This article will cover these questions. We’ll take a look at the difficulties wet weather can bring when it comes to chopping wood, as well as what to keep in mind when using your chainsaw in the rain. We’ll also explore some of the consequences of using your chainsaw in wet weather. And we’ll also offer some key maintenance tips to keep in mind once you’ve completed your work.
Using Your Chainsaw in the Rain – the Challenges
To answer the first question – yes. It is possible to use a chainsaw in the rain. However, it will likely be a lot more time-consuming and take up more of your energy. So be sure that you’re ready for a hard slog if you have to use your chainsaw in adverse weather conditions.
Here are some of the main challenges you’re likely to face when using your chainsaw in rainy weather.
Slow cutting
When it’s dry, you can cut through wood with little difficulty. It breaks apart easily and the sawdust is dispersed without issue. However, when it rains, the tree’s interior becomes softer and stodgier. You might think that softer wood will make things easier. But it actually increases resistance against the chainsaw.
This has the added knock-on effect of burning through more fuel, as well as using up more of your own energy.
Clumping sawdust
Sawdust is a common foe for all chainsaws, even when the weather is good. However, dry sawdust remains fine and loose, meaning that while it’s a bit of a nuisance, your chainsaw’s internal mechanisms can handle it with little issue.
In the rain though, it becomes an entirely different proposition. Sawdust will clump together as it escapes. It becomes sticky with the excess moisture, and will start to clog up vital components of the chainsaw. And if it’s stuck to the chainsaw teeth, it’ll reduce the performance even further.
Chain binding
Chain binding is what happens when the chainsaw chain essentially sticks to the guide bar. Again, this is caused by clumping sawdust, which gathers in between the two parts.
The effect of this is two-fold. It’ll likely result in the engine stalling several times, which can delay your progress and cause your chainsaw to pick up even more moisture. But it can also cause the chainsaw to kick back. Rather than the energy transferring into the wood for cutting, it’s sent back towards the operator, resulting in a potential loss of control.
And an out-of-control chainsaw has the potential to cause serious injury.
Less stability
It isn’t just the chainsaw that’s likely to find things tricky in the rain. Your own skill levels are going to be tested as well. Not only will you have to maintain a high level of vigilance over your chainsaw in case it wants to kick back, but you’ll also have to work a lot harder for each cut. It’s unlikely many of them will be clean and simple.
Not only that, but wet terrain will mean you’ll have to concentrate on keeping yourself steady and stable as you operate.
There’s a lot more to think about in the rain.
Less grip
A final issue is your grip on the chainsaw. This can be countered with appropriate gloves, which we would always recommend wearing anyway. However, if you are having to wear gloves that you’re not used to, it can have an overall impact on your control of the chainsaw.
Gas vs. Electric – Can You Use Both?
Gas-powered chainsaws and electric chainsaws both have notable benefits and drawbacks over the other. It’s been a common debate as to whether gas or electric chainsaws are better. And it’s sensible to wonder whether both, or neither, can be used in the rain.
Let’s take a look.
Can you use a gas chainsaw in the rain?
The answer is a definitive yes. While we would always recommend using your chainsaw in the dry wherever possible, a gas-powered chainsaw is capable of handling poor weather conditions.
There are several reasons for this. The first is that gas-powered models are generally more powerful, making them more suitable for heavy-duty cutting and harder tasks.
Secondly, you’ll find the chainsaw’s electrical components hidden deep within the main body of the chainsaw, so there is little chance of these components suffering damage in the rain. They also benefit from a spark plug ignition system. So once they’re on, electricity plays little part in keeping them going.
However, that’s not to say that there’s no risk. Heavy rain can cause clogging of the air flow, making gas-powered models susceptible to overheating quicker.
Can you use an electric chainsaw in the rain?
This is slightly trickier to answer. Most modern electrical chainsaws have been designed to combat wet weather, despite the obvious fact that rain and electricity do not mix well. They’ll have their vital components well protected, including the cord itself.
There are also a couple of notable safety features that you should look out for if you need to use your electric chainsaw in the rain. The first is whether you’re able to use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) with your model. This device monitors electrical flow and will automatically shut off if it detects dangerous current changes or faults.
So while it might be a pain to have your chainsaw shut down while you’re working, at least you remain safe.
Electric chainsaws are also not as powerful as gas-powered ones. So even if you want to use it, your model might not have the necessary juice to handle tough, damp wood anyway.
So yes, they can be used in the rain. But if we were to make a recommendation, it would be to opt for a gas-powered model in these conditions.
