Should You Run a Chainsaw at Full Throttle?

Should You Run a Chainsaw at Full Throttle?

Every chainsaw owner has at one point had to think and ask if it’s really necessary to run a chainsaw at full throttle. Like many questions about the use of chainsaws, this question remains mostly unanswered and may often lead to a debate. However you put it, different chainsaw owners always have different opinions on how a chainsaw should be used. In this article, we’ve taken out the time to do some research to provide an accurate and thoughtful answer to this question. 

Running A Chainsaw At Full Throttle

Every chainsaw model is designed to run conveniently at full throttle without any irregularities. For chainsaw owners who cut down large trees, they are required to run their chainsaws at full throttle to cut down the tree with ease. This also means that for cutting thick wood or timber, running your chainsaw at full throttle is the best option.

Chainsaw Oil

Reasons You Should Run A Chainsaw At Full Throttle

There are two major reasons why professionals support the use of a chainsaw at full throttle. However, before you start out running your chainsaw at full throttle, always give the chainsaw engine some minutes to warm up. Also, you have to make sure the chainsaw is properly oiled with chainsaw bar oil. Using a chainsaw at full throttle without bar oil will cause serious damage to the engine of your chainsaw. 

Just as we mentioned, there are two main reasons why a chainsaw is best run at full throttle. They include:

  • Personal Safety
  • Engine Protection

Personal Safety

As we mentioned earlier, thick wood and timber should only be cut with full throttle for convenience and also for your safety. If you run a chainsaw at low speed when cutting thick wood or timber, you increase the risk of a kickback occurring while cutting. On the other hand, it also depends on what type of chainsaw chains you are using.

Semi Chisel vs Full Chisel Chains – What’s the Difference?

A kickback mostly occurs when the top of the chainsaw comes in contact with the wood, throwing the saw blade upwards towards the user. Not to worry, a kickback isn’t as violent as you may imagine. Chainsaws come with a chain break to prevent any injury that may occur from a kickback. To prevent a kickback while working, you should:

  • Apply full throttle before cutting
  • Avoid using the top of the chainsaw 

Engine Protection

Generally, two-stroke chainsaw engines are built to conveniently run at full throttle without an engine breakdown. Therefore, running at any throttle speed below the full throttle is not advised. Cutting a thick wood or timber while running at a low speed or throttle can cause the blades of the chainsaw to become dull.

This forces you to apply more pressure to the chainsaw which can also be bad for the engine of the chainsaw. Also, running at low speeds when cutting through thick wood or timber can cause the needle valve to get worn out. This in turn leads to your chainsaw running too lean and will cause the chainsaw to die even while cutting.