The richly wooded slopes that sweep down from the Apennine mountains to the vast Po valley were surely an inspiration for the landscaping enterprises that began in this region. An Italian called Ariello Bartoli founded Oleo-Mac there in 1972 to manufacture chainsaws for forestry; a few years later, Giacomo Ferretti set up Efco, which specialised in brush cutters. The two companies merged in 1992 to produce Emak, which still owns those brand names today.

Emak expanded rapidly, acquiring Bertolini and many other companies. Today manufacturing is split mainly between Italy, China and South America, with most Emak products still badged Efco, Oleo-Mac or Bertolini. The Efco name is found on chainsaws, mowers, pruners, leaf blowers, pressure washers, tillers, augers, crop sprayers and rough terrain vehicles

The range includes electric and battery-powered appliances, but Efco is best known for petrol-driven models. Its products have a reputation for reliability and durability, with its two-stroke engines lauded for their energy efficiency and low emissions. Tests have shown that many Efco chainsaws consume 40 per cent less fuel and emit as little as one-quarter as much toxic fumes - nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide - as other chainsaws.

Good-quality appliances such as Efcos are worth maintaining properly, so it makes sense to only fit the best-quality spare parts. Simply Garden Spares supplies a complete range of original Efco chainsaw parts, including Efco chainsaw chains and other Efco and Emak spares. Some are compatible with chainsaws from other manufacturers - call our customer advice line if you are in any doubt.

When should you change Efco chainsaw chains?

If your answer was 'when it stops cutting', you probably don't know as much about your chainsaw as you should. Firstly, cutting issues can be down to problems with the oil supply and the bar, not necessarily the chain. Secondly, it is not difficult to re-sharpen chainsaw teeth that are merely blunt, providing the chainsaw is of decent quality to begin with.

Most chainsaws provide a wheel to adjust the tightness of a slackening chain; however, Efco chainsaw chains should be replaced when they are more than mildly worn, stretched or twisted.

It makes sense to keep spare Efco chainsaw chains and other Efco chainsaw parts in your toolbox. Gardening and agricultural jobs are time sensitive, so hours lost hunting spares or attempting field repairs are not a sensible strategy.

Diagnosing cutting issues

If you can see burn marks on the chainsaw bar, it is probably not receiving enough chain oil. If there are no oil problems, check the bar next. Hold it up to eye-level, looking for any twisting and checking that the sprocket rotates freely. Simply Garden Spares can locate all Efco chainsaw parts including new bars and sprockets.

The best way to sharpen blunt teeth is with a stone or carbine cutter shaped to fit over the chainsaw. It can also be done tooth by tooth with a file. Call our customer service line if you need these tools.