Why is my chainsaw chain sticking?

Your chainsaw chain gets stuck while cutting wood and you don't know why? Here are our explanations! Indeed, whether it is a chainsaw electric ou thermal, it is the teeth of its links that come into direct contact with the wood and the materials to be cut. As a result, dirt, wear on the guide or links and even the motor can be the cause of jamming. However, you can remedy this easily in most cases. For that, we will explain to you why the chain of your chainsaw is blocked and how to unblock it.

chainsaw chain hangs

Why is your chain saw chain jamming?

When you use these power saws to maintain your garden or to cut down trees, their chain is put under enormous strain. It is moreover this assembly of links which is equipped with the cutting instruments. The latter therefore rotates on the guide, driven by the motor via a pinion. So, if it does not turn, it could be due to several causes.

If you have just assembled your brand new machine or bought it a new chain, you may have put the chain Upside down. In addition, this blockage can also be explained by the purchase of a model unsuitable for your saw. Indeed, the guide, the pinion and the driving links go together and their replacement must be done with caution. It is therefore imperative that you follow the instructions in the manual when you change any of these items.

If you recently cut a tree branch, the links may have been caught in the wood. On the other hand, if they turned normally at the start of your gardening work, before starting to block, this is probably due to poor lubrication.

Finally, it could also be an engine problem. To rule this out, remove the chain and check that the engine runs properly without it. You can also turn it by hand on the guide to find the places where it is blocked.

What should be checked if the chain saw is blocked?

Chain tension

Indeed, if a chainsaw chain that slackens with wear no longer cuts, it damages the guide, tires the engine and can be the cause of a blockage when it is too tight.

In addition, the more the chain saw heats up, the more the tension of the links decreases, until they become too relaxed. This explains that chain saws derail frequently. Therefore, its tension should always be checked before using the machine. To make sure it is correct, put on gloves and lift it off the fence, after putting your chainsaw on the ground. It should snap back into place quickly when you let go.

In addition, you should only see 3 driving links when it is lifted to say that the tension is correct.

Clutch

To check it, you need to rotate the drive sprocket without the guide. If you can't, it's the clutch that's blocking the chain. This is not expensive but, to change it, you must find the model that suits your machine. So whether you have a Stihl, GT Garden, or Ryobi chainsaw, providing the brand name isn't enough to find the right replacement part. You will therefore have to rely on the serial number of your machine.

However, in general, you do not need to replace the entire clutch. It suffices to detect the defective part (needle cage, driver or bell) and to change it.

Chain guide

Indeed, if the guide is defective, it can block the driving links. To check its condition, you must first disassemble it from the machine.

Then turn the chain on it manually, after making sure it is in good condition. If the latter cannot slide freely on the guide, it is damaged.

Also, if you notice that the guide is twisting or getting too long with a toothed wheel, you should replace it.

It is the same if you see corrosions or burrs on it.

How to unlock a chainsaw chain?

After having explained to you what can block the driving links of a motorized saw, we will now move on to the tips for unlocking them. First, you have to release the chain brake correctly. Indeed, some of the users who switch it on when starting the saw forget to bring it back to them before starting to cut. This explains why the rotation of the links is blocked. To remedy this, all you have to do is pull the brake lever towards you.

If you noticed that the blockage was taking place in a specific location, it could also be a pinching of the guide. All you have to do is take a flat screwdriver to widen the groove where it gets stuck. On the other hand, if you cannot lift the guide links driving the guide, the tension is too high. Most Stihl chainsaws are also equipped with a quick tensioner that reduces the latter. If not, you can still use a flat screwdriver and socket wrenches to loosen the nuts and adjust the tension, as instructed in your tool's manual.

Finally, if it is a lubrication problem, you should check the oil level in the reservoir. If it is correct, check that it is waterproof. Normally you should notice an oil flow along the guide bar when your machine is pointed towards the ground. If this is not the case and the reservoir is in good condition, consider unblocking the guide lubrication holes.

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