Thread: Chain Tensioner break - 088 Magnum

Just a silly thought, but you ARE loosening the 2 large nuts on the side that hold the side cover on before you try to tighten the chain,aren't you?

And taking the weight of the bar off the adjuster when you adjust it?

Originally Posted by Brosh

Have recently purchased an 088 Magnum (5 years old not much work). Fitted it to my mates slabbing jig on a 36" bar. Using conventional 404 chain. Seems to work fine, but: I have broken two (2) chain bar tensioners (at the 90 degree bend near he thread attachment).

Thoughts?

I have brocken two over the last 7 years on my 66 mag, I think it was two things that caused it, lack of lubrication in the tensioner assembly. The other reason is poor quality. I broke the last one a few weeks ago, I was able to press it back in and bronze weld it, I then lubed it with some vasoline, works fine.

another problem I have had is the chain brake handle breaking, I have broken two now, currently chasing a replacement. They break where it is closest to the muffler.

is this the legendary stihl quality????

Originally Posted by Ravvin71

Just a silly thought, but you ARE loosening the 2 large nuts on the side that hold the side cover on before you try to tighten the chain,aren't you?

Thanks Blokes. Yes I have. The tensioner broke in mid cut (24" wide 1.2 m into a 3.3m Ribbon Gum [Eucalyptus viminalis Labill]).Stihl quality - I hope so. Lubrication was applied prior to break. Also I left the back handle of the powerhead upwards in relation to the slabbing jig which should be the same as lifting the bar when tightening the nuts.

Originally Posted by bobsreturn2003

is this the legendary stihl quality????

yes Bob, good saw but not the greatest, thats for sure, anyone got a chainbreak handle for a 66 magnum

Originally Posted by johnnyroberts

............anyone got a chainbreak handle for a 66 magnum

Yep only about 3 months old. Used vary little $1000 plus postage.

duno why they are breaking.

how tight are u tentioning it?

Could be the element that is in the destruction of a lot of good machinery...... operator error & how would you know that the tensioner broke midway in a cut ???? unless you were adjusting the chain while the saw was still in the log, or you arent tightening the sidecover bar bolts enough & the loads are being transmitted to the adjuster while your saw is running. On the chain brake handle, if a little deflector is missing on the RH muffler exhaust opening chain brake handles dont last long at all. On the plus side you can order whatever part you need as there stihl making them.
regards inter

OK. I'll take special note of tension when tightening the bar cover. I accept the "nut behind the wheel" point - always have to be wary of the operator.

Thanks for your thoughts, Blokes.

Regards

Brosh