Drive Link: December 2008

Xmas Break & The New Year Ahead...

I'd like to take the chance to thank everyone who reads this blog and also to those who have been involved in some way, shape or form. If you are celebrating the Christmas period, then I hope you have an enjoyable time and if you're not, then all these festivities must be driving you mad! Either way, have fun over the next couple of weeks. We'll be back in the new year, looking to continue the DriveLink site with more help and advice on chainsaw related bits and bobs; find out more after the jump...

Originally I had thought that this site would be giving chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting a once over, and then maybe move on to felling. After roughly 8 months we haven't really got on to cross-cutting, which either means that I'm really slow at getting to the point, or someone out there is liking the information being put out - who is it anyway? Is it you?

The majority of readers are from the U.S. & U.K., but I notice that we've also had visits from Croatia, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Finland, South Africa, and on goes the list.

So, next year, we need to finish off the audio version of the assessment schedule, but for the next bit (essentially NPTC CS30.2 on-site preparation and crosscutting), I may take a slightly different tack by producing proper little podcast shows that you can download. Each show will deal with several bits from the assessment schedule and [hopefully] be a little lesson in it's own right. From there, we can move on to crosscutting and so on.

I hope you'll stick with us in the new year, for more great content. Until then "Happy Xmas & New Year!", thanks for reading, commenting and thanks to Makita and Oregon in particular.

Welcome to TreeStuff

I'd like to take the opportnity to welcome Luke at TreeStuff to the hallowed corridors of DriveLink HQ; if you're in the U.S. and a chainsaw user on the ground, dangling from a rope or a mobile elevated work platform, TreeStuff probably stocks something of interest to you. In fact, even if you're not in the U.S., they probably have something that'll pique your interest. Find out more after the jump...

Luke, at TreeStuff runs an internet based store (but has a real bricks and mortar store too) and blog. I'll let Luke explain in his own words...

TreeStuff.com is an online arborist supply retailer that sells its products in North America as well as globally. We are dedicated to selling the equipment that professional arborists need to get the job done right. Most importantly our stuff costs less. We opened in 2006 with the plans to use a different business model. We don't print a catalog, but instead are trying to market our products to a new generation of computer savvy arborists. We also have physical location called Metro Arborist Supplies in Indianapolis, Indiana where arborists can see and try out the equipment. In our store we sell and service Stihl and Husqvarna chain saws.

Not much to add to that, other than 'take a look'!

CS30.1.18: Fuel / Oil Filters

Finally, the last bit of your maintenance assessment - maintaining the fuel and oil filters. Although it's not the end of the test, as you'll still have to get through the crosscutting bit yet! Anyhow, back to the filters, this bit is easy - to find out how easy click on Read More...

Well, for starters this is another one of those 'demonstrate knowledge of' activities, and that means just answering a question about it; you're not expected to actually do it.

Do what you may ask? As there is no need to remove the fuel, or oil, filter, you'll be expected to explain how to set about replacing them. This essentially comes down to undoing the fuel / oil tank filler cap, using a bit of bent wire to hook the filter out, removing / replacing it and dropping it back in (you might want to mention about draining the tank out first too). Listen below to the assessment activity for this last section of the maintenance assessment.

CS30.1.17: Service The Recoil Starter

If it hasn't happened to you yet, you can be sure it will do at some point in your 'chainsawing career'. That moment when you pull the starter handle and it just keeps on coming. The cord has snapped and you are going to have to replace it; and so it is with your assessment. Find out more after the jump...

Part of the assessment is to simulate the replacement of a starter cord; fortunately you don't need to put a new length of cord in, but you will need to retension the spring and check it's OK. You will also need to tell the assessor where it's most likely to break (essentially at either end). To view the article about recoil starters, check out Recoil Starters, or listen to the relevant bit of the assessment schedule.

CS30.1.16: Service The Spark Plug

Whilst you could be asked about cleaning the electrodes, pointing out erosion, checking plug types and testing the electrode gap with feeler gauges, in reality the assessment is much easier. So, to find out more about this section, click on Read More...

You'll need to be able to give the assessor an idea of the state of engine tune based on the colour of deposits on the electrodes.

You can find out more about spark plugs here, or click on the audio broadcast below to hear what the assessment schedule says.

