Chainsaw and Brushcutter Maintenance Course

Lesson 1 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Covers recognition of mechanical, environmental, and operator-related hazards. Builds the risk-awareness foundation required before any hands-on equipment contact.

Lesson 2 • Safe Work Zones and Exclusion Areas

Defines minimum safe distances, drop zones, and exclusion perimeters for both tools. Students apply zone-setting procedures to realistic work scenarios.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Response Procedures

Covers first-aid priorities for lacerations, crush injuries, and vibration-related incidents. Prepares students to act decisively in the first minutes of an emergency.

Lesson 1 • Chainsaw Anatomy and Component Functions

Maps every external and internal chainsaw component to its operational role. Provides the vocabulary and conceptual model needed for all subsequent maintenance tasks.

Lesson 2 • Brushcutter Anatomy and Component Functions

Identifies shaft types, powerheads, cutting heads, and harness systems on brushcutters. Distinguishes straight-shaft from curved-shaft designs and their maintenance implications.

Lesson 3 • Two-Stroke Engine Principles

Explains the intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust cycle of two-stroke engines. This mechanical understanding underpins correct fuel mixing, tuning, and fault diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Fuel and Lubrication Systems Overview

Describes fuel tank, primer bulb, carburetor, and bar-oil systems as integrated circuits. Students trace fuel and oil flow paths to anticipate failure points.

Lesson 1 • Fuel Storage and Handling Safety

Covers approved container types, storage duration limits, and static-discharge prevention. Connects proper storage directly to fire prevention and fuel quality retention.

Lesson 2 • Two-Stroke Fuel Mixing Ratios

Teaches manufacturer-specified oil-to-fuel ratios and the consequences of incorrect mixing. Accurate mixing is the single most preventable cause of engine seizure.

Lesson 3 • Fuel System Inspection and Flushing

Teaches inspection of fuel lines, filters, and tanks for contamination, cracking, and blockage. Students flush and replace components to restore clean fuel delivery.

Lesson 1 • Carburetor Disassembly and Cleaning

Guides students through safe disassembly, solvent cleaning, and diaphragm inspection. Rebuilding a carburetor restores fuel delivery when adjustment alone is insufficient.

Lesson 2 • Air Filter Types and Cleaning Methods

Distinguishes felt, foam, and paper filter media and their correct cleaning techniques. A clean air filter is the first line of defence against premature engine wear.

Lesson 3 • Carburetor Adjustment Procedures

Provides step-by-step H, L, and idle screw adjustment sequences for both tool types. Correct adjustment eliminates rich or lean running conditions and chain creep.

Lesson 1 • Flywheel and Magneto Inspection

Identifies flywheel key shear, magnet degradation, and timing marks on small engines. Flywheel integrity directly controls ignition timing and engine starting reliability.

Lesson 2 • Kill Switch and Stop Circuit Testing

Tests kill-switch continuity and grounds the ignition circuit to confirm safe shutdown. A faulty stop circuit is a critical safety defect requiring immediate correction.

Lesson 3 • Ignition Coil Testing and Air Gap Setting

Covers resistance testing of the ignition coil and setting the flywheel air gap. Correct air gap ensures sufficient spark energy across the full RPM range.

Lesson 1 • Chain Tensioning and Replacement

Covers cold and warm tensioning procedures, snap test, and full chain replacement steps. Correct tension prevents derailment, bar damage, and operator injury.

Lesson 2 • Hand Filing Techniques for Chain Sharpening

Teaches correct file diameter selection, filing angle, and depth gauge lowering procedures. Consistent hand filing restores cutting geometry and extends chain service life.

Lesson 3 • Bar Oil System Maintenance

Covers oil pump output testing, oiler adjustment, and oil passage cleaning on chainsaws. Adequate bar lubrication is the primary factor in bar and chain longevity.

Lesson 4 • Chain Anatomy and Wear Identification

Identifies cutter, depth gauge, drive link, and tie strap wear patterns on saw chain. Recognising wear early prevents dangerous chain failure and poor cutting performance.

Lesson 1 • Cutting Head Types and Applications

Compares bump-feed, fixed-line, and blade heads for grass, brush, and woody material. Matching head type to vegetation prevents overloading and reduces operator fatigue.

Lesson 2 • Trimmer Line Selection and Loading

Teaches line diameter, profile, and material selection for different cutting conditions. Correct line loading prevents premature breakage and maintains cutting efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Blade Inspection and Replacement

Covers blade crack detection, tooth wear assessment, and safe blade-change procedures. A damaged blade is a high-energy projectile hazard requiring immediate removal.

Lesson 1 • Workshop Documentation and Quality Control

Establishes job card completion, parts tracking, and post-service test-run verification standards. Accurate documentation supports warranty compliance and repeat-fault prevention.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Fault Diagnosis and Repair

Covers clutch slippage, chain brake failure, drive shaft wear, and bearing noise diagnosis. Mechanical faults often present alongside engine symptoms and must be isolated separately.

Lesson 3 • Common Engine Faults and Remedies

Diagnoses hard starting, flooding, overheating, and loss of power on two-stroke engines. Each fault is traced to its root cause using evidence gathered from prior chapters.

Lesson 4 • Systematic Fault Diagnosis Methodology

Applies a structured eliminate-and-confirm diagnostic process to engine and mechanical faults. Systematic diagnosis reduces repair time and prevents misdiagnosis-driven parts replacement.