In the last installment, we conducted a leak check on a chainsaw that had damage to the top end of the engine (piston, rings, and cylinder). Before replacing those components, a leak-down…

In the last installment, we investigated a nonrunning chainsaw with low compression. The compression was so low that the chainsaw failed the “hang test” (holding the saw by the…

To run, your chainsaw needs air, fuel, spark, and compression in the cylinder. If any of those components are missing, your chainsaw won’t work – or at least won’t run and…

Owning multiple chainsaws is a bit of an insurance policy. If a saw breaks, or gets pinched, having a backup saw (or two!) can keep you cutting. Last winter, I visited a friend who was…

I tend to think of our woodlot as a private Home Depot, each stand its own aisle. The species and successional stage dictate both the wood’s future use and harvest schedule: a stand of…

In the last column we discussed tips and tricks for hand splitting gnarly firewood. Hand splitting is cheaper than a gym membership but may not be practical based on the type or amount of wood…

Tucked behind all too many woodsheds are unsplit rounds that stand as evidence of defeat. Many of these blocks have been tossed in frustration after dozens of hits, each one eliciting…

Recently, I taught a chainsaw safety course in which a student asked, “Where does all the bar oil go?” It occurred to me that this is a topic that gets relatively little attention,…

For woodlot management, an ATV can be invaluable, providing property access, pulling trailers and other heavy loads, and, with a bit of modification, also serving as a mobile toolbox. While…