Damaged Drive Links???

[rahtreelimbs]

I was bucking up some large Sycamore today when the chain on my Solo 690 jumped. It damaged about a dozen drive links. This chain is relatively new. The bulk of the damage is that the drive links now have a slight flair to them, they won't feed through the bar. This I can fix with a flat file. What has me concerned is that 1 or 2 or the drive links lost the hook shape. Can this be safely put back in with a round file? Where are you to the point of no return? This is only the second time that I have had this happen. Thanx, Rich.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Rich, you gotta stop trying to cut once the chain comes off the bar!

And yeah, just file them with the flat file until they fit. Don't worry aboutt he hook, but I know you will, so fix that with a round file.

 

[JimL]

i usually grind the little burrs off till it fits,
every now an then you get a bent driver or 2, look them over good.

 

[Stumper]

The hook doesn't effect the fit to the sprocket-Its purpose is to enhance the drive links' ability to clear crud from the bar groove.-Catch and carry it rather than riding up and over. As Mike said-it isn't important if it is missing on a few drivers.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
Go screw yourself Mike. Your chainsaw skills as shown in your little video clip are downright scary. But I guess in your case it's better to be lucky than good. Without luck, you would be missing a foot.

Ahh Brian, you missed the humor. I was just poking fun of you by being "Brian like". I know you are the best.

 

[NevadaWalrus]

Mike I didn't read any humor in it but then maybe you had to be there. You both have good stuff most of the time.

Back to Rich's situation. De-burring is fine but I'd be real careful about removing non burr metal from the backside of the driver that actually contacts the sprocket. 2 or 3 other drivers will be in contact with the sprocket at any given time and any removal from the driven side of the driver tooth will pull it away from the sproket. That will just put additional load on the other drivers and sprocket teeth causing excess wear.

Also if Rich is experiencing chain jumping on a regular basis he needs to look at what is wrong. Bent bar, loose chain, overheating the chain causing heat stretch (loosening) and any other ideas you guys who actually use saws professionally can come up with.

I just repair the dang things that those of you who can't repair your own equipment bring to the shop which is one of the reasons I like reading your posts here. I learn a lot about problem causes from you guys. So patch it up you two.

 

[jokers]

You guys have it figured out, so I won`t repeat what you have said. I think Nevada has the best "all inclusive" reply.

When I first started cutting in the 70`s it was a standard part of chain maintenance to periodically take a round chain file and sharpen the forward face of the tang. It`s just as Stumper said, to promote cleaning of the bar groove.

Mike, I didn`t catch the humor in your reply to Brian until you revealed your intentions. That is a big problem with only being able to express ourselves through what we type. BTW, when are you going to address the issue of the video you put up, that a few people have addressed as downright scary? That was a put on wasn`t it? Probably not the best example for people that don`t know any better but it was funny at the time.

Russ

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Thanks for getting back to the topic at hand.

Mike, no need to derail my thread, the chain has already been there!!!


This not a regular occurance for me. Thanx for all the input.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Rich, the best thing to do is just remove the offending drivers to say 60 for 16", if you are running a 20" chain.
Severely fubared drivers are a result of two things- chain to long to begin with and still leaning on the throttle when the chain derails.
Anyway got to meet the boys who are going to speedbag me today, we all had fun last night, will post times and vids soon.
John

 

[lucky]

Come on guys we can't have you fellas fight and get kicked off. Mike, there is validity to what rocky said. I think he was mainly trying to say "don't get too crazy while filing on the drivers." If the rounded side of the driver is badly damaged, it going to hammer the rim sprocket. Anyway you two need to make up and shake hands as your both valuable members and most here would miss you. Thanks Lucky

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Originally posted by Rich Hoffman
Mike, no need to derail my thread, the chain has already been there!!!

Hehe, derailed, I get it.

Over the years I have derailed many a chain, but never screwed up a driver so bad that a little filing couldn't fix it right up. You would really need to fubar one up so bad it needs replacing. I can't imagine one being so bad.

It's probably becuase I run Stihl and there is so little oil getting to the chain that little imperfections on the drivers get ground off by the excessive heat and friction.

If you guys want to talk about the saw/ toe removal video, do it on that thread so we don't dilute Rich's thread any more.