You know what’s worse than a beaver dam blocking your culvert? A beaver dam blocking your culvert and your only chainsaw refusing to start like a teenager on Monday morning.

Highway superintendents, listen up: If you’re only relying on one chainsaw to keep your roads clear of fallen trees, then you’re just one flooded culvert or thunderstorm away from starring in your own personal horror movie called “Return of the Blocked Road.”

Here’s why you should keep backup chainsaws, and keep them ready for battle:

Chainsaws Are Like Teenagers: They Quit When You Need Them Most

Chainsaws may hum like a kitten in the shop, but take them out on a rainy, windy night, and suddenly they act like they’ve never met you. A backup saw is your secret weapon against sudden carburetor rebellion.

Weather Doesn’t Wait for Repairs

Storms don’t politely pause while you tinker with your flooded two-stroke. Having a backup saw means you can keep the road open while you figure out why your primary saw’s spark plug looks like it’s been to hell and back.

Fuel, Oil, and Bar Maintenance: Not Optional

Nothing’s worse than having a pristine backup saw… with an empty tank or a chain duller than your Uncle Randy’s jokes. Rotate your backup into use occasionally so you know it runs, and keep it fueled, oiled, and the chain sharp.

One Saw Is None

Every seasoned road supervisor knows: One chainsaw is none, two chainsaws is one, and three chainsaws means you can finally take a day off without waking up in a cold sweat about tree limbs falling across Route 47.

Don’t Let “That Guy” Borrow Your Backup

Every highway department has that guy – the one who can’t put gas in without cross-threading the cap. Hide your backup saw from him like it’s your grandma’s secret pie recipe. Or better yet, label it “NOT FOR LONERS.”

Quick Checklist for Keeping Backups Ready:

✅ Fresh, stabilized gas in the tank
✅ Bar oil topped off
✅ Sharp, properly tensioned chain
✅ Air filter clean
✅ Run it monthly (don’t just let it sit and collect dust)
✅ Store it somewhere dry and easy to access in a storm

Keeping your roads open during storms and emergencies isn’t just about having a chainsaw—it’s about having a backup chainsaw (or two) ready to roar into action when you need it most. So give your backups a little love before the next storm hits, and you’ll keep your reputation—and your roads—clear and clean.