So what's the trick to changing the chain on a MS-180?

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rudysmallfry

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Nov 29, 2005
617
Milford, CT
Ugh I am so pissed. I had free afternoon with good weather. I was all set to finish cutting up the rest of my trees that are still sitting in my driveway. I figure, since it's the bigger stuff, I would put the new chain on the saw. It looked easy enough in the video, but for the life of me, I cannot get in on there right. When I put the cover back on all the way, the bar is too tight and the chain has no give. When I loosen it to where the bar and chain have a little play, the cover is too loose. The little dial thing for the chain tension does not seem to be catching right and no matter what I do, the chain does not flow around the bar smoothly. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?? I tried going to the dealer to have them put it on for me, but they have been closed the last two days. I have a bad feeling they are closed for the week.
 
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Just a suggestion ... Is the chain on correctly? If your trying to rotate the chain & it's installed in the reverse of what it should be, the chain will get bound up on the nose sprocket ....
 
I finally got the stupid chain on the saw. Turns out it kept slipping into the groove of the sprocket. I'm not sure I have the tension quite right, but I'm guessing it will quickly become apparent if the chain either slips or starts smoking right?
 
I usually go for 1/4" play in the chain when I check the tension by pulling the chain up or snapping it like a rubber band on the bar
 
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Roughly so the drive teeth do not or just slightly clear the bar when pulled away at the middle of the bar and snapped back. Check often and tighten as needed with a new chain as it will stretch a bit. This is for what I am assuming is a 16-18" set up.
 
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