What about battery-powered chainsaws?
You could also opt for a battery-powered chainsaw to use in wet conditions. These models, such as the Dewalt 12” chainsaw, can be used with relative safety. The battery is well protected within the main casing of the chainsaw, and the lack of cord and connection to the mains makes them a safer option than electric-powered chainsaws.
Having said that, they will still suffer from the same challenges that we’ve already covered. So you should still bear those in mind when using your battery-powered chainsaw.
Cutting Through Wet Wood – What’s the Difference?
We’ve touched upon what happens to sawdust when you try to use your chainsaw in the rain. Now, let’s take a quick look at the actual cutting process and what you’re likely to experience.
When you cut through dry wood, you’re likely to face little resistance (unless you hit something like a stone, or the tip of the chainsaw enters the wood). It’s lighter, and has less density. You can use an aggressive cutting technique, safe in the knowledge that your machine will be able to handle it. And you’ll generally be able to work much quicker.
With wet wood, you’re facing a much denser, weightier prospect. All of that excess moisture will have seeped into the wood, making clean cuts much more difficult. The excess sawdust and debris will slow the process down even further.
One way to counter this is to go slow from the offset. You need patience and a more delicate touch to cut through wet wood without causing damage to your chainsaw.
Safety Tips for Using Your Chainsaw in the Rain
If you do need to use your chainsaw in wet weather, then there are still a number of things you can do to make the job as easy and as safe as possible.
Wear appropriate safety equipment
It might sound obvious, but having the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is more important than ever in the rain. Water-resistant clothing and non-slip boots are essential. As well as your typical protective items, including sound guards, gloves, and eye masks.
Choose a ripper chain
Ripper chains can be a good option in bad weather. This is because they’re specifically designed to cut along the grain of the wood rather than provide perpendicular cuts. This is often the better way to go when cutting wet wood, as there is less resistance involved. It’ll also put less strain on the engine.
Choose a shorter bar
If you’re able to, avoid the really heavy-duty cutting tasks when it’s raining that require long guide bars. These types of bars will result in less control, which is far more essential in tough weather conditions. So choose a shorter guide bar wherever possible to maintain that control.
Pre-use maintenance
You’re going to want to do everything you can to minimize the chances of something going wrong. That will involve carrying out thorough pre-use maintenance checks. Make sure your chain is nice and sharp and has the correct level of tension. And give the chain an added layer of lubrication just to be safe.
Cut slowly and consistently
In wet weather, going slowly is the better option. You should look to maintain your cutting speed and cutting depth to make sure you have as much control over your tool as possible. And you should also use a more shallow cutting degree to help prevent chain binding.
How to Maintain Your Chainsaw After the Rain
Once the chopping has been done, it’s not the end of the day’s work. Carrying out maintenance on your chainsaw is more essential than ever once it’s been through a session in the rain. To make sure your chainsaw remains in good condition, you should perform the following maintenance checks:
- Clean the guide bar – it’s far more optimal to clean the components individually rather than trying to do the whole tool at once. So after removing the guide bar and chain, the bar shouldn’t need much more than a good wipe, though you are going to want to make sure that the bar groove is clear of any muck and debris.
- Clean the chain – the much more arduous task will be cleaning the chain. You’ll need to soak it in a mixture of water and a mild degreaser to break up the wads of sawdust and dirt. Then you’ll need to use a dedicated cleaning brush to clean the teeth and clear the drive links. Once it’s all dry, you’ll need to apply a fresh layer of lubricant or chain oil.
- Check for damage – even with the added casing, you’re still going to want to make sure that your spark plugs and other electrical components show no sign of rust or corrosion. If you see any potential damage to wiring, do not use the tool again until it’s been looked into by a professional.
- Reassemble the chain – make sure that you adjust the chain tension before storing. A looser tension is often better in wet weather conditions, so if you did loosen it, make sure it’s nice and tight once again.
- Store your chainsaw – make sure the chainsaw is stored in a dry, protected location to prevent rust, maintain its functionality, and extend its lifespan.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, using your chainsaw in bad weather is unavoidable. If you have a deadline to hit, or if you work in the field professionally, then you’re going to encounter bad weather chopping.
However, we’re confident that if you follow the guidance in this article, you’ll still be able to get the most out of your work. As long as you keep things nice and controlled, and avoid taking any unnecessary risks, you should have no major issues when using your chainsaw in the rain.
If you’d like some further guidance on how to keep your chainsaw in tip-top condition, then be sure to check out this article on chainsaw maintenance advice and tips.
