How To Put A Chain On A Saw

Rules for replacing and tightening chains on a chainsaw
How to check chain tension on a chainsaw? How to tension the chain if it is loose? What to do if the chain stretches and falls off. Algorithm for replacing a chain with a new one. How to shorten the chain or add new links.

How to determine the degree of tension

A quick check of the chain tension is very simple: grab the prong and pull it up. If the chain is tensioned correctly, the tail will be immersed in the groove of the bar by 1/3 of its height. An excess of this indicator indicates excessive tension, and a decrease in the indicator indicates weak.

With a strong tension on the cutting element of the chainsaw, the tire begins to heat up and grind, the load on the engine increases, and it quickly wears out. Do not start up the machine with a loose chain, as it may pinch and break when sawing, which poses a danger to the user of the machine. The chain can fly off the tire and injure limbs, and it often breaks itself and damages the tire. Also, working with a weakened chain element leads to one-sided tire wear, after which the device stops making even cuts, and the saw is taken to the side.

Is it possible to shorten the chain yourself

In the case when the chainsaw chain has stretched so much that it is no longer tensioned, it becomes necessary to reduce its length.

Chainsaw saw element replacement

If you need to replace the chain on the chainsaw, follow these steps.

1. Remove the cover covering the sprocket. To do this, most often it is necessary to unscrew the fastening nuts.
2. After unscrewing the fasteners, remove the cover that covers the clutch with an asterisk.
3. Grasp the bar with your hand and push it toward the sprocket to loosen the chain.
4. Remove the chain element from the drive sprocket.
5. Now you need to install the chain on the chainsaw. Take a new saw unit and slide it onto the drive sprocket first.
6. Then you need to put the chain on the tire, placing the element in its groove around the entire perimeter. It is important that the links fit properly on the driven sprocket on top of the tire. Pay attention to the direction of the cutting links when installing. They should be facing away from the unit, on top of the tire.
7. Run the bar in the opposite direction to the engine to tighten the chain slightly.
8. After laying the saw element, before putting the cover back in place, it is necessary to align the screw, through which the tension is adjusted, with the adjuster located behind the bar. Only then can you put on the cover and screw the nuts slightly. Next, insert a screwdriver into the adjusting screw and apply the final tension. How to properly tension the chain has been described above.
9. Raise the bar slightly and tighten the nuts, thus securing it. It is important not to overdo it and not to rip the thread.

The main problems with the chainsaw chain

Chainsaw users are often faced with the problem of saw chain tension. It either weakens spontaneously, or stretches and flies off. As a rule, these troubles are caused by unit breakdowns. Therefore, before proceeding with the chain link tensioning procedure, you should check and eliminate possible causes that could lead to misalignment.

Chainsaw chain stretching can be caused by heavy loads or insufficient lubricant supply to the tire. This causes the saw to overheat, the metal expands, the saw element becomes larger and falls off the bar. Oil flow can be disrupted if the pump breaks down, the channels are clogged, or the oil hose breaks.

If you changed the chain on a chainsaw to a new one, then be prepared for the fact that during the running-in period it will stretch a little. It is only necessary to check the tension in time so that the element does not fly off the tire.

When the driven or drive sprocket is worn, the grip on the chain links decreases, causing the saw element to fly off. In this case, you will have to unscrew the chain drive and change the sprocket. Also, the saw blade of the unit can fly off due to its stretching or deformation of the tire.

If the chain on your chainsaw weakens, then a malfunctioning tension mechanism can cause this malfunction.

Tension Algorithm

Before tightening the chain on the chainsaw, you must turn off the engine of the unit, or disconnect it from the mains if it is an electric saw. Do not adjust or replace the saw blade while it is hot. If this is done, the metal will shrink after cooling and the tension will be too great, which can lead to increased stress on the engine and deformation of the tire.

The chain tensioner is located on the right side of the machine, under the cover, in the place where the clutch brake is installed and the bar mount is located. On Husqwarna, Stihl, Poulan and Partner chainsaws, the external tensioner looks like an ordinary bolt.

