Constantly have to tighten chain - chain itself the likely culprit?

Robert P

TreeHouser
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Jul 11, 2014
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I have an Echo saw that runs great, has a moderate amount of use, has a typical side bolts & side adjustment screw setup - everything is tight and works as it's supposed to as far as I can tell. If I find I'm constantly having to tighten a chain even after sharpening after just a few minutes of not particularly demanding cutting is it likely because of the chain - maybe the metallurgy is sub-par, too soft? This particular one is a PowerCare chain from Home Depot.

Thanks and Happy New Year.
 
Check your sprocket for wear also. That can give you weird results where it tightens and loosens. I think spec is replace at 0.5mm wear. That isn't much, and I go longer, but I don't know the most you can get away with. Probably varies depending on the grooving you get.
 
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  • #5
It's an Echo.

Oh...I said that in another thread too. My bad...
:D
Dunno, they seem to get consistently good reviews. So far I've never owned a Stihl or Husky but I see people favorably comparing Echo to them. Mine fires up on the first pull every time after going through the initial cold start process. Have you had negative experiences with Echo saws?
 
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I love my echoes. I feel like I got what I paid for with Stihl, but echo gave me more for my money.

edit:
I'm talking pro saws here. I wouldn't get anything but echo if I were shopping the farm or homeowner category.
 
Do you lift up on the tip of the bar when adjusting it and while tightening the nuts? If you watch the chain while lifting up on the bar, you will see the amount of difference it makes. If you loosen the nuts and adjust the chain while the bar is hanging down on the studs, it will instantly loosen up on the first couple cuts due to the torque.

Rule of thumb is 'no sag, no drag'. But you MUST be lifting up on the bar tip when checking!
 
Dunno, they seem to get consistently good reviews. So far I've never owned a Stihl or Husky but I see people favorably comparing Stihl to them. Mine fires up on the first pull every time after going through the initial cold start process. Have you had negative experiences with Echo saws?
No, but then I've never been tempted to buy one. I'm pretty indoctrinated to Stihl saws at this point in my life; and I have used and owned only pro models.

I'm just being a snob, and keeping my reputation as a curmudgeon intact :).
 
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  • #11
Do you lift up on the tip of the bar when adjusting it and while tightening the nuts? If you watch the chain while lifting up on the bar, you will see the amount of difference it makes. If you loosen the nuts and adjust the chain while the bar is hanging down on the studs, it will instantly loosen up on the first couple cuts due to the torque.

Rule of thumb is 'no sag, no drag'. But you MUST be lifting up on the bar tip when checking!
I tried it being conscious of this, can't say it made a really noticeable difference. I see the sprocket on the clutch drum does have a noticeable groove worn into it. Going to hunt for a new clutch drum locally or go online if I can't find one and see if it makes a difference though it's not obvious why it would make a difference.
 
chain rides in the groove and causes the chain to become loose, you tighten it, chain rides out of the groove, all tensioned ok, then it goes back in the groove, chain loose again.

very typical of worn drive sprocket/ drum of chain tension going out of adjustment, people often over tighten the bar nuts and destroy the tensioner in the process thinking thats the problem.
 
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