Processor bar

[widmere]

Anyone got any hints on how to get more life out of a chainsaw bar on a firewood processor. Mine cuts like a dream with a new bar and chain but once it starts struggling output drops quite sharply. Buying new bars is one answer though a little expensive. I have no experience in 're -dressing ' a bar - is it simply file off the rough bits and away you go.

 

WW

[john dawson]

assuming its a "regular"(?) bar and chain, then you can just maintain it in the same way.

 

a pic or two might be usefull?

 

most nptc trainers will do a basic mainenance course (not cs30), but itl be enough to get you sorted?

[delabodge]

surely the processor has done some work to wear the bar out?? how often are you changing it???

[widmere]

Thanks DB and John - not sure photos are going to reveal fine detail - one bar plus one chain at present lasts a lorry load.

 

WW

[Justme]

Is the oiler working?

 

Are you sharpening it often enough?

 

Are you forcing it to much?

[widmere]

Plenty of oil - chain is sharp - joystick control which you can vary the speed - too slow wont cut - too quick bar jams - so just in between. It's the bar that is the problem i think.

[john dawson]

hhhmmmmmm, methinks gettin hands-on will help, other then that, id suggest pesterin someone local, like a dealer, or a cutter?

[old hand]

Hi All

Speaking as someone who has many years of experience sorting firewood machine problems, using a bar and chain per load of firewood is not normal!!

 

The following are things to look out for

 

1 Make sure that oil is getting to the chain. You may need to clean the bar groove and oiler holes more regularly than you are doing at present.

Run the machine with the bar and chain off to see if enough oil is flowing from the tank. In very cold weather you may need to use thinner oil.

 

2 On processors the cutting chains need to be sharpened accurately. More so than on a normal hand held chainsaw. The symptom of an incorrectly sharpened chain on a processor is, the chain will cut the depth of the bar and then needs a lot of pressure to continue cutting or may not want to go any deeper in the cut.

Some people can sharpen accurately by hand using files. Some people are better to use a chain grinder.

 

3 On machines with hydraulic controls and adjustable pressure it is easy keep increasing the cutting pressure as the chain gets dull. This causes increased wear on the bars and streches the chain. So sharpen the chain when cutting performance drops off. (keep 2-3 spare sharp chains and change them when necessary)

 

4 Turn the bars regularly and clean off any burrs etc using a flat file. Keep the chain properly tensioned as a loose chain whips as it goes around the bar and causes burrs as well as increasing the chances of a chain coming off.

 

I hope these pointers will improve matters for you .

 

If you would like more info drop me a PM with the make and model of your machine as some processors are affected by specific problems.

[widmere]

Thank you Old Hand - You're comments are very sage - No2 on the list describes exactly what the problem is and highlights my poor efforts at sharpening. Looks like I will have to invest in a chain grinder of some sort. My problem this year has been exacerbated with it being so wet the logs are picking up debris more easily.

[gensetsteve]

Thank you Old Hand - You're comments are very sage - No2 on the list describes exactly what the problem is and highlights my poor efforts at sharpening. Looks like I will have to invest in a chain grinder of some sort. My problem this year has been exacerbated with it being so wet the logs are picking up debris more easily.

 

I tend to get 5 -10 loads out of chain and bar. May be worth hand sharpening and then every few weeks true up with grinder. Be very gentle with grinder as you will blue chain and then not be able to sharpen by hand. I am having problems with chain oil turning to jelly at the moment may be due to water getting in the breather on oil tank. I am thinking of pressurising tank to 6 psi with a 12 v pump and regulating with valve. Reliable oil supply at all temps is essential for bar life. are you using proper bar oil.