Even the best chainsaw becomes blunt with regular use. A well-maintained chainsaw is essential for efficient and safe gardening. But how do you know exactly when it's time to replace the chain or guide bar? In this blog post, we'll give you all the information you need to determine when to replace these important parts of your chainsaw.
When to replace a chainsaw chain?
Wear markings
Each tooth on a STIHL chain has wear markings. These markings indicate how much wear the tooth can withstand before it needs to be replaced. When filing the tooth and the depth gauge, the steel and chrome plating gradually wear away. Once the wear markings are reached, it's essential to replace the chain. Further filing can significantly reduce cutting performance and increase the risk of breaking a tooth.
Ideally, the tooth and depth gauge markings should be reached at approximately the same time. If this isn't the case, you may have sharpened the chain incorrectly. This can ultimately lead to an incorrect depth gauge setting and result in increased vibration or reduced cutting performance.
A wear mark is also located on the underside of the sprocket, above the toe and heel. If the chain is used without oil or is over-tightened, additional friction will lead to premature wear of this part of the sprocket. Replace the chain immediately if you notice this wear mark has been reached.
View all our Stihl saw chains here.
Damaged or missing teeth
Hitting a nail or stone can cause serious damage to a chainsaw chain. It's important that all teeth on a chain are the same length to prevent increased vibration and chain binding during cutting. If the damage has shortened or broken many teeth, a new chain is needed.
When to replace a chainsaw blade?
Rail wear
Over time, the guide bar rails can wear, reducing the groove depth. This means there's less room for the drive links to sit in. If the groove depth is too shallow, the ends of the drive links will scrape against the bottom, affecting how smoothly the chain moves around the guide bar. Turning the guide bar over can help ensure even wear on both sides and extend the life of the bar.
Saw blade damage
Damage to the saw blade can occur. Have a professional repair saw blades that are damaged, pinched, splayed, cracked, or worn unevenly.
Cut kits for easier maintenance
If your chainsaw needs maintenance, the STIHL Cut Kits are an ideal solution.
This allows you to replace the chain and guide bar of your STIHL chainsaw yourself.
View all handy cutting kits from Stihl here.
A perfectly maintained chainsaw
Maintaining your chainsaw by replacing the chain and guide bar on time is crucial for the efficiency and safety of your work. By regularly checking the wear marks and knowing when these parts need replacing, you'll ensure your chainsaw is always in top condition.
