Chainsaw Chains Cancel The title field is required!

1. York Joshua A

   
   2/15/2012 10:02 AM

   How long should I expect one to last? My crew are going through one about every two weeks. We are cutting a fair amount of trees, but one chain per 5-7 trees seems excessive.

   
   
   
   
2. Fleegel Timothy

   
   2/15/2012 10:02 AM

   What kind of trees are you cutting? The hardness of the wood really makes a difference. Are they getting tr chain into the ground at all? Are you throwing them out or just resharpening them?

   
   
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   2/15/2012 11:02 AM

   The amount of cuts also will take it's toll. We usually cut into logs, then haul off with our forks. We sharpen the chains here in house, and can get a lot of life out of them as long as they aren't stretched. But, if you are cutting a lot of trees and still getting two weeks....I'd say thats pretty good.
   
   If you want to save some money though, but a roll of the chain, some master links and make your own. We do this and can get the price down to about $9.00 per chain.

   
   
   
   
4. Venne Gregory

   
   2/15/2012 12:02 PM

   Something isn't right there. I have worked with enough tree companies, and cut enough trees myself, to know that if you take care of a chain it should last a hell of a lot longer than 5-7 trees (even if they were redwoods).
   If the operator on the saw isn't hitting the soil with the chain, which would take chunks out of the teeth, you should be able to give a touch up half way through a tree, and then sharpen on the machine at the end of the day. If this is followed a chain that is used all day, every day, should easily last 3-4 weeks.

   
   
   
   
5. Dennis Cook

   

   1 posts
   
   2/15/2012 12:02 PM

   I rented a lift for one month and i spent twelve hours a day in that thing and never wore out a single chain. When my crew uses the saw a chain is wrecked after a week. I lightly touch up my chains during every fuel up. This way they cut, instead of rub. A dull chain, rubs its way thru the wood and it gets very hot and stretches. You end up with way more pinched chains when they are dull and they also cut crooked. If your chain is not blowing out nice chips, it needs to be sharpened. Dull chains create dust and heat and wreck the chain. You also will hardly ever need to adjust your chain tension if you keep it sharp, because it doesnt stretch as much because the heat is kept to a minimum. If you touch up the chain during every fuel fill up, you can do it with just a few strokes on each tooth and it only takes a minute. Dont forget to fill the bar oil up at teh same time. Also if your bar oil is not just about gone when you refuel, bump the oil adjustment screw up a tad for a little more lubrication. A saw oil chamber is designed to have the capacity to last one tank of gas. A little effort up front will prevent lots of headaches down the road

   
   
   
   
6. Jason Knuutila

   

   0 posts
   
   2/15/2012 8:02 PM

   Something is definitely wrong. What size saw and size of the chain (5/32 chain will wear very quickly and is not designed for frequent large cuts)? Are you cutting brush, limbing trees or felling trees (cutting brush kills chains because it doesn't get oiled properly)? Are the trees healthy or rotten (if you see dust it is going to get oiled properly)? Are they making sure oil is topped off? Are you in cold temperatures if so are you using winter blend oil or is it hot and are you using summer blend? Is there an oiler adjuster on the saw to ensure the chain is getting oil? Is the oiling port in the bar getting cleaned reugularly to make sure the chain is getting oil?

   
   
   
   
7. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   2/16/2012 6:02 AM

   Chains out west are thicker than in the east.Do they have the kick back protectors?These seem to be cheap and wear out fast.Are the teeth worn out or just not cutting.You may need to file the rakers.Chains last longer when sharpened flat-er , average is at 45 degrees and sharper at 30 degrees but wear quicker.We used to go 60 degrees for slabs and 30 degrees on the limb saws.Baileys has a great catalog for logging supplies.

   
   
   
   
8. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   2/16/2012 7:02 AM

   I can get a year or more out of a home depot chain and that is when I am trimming oak.
   
   It sounds like the chain is not getting enough oil through the bar. Once a chain starts getting hot it will dull and stretch out. It will not last long that way.
   
   We break down the bar and chain after a full days usage and clean everything out reall good concentrating on the groove of the bat and blowing air through the oil holes.
   
   Proper mainteance is the key. it sounds like your crew is not taking care of the saws properly.

   
   
   
   
9. Fleegel Timothy

   
   2/16/2012 12:02 PM

   I didn't ask the question but I've learned a lot in this thread so far. Nice work everybody.

   
   
   
   
10. Baker Daniel

    
    2/16/2012 2:02 PM

    After 52 Live Oaks in the last 6 weeks, I'd echo what the other guys are saying. Keep you saw clean and lubricated and maintain your chains with each fuel up as well as at the end of the day. I'm very particular about who uses the saws for safety reasons as well as maintenance reasons.
    
    Also, I insist on a quality bar oil. It is twice as much up front but does twice as good a job. This is definately one of those areas where you get what you pay for

    
    
    
    
11. Love Jeffrey T

    
    2/16/2012 6:02 PM

    Keep in mind that there are a few different types of teeth on chains out there. A full chisel(experienced operators and larger saws) will dull faster than a semi chisel(beginner, smaller saws). Also, consider the experience level of the operator. I have seen some chop right through a log with no problem and three minutes later, different operator same saw, struggle just because of poor technique. An inexperienced operator can make a sharp chain seem dull. The life of a chain will all depend on how much you are really cutting. In my experience, if they are sharpened correctly they will last until the teeth are practically gone. Stihl offers a great training video that covers it all.

    
    
    
    
12. Ungerecht Curtis

    
    2/16/2012 7:02 PM

    If you are not satisfied with all the informative responses you have received thus far go to Arboristsite.com and check out their chainsaw forum.

    
    
    
    
13. York Joshua A

    
    2/21/2012 10:02 AM

    Thanks for all of the info gentlemen. I think inexperienced operators is the bulk of the problem.

    
    
    
    
14. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    2/21/2012 11:02 AM

    This was quite the learning thread, I had no idea how important sharpening the chain and keeping the saw clean and maintained were. Thanks for the lessons all.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO