Although replaced by the MS 260 a few years ago, the Stihl 026 chainsaw has to be one of the most favoured chainsaws for its use around the garden. So why is this chainsaw so popular? The simple answer has to be quality, efficiency, reliability.
This an exceptionally good chainsaw for use around the home and the farm. Weighting in at around 4kg and with engine power equivalent to 2 kW (3 HP) the 026 is a light and very efficient chainsaw to use. Take for example you want to cut some small logs for your fire. With a 12″ guide bar the 026 is more than capable of handling the job. On the other hand, lets say you have logs of a larger nature, you can fit a 16″ guide bar to your chainsaw and you will find that the Stihl 026 is still adequate to complete the job.
Here is a couple of things to look out for when you are using your chainsaw.
1 Always make sure that any chainsaw you are using is kept sharp. You will know it’s sharp if you see the chainsaw chippings being driven far back off the saw. Or you can check to see the size of the chippings, they should be long and thin, about 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches long depending on the size of the chainsaw you are using.
2 Make sure you use the proper fuel mixture a ratio of 50: 1 is the best mixture to keep your saw running at its highest level. Although you can use a stronger mix than this it is not necessary. Sometimes you can get contaminated fuel. To prevent you using this fuel, simply pour a very small amount onto a disused concrete area, leave for 24 hours. When you return and you find that there is residue on the concrete that means your fuel is contaminated probably with paraffin or some other substitute. Do not use this because it will clog up your carburetor with a gunge like paste and stop your saw from performing.
3 Make sure the chain on your guide bar is the right tension. You should be able to pull the chain up off the centre of the guide bar about 1 inch, any less than this the chain is to tight. This can lead to unnecessary ware on your guide bar. On the other hand if the chain is to slack, your at risk of the chain coming off the chainsaw causing you death or injury.
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide into buying a Stihl chainsaw or just need some reassurance when choosing one. Philip Murphy, a user of Stihl chainsaws for more than ten years offers some great tips and advice on old and new models in the Stihl range. You can visit his website by http://www.stihl-chainsaw-guide.com/stihl-026.html following this link http://www.stihl-chainsaw-guide.com/stihl-ms-260.html www.Stihl-Chainsaw-Guide.com
