Stuck chain, now OK - ???

[NovaMan]

I was cutting some cherry with my 026 today, and all of a sudden the chain wouldn't go even though the motor continued to run. I checked to make sure I hadn't accidentally hit the brake, but that was not the problem. I shut the saw off, and I could move the chain with my hands, although not easily. I put the brake on, and I couldn't move the chain at all. I reset the brake and tried the motor again, but it still wouldn't turn the chain, so I packed up since I had some other things to do anyhow.
About 2.5 hours later, I started the saw to see if maybe it had magically cured itself, and by golly it had! What happened? Did I damage anything? How can I keep this from happening again, or what do I do to fix it if it does happen again?

 

[Lakeside53]

You likely had something jambed in the sprocket tip or bar groove. Just pull the saw/chain backwards over a log to clear it.

 

[Peacock]

Probably just some wood chips in the bar groove. Good to make sure to keep the chain properly tensioned and I generally give the saw a quick throttle blip after a cut to keep the chips cleaned out.

 

[NovaMan]

OK, so I probably cleared out the chip(s) one of the times I moved the chain by hand? Cool, I can live with that.


P.S. The saw is running great, Andy. Thanks again.

 

[stihl 440]

yup!

You likely had something jambed in the sprocket tip or bar groove. Just pull the saw/chain backwards over a log to clear it.

Yup! Andy got it. :greenchainsaw:

 

[Ianab]

But you probably want to take the bar and chain off and clean out the grove and sprockets properly. There's probably more crud in there waiting to jam things up again or block up the oil holes

Ian

 

[GASoline71]

Was the chain really HOT! Ya didn't run it out of bar oil didya?:hmm3grin2orange:

Gary

 

[huskydave]

I think you are better to take everything apart and give it a good cleaning so it won't happen next time you need to cut wood. I would clean the chain cover and the sprocket.clean Thebar grooveand grease the sprocket if it is that style put everthing back together adjust your tension and you should be in business.

 

[Sprig]

I think you are better to take everything apart and give it a good cleaning so it won't happen next time you need to cut wood. I would clean the chain cover and the sprocket.clean Thebar grooveand grease the sprocket if it is that style put everthing back together adjust your tension and you should be in business.

Yup, what he said and the others too!!

(my thot was plugged-up groove/roller too, but according to ma greenies I always agree )

 

[NovaMan]

It musta been just a chip, because it slings oil just fine now (and no, I didn't run it out of oil). But cleaning it would definitely be a good idea because it's looking a little dirty. Thanks again y'all.