What About Bars?

[Coyote machine]

Never have released chain pressure at the end of the day to relieve bearings.. Anyone else do that? The teeth brushing has been proven to work though..
Thanks.

I never have, but then I don't run my chains tight enough to hurt the bearings?

It's discussed in the newer owner's manuals for the Stihl saws. One doesn't have to overtighten the chain to stress the bearings. Many people tighten up the chain when the saw is hot and the chain becomes loose after working the saw for a while. When the saw cools the chain shrinks back to unstretched preheated size and the result can be excess tension on the bearings.

 

[eddie48]

I suppose it's possible, but it seems that if the chain is tight enough to hurt the bearings, it would be too tight to turn on the bar. I have a Dolmar 115si that is about 15 years old and has cut lots and lots of wood. I've never had to replace either a bar or sprocket on it. Bet I've used up 30 chains.

 

[Coyote machine]

It may not be as much of an issue with the old saws, but since everything made today is out of chocolate, the newer saws are probably more prone to turning into a pretzel. I'm just reporting what the manufacturer states as SOP.:confused3:

 

[Bluegill2]

Must be a Stihl thing...

 

[justme23005]

Must be a Stihl thing...

LOL you beat me to it..

I run a fleet of Echo & Husqvarna saws, and I've never loosened up the chain when I'm finished cutting.

 

[2458n]

I imagine it would depend on the lenght of chain. By the end of day running a 42 inch chain ,I have tightened it up at least once. This is with the oil set on max. I can see it being being a problem. Look at how many bars you see blued up before their time. Releasing does not hurt anything. I agree that it is seldom done because when your done you are usually ready to quit.

 

[yomax4]

After a little research and discussion with a large husky dealer, I was told that it was said for years by the factories to release tension on the plastic case saws. He said there were not many cases of failures but the engineers put it in the manuals of several brands as a fail safe. He said the metal case saw did not have the same verbiage.. So, Plastic case saws could or should be released, Metal case saws, not so much..

 

[Coyote machine]

It may not be as much of an issue with the old saws, but since everything made today is out of chocolate, the newer saws are probably more prone to turning into a pretzel. I'm just reporting what the manufacturer states as SOP.:confused3:

Chocolate=plastic.

Must be a Stihl thing...

Sorry, wrong, it's a all saw brands thing.

LOL you beat me to it..

I run a fleet of Echo & Husqvarna saws, and I've never loosened up the chain when I'm finished cutting.

Fleet? Time to read the manual.

I imagine it would depend on the lenght of chain. By the end of day running a 42 inch chain ,I have tightened it up at least once. This is with the oil set on max. I can see it being being a problem. Look at how many bars you see blued up before their time. Releasing does not hurt anything. I agree that it is seldom done because when your done you are usually ready to quit.

Makes sense, tired at end of workday.

After a little research and discussion with a large husky dealer, I was told that it was said for years by the factories to release tension on the plastic case saws. He said there were not many cases of failures but the engineers put it in the manuals of several brands as a fail safe. He said the metal case saw did not have the same verbiage.. So, Plastic case saws could or should be released, Metal case saws, not so much..

Yeah, vindicated! YMMV.:confused3:

 

[Bluegill2]

After a little research and discussion with a large husky dealer, I was told that it was said for years by the factories to release tension on the plastic case saws. He said there were not many cases of failures but the engineers put it in the manuals of several brands as a fail safe. He said the metal case saw did not have the same verbiage.. So, Plastic case saws could or should be released, Metal case saws, not so much..

Makes sense. I don't have any 'plastic case' saws & probably never will!!!

 

[Coyote machine]

Makes sense. I don't have any 'plastic case' saws & probably never will!!!

The highest end cars are made of carbon fiber, which is way lighter AND way stronger than steel or aluminum.
Never is a long time, and manufacturers of saws, just like everything else today will make products out of what works best for them and the market they serve. Stihl will continue to lead, and Husky and others will follow in their footprints, albeit lighter stronger ones, of many different materials.