Step by Step: How to Tension a Chainsaw Chain
- Step 1 Locate the chain tension adjustment points on your chainsaw. ...
- Step 2 Turn the adjustment screw "clockwise" to tighten, "counterclockwise" to loosen.
- Step 3 Adjust the chainsaw chain tension. ...
- Step 4 As you increase the chain tension, monitor the gap between the under-side of the guide bar and the slack chain. ...
- Step 5 ...
How to adjust chain tension on a chain saw?
- Set the chainsaw on a flat surface, and remove the spark plug to ensure the chainsaw cannot power on under any circumstances.
- Wear thick and tough safety glove at all times while handling the chainsaw. ...
- Remove the covers where the blade meets the motor. ...
- Ensure your blade is sharp, and all the high spots are even. ...
How do you untwist a chainsaw chain?
- Release the chain brake and remove the nuts or screws holding the guide bar plate on the side of the saw.
- With the plate removed, slide the bar forward to release it from the tensioner. ...
- There’s a tension screw on the inside edge of the guide bar – loosen this screw a bit to make installing the new chain easier.
How to tighten the chainsaw chain?
Step by Step Guide: How to Tighten Chainsaw Chain
- The tension adjustment points are found on the side of chainsaws or front. ...
- Chainsaw adjustment bolts are on the sideways of the chainsaw’s guide bar. ...
- To tighten the tension on the chainsaw scrench, you must use a tensioning pin. ...
How tight should your chainsaw chain be?
How tight should you tighten a chainsaw chain? A properly tightened chainsaw should be a little loose from the guide bar. But not too loose to get disengaged. To check to alignment, slightly pull the chainsaw chain, if it gets disengaged from the guide bar, it’s time to tighten up the chain a little bit. It can also get over-tightened.
How do you tighten the tension on a chainsaw?
2:164:05How-To Properly Adjust The Chain Tension On Your Chainsaw - VideoYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now while you're holding the bar reach in and turn the adjusting screw clockwise. You can doMoreAnd now while you're holding the bar reach in and turn the adjusting screw clockwise. You can do this in increments of a quarter turn or half a turn if you want.
What is the proper tension for a chainsaw chain?
A properly-tensioned chainsaw chain should still be just a little loose on the chainsaw guide bar, but the chain needs to be tight enough that you can't pull the drive links out of the bar nose.
How do I know if my chainsaw blade is too tight?
Checking for the perfect tightness of a chainsaw is quite easy. You can check it by using your fingers. Just grab the chain, pull it as far as you can and then release it. After release, it gets back to the original position then, it is tight enough.
Why won't my chain stay tight on my chainsaw?
Check for any debris around the bar and make sure it's not worn down. If it is, you'll notice that the rails are shallow. If that's the case, it will need to be replaced. You will also want to make sure your chain oiler is in good order and that the chain itself does not have any broken teeth.
How to tighten chainsaw chain?
If you want to properly tighten a chainsaw chain, remember the following steps. Loosen the bar nuts so you can easily adjust the chain tension screw. While pulling up on the tip of the bar, adjust the chain so it doesn't sag and it holds itself to the bottom of the bar. I like to pull on the chain for a reference.
Why is chainsaw chain tension important?
Proper chainsaw chain tension is almost as important as the sharpness of your chain. A chain that's too tight won't bite into the wood and it will prematurely wear out your drive sprocket because it puts too much tension on the sprocket itself. When you think about a chainsaw chain, it's basically an oval. As the engine moves the chain ...
How to check chain tension?
Once you have the perfect tension and still holding up on the bar, tighten the bar cover nuts which locks the bar into place. To check the proper chain tension, after you've tightened the bar cover nuts just pull up on the chain and see how much it gives .
How does a chainsaw bar work?
First, it allows the bar to move forward as you adjust the tensioning screw which tightens the chain . Second, it allows the bar to move up and down. Some chainsaw bars can move up to an inch up and down which drastically changes the tension of your chain. To properly adjust the tension on a chainsaw chain, you need to adjust ...
How to tell if chainsaw chain is too loose?
To start with, look at your chain. If you can see the chain sagging down from the bottom of the bar .....it's too loose. On the other hand, if you tug on the chain and it doesn't easy separate itself from the bar.......it's too tight. This photo shows a chainsaw chain that is too loose.
How to get slack out of chainsaw chain?
By adjusting your chain in the "up" position, it eliminates the slack in the chain when you cut because the bar is already in the up position. It almost takes three hands but it's possible with just two. To start, loosen the bar cover nuts. Then take a hand and pull up on the chainsaw bar.
What happens if you loosen a chain?
A loose chain can derail itself from the bar and whip back towards you, possibly cutting your hands or legs. The proper chain tension is similar to a Goldilocks nursery ryme. You don't want it too tight, but you don't want it too loose. You want it just right.
When is a saw chain properly tensioned?
The saw chain is properly tensioned when the drive links are fully seated into the groove of the guide bar and all chain tie-straps make light contact with the guide bar.
