To tighten an Echo chainsaw chain, you typically loosen the bar nuts, adjust the tensioning screw, and then re-tighten the bar nuts while holding the bar tip up.
Maintaining proper chain tension is crucial for safe and efficient chainsaw operation. A chain that is too loose can derail, causing damage or injury, while a chain that is too tight can overheat the bar and chain, leading to premature wear.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to adjust the chain tension on your Echo chainsaw:
Required Tools
You will typically need a scrench (a combination screwdriver and wrench) that came with your chainsaw or a compatible wrench and screwdriver.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Echo Chainsaw Chain Tension
Follow these steps carefully to ensure your chain is properly tensioned:
- Ensure Safety: Make sure the chainsaw engine is off and cool. Engage the chain brake. Wear protective gloves.
- Locate the Adjustment Points:
- Bar Nuts (or Clutch Cover Nuts): These secure the clutch cover and the bar to the powerhead. They need to be loosened.
- Tensioning Screw: This screw is usually located on the side of the chainsaw, near the base of the bar. Turning this screw moves the bar forward or backward to adjust tension.
- Loosen the Bar Nuts: Use your wrench or scrench to loosen the bar nuts (clutch cover nuts). You don't need to remove them, just loosen them enough so the bar can move freely.
- Adjust Chain Tension: Use the screwdriver end of your scrench to turn the tensioning screw.
- Turning the screw clockwise typically moves the bar forward, increasing chain tension.
- Turning the screw counter-clockwise typically moves the bar backward, decreasing chain tension.
- Check Tension: Adjust the tension until the drive links are seated in the bar groove, and you can pull the chain around the bar by hand easily, but there is no significant sag on the underside of the bar. A good rule of thumb is that you should just be able to pull the chain's tie straps away from the bar rail slightly (usually around a business card's width or less), and when released, the chain snaps back snugly against the bar.
- Re-tighten Bar Nuts: According to the referenced information, hold the bar nose up again (or hold the tip of the bar up) while you tighten the clutch cover nuts. Holding the bar up helps ensure the tension is correct across the entire bar length and that the bar is seated properly.
- Final Check: Once the nuts are tight, check the chain tension again. It should still meet the criteria from step 5. If it's too tight or too loose, repeat steps 3-6.
Why Hold the Bar Nose Up?
Holding the bar nose (tip) up during the final tightening step helps eliminate any slack that might be present on the underside of the bar when it's hanging freely. This ensures that when the nuts are tightened, the chain is properly tensioned along the entire length of the bar, preventing the chain from loosening prematurely during operation.
Following these steps will help you maintain the correct chain tension on your Echo chainsaw, leading to safer operation and extending the life of your chain and bar.
