Why Does My Chainsaw Keep Getting Stuck?

Your chainsaw keeps getting stuck because the chain is too tight, the bar is dull, or the carburetor is out of adjustment. In this blog post, I’ll explain each of these causes in detail and show you how to fix them. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to troubleshoot and fix your chainsaw like a pro.

Why Does My Chainsaw Keep Getting Stuck

There are a few reasons why your chainsaw might keep getting stuck.

The chain is too tight:
If the chain is too tight, it will not be able to move freely and will bind up on the bar.

The chain is dull:
A dull chain will not be able to cut through wood as easily and will cause the saw to work harder, which can lead to it getting stuck.

The bar is dirty:
A dirty bar can cause the chain to bind up. Make sure to clean the bar regularly with a wire brush.

The sprockets are worn out:
Worn out sprockets can cause the chain to slip and bind up.

The chain oil is low:
A low chain oil level can cause the chain to become dry and sticky, which can lead to it binding up.

Why Does My Chainsaw Keep Getting Stuck?

There are a few reasons why your chainsaw might be getting stuck.

The chain is too tight:
If the chain is too tight, it will be difficult to move and can cause the saw to bind up. To check the chain tension, hold the chainsaw with the blade pointing away from you. The chain should be able to move up and down about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) with your fingers. If it doesn’t, loosen the chain tensioner until it does.

The chain is dull:
A dull chain will also cause the saw to bind up. To check the sharpness of the chain, run your thumb along the teeth. If you can feel any burrs, the chain needs to be sharpened.

The bar is dirty:
A dirty bar can also cause the chain to bind up. To clean the bar, remove the chain and use a wire brush to remove any dirt or debris.

The bar is bent:
If the bar is bent, it will cause the chain to bind up. To check the bar for bends, lay it flat on a table and look for any irregularities. If the bar is bent, you will need to have it straightened.

The sprockets are worn:
The sprockets are the gears that drive the chain. If the sprockets are worn, they will not be able to grip the chain properly and can cause it to bind up. To check the sprockets for wear, remove the chain and look for any damage. If the sprockets are worn, you will need to replace them.

How to Prevent Your Chainsaw from Getting Stuck

To prevent your chainsaw from getting stuck, you can follow these tips:

Keep the chain properly tensioned:
The chain should be able to move up and down about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) with your fingers.

Sharpen the chain regularly:
A dull chain will cause the saw to bind up.

Clean the bar regularly:
A dirty bar can also cause the chain to bind up.

Inspect the bar for bends:
If the bar is bent, it will cause the chain to bind up.

Replace the sprockets as needed:
Worn sprockets can cause the chain to bind up.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your chainsaw from getting stuck and keep it running smoothly.

Also Read: Why Won’T My Chainsaw Start

FAQs: Why Does My Chainsaw Keep Getting Stuck?

Why is my chainsaw getting stuck?

There are a few reasons why your chainsaw might be getting stuck. Here are the most common:

The chain is too tight: If the chain is too tight, it will bind against the bar and cause the chainsaw to stall. To check the chain tension, release the chain tensioner and allow the chain to hang freely. The chain should have about 1/8 of play between the chain and the bar. If the chain is too tight, loosen the tensioner until there is the correct amount of play.

The chain is dull: A dull chain will not cut through wood as efficiently as a sharp chain, and it will also be more likely to bind against the bar. To check the sharpness of the chain, run your fingernail across the teeth. If the teeth are dull, you will be able to feel a burr. To sharpen the chain, use a chainsaw file.

The bar is dirty: A dirty bar will cause the chain to bind against it. To clean the bar, remove the chain and use a wire brush to remove any dirt or debris.

The chain oil is low: If the chain oil is low, the chain will not be lubricated properly and it will be more likely to bind against the bar. To check the chain oil level, look at the sight glass on the side of the chainsaw. The oil level should be between the full and add marks. If the oil level is low, add more oil to the chainsaw.

The carburetor is dirty: A dirty carburetor can cause the chainsaw to run poorly and it may also cause the chain to bind against the bar. To clean the carburetor, remove the air filter and carburetor cover. Use a carburetor cleaner to clean the carburetor jets and passages.

How do I fix a chainsaw that keeps getting stuck?

To fix a chainsaw that keeps getting stuck, you will need to identify the cause of the problem and then take the appropriate steps to fix it. Here are the steps to fix a chainsaw that keeps getting stuck:

1. Check the chain tension: If the chain is too tight, loosen the tensioner until there is about 1/8 of play between the chain and the bar.
2. Sharpen the chain: If the chain is dull, use a chainsaw file to sharpen the teeth.
3. Clean the bar: Remove the chain and use a wire brush to remove any dirt or debris from the bar.
4. Add chain oil: Check the chain oil level and add more oil if necessary.
5. Clean the carburetor: If the carburetor is dirty, remove the air filter and carburetor cover and clean the carburetor jets and passages with a carburetor cleaner.

How can I prevent my chainsaw from getting stuck?

To prevent your chainsaw from getting stuck, you can take the following steps:

Keep the chain tensioned properly: The chain should have about 1/8 of play between the chain and the bar.

Sharpen the chain regularly: A dull chain will not cut through wood as efficiently as a sharp chain, and it will also be more likely to bind against the bar.

Clean the bar regularly: A dirty bar will cause the chain to bind against it.

Add chain oil regularly: The chain oil lubricates the chain and helps to prevent it from binding against the bar.

Clean the carburetor regularly: A dirty carburetor can cause the chainsaw to run poorly and it may also cause the chain to bind against the bar.

What should I do if my chainsaw gets stuck while I’m using it?

If your chainsaw gets stuck while you’re using it, you should follow these steps:

1. Turn off the chainsaw: Turn the chainsaw off immediately to avoid injury.
2. Release the throttle trigger: Releasing the throttle trigger will disengage the clutch and allow you to remove the chain.
3. Remove the chain: Use the chain breaker to remove the chain from the bar.
4. Inspect the chain and bar: Inspect the chain and bar for damage. If the chain is damaged, it will need to be replaced. If the bar is damaged, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
5. Fix the problem: Once you have identified the problem, you can fix it and then reassemble the chainsaw.

What are the safety precautions I should take when using a chainsaw?

When using a chainsaw, it