How to pull chainsaw chain from guide bar?
With a gloved hand, pull the chainsaw chain along the top of the guide bar guide bar away from the engine towards the guide bar nose several times.
Why is chain tension important?
Proper chainsaw chain tension is critical for the performance of your chainsaw. Chain tension should be evaluated before beginning work and checked regularly throughout the job. A loose chainsaw chain increases the risk of kickback as well as the chances of the saw chain being thrown off the guide bar. Saw chain that is too tight can prevent the chainsaw from turning the saw chain or cause the chainsaw to heat up. In addition to being a potential fire hazard, an overheated saw chain and guide bar can significantly reduce the useful life of these components.
How to tighten a sprocket-nose guide bar?
For a sprocket-nose guide bar, follow the solid-nose guide bar instructions, then give the tensioner another quarter to half turn. The bottoms of the lowest tie straps and cutters will come up and solidly contact the bottom of the guide bar rail. The tension for a sprocket-nose guide bar must be tighter than for the solid-nose guide bar.
How to put a chain on a guide bar?
Simply pull the chain on the underside of the guide bar down so one or two drive links are out of the guide bar rails and release it. The chain should snap directly into position.
Where to loosen bar nuts on chainsaw?
Loosen the bar nuts on the side of the chainsaw guide bar.
Do you need to hold the bar tip up when tensioning?
With Intenz, you don’t need to hold the bar tip up during the tensioning process.
What is Chainsaw Tension Screw And How does It Work?
The chainsaw tension screw is a small device that is located inside the side cover of most of the chainsaw. In my case in Echo chainsaw, it is located inside the sidebar bracket that is securing the clutch cover.
How To Solve Chainsaw Tension Screw Clicking Issue?
People face this issue while losing or tightening the chain of their chainsaws. When they try to rotate the tension screw clockwise or counterclockwise directions, it seems to slip from the gear and doesn’t tighten or lose the chain.
How Do You Replace The Tensioner Screw On A Husqvarna Chainsaw?
Every time when you are going to use your chainsaw, you have to ensure the tension of the chain of your chainsaw is right.
How to check chain tension on chainsaw?
You need to always test where the chain on your chainsaw needs adjusting. The snap test will help you check the tension. Lift the chain a few inches off the bar on the upper side, and let it go. The chain is supposed to snap back in position if the tension is okay. If it does not. You will need to adjust the tension. Always add a 1.25mm space between the blade and the bar when the motor is cool. This space allows room for expansion when the motor gets hot.
What to wear when chainsawing?
Wear thick and tough safety glove at all times while handling the chainsaw. You do not want to injure your hands.
Is it dangerous to adjust chainsaw chain tension?
Adjusting the tension on your chainsaw chain is not difficult. You should to it regularly. Working with a chainsaw with the chain tension wrong is ineffective and dangerous. You could get injured easily, and you will probably end up damaging the chainsaw too. Make it a habit to check the tension before you start sawing on anything.
The vibration and stress of cutting wood can reduce chainsaw chain tension. Fortunately, tightening the chain is a quick and straightforward procedure that can be done in the field
Chainsaw chains are the part of the chainsaw blade that cuts through wood. Over time, the chain can stretch slightly during use, which reduces the saw’s wood-cutting effectiveness, slows down the cutting process, and requires the user to exert more pressure on the saw. If the chain gets too loose, it can even come off the bar.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Learn to recognize the signs that the chainsaw chain is getting loose, including the need to exert additional force on the chainsaw bar to cut through logs or the chain coming entirely off the bar. If it’s a new chain—or a new chainsaw —odds are you need to tighten the chain occasionally to keep the tool in good cutting order.
STEP 2: Loosen the bolt (s) that secures the chainsaw bar before adjusting the chain tension
Before adjusting the tensioning pin, you must loosen the bolts that hold the side plate in place. Use the socket end of a scrench (a screw/wrench combo) to loosen the bolts slightly.
STEP 3: Use the screwdriver end of the scrench to turn the tensioning pin
Once you’ve loosened the bolt (s) on the side of the chainsaw, you can tighten the chain. Insert the screwdriver end of the scrench into the flathead tensioning pin (the chain tightener) and turn it clockwise to tighten the chain.
STEP 5: Retighten the bolts after adjusting the chain tension
The final step in the process is to retighten the bolts after adjusting the chain tension. Using the socket end of the scrench, turn the bolts until they’re snug. This won’t take much—just 1/2 a turn, or so.
Final Thoughts
Chainsaws are formidable power tools. Although more battery-operated models are available today, many still run on gas or diesel and create earsplitting noise during operation. Operating one requires physical strength and attention to safety.
How to Tighten a Chainsaw Chain Like a PRO
Although we’ve already outlined the proper chain tension in the previous section, we want to make it very clear how to tighten a chainsaw chain.
Related Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t a definite answer to this question. It’s best to check the chain tension every time you refuel or at least once per season.
Final Thoughts
Having a chainsaw chain that keeps coming off can be dangerous and frustrating.
