Chainsaws "Friendship": history and present

Soviet tools - this is a special topic, which you can talk for hours. For some, they are a symbol of inconvenience and total lack of ergonomics, but many will recall their quality and durability. Remembering the history of logging in our country, we can not bypass the attention of the chainsaw "Friendship".

Their mass production was established in 1955. Let's notice, that in three years "Friendship" has received a gold medal at the exhibition of technical novelties which passed in Bruxelles. By the way, I received my memorable name because of the celebration of the next anniversary of Ukraine's joining Russia.

Since the 1990s, spare parts for these saws have been produced even by private enterprises. Despite the fact that since the release of the last original model years have passed, and to this day the chainsaw "Friendship" remain in the ranks.

The design includes a single-cylinder carburettor two-stroke engine. Cooling is air, the working volume is 94 cubic meters. See Note that the numerical index in the name means horsepower. For example, the Druzhba-4 chainsaw is equipped with a 4 l / s engine, and the models with the "E" index are equipped with the most modern electronic ignition at the time. Lubrication of the piston group is carried out with oil previously dissolved in the fuel mixture. Thanks to the convenient mounting of the engine, its replacement, if necessary, is not particularly difficult.

Despite the antediluvian lubrication system of the power unit, it was on these saws that for the first time the technology of independent lubrication of the saw bar was applied, which dramatically increased the resource of the tool. In addition, it was finally possible to use saw chains with different tooth pitch. All "Friendship" chainsaws are equipped with a reliable and simple inertial clutch.

Because of this, when the saw is overloaded or the tire is bitten in the tree, when the engine speed drops sharply, its connection with the chain instantly breaks, which avoids stopping and damaging the tool itself. In many respects, it is because of simplicity and maintainability that millions of people continue to use them throughout the territory of the former USSR. Moreover, the very name of the chainsaw "Friendship" has become truly a household name, and in some former Soviet republics any gasoline saw is called that way.

Unfortunately, the weight of the instrument is truly epic and is 12 kg. But when working in not too difficult conditions, you can fill it with almost any oil and gasoline of low quality. So, the power unit is able to work quietly even on fuel with low octane number. For the first time, an inertial brake was used, greatly improving the safety of its use. That's why the Druzhba-4m chainsaw became so common among professional wood fellers.

This was also facilitated by the location of the controls. Despite the unusual nature of this layout, today it will allow even large stems to be sawn, while many modern saws have to kneel. If you look after the saw at least a little, then it can work out without special problems till 30 years. With the help of it, you can not only bring down the forest, but also harvest the sawn timber of quite decent quality.