Fortunately for every one of us, long gone are the days when you had to disassemble the whole chainsaw to tension the chain. The tab on the side cover is not in the slot. Causes of an uneven bar. Like the clutch in a standard-shift automobile, a chain saw clutch has a high-friction coating, and when the chain saw clutch's coating wears out, the clutch slips and the chain won't turn. It is always best and safest to operate your chain saw with a taut chain. If the temperature drops below freezing then it’s going to be a good idea to bring your chainsaw inside a heated part of your home. It should provide some slack but the drive links should remain engaged with the guide bar. 2. Follow these simple steps for tightening your chain saw chain to ensure safety and performance. A dull chain can cause unnecessary wear to the engine, clutch and various other components in the chainsaw due to the saw having to work harder to compromise for the dullness of the chain. Tighten your chainsaw blade when the chain no longer sits flush on the guide bar. How to Tighten the Chain on My Craftsman Chainsaw Model #358.341180. The metal-to-metal friction between the bar and chain will rub off metal gradually. ... Echo chainsaw won't tight chain For a 2nd saw, 501p Echo is not bad, I bought one 4 months ago, it's a good saw so far, has adjustable oilier so it can put out all the oil I … Does anyone have any idea what could be the cause? https://www.instructables.com/How-To-Tighten-a-Chainsaw-Chain What we have looked at already covers the vast majority of times when a chainsaw won’t start. The bar is the long "knife" of the chainsaw -- the part you use to guide the blade and actually cut. I have a Echo CS-530 that i just got in October of last year. The chain will come loose every time. It can be a reason for a critical setback to your project or even cost you hundreds of dollars to fix that it. Easy fix, just loosen the bar-retaining nuts and rotate the tensioning screw counterclockwise to the correct tension. 7. The screw does tighten the chain, it’s just that it gets so full of crap that it doesn’t pull the bar anymore. Some problems are obvious, such as a broken starter rope. How to Adjust a Craftsman Chainsaw Carburetor. Also, on an 18" bar, you should be able to pull the chain away from the bar to reveal almost one entire drive link (you'll get a feel for this as you get more experience). Make sure to file away any gouges or chips in any of the blade teeth. If the drive links separate from the guide bar, the chain is too loose. The excellent tension of the chainsaw chain: The superb pressure of the chainsaw chain is when it is just a little loose on the bar yet tight enough the drive links are unable to be pulled from the bar nose. It needs sharpening or replacing if the ... That means it cannot be tensioned properly anymore. Step 10 of 15: Now tighten up the tensioning screw until there is very little chain sag on the underside of the bar and the drive link tangs engage in the bar groove. With a gloved hand, pull the chainsaw chain along the top of the guide bar from the engine to the guide bar nose several times. A chain saw chain can start to loosen and sag over the course of normal use. Troubleshooting them depends on the nature of the problem: the saw won't start, it runs roughly or dies frequently, the chain does not cut efficiently or cuts at an angle. Step 4 of 14: Always wear gloves when working on the chain because of the high risk of injury from the sharp teeth. Slide the chain guard back onto the two bolts protruding from the saw, making sure the chain remains in the narrow slot on the edges of the bar. I even tried another new chain thinking it may be that and it didn't work. Raise the tip of the bar and stretch the chain by tightening the chain tensioning screw by turning it clockwise using the combination spanner. The biggest problem with chain stretching, is a dull chain and the heat that builds up, taking the temper out and heat will make them stretch. The chain is Next, Remove the tensioner screw and separate the nut from the screw. Today the chain was loose and the screw would tighten anymore. This way, it’ll start the first time and will work seamlessly once you head outside. How to Tighten Your Chainsaw Chain: The Recommended Steps. 4). Tighten the chainsaw's guide bar mounting nuts - starting with the back nut before tightening the front. The chain sprocket, which is part of the clutch, also wears out. If the gears won’t mesh, you will not be able to adjust the tension on your chainsaw. The saw pulls easily and is easy to control by maintaining a firm grip. A chainsaw is one of the most reliable tools for the homeowner and the professional, but it becomes a massive problem if chainsaw won’t start. Step 11 of 15: Now raise the bar nose and turn the chain tensioning screw a bit more. which the chain can be tensioned in a flash: When the engine is switched off, simply undo the screws securing the sprocket cover, then tighten the tensioning screw with a screwdriver and carefully pull the chain through by hand. Loosen the bar nuts that hold the clutch cover, using the combination spanner. But don’t tighten the chain too much. If this is the case, the links won’t move away from the guide bar meaning that you might not need to tighten your chainsaw chain any more than it already is. In this case, discard the used chain and replace with a new one. You have wood to cut. If it is hanging, you'll need to adjust the tension. The chain link is a vital part of the chainsaw. The chain needs to slide easily and freely across the chain bar. Check the Chainsaw Oil Level. Jonsered is a Swedish-made chain saw produced by the same company that makes the Husqvarna brand. If the tests