So, in order to adjust the chain element of the apparatus, you need to perform the following steps.

1. Loosen the nuts on the right side cover slightly so that the tire is not skewed.
2. Insert a screwdriver into the tensioner adjusting bolt and turn it to the right (clockwise). From these actions, the tire will begin to move, and the chain will tension. If you turn the bolt to the left (counterclockwise), the chain links will relax.
3. Further, the chain should be tightened to a state so that it does not sag or dangle.
4. Check the tension of the element: grasp the cutting link approximately in the center of the bar and pull it down with a slight force. The chain should be taut, elastic, and the shank of the cutting link should fit into the groove of the bar about 1/3 of its height.

On a Makita electric saw, the tension adjuster is designed in such a way that it can be turned without the use of any tools. Rotating it clockwise will tighten the chain; if you rotate the adjuster in the opposite direction, the tension on the chain element will loosen.

Rules for replacing and tightening chains on a chainsaw

The chain tension on the chainsaw affects not only the normal operation of the machine, but also the safety of the operator working with it. A chainsaw is a highly traumatic tool, and a loose saw chain can have dire consequences. In turn, an overly tensioned chain increases the load on the tool. Therefore, before each start-up of the machine, you must make sure that this important element has the correct tension.

Chainsaw saw element replacement

If you need to replace the chain on the chainsaw, follow these steps.

1. Remove the cover covering the sprocket. To do this, most often it is necessary to unscrew the fastening nuts.
2. After unscrewing the fasteners, remove the cover that covers the clutch with an asterisk.
3. Grasp the bar with your hand and push it toward the sprocket to loosen the chain.
4. Remove the chain element from the drive sprocket.
5. Now you need to install the chain on the chainsaw. Take a new saw unit and slide it onto the drive sprocket first.
6. Then you need to put the chain on the tire, placing the element in its groove around the entire perimeter. It is important that the links fit properly on the driven sprocket on top of the tire. Pay attention to the direction of the cutting links when installing. They should be facing away from the unit, on top of the tire.
7. Run the bar in the opposite direction to the engine to tighten the chain slightly.
8. After installing the saw element, before putting the cover back in place, it is necessary to align the screw, through which the tension is adjusted, with the adjuster located behind the bar. Only then can you put on the cover and screw the nuts slightly. Next, insert a screwdriver into the adjusting screw and apply the final tension. How to properly tension the chain has been described above.
9. Raise the bar slightly and tighten the nuts, thus securing it. It is important not to overdo it and not to rip the thread.

Tension Algorithm

Before tightening the chain on the chainsaw, you must turn off the engine of the unit, or disconnect it from the mains if it is an electric saw. Do not adjust or replace the saw blade while it is hot. If this is done, the metal will shrink after cooling and the tension will be too great, which can lead to increased stress on the engine and deformation of the tire.

The chain tensioner is located on the right side of the machine, under the cover, in the place where the clutch brake is installed and the bar mount is located. On Husqwarna, Stihl, Poulan and Partner chainsaws, the external tensioner looks like an ordinary bolt.

So, in order to adjust the chain element of the apparatus, you need to perform the following steps.

1. Loosen the nuts on the right side cover slightly so that the tire is not skewed.
2. Insert a screwdriver into the tensioner adjusting bolt and turn it to the right (clockwise). From these actions, the tire will begin to move, and the chain will tension. If you turn the bolt to the left (counterclockwise), the chain links will relax.
3. Further, the chain should be tightened to a state so that it does not sag or dangle.
4. Check the tension of the element: grasp the cutting link approximately in the center of the bar and pull it down with a slight force. The chain should be taut, elastic, and the shank of the cutting link should fit into the groove of the bar about 1/3 of its height.

On a Makita electric saw, the tension adjuster is designed in such a way that it can be turned without the use of any tools. Rotating it clockwise will tighten the chain; if you rotate the adjuster in the opposite direction, the tension on the chain element will loosen.

