Taking care of your cutting equipment


Correct chain tensioning

Make sure the chain is correctly tensioned. A slack chain may jump off the guide bar, injure you and damage the chainsaw. Overly tight chain tension can cause premature wear of the guide bar. A properly tensioned chain should not hang under the guide bar. The chain tension is correct when the chain is in contact with the underside of the guide bar and you still can pull it around easily by hand.
Always let the chain cool before adjusting the chain tensioning. As it cools off, the chain will shrink.
Tensioning the chain

Chain lubrication

Poor lubrication is a major cause of premature wear. We recommend that you check and refill the chain oil every time you refuel. Husqvarna chain oil has been developed to provide good lubrication for our cutting systems.

  1. Start the chainsaw
  2. Hold the saw over a stump and rev up the engine
  3. Chain lubrication is working if there is a line of oil left on the stump
Lubricating the chain

Bar maintenance

Most guide bars problems are related to incorrect chain tensioning or poor lubrication or faulty working techniques. The area exposed to most wear is the underside of the bars, where most of the cutting is done.

  • Turn the guide bar every time the chain is changed so that it will wear evenly.
  • Clean the guide bar groove and oil inlet regularly.
  • File away burrs from the bar rails.

Cleaning the bar

Replace the bar

Check the bar regularly for wear and burrs on the rails. Replace the bar if:

  1. The bar groove is not deep enough to hold the drive link. Check at the most worn part on the rail.
  2. The chain is not kept straight up in the groove.

Sharp chain and correct depth gauge setting

Keeping your chain well maintained and sharp is key. That’s why we’ve dedicated a full article to sharpening your chain.

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