Here’s what happens: You stand on a ladder holding the Greenworks pole saw, only to realize the chain has slipped off the bar. Now it’s heavy, you’re up high and this isn’t good. And it is frustratingly.
If you have a battery-powered pole saw, learning how to tighten the chain are one of those important things to know. Not just something you do periodicly, but something you do. A lot of folks consider a slack chain an inconvenience, “a little extra slack won’t hurt”.
It’s not true. At full speed, a slack chain can derail, causing the bar to whip or even kick the tool back at you. If your chain is too tight it binds against the drive sprocket and rapidly wears out the drive links while also draining battery very fast.
The correct tension ensures your saw run efficienty and keeps you safe. Many Greenworks models includes a user-friendly tensioning system for adjusting blade tension, meaning no special tools are needed. However, it is still important to know what to look for and to understand how the tension mechanism work.
How To Properly Tighten Greenworks Pole Saw Chain
Why Proper Chain Tension Matters
It’s fairly simple. Just do it in the right sequence. First, remove the battery from the tool.
How to Adjust the Chain Tension
The main rule for maintaining outdoor power equipment is safety, which means you don’t want the saw to turn on unexpectedly when your fingers is near the cutting blade. Locate the chain tension screw. This is normaly found near the base of the pole where the bar attaches.
It’s commonly attached to the bar by some sort of quick release lever that holds it on the bar when tightened. First, loosen those nuts that hold the bar to the pole assembly, but don’t back them off all the way. You’ll just need enough to be able to turn the tensioning screw.
This lets the bar slide around so you can adjust the chain. Tighten the chain with the tensioning screw. You’ll have to refer to your owner’s manual or the screw’s marking to see which direction loosens and which direction tightens.
On my model, turning the screw in one direction move the bar out to push the chain tighter; turning it the other way pushed the bar inward to pull the chain back. Tighten just a little at a time as it’s easy to go too far. You want the chain snugged up against the bar but not impossible to move with your fingers.
Checking and Securing the Assembly
After you get your screw tightened, check the tension with your fingers. With the chain in the middle of the bar, hold onto the cutters and give it a pull downward. There should be a little slack between the cutters and the bar, so that the chain hang just under bottom edge of the bar.
If there’s too much slack, the chain will flop around; but if you’re right on the edge, the chain will rest snugly against the bar. Snap the chain upward, and it shouldn’t swing out wildly. The tension holds the chain secure onto the guide bar, yet lets the chain turn freely as you work.
Secure the assembly with the bar nuts, but don’t over tightener them. Once again, you’ll want to be certain that all fittings is snug before installing the battery. Vibration from use will cause loosening of these fittings if not cinched down tightly.
If they are loose, a loose bar nut could misalign the chain and damage the tool. Spin the chain manually to verify smooth motion throughout the whole bar without catching or binding. Test it out in a safe spot first.
Final Safety Tests and Maintenance
After putting on your gloves and safety glasses, engage the saw for a second or two to make sure the chain is spinning freely. Do you see any wobble? Hear any grinding noise?
The chain should of been good to go now. Otherwise, go through the adjustment steps again. Sometimes it takes a few times to get it just right; particularly if this is your first time.
Tighten the chain regularly. Regular maintenance includes ensuring your chains are properly tight. Before each use (and particularly if you’ve been using it for a long time), check the chain’s tension.
The resistance to the chains will cause them to loosen and even slightly stretch when hot. Two minutes of checking and adjusting your Greenworks pole saw chain goes a long way in terms of extending its life… And giving you a better and safer trim experience based off more effort.