Buying new equipment or tools often come with its hurdles of installation. For power tools like a chainsaw, assembling the parts may be a bit tricky and sometimes even difficult especially for beginners. One major task of assembling a chainsaw that has proven to be one of the most difficult is putting a chain on a chainsaw. For beginners and sometimes professionals, putting a chain on a chainsaw can prove to be a nightmare. Whether you’re assembling a new chainsaw or carrying out maintenance by changing the chain of your chainsaw, placing a chain on a chainsaw should be done accurately and properly.
There is no doubt that many beginners and professional chainsaw owners are often unsure of the direction that a chain must face on a chainsaw. Placing a chain on a chainsaw in the wrong direction is a big no for any chainsaw user. Such errors can prove to be a serious hazard for both the chainsaw and its user. In this article, we’ll be giving a step-by-step guide on how to properly put a chain on a chainsaw.
Step 1: Clear your workspace
Clearing your workspace is the first step. You must ensure that your workspace is clear of hazards that may prove dangerous to you or your chainsaw.
Step 2: Removal of the chain sprocket cover
Before taking off the chainsaw sprocket cover, you need to first detach the connector of the spark plug on your thermal chainsaw. The next step is to loosen the two bolts holding the chain guide bar and housing. This can be done using a 13mm pipe wrench.
Step 3: Remove the chain tensioner from the chainsaw
You can unscrew the tensioner and then the chain spool cover with a screwdriver and a wing nut respectively. Locate the tensioner towards the end of the chainsaw bar and turn the wheel. Finally, place the chainsaw chain rail on the guide rail.
Step 4: Take out the old chain and put in a new one
Use a flat screwdriver to loosen the old chain from the guide bar before taking out both the chain assembly and guide bar from the motor pulley.
Take out your new chain from its case and carefully check its direction of rotation. You can locate the arrow symbol on the guide to help you out. Insert the chain properly into the guide rail bar.
Step 5: Put the protective cover back on the chainsaw
This step will require you to use both hands simultaneously. You will need to hold the guide and chain with one hand while reassembling the protective cover with one hand. Use your hand to tighten the bolts before proceeding to use a 13mm wrench. Avoid making it fully tight as you may need to recalibrate the tension of the chain later on.
Step 6: Adjust the chain tension
Using a flat screwdriver, locate the adjustment screw below the two bolts you just worked on in the previous step. Turn the tension screw in a clockwise motion to increase the tension. Allow about 1 cm of maximum deviation on the chain allowing it to hang partially from the guide. Once the tension is set, you can finally tighten the two crankcase bolts using a wrench. Now your chain is properly installed and ready for use.