Motor Oil. Chain saw bar and chain oil isn’t rated by SAE like traditional automobile motor oil. If your manufacturer’s bar and chain oil is unavailable, you can use SAE 30 weight motor oil to lube your chain during the summer and SAE 10 weight during the winter, according to the University of Missouri Extension.
Full Answer
Is bar and chain oil the same as motor oil?
Bar and chain oil is stickier than regular motor oil, so it stays on the chain longer. Motor oil flings off the chain more quickly, so if you try Terry's tip, be prepared to refill the oil on your chain saw more quickly than with regular bar and chain oil.
Can SAE 30 be used for bar and chain oil?
For one, the oil needs to be slippery and thin enough to help the chain move smoothly through the wood chips and wood pulp. An SAE rating of 5-10 should suffice. Second, oil should be tacky enough to stick to the bar at high speeds. SAE rating of 30 is ideal.
Are all SAE 30 oil the same?
However it is important to note that the 30 is the same across all three oils, meaning that they will all be the same viscosity once the engine is at full operating temperature. You can buy something like 0w-50 which is technically the best. That is, up to a point. Each engine has its own requirements.
Can I use motor oil for bar and chain oil?
Choosing the Right Bar and Chain Oil One particularly bad idea is the use of motor oil, especially old, used motor oil that has been drained from an engine: Motor oil is not the right viscosity for lubricating chains. Debris contained in used motor oil can wear down the bar's groove and damage the chain.
Can you use regular motor oil in a chainsaw?
Yes, it can be used but not as a good option for bar oil. 10W30 and 10W40 motor oils are almost similar and both can be used as an alternative for chainsaw bar oil. However, it is never an ideal or a good option. The good option among substitutions is vegetable oil.
What can I use as a substitute for bar and chain oil?
The 6 Best Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil AlternativesVegetable Oil. Vegetable oil is one of the safest alternatives available to oil your chainsaw. ... Canola Oil. ... Motor Oil. ... Hydraulic Fluid (Diluted) ... Drained Motor Oil (Diluted) ... Drained Hydraulic Fluids (Diluted)
What is SAE 30 motor oil?
SAE 30 is a single-grade oil meaning it is only rated one time at a very high temperature. This high-temperature rating is right in the middle at 30. 5w30 on the other hand, is a multi-grade oil that has two ratings. Meaning at high temperatures it is also rated at 30, but at low temperatures, it has a rating of 5.
What can I substitute for SAE 30?
You can use 10w30 instead of SAE 30 in your lawn mower if you want. Since 10w30 has the same viscosity grade at operating temperature, you won't run into any problems by using it instead of SAE 30.
What is SAE 30 the same as?
SAE 30 is equivalent to ISO VG 100. SAE 20 is equivalent to ISO VG 46 and 68. SAE 10W is equivalent to ISO VG 32.
What grade of oil is chainsaw bar oil?
The viscosity of chainsaw bar oil can vary depending on the formula but 30W is standard. In cold weather, a thin 10W chainsaw oil may be advantageous, while very hot temperatures may require a much thicker 40W or 50W formula.
What is special about chainsaw oil?
Chainsaw bar oil has a certain level of “slickness” to it. This slickness keeps the chain spinning at a fast rate without getting slowed down by the friction that occurs when metal rubs against metal.
Can I use bar and chain oil in my lawn mower?
Yes Bar and Chain Oil Can Be Used For 2-Stroke Engines If your lawn mower has a 2-stroke engine, then you can use the bar and chain oil in it mixed with the appropriate level of gas. This is because both engines are small and operate with a cooling system needed by the oil.
What grade of oil is bar and chain oil?
The viscosity of chainsaw bar oil can vary depending on the formula but 30W is standard. In cold weather, a thin 10W chainsaw oil may be advantageous, while very hot temperatures may require a much thicker 40W or 50W formula.
What is a SAE 30 oil?
SAE 30 is the name of the SAE class according to which the engine oil was classified. These are monograde oils which are mainly used at temperatures above freezing point. SAE 30 oils do not have good cold flow properties. Use them only in spring, summer and autumn.
What type of oil do I use for a chainsaw?
A chainsaw uses bar-and-chain oil as it runs, and you'll need to add about one tank of this each time you go through a tank of fuel. It's easiest to keep up with your bar-and -chain oil by filling the reservoir every time you fill up the fuel tank.
What grade oil is chainsaw oil?
To prevent this, chainsaw manufacturers make bar oils matched to the air temperature and the saw in which it is operated. Although they don't disclose the weight of their oil, the University of Missouri Extension recommends in lieu of using a bar oil, select SAE 30 weight oil in summer and SAE 10 in winter.