above show that the chainsaw chain might be too loose or tight, you can fix it in a few simple steps. The chain is too tight when you can’t pull it away slightly from the guide bar. Reason 3. Make sure that the chain is running in the correct direction => (refer to picture). As I mentioned earlier, the chain is most likely the root cause of your problem, but if that’s not it, then it could also be your chainsaw bar. (Whoops) Disengage it. This is one of the reasons a chainsaw/pole saw won’t cut properly. The saw chain can be tensioned quickly and effortlessly by means of the thumb wheel, without using tools. … STIHL chain saws with chain quick tensioning are indicated by … If the chain is simply too tight, the chain may not rotate at the right velocity. To tighten the chain, turn it clockwise, and to loosen turn it counterclockwise. Adjusting the chain too tight will make them stretch and not enough bar oil or the wrong bar oil. Lay the tensioner screw on a flat surface (I use a tool anvil but any flat surface will do), roll the screw back and forth on the flat surface and see if its bent. A little tension is a good thing when it comes to chain saws. Don't over-tighten the chain … With a damaged chain link, your chainsaw won’t be able to operate effectively or will stop working totally. I did push them in, but after I start the chainsaw and … After taking it apart and trying to refit the chain onto the bar (in the groove) there are certain sections of the chain which won't easily fit back into the grove. Most chainsaws come with screwdrivers matching the size of their tension adjusting screws, so you won’t need additional tools. Some chainsaw models have a gear on the end of the adjustment screw that turns in order to adjust the saw’s chain tension. If it doesn’t, then you may need to replace the guide bar. Perform a "snap" test to ensure proper saw chain tension. Check the coil and springs. Bar wear and chain wear will also make the chain get loose, along with sprocket wear. The place I bought it is 3 hours away so I am trying to solve the issue … The chain should wrap snugly around the whole bar, not be hanging off the bottom side. 2 / 10 Family HandymanCutting with the chain on the bottom of the bar is the most common and naturally-feeling way to cut. To loosen the chain, loosen the screw. If the gears are the problem, they can be relatively easily replaced, which usually solves the issue. How Do You Tighten the Chain on a Chainsaw? A chain that is … The chain bar is probably bent or worn out. There is a tension screw located near the base of the bar on the chainsaw. The chain tension may be too tight. Then tighten up the chain adjustment screw. To provide the exact amount of support to the chainsaw blade so that it can propel effectively, the chain … Normally, the chain should slide easily around the chain bar. If any of that hardware isn’t working properly, it won’t matter how hard you try. To test the tension, pull the chain slightly. I stopped straight away. I too have a Poulan 18" chainsaw. Too tight or too loose? Step 4. It’s almost inevitable for the edges of a chainsaw bar to wear unevenly. These sections of the chain are so tight it's even hard to put them in by hand. A. Replace the two nuts you set aside earlier, and fasten them only finger-tight at first. Replace chain guard and tighten chain. Adjust the tension with the flathead screwdriver. To adjust the chain, tighten or loosen the adjustment screw. So, a little loose so the chain can move quickly, and fast enough that it doesn’t get pulled off during operation. Let’s shoot some trouble: 1. Disengage the chain brake. First, clean everything, Bar and chain, tensioner screw and nut, bar shim plates, and clutch brake cover. Guide to tensioning the chain on your chainsaw. Before adjusting a Craftsman chainsaw carburetor, you will need to have a small flathead screwdriver and a piece of wood. The chainsaw chain is blunt from extended use or misuse. Start by picking up the chain and guide bar and route the chain around the guide bar, starting at the bar nose. I can't seem to keep the chain tight when I run it, I will tighten it up and it will be loose within 5 minutes of usage. Whilst using my chainsaw (little Ryobi) the chain came off. A dull chainsaw blade will have to be sharpened one tooth at a time with a file. After tightening, you should be able to move the chain freely with your hand. Since every chainsaw will be different, these instructions won’t apply to 100% of chainsaws, however, generally, if your chainsaw doesn’t have a tightening knob, these are the instructions you’ll need to follow. You will get to pull the chain just a little, if the chain is properly tightened. A loose chain will result in slanted cuts, and it won’t “feed” itself into the wood so you’ll have to force the chainsaw in by bearing down on the guide bar using your own body weight which can cause the bar to bend. Then, it is time to pull the chain and try to unmount it from the guide bar. It is a piece of crap and of poor design, but you can get it to work right. b. And your gas chainsaw engine starts, but the chain won’t move. If your chainsaw won’t cut, the chain bar could also be worn out. To tighten the chain, tighten the screw. Just undo the screw on the sprocket cover, tension the chain and tighten the cover again. Put the chainsaw on a flat level surface and ensure nothing is in contact with the chain. In almost all cases, you never should tighten the chain all the way. Always wear gloves in order to avoid all risk of injury on the sharp chain (Fig. Is the chain brake engaged? Why won't my chainsaw chain tighten Stay up to date with the BuzzFeed Daily Newsletter! This can usually be done with a flat-head screwdriver.