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.
Important: Always make sure the engine is turned off before you begin tensioning the chainsaw chain. Locate the chain tension adjustment points on your chainsaw. Common locations for adjustment points include the side cover and the front of the chainsaw.
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.
After reading this post, you’ll know how tight a chainsaw chain should be, how to adjust it, and how to test that you’ve got it perfect. If you’re unable to pull the chain away from the bar, then your chain is too tight. If you keep trying to tension your chain and you just can’t get it right, you may have the wrong sized chain.
how tight should my chainsaw chain be Related Question:
How do I know if my chainsaw chain is tight enough?
The chainsaw chain should feel snug but still pull freely. Finally, perform a “snap” test to ensure proper saw chain tension. Simply pull the chain on the underside of the guide bar down so one or two drive links are out of the guide bar rails and release it. The chain should snap directly into position.
How much tension should a chainsaw chain have?
A properly-tensioned chainsaw chain should still be just a little loose on the chainsaw guide bar, but the chain needs to be tight enough that you can’t pull the drive links out of the bar nose.
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.
Why does my chainsaw chain keep loosening?
Chain Not Set Properly One of the most common reasons why your chain might be coming loose is because it was not set properly. When you go through the steps to tension your chain, you need to finish those steps by setting the tension so it won’t change as you work your saw.
Why is my chainsaw blade smoking?
This most commonly is a result of a dull chain and exerting to much pressure on the bar and chain trying to make the chain saw cut. This could also be either a lack of bar and chain oil ( tank empty, restricted oiler hole ) or an inferior type of oil that is being slung off the chain and not lubricating.
How long should a chain on a chainsaw last?
The lifetime of a chainsaw chain has no fixed limit and depends on usage and maintenance. The chain should last many years; 5-6 years should be no problem. However, if the chainsaw chain is used properly and taken care of, it can last way longer.
How often do you need to sharpen a chainsaw?
A chainsaw may only need to be sharpened once a year if it is rarely used, but a tool that is frequently used will need to be sharpened regularly to ensure that the blade doesn’t get too dull. On average, a chainsaw blade will retain its sharpness for about 3 hours of actively cutting through wood.
How many times can you sharpen a chainsaw chain?
Cutters can be sharpened up to 10 times or more before the chain needs replacing. If your cutters are worn unevenly after a few sharpenings, a professional can regrind them to uniform shape. If you use the same chain for a few years, then buy a new one, the new one won’t mesh smoothly with the sprocket and bar.
Will a chainsaw chain stretch?
It’s perfectly normal for a chainsaw chain to stretch after regular use. But, if you allow your chainsaw to become too loose, it can easily come off and pose a dangerous situation for you. A chainsaw chain stretches and loosens from tension and extreme friction.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of bar oil?
Effective – Vegetable oils have natural properties including good lubricity, resistance to shear, a high flash point, and a high viscosity index. These qualities lend themselves to chain lubricant requirements similar to petroleum-based chain oils, and do not contribute to chain or bar wear over time.
Why does my chainsaw blade go dull so fast?
Is the wood that you’re cutting with the chainsaw particularly dirty? Many chainsaw enthusiasts have noted that their blades dull faster when they’re cutting muddy wood. If the logs that you’re cutting up are muddy, then perhaps that is the sole reason why your blade is dulling too fast.
Why is my chainsaw burning the wood?
Your chainsaw burns wood because of poor lubrication Lubrication allows the mechanical parts to coordinate much better by avoiding a phenomenon of friction which risks causing traces of burns. This is one of the main reasons that your appliance gives off too much heat and that the wood burns.
Can you cut a stump with a chainsaw?
A chainsaw, however, can grind up a stump and leave it all but gone; still, you can’t use a chainsaw to completely grind away a stump. After much of the stump is gone, however, dirt and other material can cover the stump so it won’t be noticed.
Is it normal for a chainsaw to leak bar oil?
In all but very exceptional cases there is nothing wrong with the chainsaw and what appears to be an oil leak is simply oil that has sprayed from the chain as it rotates at high speed, draining from the saw body and guide bar.
Is it OK to use a chainsaw on wet wood?
Can you cut wet wood with a chainsaw? Yes, you can cut the wet wood with a chainsaw. Besides, there is a misconception that wet wood can impact the chainsaw bar and chain. But actually, the damp wood will not dull the chainsaw any faster than using it on other types of wood.