Proper Chain Position On Chainsaw

Professionals are pretty well aware that not the power of the chainsaw makes it a good tool, but how well it is used. With proper care, any chainsaw can last a long time, while demonstrating excellent performance. If the opposite. If you do not take care of the tool properly and do not adhere to the rules of safe operation, this will significantly reduce its service life and lead to early failure.

One of the most important points of proper technical operation is the maintenance of the chainsaw chain. You need to know how to pull the chain on the chainsaw, how to sharpen and lubricate it correctly. It is still very important to have a sufficient idea of ​​its characteristics. This knowledge can be very useful if you have to choose a new chain.

Proper Chain Position On Chainsaw

Chain function and proper tension

The correct position and tension of the chainsaw chain is very important not only for its normal operation, but also for the safety of those who work with it, as well as those around them. If the chain has an incorrect tension, then during operation it may accidentally fly off, which is most likely to cause breakdown not only of the chain itself, but of the entire chainsaw. However, it is also undesirable when the chain is stretched excessively tight. This can also have negative consequences in the form of an increase in the load on the motor, which in the future will lead to its early failure and shorten the overall service life of the chainsaw. The chain has one very important property: it fixes the tire, which prevents its arbitrary movement. Therefore, care for the chain should be given special attention.

Choose the right chain

Chain failure is a frequent phenomenon, so before you ask yourself how to tension the chain on the chainsaw correctly, you need to know which chain is suitable for this model of chainsaw. The main criterion for choosing is its step. The step is called the distance between its teeth. The distance is chosen between its nearest teeth and measured in inches. The most common are 0.325, 0.375, and 0.404 inches. Information on the step can be found in the operating instructions for the particular model of the chainsaw, and it depends primarily on the purpose of the tool.

Each saw has its own specific step, exceptions are only professional tools that are universal. The chain pitch also depends on engine power. The more powerful the chainsaw, the greater its step and the more difficult it is to hold it during operation. So, for example, a compact low-power chainsaw “Patriot” has a step of 0.325. However, there are more powerful models. One of them is the German STHIL in increments of 0.404. Which, as we see, is greater than that of a chainsaw “Patriot“.

A step is one of the most important characteristics of circuit parameters. This means that you should not choose a chain with a large pitch for a low power chainsaw. It can not only not fit, but also disable the tool.

The Importance of Proper Circuit Setting

The normal operation of the chainsaw causes vibrations that can significantly reduce the tension of the chain with blades or nuts designed to secure it. The chain stretches during heavy use and is poorly fixed on the teeth of the chainsaw, which can create unsafe conditions for the operator. Proper tool operation includes checking all nuts and bolts before and during use to ensure safety. If the chain nuts are too loose on the teeth of the saw, then most likely you will need to properly tighten the chain, and then tighten the blade itself.

Before starting work, you should always remember your own safety and use protective leather gloves and glasses. A chainsaw should be placed on a flat surface, such as a workbench or table. The engine must be allowed to cool completely if it has been used before. Next, to prevent accidental starting of the saw, remove the wire from the spark plug connector. Now you can begin to adjust the chain.

Proper Chain Position On Chainsaw

How to pull a chain on a chainsaw yourself

This is not difficult to do, the main thing is to remember your own safety. So, how to put a chain on a chainsaw? Stand in front of the chainsaw facing you with a blade. Grasp the tip of the saw blade with one hand and lift it slightly. Firmly insert a flat-head screwdriver into the adjustment screw, which is located to the right of the blade when you are looking at the saw blade. Turn the screw clockwise to increase the chain tension, or counterclockwise to decrease it accordingly. Take the chain in one hand and pull it around the blade. The tension is correct when it is slightly loosened if pulled in the direction of the blade and at the same time fit snugly against it.

If so, then further chain adjustment on the chainsaw may not be required. If not, you need to adjust it. Loosen or tighten the adjustment screw to get the right fit. Hold the tip of the chainsaw blade with one hand. Tighten both left blade retaining nuts with a saw repair kit or adjustable wrench. Put the spark plug wire back into place and press it firmly.

Necessary tools

When buying a chainsaw, it is often bundled with a tool for its maintenance. It is necessary to adjust the circuit. It looks like this: at one end there is a flat-head screwdriver, and at the other. Wrench that fits the blade nuts. To understand how to tighten the chain on the chainsaw, you must refer to the operating instructions for this model of saw.

Safety precautions

When using a chainsaw, personal protective equipment should be used, including eye and hearing protection, leather gloves and a hard hat.

For safety when working with a chainsaw, it is desirable to have another person nearby who can provide assistance if it is needed.

Chain sharpening

Everyone knows that from time to time you need to sharpen a chain on a chainsaw. However, not everyone knows how to do it right. A sure sign that the saw needs sharpening is the shape of the sawdust. If they look like fine dust, this means that the chainsaw blades are dull and need to be sharpened. With strong wear of the chain, when it is no longer possible to sharpen it, it must be replaced with a new one.

Chain sharpening methods

There are many ways to do this. As examples, we give the most common:

  • Sharpening using a file. Its convenience lies in its simplicity, because there is no need to use sophisticated equipment and machines. In addition, this sharpening can be done directly on the job site, which saves a lot of time.
  • Sharpening on the machine. Most often it is used in equipped service centers or workshops, but it also takes place in the personal household.
  • Sharpening using an angle grinder. One of the most difficult ways to sharpen, as it requires special skills. Because of this, this method has not found wide application.

How to shorten the chain on a chainsaw yourself

The chainsaw chain must always be in good technical condition. All defects and malfunctions must be given the necessary attention. You must follow the general safety rules and recommendations given in the operating instructions. This is the only way to avoid injuries and other undesirable consequences when working with a chainsaw and extend its service life.

Sometimes due to wear, deformation or other reasons, it is necessary to replace the chain or shorten it. It should be noted that chain sagging does not mean that it needs to be replaced. It needs to be changed if it is completely not subject to adjustment.

Sometimes during heavy use, the chain may sag. This is due to severe overheating of the metal, its expansion and, as a consequence, elongation. The way out of this situation can be a periodic stop to allow the circuit to cool. However, this is not always possible. Another situation may arise when, say, you need to install a chain whose length is somewhat large.

Tension adjustment

The chain tension must be adjusted using the chainsaw tension bolt, which is located in the place where the toothed stops are located.

It is important to understand how the chain should be pulled on a chainsaw. It is not necessary to pull it all the way, because soon it can stretch again. The chain should have a small margin, slightly sag. It is not difficult to check by hand. It should be a millimeter retract from the tire.

Best of all, when the chain is of sufficient length and you can remove several of its links. By doing so, we are able to use the original links for the chainsaw chain. You can fix them with a hacksaw for metal, but it will be much more convenient to do this with an emery machine. To do this, you need to unfasten the link by grinding it, and then cut off the part that is superfluous. Next, we knock out the rivets from those links that are not needed, remove them and connect the chain independently. To do this, you can use special rivets, but if they are not available, you can use the usual steel wire. We lay the chain on a solid base and begin to rivet on both sides.