Tightening the screw will tighten the chain, and loosening will loosen the chain. Visit our Chainsaw Chains page to our inventory of available replacement chains and other chainsaw accessories. eReplacementParts.com stocks thousands of parts for many major chainsaw brands, including Echo chainsaw parts.
Proper chainsaw chain tension is almost as important as the sharpness of your chain. It just takes a little practice but once you find the right amount of tension, adjusting the chainsaw chain tension is really easy. Proper chainsaw chain tension is safer, it cuts better and it will extend the life of both your chainsaw and your chain.
You must check the chain tension every time you use the chainsaw and make adjustments when necessary. The video below from Echo demonstrates the proper way to adjust a chain tension. Many new cordless chainsaws have a chain adjusting dial instead of a screw, which allows you to adjust the tension by hand.
There are no formulas or concrete rules on how you should tighten your chainsaw chain. Bar oil is going to be consumed at a higher rate, and if the chain is too tight it can also damage the clutch and bearings when you start the chainsaw. A loose chain will simply flop around the bar grooves, and a chain that is too tight will refuse to budge.
how to loosen chainsaw chain Related Question:
Why does my chainsaw chain get tight?
Re: Chain tightens by itself Has the oiler stopped working, or the oil feed hole in the bar got plugged with sawdust. Running without oil will do that sort of thing.
How do you detangle a chainsaw chain?
Raise the lowest part of the dangling chain while continuing to hold the loops in your hands. Because chainsaw chains are stiff, the dangling, lowest part will poke straight out like a board until it reaches a vertical position. You can guide its movement easily by using only your hands’ grasp on the loops.
Why is my chainsaw chain not turning?
Common solutions for: Chainsaw chain not turning Make sure that the stop lever is disengaged. If the stop lever is engaged, the chain won’t turn. If the clutch pads are worn out, replace the clutch assembly. The clutch pads engage the clutch drum to allow the chain to rotate.
Can a chainsaw without a chain hurt you?
Can You Run a Chainsaw without the Chain? You can run a chainsaw without a chain but try to do that just for a few minutes. I wouldn’t advise you to run a chainsaw without a chain for more than a few minutes. If you are not careful, you can overheat the engine and increase the wear and tear.
What is a chainsaw sprocket?
What is the drive sprocket? The drive sprocket and the clutch drum are connected to the saw motor. The sprocket is designed to drive the proper-pitched chain around the guide bar.
Can you over tighten a chainsaw chain?
There is a tension screw located near the base of the bar on the chainsaw. To tighten the chain, turn it clockwise, and to loosen turn it counterclockwise. Don’t over-tighten the chain as this could cause it to break.
Can a chainsaw cut through bone?
Bones may be slightly tougher, but they are rigid and a chainsaw will likely be able to cut through them without much problem – though it will probably dull the blade more than wood.
Can a chainsaw cut through steel?
Yes, chainsaws can cut through metal. Of course, this depends on the type of metal and thickness. You also need a powerful chainsaw with a chain that has metallic reinforcement or a carbide-tipped chain. In general, it is not advised to use a chainsaw to cut metal, use a specialized metal saw instead.
Can you cut with the tip of a chainsaw?
While it’s designed to cut with either the top or bottom of the blade, just about anything that comes in contact with the top half of the end tip of the blade (known as the kickback zone) can change the cutting momentum and cause the saw to slam back against you.
How do you match a chainsaw chain to a sprocket?
The pitch of the chain must match the pitch of the drive sprocket / drive rim and this must match the end sprocket of the bar. If these elements don’t match then damage will occur.
Which is better Rim sprocket or spur sprocket?
Rim sprockets are better than spur sprockets because they are easy to maintain, offer increased flexibility and have a lower cost. Unless you have a very specific use case, you will be happier with a rim drive sprocket and so will your chainsaw.
Do chainsaw chains stretch?
A chainsaw chain stretches and loosens from tension and extreme friction. The friction from cutting through wood makes the chain very hot and the heat causes it to loosen. The heat expands the guide bar and when it cools, the chain has stretched. The chain will also loosen as it wears down from use.
Why do chainsaws smoke?
An abundance of smoke emanating from the engine often indicates that an excessive amount of oil has been introduced into the oil and gasoline mixture that powers the chain saw. Ensure that you’re mixing the correct amount of oil and gasoline according to the dictates of your owner’s manual.
What are the adjustment methods of chain tension?
To adjust chain tension, loosen the bolts that fasten the motor base to mounting angles on both sides. Tighten take-up bolts until desired chain tension is reached. Do not over-tighten. A good rule of thumb is 1/4″ deflection in the chain between the sprockets.
Are chain tensioners necessary?
A pulley chain tensioner is necessary when the frame has vertical dropouts because they stop the wheel from moving forward and back. In consequence, one cannot control the tension of the chain without a derailleur or a chain tensioner.