STIHL GB | How To Replace Your STIHL Chainsaw Chain | Chainsaw Maintenance | STIHL Chainsaw | STIHL GB @STIHLGB | Uploaded November 2021 | Updated October 2024, 8 minutes ago.
There are many reasons for replacing a chain on your chainsaw, for example you may have filed the teeth down to the wear markers, or perhaps damaged some of the teeth beyond repair. We have a guide available on our website and STIHL app that gives excellent advice on sharpening, maintenance, and knowing when the right time is to replace the chain on your chainsaw. Here, in this video, we’ll show you how to safely change a chainsaw chain as part of your machine maintenance.
The method for replacing the chain will depend on which STIHL chainsaw model you have. Our C models feature our quick chain tensioner, meaning the chain can be tensioned quickly and easily by turning the adjustment wheel. Loosen the sprocket cover by lifting the wing nut and rotating anti clockwise. Doing so will allow you to either turn the adjusting wheel to the left to loosen the chain, or to the right to tighten the chain. A key benefit of STIHL C model chainsaws is that the chain can be replaced and tensioned without the need for additional tools.
All other STIHL models feature a traditional bar nut and tensioning screw. For replacing the chain on a non-C model, we recommend a combi spanner for removing the nut, and a flat head screw driver for adjusting the tension. Before starting, make sure you’re wearing protective gloves, especially when handling the new chainsaw chain. Double check you have the correct chain to suit your STIHL chainsaw, have a flat clear surface to work on, remove the battery if it has one, and take the chain brake off.
For non-C chainsaw models, loosen the sprocket cover using a combi spanner. Once loose, use the combi spanner, or a flat head screwdriver, to turn the tensioning screw anti clockwise. This will un-tension the chain and make it easier to remove from the sprocket. Once the chain hangs below the guide bar continue loosening the nut until the sprocket cover can be removed. The guide bar and chain can now be carefully removed. This is a good time to brush off any build-up of sawdust, and make sure the oiling hole is free from dirt or obstruction. You can also use our filing gauge to remove dirt from inside the guide bar groove too.
It’s vital that the new chainsaw chain is placed in the correct orientation on the guide bar, the sharp edge of the teeth need to be pointing away from you when holding the saw. You can double check this by comparing the teeth on the top edge of the guide bar.
Note: the directional arrows on the chain should be pointed in a clockwise direction.
First, start at the chainsaw bar nose and sit the chain drive links inside the guide bar groove on both sides, then position the chain loop around the sprocket. Next place the tensioning stud inside the guide bar hole, and sit the guide bar flush against the body of the saw. If you have a C chainsaw model, the stud goes through the tensioning wheel.
Replace the sprocket cover, but don’t completely tighten just yet. To tension the chain correctly, lift the nose of the guide bar and, using the combi spanner, rotate the tensioning screw clockwise. Alternatively, if you have a C model, use the adjusting wheel instead. Be careful the drive links don‘t accidentally come out from the guide bar groove during this process.
A properly tensioned chain fits snugly against the underside of the chainsaw bar, and with the chain brake disengaged, it must still be possible to pull the chain along the bar with a screwdriver. You should be able to pull the chain underneath and it will snap back into place. When this has been achieved, fully tighten the sprocket cover. A brand-new chain will stretch slightly after its first use, so it’s essential to frequently check and adjust the chain tension.
For more information about sharpening or changing your chainsaw chain, speak to your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer using the link below:
shop.stihl.co.uk/pages/dealer-locator.
🔶 STIHL Website: stihl.co.uk
🔶 STIHL Chainsaw Chains and Bars: stihl.co.uk/chains-and-bars.aspx
🔶 STIHL Chainsaw Service Kits: stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/STIHL-Service-Kits/0137357/Chainsaw-service-kits.aspx
🔶 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/stihlgb
🔶 Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/stihl_gb
🔶 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/stihlgb
🔶 STIHL Blog: blog.stihl.co.uk
#STIHL #STIHLGB #ChainsawChain #ReplaceYourChainsawChain #ChangeYourChainsawChain #ChainsawMaintenance #STIHLMaintenance #STIHLChainsaw #AdjustYourChainsawChain #ReplacementChainsawChain #STIHLApp #STIHLGuide
There are many reasons for replacing a chain on your chainsaw, for example you may have filed the teeth down to the wear markers, or perhaps damaged some of the teeth beyond repair. We have a guide available on our website and STIHL app that gives excellent advice on sharpening, maintenance, and knowing when the right time is to replace the chain on your chainsaw. Here, in this video, we’ll show you how to safely change a chainsaw chain as part of your machine maintenance.
