Replacing a Chain on a Makita Power Saw

Saw chain replacement

The saw chain of electric saws and chainsaws is a consumable and periodically requires tension, sharpening or replacement, due to wear or tension. This is nothing complicated, so you should not contact a service center, moreover, manufacturers themselves do not prohibit changing the saw chain on their own and describe the process in detail in the instructions for the devices. If the instruction is not at hand or is lost, then we will consider the most common designs for tensioning the saw chain and how chain replacement.

Checking the conformity of the saw chain to the model of the electric saw.

Before replacing or installing the saw chain for the first time, you need to make sure that it is correctly selected, that it meets the technical specifications of our model of electric saw. We check its length, it can be indicated both in inches and in millimeters. The pitch of the saw chain, chain sprocket and end sprocket of the guide bar must be identical, and the thickness of the drive link of the saw chain must correspond to the width of the groove of the guide bar.

Replacing the saw chain in a design with side chain tension (tension screw and clamping nut).

This design is still common on inexpensive, and therefore popular models, for example, on the ELITECH CEP 2000 C40, STIHL MSE 220 C, STATUS CS400. To replace the saw chain, pull the protective shield towards you until it clicks, we release the chain brake. We loosen the chain by turning the screwdriver to the left of the tension screw located on the end or on the side and unscrew the clamping nut. We remove the plastic cover and get access to the entire saw set. Take the saw chain from the chain sprocket and remove the chain together with the guide bar. If the chain cannot be removed from the sprocket, then unscrew the tension screw even more. We release the tire from the chain. Further in reverse order. We put a new or ground chain on the guide rail of the device, starting from its upper part. We put the chain on the chain sprocket and set the tire into place along the guides. By turning the tension screw to the right, we tighten the chain, achieving its easy sagging. We put the plastic cover back in place and tighten the nut by hand. We do not tighten the nut to the end, and tighten the chain by tightening the tension screw. Fix the clamping nut. This type of chain tension is not very convenient, but many people prefer just such reliable systems than newfangled quick-clamping chucks or other keyless chain tensioning methods.

Side chain tensioner

Saw headset power saw

Put the guide rail in place

Replacing the saw chain in a quick chain tensioner design (wing nut).

Makita power saw with wing nut

Release the chain brake. We open the handle of the nut on the cover of the saw set until it locks. Sometimes a nut with a lamb is solid and protrudes strongly beyond the body. The nut not only holds the flap, but also clamps the guide rail. Unscrew it counterclockwise. Remove the chain sprocket cover. We push back the guide bar and remove the saw chain starting with the driven sprocket of the guide bar. We put a new chain on the tire, starting with an asterisk. We correctly determine the direction of the chain, from below the guide rail, its cutting part should go in the direction of the power saw body. We pull the chain by pulling the tire. Install the sprocket back and twist, but do not clamp, the tire nut. Turn the tension wheel all the way to the right or to the side of the ˮˮ icon and tighten the wing nut by hand.

Check the chain tension.

Adjust the chain tension

With the inertia brake and the chain brake released, the saw chain should fit snugly against the underside of the guide bar. At the same time, it should be scrolled along the control tire by hand. To remove the chain brake, pull the protective shield back to the handle until it clicks. To turn off the inertia brake, press the lock button and hold the switching lever under the handle. To achieve the correct hand tension, we try to pull the saw chain upward in the middle of the guide bar. It should go within 3-5 mm. We release and scroll the saw chain. After this operation, it should not sag at the bottom of the guide rail. Repeat this sequence several times. After replacing the chain, run the power saw at low speed. The chain should warm up well and be lubricated. Recheck the cutting tool tension.

The nuances of replacing the saw chain on a chainsaw.

The replacement procedure does not differ from power saws. Of the differences: the protective cover of the saw set can be fastened with two nuts. Petrol models are more powerful, create more vibration and more serious mount for good reason. The protective guard and the brake system of the saw chain can be mounted on the protective cover of the saw set, so when assembling, pay special attention to the brake being released, that is, the handle is maximally retracted. We carefully monitor that the element of the tensioner fits into the groove on the guide rail, its position during assembly should be at the rear, that is, the chain is weakened as much as possible. Raise the guide bar as far as possible and pull the chain. After that, tighten the nuts or wing nut and make sure that the tire does not fall down. It is possible to lean the edge of the guide rail on the block at the time of tightening.

Quick chain tension chainsaw

Chainsaw with the headset cover removed

Saw chain worn on sprocket and tire

Fix the guide blade in the upper position

Checking the chain tension

Replace the headset cover

After replacing the saw chain, do not forget to pour oil into the automatic chain lubrication system.

Tip. Timely replacement of a damaged saw chain will prevent possible breakdown of garden equipment and is the basis of personal safety. The new chain stretches faster than the previous one, therefore it requires more frequent tension. For uniform wear on the groove of the guide rail, I recommend turning it over periodically. After the wear of the two chains, pay particular attention to the sprocket, as a rule, it will also need to be replaced. After replacing the two sprockets, change the guide rail.

Attention. To ensure personal safety, all work must be carried out with the electric saw disconnected from the mains.