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Chainsaw parts can often present problems in respect to finding the right parts when they need to be replaced and many times, woodcutters can incur unnecessary espense by simply going out and buying a new chainsaw.

Preserving chainsaw parts comes down to good maintenance practices; maintaining and looking after your saw on a regular basis will ensure the vital components are preserved longer and will give you greater service. Ignore general maintenance and it not only becomes expensive and frustrating but safety issues can come into play.

When purchasing a chainsaw, it's good practice to buy from a dealer which provides back up service and parts. For example, buying a Stihl saw from a Stihl dealer means specialist parts shouldn't be a problem when they're needed and the same goes for Husqvarna, Echo, Poulan and so on.

Dissecting a chainsaw's parts means concentrating on a dozen or so aspects of a machine which combine to produce the overall work output. These are some of the parts which you need to pay special attention to during a chainsaw's life.

- Chain catcher...this is a safety part which protects the user from being injured by a renegade saw chain.

- Anti-vibration... vibration can cause undue stress to a user's arms and joints. Anti-vibration systems absorb much of the vibration output ensuring smoother handling.

- Chain brake... kickback is a common concern with chainsaw use and causes many accidents. The chain brake was introduced during the mid 90's as a way of putting an effective stop to the chain if kickback occurs.

- Muffler... noise has always been associated with chainsaw use and the muffler assists in alleviating part of this problem by absorbing a good part of the noise thus having less impact on a users hearing.

Flywheel... this part has a two-pronged benefit as it not only controls the speed of the engine but also has coolant qualities. While powerful, chainsaws are not excessively big machines but produce enormous amounts of power. Heating could be a problem however, flywheels reduce a lot of the heat stress.

Other chainsaw parts include the clutch, decompression valves and throttle valves which all have an important part in the performance of the machine.

Maintenance of chainsaw parts should be done on a regular basis. Sharpening of a dull chain, checking the fuel system and making sure it's clear of unwanted contaminants, checking the chain system for correct tension, air filters, spark plugs and making sure the muffler is clean and undamaged on a regular basis will all help to preserve the vital parts of a chainsaw.

Don't forget, maintenance of chainsaw parts is not just about checking them regularly. When your machine is not in use, storage is also an important factor. If your machine is in limbo for any length of time, you'll need to perform tasks such as draining the fuel tank as well as from the carby line and draining the machine's oil. There are other areas you need to pay attention to which should be listed in your chainsaw service guide. The saw itself you be stored away from the elements.