How to remove a rivet

To change the elements of the chain or to shorten it, you will need to separate the links as follows. Fix the chain element in a vise and grind off the rivets, namely their protruding parts. For this, you can use a file or file. Make sure not to grind the side sections of the link.

Using a beard (as it looks like, shown below), knock out a rivet.

There is another option for separating the links. To do this, you do not need to grind off the rivet heads. Place the link, namely its rivet, over a hole in the metal or over the slightly parted jaws of the vise. Next, you should put the locksmith’s bit on the rivet head and hit it several times with a hammer.

Continue knocking out both rivets alternately as they are firmly secured by the opposite side of the link. Gradually the rivets will begin to come out of the top of the link and it will come loose.

The main problems with the chainsaw chain

Chainsaw users are often faced with the problem of saw chain tension. It either weakens spontaneously, or stretches and flies off. As a rule, these troubles are caused by unit breakdowns. Therefore, before proceeding with the chain link tensioning procedure, you should check and eliminate possible causes that could lead to misalignment.

Chainsaw chain stretching can be caused by heavy loads or insufficient lubricant supply to the tire. This causes the saw to overheat, the metal expands, the saw element becomes larger and falls off the bar. Oil flow can be disrupted if the pump breaks down, the channels are clogged, or the oil hose breaks.

If you changed the chain on a chainsaw to a new one, then be prepared for the fact that during the running-in period it will stretch a little. It is only necessary to check the tension in time so that the element does not fly off the tire.

When the driven or drive sprocket is worn, the grip on the chain links decreases, causing the saw element to fly off. In this case, you will have to unscrew the chain drive and change the sprocket. Also, the saw blade of the unit can fly off due to its stretching or deformation of the tire.

If the chain on your chainsaw weakens, then a malfunctioning tension mechanism can cause this malfunction.

How to determine the degree of tension

A quick check of the chain tension is very simple: grab the prong and pull it up. If the chain is tensioned correctly, the tail will be immersed in the groove of the bar by 1/3 of its height. An excess of this indicator indicates excessive tension, and a decrease in the indicator indicates weak.

With a strong tension on the cutting element of the chainsaw, the tire begins to heat up and grind, the load on the engine increases, and it quickly wears out. Do not start up the machine with a loose chain, as it may pinch and break when sawing, which poses a danger to the user of the machine. The chain can fly off the tire and injure limbs, and it often breaks itself and damages the tire. Also, working with a weakened chain element leads to one-sided tire wear, after which the device stops making even cuts, and the saw is taken to the side.

Rules for replacing and tightening chains on a chainsaw

The chain tension on the chainsaw affects not only the normal operation of the machine, but also the safety of the operator working with it. A chainsaw is a highly traumatic tool, and a loose saw chain can have dire consequences. In turn, an overly tensioned chain increases the load on the tool. Therefore, before each start-up of the machine, you must make sure that this important element has the correct tension.

Chainsaw device features

The main part of the gasoline saw is engine. In most modern devices, the engine is single-cylinder. Air cooling, two-stroke piston system. Oil in these types of engines is added directly to gasoline, and all due to the fact that the fuel constantly flushes the crankcase. The oil-to-gasoline ratio varies from 1:20 to 1:50 depending on the manufacturer of the chainsaw.

The air filter on gasoline saws plays an equally important role. He needs regular cleaning. If the filter is heavily contaminated, dust from it will fall directly into the piston system, leading to engine damage.

If the filter is clogged, the saw will lose speed and the engine will overheat, which can cause the piston rings to burn.

The starter on gasoline saws is a rope with a handle that you pull on to activate the motor. When you pull on the rope, the teeth catch on the ratchet, and the flywheel begins to spin.

Many people complain about the long pulling of the rope to ignite the engine. It depends on whether the carburetor is correctly aligned. If the carburetor produces the correct oil-gasoline mixture, then there should be no problems.

Main working mechanism. A tire with a chain.

The chain consists of three types of teeth: leading, cutting and connecting. They are riveted together. The cutting teeth are located on two sides: right and left.

