Chainsaws may be easy enough to use till problems like them stretching endlessly occur. Learn more about why your chainsaw isn’t working the way it should be and how to solve the problem by reading this article.
Usually, a chainsaw stretches on two occasions- after too much use or when it’s new. Chainsaw chains begin to loosen and stretch when they wear off after many usages or when they’re brand new during the break-in period. Even if this does happen, it is necessary to fix the problem as quickly as possible by tightening the loose chains, proving to be very dangerous.
Whether you’re here to increase your knowledge about chainsaws in general, or you’re trying to understand the logic behind the problem to fix it, here are a couple of things that you will find covered in this article:
- Reasons for the stretching of the chainsaw, and is it normal?
- Can I stop the chainsaw from stretching?
- How to tell if your chainsaw chain has been stretched out?
- How can I tighten the chainsaw chain?
Why does my chainsaw chain keep stretching?
Reasons for the stretching and is it normal?
Yes, a chainsaw chain stretching is pretty standard, especially when it’s been utilized for very long or if it’s a new chain loop. However, if it’s new, you will have to tighten it even more than usual because when you run the chain in one direction, the chain loop will tend to be longer since the play in the rivets will also be running in one direction.
Here are a couple of reasons that you might be facing this problem:
The break-in period
When you buy a new chainsaw, you will learn that it has a break-in period. We can’t specify how long this will last because each chainsaw has a different break-in period depending on the number of times you use it and for how long. This is precisely why you should check the tension of the chainsaw before each use.
The effect of heat
Another reason might be heat. Through thermal expansion, your chain is likely to loosen without you even realizing it. When you operate your chainsaw, the device will probably heat up because of tension and friction, stretching it out even more.
Wearing off
You might have noticed that your old chainsaws stretch a lot more than the ones that you recently bought. This is because each time that you use them, the more they wear off little by little. The difference might be so slight that it’s hard to recognize, but the change is steady, so the chain loosens more frequently.
Can I stop the chainsaw from stretching?
As much as we would like to say yes, it’s impossible to stop the chain from stretching completely. It will always stretch no matter how hard you try to stop it. However, you can check for things like tension in the chain to make use of your chainsaw for a longer time.
How to tell if my chainsaw chain has been stretched out?
Many people find it very hard to check if their chainsaw chain has been stretched, especially when they can’t see a difference. We’ve compiled a point-to-point guide to help you through the process.
-Turn off the chainsaw and let it cool if you’ve recently used it.
– Place it on an even surface like a table or the ground.
– Check if the place under the guide bar is sagging.
– You will need to tighten the chain if there is a space between the guide bar and the chain.
– If the chain is very close to the guide bar, you will be required to pull o a small part of the chain. However, make sure to use gloves while ding this because the chain is greasy and sharp, and you’ll hurt yourself if you don’t take the precautions.
-If the chain pulls slightly, this means that the chain hasn’t been stretched out. A tightened changed will pull slightly but still stick to the guide bar.
How can I tighten the chainsaw chain?
After hearing the word tighten so much in this article, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to do that if you’re new to the world of chainsaws. Here’s how to do this.
Before starting
There are a couple of essential things that you will have to do before you start work on the actual job. Firstly, make sure to switch off the chainsaw and give it a couple of minutes to cool off because it produces heat that may be hazardous for you. Secondly, keep your chainsaw on level ground so that you have stability. Work with extreme precaution because chainsaws are very sharp and dangerous.
The actual job
The first thing you’ll have to do to build tension in the chainsaw chain is to loosen the nuts on the guide sidebar panel. Make sure only to loosen the nuts and not take them entirely off. This gives both the guide bar and the chain enough room to be adjusted. If the brake is attached to the side panel, unlock the brake first.
After this, adjust the tensioning screw. This is usually located at the base of the guide bar. Adjust the chain tension slowly while lifting the bar so that you can see and feel how tight the chain is. After this, tighten the bolts holding the bar in place. The more that you tighten the screw, the more the chain will be tightened.
Concluding the job
One thing is still left to do- recheck the chain. Even if you think the job has been done brilliantly, it’s best to check once more. Sometimes, people tend to overtighten the chain. If this happens, follow the same steps again, but this time, loosen the adjustment screw rather than tighten it. You’ll be good to go.
If it’s still hard for you to understand by just reading this article, here’s a YouTube video to help you along the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoQnsR_2R4U