The method for replacing the chain will depend on which STIHL chainsaw model you have. Our C models feature our quick chain tensioner, meaning the chain can be tensioned quickly and easily by turning the adjustment wheel. Loosen the sprocket cover by lifting the wing nut and rotating anti clockwise. Doing so will allow you to either turn the adjusting wheel to the left to loosen the chain, or to the right to tighten the chain. A key benefit of STIHL C model chainsaws is that the chain can be replaced and tensioned without the need for additional tools.
All other STIHL models feature a traditional bar nut and tensioning screw. For replacing the chain on a non-C model, we recommend a combi spanner for removing the nut, and a flat head screw driver for adjusting the tension. Before starting, make sure you’re wearing protective gloves, especially when handling the new chainsaw chain. Double check you have the correct chain to suit your STIHL chainsaw, have a flat clear surface to work on, remove the battery if it has one, and take the chain brake off.
For non-C chainsaw models, loosen the sprocket cover using a combi spanner. Once loose, use the combi spanner, or a flat head screwdriver, to turn the tensioning screw anti clockwise. This will un-tension the chain and make it easier to remove from the sprocket. Once the chain hangs below the guide bar continue loosening the nut until the sprocket cover can be removed. The guide bar and chain can now be carefully removed. This is a good time to brush off any build-up of sawdust, and make sure the oiling hole is free from dirt or obstruction. You can also use our filing gauge to remove dirt from inside the guide bar groove too.
It’s vital that the new chainsaw chain is placed in the correct orientation on the guide bar, the sharp edge of the teeth need to be pointing away from you when holding the saw. You can double check this by comparing the teeth on the top edge of the guide bar.
Note: the directional arrows on the chain should be pointed in a clockwise direction.
First, start at the chainsaw bar nose and sit the chain drive links inside the guide bar groove on both sides, then position the chain loop around the sprocket. Next place the tensioning stud inside the guide bar hole, and sit the guide bar flush against the body of the saw. If you have a C chainsaw model, the stud goes through the tensioning wheel.
Replace the sprocket cover, but don’t completely tighten just yet. To tension the chain correctly, lift the nose of the guide bar and, using the combi spanner, rotate the tensioning screw clockwise. Alternatively, if you have a C model, use the adjusting wheel instead. Be careful the drive links don‘t accidentally come out from the guide bar groove during this process.
A properly tensioned chain fits snugly against the underside of the chainsaw bar, and with the chain brake disengaged, it must still be possible to pull the chain along the bar with a screwdriver. You should be able to pull the chain underneath and it will snap back into place. When this has been achieved, fully tighten the sprocket cover. A brand-new chain will stretch slightly after its first use, so it’s essential to frequently check and adjust the chain tension.
For more information about sharpening or changing your chainsaw chain, speak to your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer using the link below:
shop.stihl.co.uk/pages/dealer-locator.
🔶 STIHL Website: stihl.co.uk
🔶 STIHL Chainsaw Chains and Bars: stihl.co.uk/chains-and-bars.aspx
🔶 STIHL Chainsaw Service Kits: stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/STIHL-Service-Kits/0137357/Chainsaw-service-kits.aspx
🔶 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/stihlgb
🔶 Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/stihl_gb
🔶 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/stihlgb
🔶 STIHL Blog: blog.stihl.co.uk
#STIHL #STIHLGB #ChainsawChain #ReplaceYourChainsawChain #ChangeYourChainsawChain #ChainsawMaintenance #STIHLMaintenance #STIHLChainsaw #AdjustYourChainsawChain #ReplacementChainsawChain #STIHLApp #STIHLGuide