CS30.1.15: Reassemble And Tension Chain

This bit of the assessment is about sticking the bar and chain back on to the saw and then sorting out the tension. Now, there's an emotive issue if ever there was; chain tension. It's something that here at DriveLink HQ we've covered a little bit before, so find out more by clicking on the Read More link...

As well as being able to listen to what the assessment schedule says about reassembling and tensioning the chain at the end, here's a couple of links that you might find useful, related to chain tension: Chain Tension, Too Hot To Handle and Creating Tension In A Video.

CS30.1.14: Sprocket Types And Replacement

Sprockets. Types, replacement ratios and how to change them. That pretty much sums up what you'll be expected to tell the assessor in section 30.1.14. Once again, you'll only need to "demonstrate knowledge" of this information, and that means answering a couple of questions. Find out a bit more after the jump...

There's only two types of sprocket that you need to remember ("spur" and "rim & spline") and a replacement ratio of 1 sprocket every 2-3 chains. The bit about replacing the drive sprocket only refers to the machine that you'll have in front of you - so for those of you with a Stihl it really couldn't be easier.

With a Stihl saw, you'll have an inboard clutch and it's easy to see what needs to be done just by looking at it. You might find it a bit more difficult with a chainsaw that uses an outboard clutch, but listen in to what the assessment schedule has to say about it...

CS30.1.13: Maintain The Chain Brake

The chain brake is so important, but for your assessment it really couldn't be easier, as all you need to do is show that you know what should be done if you find that the brake on your machine is worn or broken. Click on 'Read more' to find out what the assessor wants to hear...

This has got to be one of the easiest questions of the whole assessment; forget about having to actually deal with chain brake springs and brake bands, worrying about whether you have the chain brake in teh side plate housing or integral to the power unit. Nope, all you need to say is that in the event that you find something not quite right about the chain brake, you'd 'replace the unit with a new one."

That's it! To find out exactly what the assessment schedule has to say, listen by clicking on the audio link below...

CS30.1.12: Check And Clean Power Unit

The next section of the assessment is a quick clean and check over of the main power unit. Cleaning the saw will help with maintenance anyway and so it's a good idea to give it a quick once over with a brush or (even better) an airline to get rid of that sawdust / chain oil mix. Find out more after the jump...

Whilst your cleaning every nook and cranny of the chainsaw engine housing with a toothbrush (please don't use your usual toothbrush for this - I'd recommend you keep one by specially for this purpose), take the opportunity to ensure that the engine covers are in one piece, that any missing nuts / bolts are noted and then replaced. Chainsaws have a fairly hard life, and you may well be relying on yours for your income so it pays to look after it. Follow the audio link below to hear what the assessment schedule has to say about it.

CS30.1.11: Air Filter Maintenance

This little bit of the assessment schedule is pretty simple and shouldn't cause anyone too many problems; you just need to tell the assessor how to clean the air filter and tell them what it's function in life is. Find out more after the jump...

So, it's no big deal - explaining the function of the air filter; the clue is in the name, it's just there to prevent debris from entering the carburettor / engine, i.e. to filter the air.

The assessor will also want to know suitable ways of cleaning the filter both in the field and in the workshop. For more information either listen to the audio podcast, or visit Air Filters on DriveLink.

CS30.1.10: Maintain The Guide Bar

For this section, CS30.1.09, you'll be expected to actually maintain the guide bar of the saw you are using and answer a couple of questions on why the guide bar should be maintained. Find out more after the jump...

As mentioned, you'll be expected to comment on the state of your guide bar and carry out any maintenance that needs doing to it. That means looking over the bar for signs of damage or blueing (where it has overheated), as well as checking for signs of burring on the rails and filing these off if present.

Listen to the audio for information on the criteria for this part of the assessment.

For more information on guide bar maintenance...

Guide Bars

Guide Bars - Part 2

CS30.1.09: Incorrect Chain Tension

Section CS30.1.09 covers the activities required for incorrect chain tension; for this bit of the assessment you just need to show that you have an understanding of the effects when a chain is either too loose or too tight. Find out more after the jump...

If you want some more information on chain tension, take a look back at these previous posts before listening to the audio:

Chain Tension, May '08.

Too Hot To Handle, May '08.

Creating Tension In A Video, May '08.

The following audio lists the activities and relevant criteria for CS30.1.09:

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