Replacing a chainsaw chain and bar is essential to owning and maintaining your chainsaw. Regularly maintaining your chainsaw can extend its life and ensure it works properly. The chain and bar require consistent cleaning. Though all chainsaws share essentially the same design, and replacing the bar and chain is intended to be unchallenging, there is a right way to do it. Fortunately, it’s not too complicated once you know what you’re doing.
This guide will walk you through replacing your chainsaw chain and bar.
Why Is It Important To Replace The Chainsaw Chain?
A chainsaw chain is designed to stay sharp to cut through wood cleanly and quickly. Over time, the chain will become dull or damaged from use. When this happens, it needs to be replaced to ensure maximum performance and safety. In addition to replacing the chain when it gets dull or damaged, some manufacturers recommend replacing it after a certain number of hours of use. This helps keep the chainsaw in good working order and ensures you get the maximum life out of your chainsaw.
Is A Properly Aligned Bar Vital For Proper Chainsaw Operation?
Yes. One of the leading factors for a chainsaw’s inability to cut is due to a damaged chain bar. But what exactly does this part do? Essentially, it allows your cutting chain to move and be tensioned by attaching itself to bolts found in the engine housing and having enough leeway to slide back and forth while ensuring the proper functioning of the saw. Simply put, your saw would not operate properly as intended without it.
How Does A Chainsaw’s Chain Bar Gets Damaged?
There are many reasons why the chain bar gets damaged or bent in some way or another. Some common causes include improper storage of the equipment or having other objects stacked on top of the chainsaw. But, no need to purchase a new chainsaw; you can simply replace your old and damaged one with a new one – a task that you can easily do yourself!
What You’ll Need To Replace The Chainsaw Chain And Bar
Before getting started, ensure you have all the necessary tools and supplies for the job. You’ll need the following:
- New chainsaw chain
- Chainsaw bar oil (or another lubricant)
- Socket wrench set/scwrench
- Screwdriver
How To Replace The Chainsaw Chain
1. Turn Off The Chainsaw And Let It Cool Down
Before you begin, ensure the machine has been shut off and any fuel sources have been disconnected. For electric models, unplug the cords, and remove the spark plug for gas-powered ones. Never make any replacements or adjustments while it’s running or directly after use when hot. Allow the chainsaw to cool before beginning maintenance.
2. Remove The Old Chainsaw Chain
Remove the side cover and unscrew the bar adjustment screws on the engine housing using a socket wrench or screwdriver. To disengage the chain, pull back on the chainsaw’s bar to unclasp it from its tensioner to disengage the chain.
3. Loosen The Tensioning Screw
To make replacing your chain easier, identify the tensioning screw found inside the guide bar, and turn it slightly counterclockwise.
4. Thread The New Chain Onto The Saw
Now that the tensioner is relaxed, you can line up the new chain’s cutting teeth with the guide bar groove and feed it into place. Thread the chain in the same direction as indicated outside the saw’s housing. Remember to thread the entire chain through the rest of the guide bar and around its nosepiece.
5. Align The Guide Bar
After threading the chain and aligning it to the guide bar, apply some tension by pulling the tip of the guide bar away from your chainsaw.
6. Replace The Side Plate
Now that the guide bar is precisely aligned, you can secure the side plate in its place. However, do not tighten them completely yet, as you’ll need to adjust the chain tension.
7. Tighten The Chain To The Right Tension
To adjust the tension on your chainsaw chain, use the tensioning screw to the side of your guide bar.
8. Tighten the Side Plate Nuts
Finally, you can tighten the side plate nuts after securely attaching the chain. Your chainsaw chain replacement is done. All that’s left to do is take your chainsaw for a test run.
How To Replace The Chainsaw Bar
Turn Off The Chainsaw
Unplug the chainsaw and ensure it’s off before you begin. If you’re using a gas-powered one, remove the spark plugs. Do not attempt any maintenance when the machine is running or hot. Always give your chainsaw some time to cool down before working on it.
Remove The Clutch Cover
Remove the side cover and unscrew the bar adjustment screws on the engine housing using a socket wrench or screwdriver. Before removing the clutch cover, you may need to detach the upper engine housing cover. Depending on the type of chainsaw, you may also need to remove a retaining plate securing the chain bar.
Remove The Old Chain Bar And Chain
Push the chain bar away from the engine to loosen its hold on the cutting chain. This way, you can easily remove both the old chain bar and the chain. Place the new chain bar. If your chainsaw comes with a chain guard, transfer the guard from your old chain bar to the new one.
Align The Cutting Chain On The New Chain Bar
While assembling the chain, ensure that its teeth point toward the front of the bar on top and away from it at the bottom. Also, align the chain properly with the mounting bolts for a secure fit as you attach the chain to the clutch sprockets.
Realign The Clutch Cover
Secure the clutch cover into position by inserting the tensioner pin through the chain bar’s hole.
Tension The Chainsaw Chain
To properly attach your chainsaw, start by hand-tightening the mounting screws. Then rotate the chain bar tension adjustment pin or screw clockwise to secure it. Next, pull the chain bar and adjust the screw or dial clockwise until there is no slackness in the chain. Once the chain tension is adjusted, securely fasten the mounting nuts or twist the tension screw to attach the clutch cover firmly.
Your chainsaw is now ready for operation.
Final Words
Replacing a chainsaw bar and chain is essential for any woodcutter. It can help ensure that your chainsaw works safely and efficiently, as well as performs at its peak for years. Follow the steps above and take proper preventive measures while performing this task, and you should have no problem replacing your chainsaw’s bar and chain.
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