Oil Spills in your Woodlot?

A recent article in a U.S. forestry magazine caught my eye. The article was about using biodegradable bar and chain oil in your chainsaw. The first paragraph started out with… “In light of the BP oil spill, it’s discomforting to think about bar and chain oil that disappears from our chainsaws every time we use them. Bar and chain oil is, of course, a total-loss lubricant, which means that every drop put into your saw ends up on the log or the on the ground.”

Although the article’s comparison of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to chainsaw oil spewing into your woodlot is an exaggeration, it does get you to thinking. I had never really considered the fact that the bar oil ends up on the ground in the woodlot; and secondly, I wasn’t even aware that there was a biodegradable bar oil available.

Vegetable-based biodegradable oils are not new; they first appeared in Europe in the mid-1980s and today are widely used by the forest industry across Europe. In fact, in some European counties, petroleum-based chainsaw oil has been banned. It wasn’t until a few years ago that biodegradable oils began appearing on a more regular basis in the North American market.

The switch in Europe from petroleum to vegetable-based biodegradable chainsaw bar oil was two-fold. First, it was to address concerns about workers’ occupational safety and health concerns (petroleum-based oils are known carcinogens) and secondly, for environmental reasons.

Vegetable oil-based chainsaw bar oils are well suited as a lubricant; they have a high viscosity index, good shear resistance and a have high flash point. Most of their shortfalls (e.g., cold temperature properties and oxidation stability) can be managed through the addition of additives. Note: depending on the manufacturer, these types of oils range from 93%–97% biodegradable. For example, Stihl BioPlus chainsaw bar oil has been rated by the Coordinating European Council to be 93.8% biodegradable in 21 days.

If I do want to be a little more “green” how can I make it happen?

After making a few inquiries to a couple of chainsaw manufacturers and a few local chainsaw repair/dealers in eastern Ontario, I found out that many of the major chainsaw manufacturers have their own brand of biodegradable bar oil. However, one of the drawbacks is the price. One dealer quoted a price of $18 for a 3-litre container, while normal chainsaw bar oils sells for about $10–$11 for a 4-litre jug. In addition, you will have to plan ahead because most of the distributors I spoke with didn’t have it as part of their normal inventory; you had to place a special order to get it brought in.

Here are some examples of biodegradable chainsaw bar oil available on the market – Greenplus Chain Saw-Bar Oil ES (Greenland Products), Arborol Chain Lubricant (Oregon), Shihl BioPlus (Stihl), and Vegoil (Husqvarna).

Why not give it a try?

A number of studies and field tests have concluded that these new biodegradable oils have performed satisfactorily. In addition, many of the manufacturers claim a 20–40% reduction in oil consumption and that the life of the chain and guide bar is extended because the lubrication cools the chain and bar more effectively than conventional petroleum oil products.

Why not consider switching to a more environmentally friendly oil, especially those of you who may be working in environmentally sensitive areas (e.g., riparian areas).  Besides, simply from the personal health side, the cleanliness and non-toxic characteristics of these biodegradable oils make them much more attractive, even if they do cost a few dollars more. 

This article appeared in a past edition of the S&W Report the newsletter of the Ontario Woodlot Association.

© 2011 Ontario Woodlot Association