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.
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.
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.
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.
If the flats on the chain hang out of the bar groove, it needs adjusting. Holding guide bar tip up, turn tensioning screw clockwise – correct tension depends on the chain temperature. Cold Chain Tensioning: If you haven’t started cutting yet, the chain should fit snug against the underside of the guide bar.
how to set chainsaw chain tension Related Question:
How much tension should be on a chainsaw chain?
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.
What is the correct chain tension?
A properly adjusted chain should hold itself up against the bottom of the bar. You don’t want the chain to sag, but you don’t want it so tight that it damages your saw as it spins around the bar. To start with, look at your chain. If you can see the chain sagging down from the bottom of the bar..it’s too loose.
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 chainsaw chain keep coming loose?
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.
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.
How long should a chainsaw blade stay sharp?
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.
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.
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.
Why does my chainsaw cut on an angle?
Check the size of the top plates, which sit on the longer sections of each tooth on the chain. These top plates should be the same size. If some are shorter than others, file the longer ones down to match. Keep the same angle on all the top plates as you file – angles that don’t match also can cause curved cutting.
Why do loggers run upside down bars?
Every chainsaw bar has been designed to be mounted right-side up or upside down. The reason for this is that it allows the user to extend the life of his chainsaw bar by 50%. Flipping the bar will give the heavily-used areas some relief from wear and tear.
How many times can you sharpen a chainsaw?
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.
Is it worth sharpening a chainsaw chain?
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. It takes less effort to cut through wood and your chain will make cleaner cuts with sharp blades. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened multiple times without much of a cost.
How often should you change your chainsaw chain?
The chain sprocket must be replaced if the depth of the wear marks reaches about 0.5mm, i.e. the wear limit. A seriously worn chain sprocket can cause the chainsaw chain and guide bar to wear at an increased rate, as well as reducing cutting performance too, so it’s important to keep an eye on.