Chains are divided into two types: high profile and low profile. The first type includes chains, in which the teeth are located with a large gap, the second. With a smaller gap. Chains can also vary in shank thickness and link length. The chainsaw chain is attached to a bar that guides it in the correct direction. The end of the tire has a specific groove that holds the links and allows the chain to rotate. A driven sprocket is located at the front of the tire. The chain together with the bar is called a headset, since they are detachable parts of the chainsaw.

The gasoline saw has an automatic chain lubrication system. The tire supplies oil, which is then absorbed by the sawdust. If the saw is idling, the oil supply stops.

The chain stretched

If your chain sags on a chainsaw, then this indicates a malfunction of some mechanism, one of the options is the wear of the chain itself.

Over time, the metal deforms and the chains become 0.5-1 cm longer. It is best to fix this problem by purchasing a new circuit, but there is a way to get the old one back. Experts say that this is very difficult and almost impossible, but we will tell you how you can do it at home.

For this we will need:

• Vice;
• File;
• Electric welding machine (not needed in all cases);
• A hammer;
• Pliers;
• Beard.

A regular chainsaw chain is made of strong steel, so it is difficult to disconnect. You need to disconnect the chain on the inside of the rivet, which serves as a connecting mechanism.

First, the chains need to be fixed in a vice, and then gradually grind off the protruding part. You need to grind with a file or a file. It is not recommended to use a grinder, as there is a risk of damaging the lateral parts of the links. After sewing, the rivets are knocked out with a beard. The knocked-out rivet should not be thrown away. You may not be able to find a replacement. Manufacturers of gasoline saws do not produce individual parts for the chain, as they do not expect consumers to be able to repair the chain themselves. Most likely, you will not be able to make a new rivet yourself, so you will have to install the old one.

In order to shorten the chain, you need to split it in two places. But remember, that the number of guide lugs on the inside of the chain and the distance between them must match the drive sprocket.

After removing one or more of the links (depending on the degree of chain stretch), the chains can be connected. We connect to old rivets, while pressing them tightly on the sides.

Next, we need a welding machine. The rivet must be welded to the lateral parts of the link. After that, we grind off the excess that formed during welding with a file. The chain can be considered healthy again.

Chain tension

You can pull the chains two ways: fast and frontal. It is best to stretch in the frontal way.

If you carry out a frontal tension, then you need to unscrew the nuts that hold the tire and lift it over the edge. With a special bolt on the right, you need to tighten the chain until an acceptable tension is obtained, and then raise the tire even higher and clamp it.

If using the quick tightening method, first lift the wing nut handle and loosen it. Then tighten the chain tensioning screw clockwise until it stops. Then retighten the wing nut and lower the handle.

How to tension: installing the chainsaw cutting element

We have analyzed the main reasons for the sagging chain. How to install a chain on a chainsaw is described in the paragraph above. Now you need to properly tighten the chain, and check if it will overtighten.

Bus problems

If there is a problem with the tire, almost always chain tension loosens. This problem usually occurs at the busbar attachment point.

This place is located in the groove between the outer plate, which is located on the chain guard and the inner plate, which is located on the motor housing. The casing together with the tire is fixed with a bolt. Such an attachment is referred to as an “engine assembly”. The drive sprocket and tire mount are protected by special covers.

If the fixing bolts are loose, the tire will move or vibrate. If the tire is good, then the chain tension should be normal. After stretching, she will walk for at least five working days without suspenders. Therefore, you need to carefully tighten the bolts that hold the tire.

To understand how to pull a chain on a chainsaw, first you need find and release the chain brake. The tensioning screw is next to the bar and is turned until the chain is pulled over the bar. Then pull the chain in a clockwise direction. If it does not move, then loosen it slightly by turning the tension screw in the opposite direction.

Why the chain flies, find out the reasons

If you wondered why the chain on your chainsaw flies, then there is some kind of malfunction in the mechanism. Exist three main reasons This malfunction: malfunctioning bar, chain stretching and loose sprocket. Let’s take a closer look at each of the possible causes of breakdown.