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Chain Tension Issue
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:11 am
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:11 am
So I was cutting down a 12" water oak this weekend and ran into a problem. I didn't realize the the upper limbs were being pulled in a direction other than where I planned the fall. So when I made the last cut through, the branches from the other tree sprung the tree I was cutting back causing my saw to get pinched. After some considerable yanking and use of a small wedge I got the saw loose and moments later watched a 10' section of my fence get turned to scrap metal.
Now my problem, I can't seem to get the chain to keep tension. It comes off the bar after only a few minutes of cutting. The tension seems to be the correct tightness when I reinstall but it comes loose when cutting. Is it possible that the chain stretched from the force of the pinch and the forcible removal or is it more likely that I stripped the tensioning gears? I checked the bar and it is straight and true.
Now my problem, I can't seem to get the chain to keep tension. It comes off the bar after only a few minutes of cutting. The tension seems to be the correct tightness when I reinstall but it comes loose when cutting. Is it possible that the chain stretched from the force of the pinch and the forcible removal or is it more likely that I stripped the tensioning gears? I checked the bar and it is straight and true.
4
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:18 am to SpeckledTiger
You just broke the tensioner. Should be an easy fix.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:29 am to SpeckledTiger
What saw?
On all of mine, the tensioner is just a little nub that pushes the bar forward
quote:Don't the nuts hold the bar in place, and the tensioner just fine tunes the tension before you tighten down the nuts? Might've cracked it
You just broke the tensioner
On all of mine, the tensioner is just a little nub that pushes the bar forward
This post was edited on 12/7/15 at 10:32 am
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:41 am to Hammertime
It's a craftsman 18" 42 cc. It's got that tool-less tensioner setup on it. I can get a good deal on an echo 400 so I'll try to fix this one myself with no worries if I can't get it fixed. It was $175, 7 years ago. I've cut down a dozen trees and done 3 hurricane clean ups with it, without issue so I've gotten my monies worth. I just don't trust small engine shops to give honest assessments.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:46 am to Hammertime
Yep. You're right. I'm an idiot 
Posted on 12/7/15 at 12:06 pm to SpeckledTiger
Ah, one of those ones that you turn. It probably stripped out then. Maybe try and get a replacement.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 12:12 pm to Hammertime
That's the plan. I can buy every part in the assembly for under $30. It presents an opportunity to learn something I guess.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 2:52 pm to SpeckledTiger
quote:
It's a craftsman
I think I found the problem.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 2:57 pm to Sparkplug#1
I used to cut grass with a craftsman push mower that weighed about 170lbs and was older than me
Posted on 12/7/15 at 7:56 pm to Sparkplug#1
I always buy the best quality I can...unfortunately at the time that wasn't a whole lot.
Decided to get a new saw. Either going with an echo cs400 our stihl ms211. Got a $300 budget. Any opinions between these two? I've been very pleased with my echo trimmer and backpack blower.
Decided to get a new saw. Either going with an echo cs400 our stihl ms211. Got a $300 budget. Any opinions between these two? I've been very pleased with my echo trimmer and backpack blower.
This post was edited on 12/7/15 at 7:58 pm
Posted on 12/7/15 at 9:38 pm to SpeckledTiger
They are both good saws. Tractor Supply is not carrying Jonsered and Husqvarna makes some nice saws as well.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 9:44 pm to SpeckledTiger
I'm a stihl guy, so of course I'm going to suggest the stihl. You won't see any echoes on professional logging crews.
That said, either will be fine for normal guy use. Buy either one from a local hardware store close that has a reputation for good customer service. If you're like 95% of people who own chainsaws, both will die of fuel line deterioration and carburetor gunk far before you wear it out. Might as well support the local business who will do a good job of changing that crap for you.
That said, either will be fine for normal guy use. Buy either one from a local hardware store close that has a reputation for good customer service. If you're like 95% of people who own chainsaws, both will die of fuel line deterioration and carburetor gunk far before you wear it out. Might as well support the local business who will do a good job of changing that crap for you.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 9:58 pm to SpeckledTiger
The chain has streched...take a link out or buy a new chain
also remove the sprocket cover and check the condition of the sprocket
if the sprocket teeth are grooved or notched change the sprocket
I own stihls and husqvarna chain saws...if i could combine features from each of these brands, I would have the perfect chainsaw
also remove the sprocket cover and check the condition of the sprocket
if the sprocket teeth are grooved or notched change the sprocket
I own stihls and husqvarna chain saws...if i could combine features from each of these brands, I would have the perfect chainsaw
Posted on 12/7/15 at 10:45 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:I got into an argument with the guy who grinded some stumps for me about stihl vs husky. Of course I won, and the guy offered me a job afterwards
I'm a stihl guy, so of course I'm going to suggest the stihl. You won't see any echoes on professional logging crews.
Stihl Life
Posted on 12/7/15 at 11:06 pm to SpeckledTiger
I've owned a cs440 for about 8 years. Cut about 1 1/2 trees up a year along with various other little trim jobs. Still starts and runs great.
Interestingly I ruined the tensioner by tightening down the bar bolts while the tensioner "nub" wasn't in its hole. That was shortly after I bought it. I still haven't fixed it as it's simple to just pull on the bar with one hand to tighten the chain and tighten the bolts with the other.
Interestingly I ruined the tensioner by tightening down the bar bolts while the tensioner "nub" wasn't in its hole. That was shortly after I bought it. I still haven't fixed it as it's simple to just pull on the bar with one hand to tighten the chain and tighten the bolts with the other.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 11:07 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I have Stihl Farmboss that I've had for about 5 years... I've cut the hell out of the numerous water oaks that have hit the ground on my property... but it's far from perfect and it's carb can be a real mf'r. I also have a smaller Echo I use for clearing trails and smaller stuff.... it has never failed to crank in a more than a few pulls in the 8 years I've owned it.
Posted on 12/7/15 at 11:32 pm to BoostAddict
A quality saw that's taken care of should take 3 pulls max to start
Posted on 12/8/15 at 5:10 am to SpeckledTiger
quote:
It's a craftsman 18" 42 cc.
That is your problem right there. I was givin a new one and sure as crap, that tool-less tensioner broke the first time used. POS.
Last saw I got is a Echo. It's a cutting SOB that came with a 5 year warranty.
This post was edited on 12/8/15 at 5:16 am
Posted on 12/16/15 at 8:21 am to fishfighter
Ended up going with an Echo CS-490. It's such a smooth saw and I don't think I've ever had such an easy starting small engine. Thing doesn't even have a primer bulb or decompression valve. Never seen that type of design before. I was able to drop a couple more small (8-10") trees with little effort. Not as light as I expected but very well balanced. I plan on doing a muffler mod; you can tell it wants to run with a bit more power but it's clearly being restricted. Not going to mess with carb settings just yet so I don't void the warranty. Stupid critique, but I wish it had on-board storage for the wrench.
Posted on 12/16/15 at 8:53 am to SpeckledTiger
Good saw, will serve you well for years as long as you do your part. If I didn't already have a pair of Stihls I'd probably have Echo, Makita (rebadged Jonsered), or Hitachi (rebadged Tanaka) for 50cc or below class saws.
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