Lucky Day with a Chainsaw Malfunction

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Well, this never happened to me before. I was bucking up some limbs with my Jonsered 535 and all was going well. I cut through a few pieces nicely. Suddenly, the chain came off the sprocket and was hanging from the bar. On further inspection, I saw that the two bar bolts were missing. Wow, I thought, but really the first word that entered my mind wasn't wow.

When I went to my local Stihl dealer for 13 mm bolts, he told me tat the bar bolts can and do come off on their own. I know the bolts on my saw were tight when I last checked. Has this ever happened to anyone else? I don't think I should have to use Loktite.

 

[smokinj]

I have on my 192 and had not ran it for awhile. Didnt check before useing in. Cost me 20 bucks for a new chain. I always check now.lol

 

[Thistle]

Nope.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

The chain didn't fall into the dirt or hit anyting hard, so I think it will be good to keep using.

 

[fredarm]

Same thing happened to me with the ancient Homelite. Now I check the nut that holds the bar on every time I use it. Thankfully it's only a 12 inch bar so the chain is pretty short.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I have lost 1 nut, but not both. They will vibrate so I really try to snug them down.

 

[mayhem]

I've only had a couple saws but used both fairly extensively. Never had a nut vibrate off, but I have lost one in the leaves and brush while putting the replacement chain on after a ground strike.

My craftsman saw used to shed its chain with alarming regularity before I got into the habit of rechecking tension after 5 minutes of cutting. All that happens is it stops cutting and just sort of hangs there, that little metal hook on the bottom of the saw is there specifically to catch the chain and stop it from spinning before it goes very far. Chains are pretty light and even though they're moving pretty fast when being powered by the saw, they hold very little momentum when they come off the bar.

 

[peterc38]

To the OP, You are saying the bar bolts came loose??? You sure you don't mean nuts? Never heard of bar bolts/studs coming loose but I suppose anything can happen.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Both bolts were not there.

 

[wannabegreener]

I have lost 1 nut, but not both. They will vibrate so I really try to snug them down.

Ouch Good thing you have 2... Oh - you are talking about the chain saw. :lol:

 

[TreePointer]

The chain didn't fall into the dirt or hit anyting hard, so I think it will be good to keep using.

Teeth and rakers may look okay, but check how the chain runs around the bar groove by moving it completely around by hand. A visual inspection of the drive links helps, too. It's not uncommon for drive links to have barbs or dings on them after being thrown from the bar. A flat file should be able to fix any damage.

 

[smokinj]

The chain didn't fall into the dirt or hit anyting hard, so I think it will be good to keep using.

Teeth and rakers may look okay, but check how the chain runs around the bar groove by moving it completely around by hand. A visual inspection of the drive links helps, too. It's not uncommon for drive links to have barbs or dings on them after being thrown from the bar. A flat file should be able to fix any damage.

+1 that is what happened to mine. Wasted it!

 

[blades]

to those who are having bar mounting bolts come loose. Alum. block vs steel bolts, as alum. expands quite a bit more than steel and at a faster rate cranking the bolts in on a cold block will not solve the problem. Best way is to remove bolts, run engine up to operating temp then install bolts. Chances are using this procedure you will never see the bar mounting bolts come loose from the block again. Hope this helps. Chris

 

[smokinj]

to those who are having bar mounting bolts come loose. Alum. block vs steel bolts, as alum. expands quite a bit more than steel and at a faster rate cranking the bolts in on a cold block will not solve the problem. Best way is to remove bolts, run engine up to operating temp then install bolts. Chances are using this procedure you will never see the bar mounting bolts come loose from the block again. Hope this helps. Chris

Agree same with head bolts muffler bolts.

 

[moosetrek]

I have lost 1 nut, but not both. They will vibrate so I really try to snug them down.

Ouch Good thing you have 2... Oh - you are talking about the chain saw. :lol:

That's why it's always good to have a spare

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Somtimes you feel like a nut. I have never had a bolt come off. I may have a few loose screws or lost my marbles.

 

[midwestcoast]

I'll remember to check my bolts & tighten when saw is hot. Thanks for the heads-up.