Author Topic: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting  (Read 1398 times)

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Offline Dave

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455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« on: May 29, 2014, 10:12:30 pm »
Situation.  I was doing a tree job and using various saws.   I was using my 455 rancher for the larger trunk section and smaller saw for limbing.  I had recently purchased the rancher from a friend and it has flawless performance.  My attention was needed for a few minutes on some limbs so I put the chain break on the rancher and let it idle.
After about 5-7 minutes I turned back to the rancher and noticed that it was smoking from the clutch assembly area.  I immedietly took the break off and ran it to get some air to the clutch area.  NOW HERE IS THE PROBLEM.  Now when I cut.  The chain tightens up on me within a couple minutes.  I must stop and back the tension off to where the chain is almost hanging freely.  The chainsaw itself still cuts well but the tightening issue will not go away.  Some say its the slack adjuster, some say get a new chain.  The clutch has not slippage.  Im not a chainsaw mechanic but If someone out there in chainsaw land has every fixed this type of issue, would like to here what was the cause and fix.  Questions for answer.  Has anyone ever had this experience?
If so what was the fix? Everything seems to be solid (nothing broken that I can tell)  Thanks for the read.  Please advise.

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Offline 660magnum

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Re: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2014, 10:28:02 pm »
I know this will go against your grain - - but I don't use the brake for anything.

I think the brake is a wonderful device in case of kickback.

Otherwise, I never use it because of the potential heating issue.

I would start by removing the bar and chain and clean it all out thoroughly including the grooves and the tip sprocket spider.

Inspect the inside of the saw around the sprocket area for melted plastic.

Then give it a try?

I've had trouble with the tip plugging up on buried cuts with old bars.
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Offline 3000 FPS

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Re: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2014, 10:54:54 pm »
I would take the bar and chain off the saw and clean the groove in the bar.   I would then hold the bar tip up and put the chain on it and pull the chain by hand to see how smooth it is.   Make sure to check both sides of the bar.   It should move through smooth and easy.
If that is good I would then look at the sprocket on the saw and look for wear.   If you see grooves cut into the sprocket from the chain then replace it. 
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Offline sharkey

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Re: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2014, 11:27:34 am »
Another vote for sprocket/bearing wear.   

Offline Billyram

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Re: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2014, 09:02:11 pm »
I've never had a problem with the chain tightening and binding while cutting except when hitting water. I don't set the chain brake either. With the chain brake set with the motor running it may cause the chutch bell to bind on the clutch and heat up. I don't know how many hrs. your saw has on it but it may need some wear parts replaced. I would pull the clutch, lube or replace the bearing and replace the sproket. If the chain is mostly worn out I would replace it with two new chains. With the bar off I would check the sproket nose to see if it turns smoothly with out in and out play. I like to tighten the bar nuts tight enough that the bar can't move while cutting or pulling out of a pinch. If the bar nuts aren't tight the bar can move loosening the chain most of the time or in your case tightening it. Some bars I've seen will lock down the sproket nose with wood with a loose chain and the bar nose buried.
Billy

Offline deereguy

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Re: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2014, 04:52:20 pm »
This isn't likely the answer to your problem but my 455 came with a spur sprocket setup and I had similar problems.  When I changed to a rim sprocket my problems when away.  Just saying,   deereguy

Offline Billyram

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Re: 455 rancher chain tightens when cutting
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2014, 05:35:02 pm »
This isn't likely the answer to your problem but my 455 came with a spur sprocket setup and I had similar problems.  When I changed to a rim sprocket my problems when away.  Just saying,   deereguy
This makes sense. I once had a guy cutting with a 028 using a spur sproket that would lock down the chain every time the nose was buried. The saw didn't have enough torque to clear the jam so he had to remove the bar to clear the sawdust. It's quite possible the spur is feeding sawdust to the bar and tightening the chain. If that's what's happening. I would replace the chain also along with the rim sproket kit. A stretched chain will eat up a new sproket quickly.
Billy

 

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