How To Install A Chainsaw Chain

To install a chainsaw chain, you should know its purpose, mechanism, features of the equipment, and how to adjust the caterpillar tension. A chainsaw is very easy to use, so all works with it are performed quickly, efficiently, and consistently.

Chainsaw chain purpose

There is a huge variety of cutting tools presented in the market today. For the highest convenience, we recommend purchasing high-quality models.

Chainsaws are used in construction for sawing wooden surfaces, landscaping buildings, and surrounding areas. The multipurpose qualities of this practical tool are powered by a two-phase motor. The sharp elements are chains of various configurations. The main part of such devices has a metal bar and sprocket.

Non-professional chainsaws are designed for a chain pitch of 3.25 inches. This size significantly reduces the vibration movement coefficient but affects the tool power not in the best way: the power drops significantly.

High-quality chainsaws have rows moving with a pitch of 3/8 and 0.404 inches. When choosing a chainsaw, special attention should be paid to the quality of its sharp part, i.e. caterpillar.

Features of the chainsaw cutting element

When choosing a chainsaw, it is important to look at the following parameters:

• thicknesses of grooves
• chain movement pitch
• number of drive links

Chainsaws of the highest quality have the highest performance indicators. They are constant, do not change their efficiency due to constant friction, and can work in any adverse conditions. Chains of any chainsaws have 50 main drive links. Their pitch distance is 3/8, groove – 1.3 mm.

In some cases, the choice of this element depends on certain features:

• strict adherence to the chainsaw manual
• information on the chain quality indicators
• knowing the pitch value of several drive links

Devices with 52 drive links have a pitch of 38 with grooves of 1.3 mm and a bar of 36 cm. Chainsaws used in the most difficult conditions are equipped with tracks made of special alloys.

How to install a chainsaw chain: features

For a chainsaw to function properly, you must watch the correct operation of all its mechanisms. A properly installed caterpillar will save you from possible injuries.

Installation is carried out with the following tools:

• mitten
• screwdriver
• wrench

Particular attention should be paid to the degree of grinding the chain and its tensioning. Regularly check the operating state of the caterpillar:

1. First, check the saw blades, which are fixed with a cover on the clutch.
2. If you need to upgrade a chain, unscrew nuts with a wrench. Do not take off the chain brake tensioning at one time.
3. A brake shoe moves to the side. Carefully watch the grooves that create the tension of the chain part.
4. Move the guide bar on the left, trying to touch the main sprocket. One of the chain elements is fixed to the main part, the shank is fixed in the bar holes.
5. Adjusting the screw allows tightening this part properly. After installing the cover, screw the nuts.
6. The bar is put upwards, the nuts are tightened to block.
7. Check the crawler travel distance on the bar.

Install the chain by checking the degree of its tensioning after each installation or replacement. Insufficient securing of this part can lead to its jumping off the bar and causing injury to workers.

The tension value is checked manually, first putting on mittens on the brushes. We should mention that when using the tool, length indicators of any chain are changed. Therefore, check the chain regularly.

Pulling a caterpillar on chainsaws

Any chain on the tool must be monitored. Tensioning is quite easy:

1. Check a fuel crane. The system must be locked.
2. Remove candles or open the decompression stop.
3. Disconnect a chainsaw from the electricity.
4. Rotate a row according to its movement.

A caterpillar is stretched incorrectly if its bottom is sagging. There always must be extra on the top created due to the pulling of the chain line. Excessive tension causes the caterpillar to stop moving.

Do not adjust the chain if it is working.

Such actions cause deformation of the bar or failure of the crankshafts. The process of pulling caterpillars is carried out without the use of tools. To increase their operational life, you should install and tighten this element in good weather.

If you use a chainsaw often, it is better to have 2 chains in stock.

Any chainsaw is equipped with a braking device that protects a nearby person from injuries. It allows stopping the tool before the bar hits an operator.

This depends on two factors:

• braking speed
• period of connecting the mechanism

A chainsaw is started in two ways: contact and inertial ones. Safety of usage if provided by breaking the tool with a shield with a hand inserted into its body. Certain chainsaw brands are equipped with a protective casing for protecting the sharp chainsaw element.

How to replace a chainsaw cutting element

To sharpen the chain properly, use special tools. Here, you must take into account the unique quality of the teeth’ shape. As the upper edge is slightly skewed in one of the cutting parts, it must be sharpened 2-3 times.

Movements of the cutting part, when in contact with the ground, blunt it. You can know that the saw should be sharpened by small chips, as well as if a chainsaw operator quickly gets tired at the zero results of efforts. To bring the blunted base to order, you should prepare tools:

• flat file
• stencil
• a hook for cleansing from sawdust
• holder

A file with a circular base is used at the edge of the tooth base and metal features in the drive links. For high-quality sharpening of the edge, it is important to hold a file properly – hold it at a right angle in the vertical position and 30° to the horizontal position. The tool holder is fixed to the tooth, and the tool should be located as close to it as possible so that a file is at the required height.

The actions are started with respect to the moment of fixing of the bar by smooth, unsharp movements. First, sharpen the teeth looking in one direction, then the opposite ones. We should note that these small elements should have the same number of file strokes.

A depth gauge protects the pattern from erasure, it should be installed in the cut by overlaying additional tools. The moving mechanism is prevented from grinding by a depth gauge, which is not recommended to touch, nor should its drive links be replaced. Otherwise, the saw operation can be damaged. For this purpose, special devices are used, which allow to sharpen the grinding, evenly processing the teeth.

Such operation is carried out according to the following scheme:

• a chain brake fastening
• installation of the tool according to the layout
• designation of the first teeth
• organization of the process

If a cutting tool is installed according to all requirements, you can significantly reduce costs, make the cutting process more safe and comfortable. Natural wood will be cut without any problems.