Chain Stretch

[jack-the-ripper]

Every time I use my 660, I can't even get a tree cut up without having to stop to tighten the chain. This just doesn't seem right to me. It is the Stihl RS 28" chain which I always keep sharp and it is getting plenty of oil. I've never had this problem with my Husky 372 - 20" bar. Any suggestions?

 

[Brushwacker]

Sounds like your sprocket is wore more then the chain, which would cause your chain to climb on the sprocket stretching it. A stretched chain will wear a good sprocket out prematurely also. These mismatched combinations cause more vibration also which increases maintnence in other areas.
Other then that mabe your wood has hidden dirt imbedden in it . Livestock rubbing trees such as hogs? Windy area that blew a lotta dust over the years?

 

[Lakeside53]

Make sure to either press the tip into the log or lift the bar up when tightening.. If not, the bar will slip slightly upward under pressure and slacken of the chain. And yes, as the prior post mentioned - your sprocket..

 

[buzz sawyer]

I had the same problem on three saws until I switched to real, live bar oil. That and making sure to hold up on the bar as Lakeside advised. Also don't want to force the saw into the wood. Minimal pressure will keep the RPMs up and the heat down. Is the bar and chain hot after cutting?

 

[no longer collecting]

loose chain.

This could be a simple idea but make sure the chain tensionner is in good working order. I have seen people adjust chain to proper tension ...tighten the nuts and release the pressure on the tensionner...this will cause the bar to slip back just anough to get the chain loose. Chain stretching is caused by an overheating problem. If your chain is loose an really hot after use there is a friction problem either at the sprocket ....a bent bar or uneven wear or the bar.....wrong filing of the teeths...lack of oil....or tensionner adjustment....look at all these and you will find the cause. A well balanced chain should be warm at touch but not hot.

 

[no longer collecting]

chain strech

BTW...if you are using a fairly new chain ...during the breaking period it is normal that the chain will strech.....it is written in your manual......periodic check and adjustment for the first time use....

 

[jack-the-ripper]

Thanks for all suggestions. This saw is just now thru its break in period, so the bar, sprocket, and chain were all brand new. The bar and chain are not hot after use. I always lift the bar when tightening the chain. I am going to try a different brand chain when this one is too streched. Right now I only have about just over 1/4 of the adjuster left to go. The chain has only been sharpened 3 times. Seems like a waste of a chain since the cutters are still like new. Thanks fellas.

 

[buck futter]

Take the chain to a dealer when you get to the end of your adjustment and have them take a link or two out. its a lot cheaper than a new chain for one that length. Also once a chain is broken in it doesn't need the adjustment near as often. make sure you back your tension off and slack the chain when you are not going to use it for a day or two.

buck

 

[Elmore]

real, live bar oil?

I hear that Canola oil works well and helps keep stretch to a minimum. I used some for a short time last week and was impressed.

 

[SteveH]

Sounds as if you are doing everything properly. Yes, the new chains stretch every time you use them for a while, and it decreases as you go along. I run, right now, a 20" bar and have to tighten up every tank of gas, only slightly, though when the chain is brand new I might need to more than that a couple of times. Since your stuff is new, I expect you'll see it stabilize very soon. Of course, it will still stretch a bit with life. [I used to worry about this stretching weakening the chain and leading to a failure, but in thirty yr. I've never had it happen or known anyone to whom it happened.]

 

[Splunk]

I tried vegetable and canola oil and my chains stretched more than ever. I was cutting some pecan and hickory to use for my smoker and was trying to avoid petroleum based products. I will continue to use canola when cutting wood for the smoker but I would not use it for regular cutting applications. My bar and chain got very hot when using these oils.

 

[Lakeside53]

A chain doesn't "stretch" - the bearing surfaces of each link wear causing the additive growth in length.

I never need to take link out of a chain to make it fit... throughout its entire life, even with my mill chains. Stihl chain is one of the few that is "pre-tensioned" - only needs a little adjustment now and then after the first 10 minutes or so of break in. Winsor chain is almost "re-shrunk"... barely can fit it on the saw if you use the correct link count, and it "grows" real fast.

Have your dealer check your tensioner. The primary cause of a "stretching" chain is adjusting them too tight. Gritty conditions or poor lube can exacerbate the chain link wear.

 

[geofore]

chain adjustment

Not mentioned yet but it makes a difference, when you tighten up the nuts. Finger tight both, adjust the chain, then tighten the back nut first then the front. You can tighten up the chain with the adjuster and it works fine (turns by hand on the bar) then when you tighten up the nuts the chain is too tight to turn on the bar at WOT. Wear gloves when you try to move the chain by hand.

 

[SteveH]

You are correct, of course, the chain doesn't "stretch," I was using it in a manner of speaking, since the loop becomes "longer" though I for one would be pretty leery of using chainsaws at all if those hard steel links actually stretched. That would be scary.

 

[ciscoguy01]

Stihl Chains

A chain doesn't "stretch" - the bearing surfaces of each link wear causing the additive growth in length.

I never need to take link out of a chain to make it fit... throughout its entire life, even with my mill chains. Stihl chain is one of the few that is "pre-tensioned" - only needs a little adjustment now and then after the first 10 minutes or so of break in. Winsor chain is almost "re-shrunk"... barely can fit it on the saw if you use the correct link count, and it "grows" real fast.

Have your dealer check your tensioner. The primary cause of a "stretching" chain is adjusting them too tight. Gritty conditions or poor lube can exacerbate the chain link wear.

So I've been using a Stihl chain for about 6-8 hrs of cutting now and haven't had to adjust the danged thing once. Is this normal? When I was using the oregons I always had to adjust them. Also, how tight should I get a chain before it's too tight? I usually spin the chain and if it feels smooth I stop. Other people I know lift the top of the chain, if it will only come up say 1/8" then it's good for them. If I do the lift method on the top of bar I usually expect around 1/4" or so of play if I'm pulling on it.

 

[SWE#Kipp]

Someone wrote "no sag no drag" a good way to tighten the chain i think ,,

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

If the chain is stretching to the point it's too long for the bar, something is wrong. My guess, without knowing the operator, is it's being run dull, and with a heavy hand.
That's the only time I ever get stretch, at the end of a day, just trying to finish a cut with a dull chain, frocing the saw through the cut...

 

[drogueman]

I use the Shindiawa chain oil, they can't make parts for there saws but they make sure they can sell chain and bar oil. It is a little pricey but man that stuff is very sticky and slippery, almost like STP, you guys remember STP don't you, watch it , you might be showing your age, lol. Good luck.

 

[jack-the-ripper]

If the chain is stretching to the point it's too long for the bar, something is wrong. My guess, without knowing the operator, is it's being run dull, and with a heavy hand.
That's the only time I ever get stretch, at the end of a day, just trying to finish a cut with a dull chain, frocing the saw through the cut...

Mike, this was the original chain & bar on this saw. I have since replaced it with a 24" Windsor speed tip and woodsman chain from Baileys and haven't had a bit of trouble. I know better than to force the saw into a cut with a dull chain. The tip didn't seem to roll too freely and it wasn't pinched either. There is also alot of controversy about greasing the tip on the bar which I do regulary when it is greasable, unlike the new Stihl bars. I will stick with the greasable bars.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

So you think the problem is drag from lack of lubrication in the tip?
Let me think about that for a second...uhh...uhh...NOPE.