Tighten and not overtighten: how to properly put the chain on a chainsaw - Setafi

In this article we will tell you how to tighten and not overtighten the chain, what types of chainsaws are there for adjustment tension, what you need to tighten the chain, how to understand that the chain is loose / overtightened, how to replace the chain chainsaws.

To tension the chainsaw chain you will need:

• Chainsaw, its bar and chain.
• Chainsaw wrench (included, you can buy a universal key; some manufacturers make unique keys, universal keys are not suitable for them).
• Overalls.
• Screwdriver included.

Before tensioning the chainsaw chain:

You can only tension the chain with the chainsaw turned off, which has had time to cool down.

When heated, all substances expand - the hot chain becomes several millimeters, sometimes centimeters longer. If you tension a hot chain properly, then when it cools and shrinks, the chain will be overtightened. The engine will have to exert more effort to turn the chain - the wear of parts and elements of the chainsaw will increase. Most of all, transitional parts will wear out - an asterisk, a shaft.

Remember to put on gloves before work if you don't want to get hurt.

How to tension a chain on a chainsaw

Before tensioning the chain, refer to the instructions - it is written in detail how and with what to tension it. Tension may vary depending on the model. If there is no instruction or it is in another language, use our methods. They will be lower.

Consider two types of chainsaws - classic and with a tension adjustment knob.

Classic:

• Take the key from the kit, its shape resembles the letter T. The key has two working sides: one for unscrewing the nuts, the second - a screwdriver - for turning the tension bolt.
• Loosen the cover nuts first, but do not unscrew them.
• With the other side (screwdriver), turn the tension adjustment screw. It is located near the nuts.
• Turn the screw clockwise until there is about five millimeters of slack on the bottom of the chain.
• Tighten the nuts.

With control knob:

Such models are less popular - they are put only on expensive equipment. There is a handle on the side of the cover, during the rotation of which the chain will be stretched or loosened. Clockwise - tension, against - weakening. Again, achieve no more than 5 millimeters of sag.

Before starting work, you need to check once again how the chain is tensioned:

It should sag by ± 5 millimeters. Check with your hand how it goes - scroll it. The move should be easy.

Worst of all, if you overtighten the chain. Weakly stretched chains quickly fly off and make themselves felt. Overtightened chains do not make themselves felt immediately - you may not even notice the difference for a long time, but the wear of parts will increase.

How to understand that the chain needs to be tensioned?

Firstly, according to external examination, the chain sags from below, and is shifted to the side at the top. This chain is loose. It wears out faster, can warp or slip during operation. With a slack chain, the bar, sprocket and saw blade wear out faster. If the chain slips, the bar may get stuck in the material.

How to understand that the chain is overstretched?

Try scrolling it. It should go without much effort. If not, loosen it. Tensioning the chain correctly means that it should not sag, but it should not go hard either.

When it is tightened, it is more difficult for the engine to turn it. The wear of the chainsaw elements, in particular the shaft and sprocket, also increases. The latter wears out the teeth more strongly, so when the chain is overstretched, it will be necessary to change the sprockets more often.

Check the tension of new chains often - they stretch after the first use. If this is not done, as we described above, the wear of the chainsaw elements and the chain itself will increase. It also increases the risk of injury.

How to change the chain on a chainsaw?

For this you will need:

• New chain (same size as the old one).
• The chainsaw itself.
• Key from the set.

Chainsaw chain replacement instructions:

• Remove the saw cover - unscrew the fixing nuts.
• Remove the clutch circle and bar with the old chain.
• Put the chain on the bar, install them in the pin, put the free end on the sprocket. The cutting teeth must point forward.
• Return the clutch circle, put on the cover.
• Tighten the housing cover with nuts.

If you want to extend the life of the chain, turn it over periodically. So in parallel, the upper, then the lower part will wear out. This will increase the life of the chain by 1.5 times. When you use this method, pay attention to the letters of the chain.