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The Medical Bone Saw
The Medical Bone Saw: The very first chainsaw was pioneered in the late 18th Century by two Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffray, for symphysiotomy (removal of cartilage holding the pelvis together to assist in difficult childbirth) and excision of diseased bone. The chain hand saw used a fine serrated link chain to cut. It was first published in Aitken’s Principles of Midwifery or Puerperal Medicine (1785) and used by him in his dissecting room. -
The First Wood Chainsaw:
The first mention of a machine using a chain to cut wood is mentioned in the 1830’s with specific reference to loggers in California. However, the machines were noted as being cumbersome and unreliable. Information is scarce on these machines, and the uptake seems to be very low. They were more of an experiment than a commercial venture. -
Hand Cranked Chainsaws
The Hamilton saw that was hand-cranked by one or two men and looked like a spinning wheel. It too was an experiment not a commercial venture. -
American Riding Saw
This saw, that resembled a rowing machine that cutters could sit on, was likely one of the first attempts at a commercial machine for cutting wood. The size and lack of manoeuvrability was the downfall of this man-powered machine. -
Water Cooled Chainsaws
These chainsaws were large machines used in logging yards to cut logs to length (bucking). They mostly had electric motors and were mounted on wheels or carts. -
Stihl Formed
Andreas Stihl starts his company which ballooned from just him to 29 employees over the next three years. -
STIHL's Tree-Felling Machine Type A
This machine is widely regarded as the first modern chainsaw. It was the first mass produced petrol powered chainsaw. The saw had a power output of 4.5kW, weighed 46kg and was designed to be used by two men. -
Chain Lubrication:
Chain and guide bar are automatically lubricated by an oil pressure lubrication system in the hand piece. This removes the need for manual lubrication and increases functionality. -
Centrifugal Clutch
The centrifugal clutch ensures that the saw chain can remain idle while the saw is running. This is a major safety innovation. -
Period: to
World War II
There is a notable gap in development here that can be attributed to the effects of World War II -
One Man Portable Chain Saw
The world's first gasoline chain saw for a single operator (16 kgs) is equipped with a manually adjusted swivel carburettor allowing the saw to be used on any plane and the fuel system would still function. Prior to this, a saw had to be set up to be used one way, for with felling trees or bucking logs, this saw could do both with a simple manual adjustment. -
The First Light Chain Saw
It weighs 11 Kg. Its model designation BLK stands for Benzin (petrol), Leicht (light), and Klein (handy, compact). This innovation greatly increases the range of use of chainsaws as at this weight and size they start to become much more practical for small scale cutting and activities such as pruning. -
Stihl Chainsaw 08
The model 08 is a multi-purpose chainsaw that was one of the first to closely resemble today’s chainsaws. -
Anti-vibration Technology
This dampening system greatly reduced the stress on the operator and made long term use of a portable chainsaw much more bearable and therefore practical. -
Throttle lockout:
This device is added to the handle of the saw so that the throttle cannot be on unless the handle is gripped firmly by the operator. This helps protect the operator in the case that the saw leaves the operators hands by mistake. -
Chain Brake
The chain brake is one of the most important safety features as it stops the chain from moving when “kickback” occurs. The introduction of this innovation drastically improved the safety of chainsaw use. -
\Master Control/Kill Switch
A master control switch was added to the handle of the saw meaning it is easy to turn the saw off quickly. This control switch also controls the level of choke. -
Catalytic Converter:
STIHL developed the world's first catalytic converter for two-stroke engines and fitted it to its chainsaws. This innovation helped reduce the level of harmful hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas by 70 - 80 percent. Almost all chain saws have a converter of some type now. -
Shane Soulsby Submits Best Assignment Ever
Shane Soulsbys ground breaking research into the chainsaw leaves Piet blown away and he has no choice but to give him 100%
