
Source
Is regular motor oil suitable for lubrication?
This question is considered one of the most common. Motor oil is often at hand, but special lubricant for the electric saw chain is not always available. For this purpose, it is permissible to use motor and transmission compounds, but you must remember that mineral oils should be avoided. Mineral water is only suitable for specific models of saws, which is written in detail in the technical documentation.
It is strictly not recommended to lubricate saws with such compounds unless permitted by the manufacturer. This is not the main purpose of motor oils, which means you should not use the product so as not to harm the instrument.
You should not use vegetable oil either. The lubricating effect will be achieved for a short time, but it is important to remember that the product will dry out very quickly and the saw will again be left without protection. You shouldn't use working off. The quality of such a product is extremely low and it does not provide any protection for the saw.