A chain that's too loose can derail mid-cut and that's a bad day. The correct tension is that on a cold chain, you should be able to pull the chain along the bar with your fingers and it should pull smoothly with no sag drooping from the bottom of the bar but the drive links should still be slightly exposed , the chain shouldn't be so tight it won't move. Check tension when cold, recheck after the first few minutes of running because chains stretch under heat. Loosen slightly before storing because a fully tensioned chain cooling will shrink and over-tighten. This sounds like basic stuff but I genuinely see it ignored constantly.
Proper chain tension
- Thread starter Donuts
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2025
- Messages
- 651
It's one of those maintenance habits that takes less than a minute but can prevent a lot of frustration. I also like checking tension whenever I stop to refuel since it's an easy reminder and keeps everything running smoothly.
Leon Couper
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2025
- Messages
- 127
I worked in the bush for years and was taught to adjust when cold and when pulled
down from the bottom the drive link bottoms should be flush with the bar bottom rail
and that gives you the right amount of tension.
down from the bottom the drive link bottoms should be flush with the bar bottom rail
and that gives you the right amount of tension.
