Checking the chain brake

[Steve999]

Question for the professionals please. Apart from reving to full power and knocking the brake lever to make sure it stops the chain dead, is it recommended to let go of the front handle so that the bar impacts a tree stump or similar to check the inertia mechanism is working? Do you do that every day, before use?

[tree monkey]

i don't i just push on then rev if chain doesn't move its ok.Banging the chainbreak when on full revs wont be good for saw imo

[Dog Tag]

i don't i just push on then rev if chain doesn't move its ok.Banging the chainbreak when on full revs wont be good for saw imo

 

[stuartc44]

I thought the test for husqvarna saws was to apply full throttle then apply chain brake, and for Stihl was to apply brake and then full throttle for three seconds.

[Ben90]

True, but that's easy to say when you sell all the spare sprockets and clutches

 

What kind of work-positioning cock-up could you find yourself in where the trigger was held in with the brake on for more than three seconds? I think I've been conditioned by now to release the trigger after no more than 0.5 seconds once realising the brake is still on:blushing:

 

To the OP, I do seem to remember that on my NPTC training, dropping the tip of the saw onto a stump with the chain brake off to see if the inertia mech works, but have never done it since! I will check my mech today

 

Have you Checked your Mech?

[Steve999]

Ben90, that's what I was taught as well, but it does sound a bit harsh on the saw, especially the crank shaft bearings.

[spudulike]

You have two tests, the first is to rev the machine up to max revs and to snapon the chainbrake, it should stop the machine dead - there are specified times of braking but would be almost impossible for you or I to measure.

 

The second one is the inertia test where you hold a saw horizontally above a log and allow the bar tip to fall on to the log and the brake should come on.

 

I tend to do the first test and have only done the second if the saw is one of the older Huskys with the adjustment on the brake.

 

For your own sake - DO NOT do this second test with the machine running!!!

[Dan Earp]

Agreed just do the 1st test if you don't fully understand or a dayly user. As it could harm or and/ or the saw

[TreePuncher]

I thought the test for husqvarna saws was to apply full throttle then apply chain brake, and for Stihl was to apply brake and then full throttle for three seconds.

 

 

 

[Steve999]

Have you guys ever had kick back, just wondering how quick the inertia mechanism kicks in. My instructor demonstrated kick back but don't think the inertia mech kicked in, he just caught it.

I like the look of the Husky with front and rear inertia break, looks good for us amateurs.