PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST
5.27
Concrete and ductile iron cutting chain saws operate with
looser chain tension than wood chain saws. It is common, especially
on gas powered, concrete cutting chain saws to have the drive links
hang completely out of the bar. Wood cutting chain saws use oil
to lubricate the chain. The oil makes the chain very slippery and
allows the drive links to fully nest between the teeth of the drive
sprocket. Concrete and ductile iron cutting chain saws require water
for cooling and flushing the cut. Water is not as good as oil as a
lubricant. Also, there is debris mixed in with the water. As a result,
sometimes the drive links do not nest properly on the drive sprocket.
When this happens, the chain acts like it got tighter. There seems
to be tight spots and loose spots as you pull the chain around the
AddITIONAl INfORmATION
-
pletely out of the bar. Wood cutting chainsaws use oil to lubricate
the chain. The oil makes the chain very slippery and allows the
drive links to fully nest between the teeth of the drive sprocket.
Concrete cutting chainsaws require water for cooling and flushing
the cut. Water is not as good as oil as a lubricant. Also, there are
concrete particles mixed in with the water. As a result, sometimes
the drive links do not nest properly on the drive sprocket. When
this happens, the chain acts like it got tighter. There seems to be
correct chain tension
tight spots and loose spots as you pull the chain around the bar.
If you tension when the chain is in one of the loose spots, it will
be too tight at some point in it’s rotation around the bar. Rotating
the chain completely around the bar by hand will let you know you
have the chain properly tensioned.
AddITIONAl TENSIONING TIPS:
bar. If you tension when the chain is in one of the loose spots, it will be
too tight at some point in it’s rotation around the bar. Rotating the chain
completely around the bar by hand will let you know you have the chain
properly tensioned.
5.28
ADDITIONAL TIPS
1. To reduce chain stretch and tensioning downtime, a minimum water
supply should be used:
- For ductile applications, a pump sprayer is sufficient.
- For concrete applications us 20 psi or greater water pressure.
2. Oil the chain at the end of the day to prevent rust but be careful not to
over tension in this condition.
3. When pulling the chain around the bar by hand, be careful not to touch
the bar with thumb or forefinger. The bar rails can be very sharp. Grab
only the diamond segments to pull the chain.
4. Always turn the engine off before tensioning the chain.
AddITIONAl INfORmATION
-
pletely out of the bar. Wood cutting chainsaws use oil to lubricate
the chain. The oil makes the chain very slippery and allows the
drive links to fully nest between the teeth of the drive sprocket.
Concrete cutting chainsaws require water for cooling and flushing
the cut. Water is not as good as oil as a lubricant. Also, there are
concrete particles mixed in with the water. As a result, sometimes
the drive links do not nest properly on the drive sprocket. When
this happens, the chain acts like it got tighter. There seems to be
correct chain tension
tight spots and loose spots as you pull the chain around the bar.
If you tension when the chain is in one of the loose spots, it will
be too tight at some point in it’s rotation around the bar. Rotating
the chain completely around the bar by hand will let you know you
have the chain properly tensioned.
AddITIONAl TENSIONING TIPS:
Waterworks
Division
P: 866 987-7297 F: 813-621-7125
Visit us at www.ussaws.com
9
IMPORTANT
A properly tensioned chain will optimize cutting performance. The tensioning rule of thumb for
a concrete cutting chain saw is that a properly tensioned diamond chain must not be bowstring
tight and can be pulled freely around the guide bar by hand easily without binding.
PROPER CHAIN TENSION
If the chain is too loose, it could come off the bar, or it will allow the drive
sprocket to spin without turning the chain, which can chew up the chain drive
links. If the chain is too tight, a lot of the saw’s power goes into turning the
chain rather than into the cut. In extreme over-tightened cases, the saw may not
be able to turn the chain at all. In addition, damage can occur to the bar nose
and premature stretch may occur.
HOW TO CHECK
Before cutting, check for proper tension by pulling the chain around the bar
by hand. If you cannot easily pull by hand, the chain is too tight and needs to
be loosened.
WHEN TO TENSION
All chains have a tendency to stretch when used. Diamond chains stretch
more than wood cutting chains because of the abrasive materials they are
cutting. When a chain stretches to a point where the drive links are hanging
approximately 1/2 in- 3/4 in (12 - 18 mm)below the bar, it’s time to tension
the chain.
HOW TO TENSION
To tension the chain, first loosen the side cover nuts, then while holding the nose of
the bar up, use a screw driver to turn the tensioning screw clockwise until the chain
drive links hanging below the bar are just beginning to enter the bar groove. Continue
to hold up on the nose of the bar and firmly tighten the side cover nuts, (20 ft-lbs,
27 Nm). And remember, it’s the side cover nuts that hold the bar in position.
HOW TO PREVENT CHAIN TENSIONER BREAKAGE
Do not attempt to adjust the tensioner without first loosening the side cover nuts. Do
not use the saw without making sure the side cover nuts are tight. If the side cover nuts
are not tight, the bar can slip backwards during cutting and break the tensioner pin.
correct chain tension
chain
chain
too loose
too tight
5.26
HOW TO PREVENT CHAIN TENSIONER BREAKAGE
Do not attempt to adjust the tensioner without first loosening the
side cover nuts. Do not use the saw without making sure the side
cover nuts are tight. If side cover nuts are not tight, the bar can slip
backwards during cutting and break the tensioner pin.
5.25
HOW TO TENSION
To tension the chain, first loosen the side cover nuts, then while
holding the nose of the bar up, use a screwdriver to turn the
tensioning screw clockwise until the chain drive links hanging below
the bar are just beginning to enter the bar groove. Continue to hold
up on the nose of the bar and firmly tighten the side cover nuts. And
remember, it’s the side cover nuts that hold the bar in position.
IMPORTANT
A properly tensioned chain will optimize cutting performance. The tensioning rule of thumb for
a concrete cutting chain saw is that a properly tensioned diamond chain must not be bowstring
tight and can be pulled freely around the guide bar by hand easily without binding.
PROPER CHAIN TENSION
If the chain is too loose, it could come off the bar, or it will allow the drive
sprocket to spin without turning the chain, which can chew up the chain drive
links. If the chain is too tight, a lot of the saw’s power goes into turning the
chain rather than into the cut. In extreme over-tightened cases, the saw may not
be able to turn the chain at all. In addition, damage can occur to the bar nose
and premature stretch may occur.
HOW TO CHECK
Before cutting, check for proper tension by pulling the chain around the bar
by hand. If you cannot easily pull by hand, the chain is too tight and needs to
be loosened.
WHEN TO TENSION
All chains have a tendency to stretch when used. Diamond chains stretch
more than wood cutting chains because of the abrasive materials they are
cutting. When a chain stretches to a point where the drive links are hanging
approximately 1/2 in- 3/4 in (12 - 18 mm)below the bar, it’s time to tension
the chain.
HOW TO TENSION
To tension the chain, first loosen the side cover nuts, then while holding the nose of
the bar up, use a screw driver to turn the tensioning screw clockwise until the chain
drive links hanging below the bar are just beginning to enter the bar groove. Continue
to hold up on the nose of the bar and firmly tighten the side cover nuts, (20 ft-lbs,
27 Nm). And remember, it’s the side cover nuts that hold the bar in position.
HOW TO PREVENT CHAIN TENSIONER BREAKAGE
Do not attempt to adjust the tensioner without first loosening the side cover nuts. Do
not use the saw without making sure the side cover nuts are tight. If the side cover nuts
are not tight, the bar can slip backwards during cutting and break the tensioner pin.
correct chain tension
chain
chain
too loose
too tight
