The direction in which a chainsaw chain is mounted plays an important role in its operation.
Facing the right direction, the chain will efficiently cut the wood. Mount the chain the wrong way, and you will get a face full of wood bits, creating a dangerous situation.
An incorrectly mounted chain not only hinders the cutting process but can also pose serious safety risks, throwing wood debris back at the user.
Now, the question is,
Which Way Does the Chainsaw Chain Go?
When you look at a chainsaw chain, you’ll notice that the individual cutters have sharp chisel edges called the cutting teeth. These teeth do the actual work of slicing through the wood.
When you look at the chainsaw from the top, with the handle closest to you, these sharp teeth should point towards the front of the chainsaw. It’s like the chainsaw is “reaching out” to cut the wood in front of it.
At the top of the bar, the cutting edges should be facing away from the engine at the top of the bar.
At the bottom of the bar, the cutting teeth point towards the handle or the engine.
Think of it like a bicycle chain. When you pedal, the chain moves and propels the bike forward. Similarly, the chainsaw’s chain should move so that it “pulls” the wood towards the saw when it’s cutting.
When Should You Change the Chain?
Of course, if you never change the chain, you will not have to worry about getting in the wrong way. Generally, the blades can be sharpened with a Dremel or with a metal file.
If you find yourself applying more force than usual when cutting, or if the cuts appear rough and uneven, it’s time for sharpening.
When would you ever change out the chain of your chainsaw?
There are three circumstances in which you will want to change it out.
- When the chain becomes dull to the point where the edges can no longer be properly sharpened.
- If you use carbide tip blades, you might need to remove the chain to sharpen the tips.
- In the rare instance where the chain breaks.
It is then that changing out the chain makes sense, especially on chainsaws that might be expensive to replace. Replacing the chain is a fraction compared to purchasing a new chainsaw.
Importance of Chainsaw Chain Direction
Is there a Wrong Way to Put on a Chainsaw Chain?
Yes, you can mount the chain incorrectly, which will disrupt the chainsaw’s operation. The chain is designed not only to cut material efficiently in one direction but also to expel wood chips and sawdust away from the operator.
When the chain is put on the wrong way, it not only reduces cutting efficiency but can also cause the wood to burn or prevent the chain from penetrating the wood.
Additionally, the removed material can clog the chain and prevent the chainsaw from operating properly, or it might stop completely.
However, under the worst-case scenario, the pressure that is built up from the chain suddenly stopping may cause it to break or fall apart. This can put you in a dire circumstance with a broken chain being hurled at you.
So, before you put on a new chain for your chainsaw, be sure that it is facing in the proper direction. Otherwise, you might put yourself or someone nearby in danger of being injured from a broken or loose chain.
But there are other issues that may arise if you put the chain on the chainsaw in the wrong direction.
Potential Risks
- Chain Link Damage: The links of the chain are quite important. And when they run in the wrong direction, the chain can become damaged. If the drive link has not been fixed, further damage may be caused as well. The wrong direction may cause a lack of support to the chain, which in turn causes even more damage.
- Clutch Burnout: You normally press down on the clutch as you operate the device. However, with the chain running in the wrong direction, the clutch will start to burn as the chain is not cutting the material. Otherwise, you will have a clutch burnout quickly.
- Deteriorating Motor: When the chain is not facing the right direction, you will have to press down on the wood even harder. This puts considerably more pressure on the motor, which will cause it to work harder than normal. It will not take long before it starts to deteriorate and even burn out.
- Guide Bar Stress: The guide bar is crucial to cutting wood. When the direction of the chain is wrong, considerably more stress will be placed on the guide bar. This means that you can easily damage the guide bar when the chain is not in the right direction.
- Wasted Bar Oil: If the chain is facing in the wrong direction, the bar oil used to lubricate the chain will be tossed away during the operation of the chainsaw itself. In other words, you will waste a lot of bar oil when you have the chain on in the wrong direction.
You will almost immediately notice there is something wrong during cutting if the chain is not facing the proper direction.
Unfortunately, many people who understand something is wrong may not realize the failure to load the chain in the proper direction. While incorrect chain direction can pose risks, some chainsaws last longer than others under such conditions.
So, you may not realize what exactly is wrong until it is too late. That may take a few seconds or several minutes, but at some point, failure will occur.
How to Put a Chain on a Chainsaw?
Putting the chain on the chainsaw is straightforward in terms of application.
- First, ensure the chainsaw is unplugged from the power source or the spark plug is disconnected if it’s a gas-powered chainsaw.
- Loosen the nuts and remove the clutch cover from the chainsaw to replace the chain.
- With the cover removed, place the bar in position, sliding it towards the clutch.
- Next, carefully loop the chain around the drive sprocket, ensuring it fits into the groove, then around the nose of the bar.
- Ensure the chain direction is correct, pointing towards the front of the chainsaw on the top side of the bar.
- Adjust the bar’s position away from the clutch to create the necessary tension.
- Put the clutch cover back and tighten the nuts partially. Then, using the tensioning screw, adjust the chain’s tension until it fits snugly against the bar but can still be rotated by hand.
- Finally, tighten the nuts to secure the bar and chain in position.
The chain should fit tight enough to be snug to the bar but not too tight that it doesn’t rotate when in operation. Too loose, and the chain will come off the bar. Too tight, and the chain will not rotate around the bar.
So, how do you avoid the mistake of putting the chain on the chainsaw incorrectly? It’s rather easy to get it right if you are paying attention to the proper things. Be sure you take enough time to know that the chain is facing in the right direction.
Look Down from the Top
Looking down from the top view means seeing the two edges of the cutter or blade. One edge is sharp, and the other edge has a radius. Since the chainsaw rotates in a clockwise direction, the sharp edges should face clockwise.
In other words, the sharp edges will face away from the motor when looking at the chain from the top. This is the easiest way to know if the chain is facing in the right direction.
Bottom View
The bottom view of the chainsaw should be the opposite of the top view. This means that the sharp edges should be facing toward the motor or body of the chainsaw when looking at it from the bottom. This is the opposite of the top when the sharp edges should be facing the front.
Side & Front View
If you are looking at the blade from the side, with the chainsaw engine on the left and the blade on the right, the direction of the sharp edges should be in the clockwise direction. If the sharp edges are not facing clockwise, then the chain is on backwards.
From the front, you should see the sharp edges facing towards you as it comes from the top to the bottom. If the chain is on backwards, then you’ll see the edges facing the opposite direction, which is not correct.
Wrapping it Up
Installing the chain in the correct orientation is crucial for your safety and maintaining the longevity and performance of your chainsaw.
Always unplug the saw when replacing the chain and double-check the orientation before use. When in doubt, consult with a professional to avoid potential hazards.