General chainsaw use question - is it advised to leave the chain brake engaged and leave the saw running at idle on the ground for 30 seconds - 1 minute or so at a time while you move logs around before cutting again? Is there a general rule of thumb or limit on the amount of time you should leave the chain brake engaged at idle? Or do most folks shut the saw off between every use? I was concerned about if it ever affected the clutch or anything if the chain "wants" to move but is being held still by the chainbrake for extended periods of time.
I leave it for as long as I set the saw down to do whatever it is I need done. Never gave it a second thought. As long as your chain isn’t trying to spin at idle, it won’t effect your clutch at all.
Starting with your last sentence first. If the chain wants to move but the brake is stopping it then you are hurting your clutch. The idle speed should be lowered until the clutch is totally disengaged. Personally I don't like to leave a saw on the ground running as it just sucks up dirt and soots up the exhaust. Once warm your saw should start with just a little tug and if it doesn't maybe some tweaking is in order.
I will leave mine running with the brake on for up to maybe a minute or two at the most, but usually not that long, when I have to move a little brush or something out of the way. To me this seems easier then having to re-start it, constantly. There's wear and tear on the starter rope, and mechanism if you have to start it excessively, I would think, so it's kind of like a truck, I would think. Some people say don't let your truck idle either, but starters cost money, just like fuel does. I would rather buy a little more fuel.
Thanks for the responses. My saw may need some idle/carb adjustment to make sure the chain isn't trying to move at idle. Makes sense that if the chain brake is engaged it shouldn't affect the clutch so long as the chain isn't "trying" to move at idle. Appreciate all the advice!
Even without the brake engaged the chain should not spin for obvious safety reasons. When moving with the saw running i almost always "backhand" the brake lever to engage it. Good safety habit ive gotten into. I dont see any harm in leaving it engaged unless the saw chain is racing, then it may lead to damage.
The only 2 problems that arise with excessive idling with the brake on or is if your saw s chain is trying to move you can overheat clutch and actually heat the assembly hot enough to melt plastic parts like the oiler drive gears and in extreme cases I have seen the brake band melt into the plastic case the other problem is a lot of people forget the small bearing in the clutch drum it is only spinning when the engine is running but the chain is stopped if not lubricated it can fail causing a lot of damage to oiler and sometimes in extreme cases crankshaft damage I usually do not Idle my saws much when saw is running properly when warmed up they start effortlessly and i just shut it down JB
I got out of the habit of putting the brake on each time I finished a cut or set the saw down, I now just clicked it on and off again to stop the chain (when it wasn't stopping on its own after a few seconds). I had issues with my MS250 getting debris between the brake band and the case and it cause the band to stay partially engaged, melting the case a bit. The saw had seen a bit of some use at that point so I went ahead and replaced the side cover, brake, clutch, sprocket, oiler etc.. The oiler/sprocket/clutch didn't seem damaged, but I figured I'd replace it all while I had it all apart.
I am with Sawman. Anytime the clutch is on and if the chain wants to move even a little it will build up heat in the clutch, the crank, and all surrounding parts. I do not idle my saws with the brake engaged.
Like others here also said, As long as the idle is adjusted proper it won't hurt anything. If I put the saw down I try to stick with just clicking the break on. If I know that I will not be using it for maybe a minute or so I will just shut it down.
