Ryobi and Worx are the leading brands in the world of power tools. They produce high-quality, reliable, and inexpensive chainsaws. All chainsaws need a chain replacement or sharpening after some time, and to do it yourself, you need to have proper knowledge about it. In this guide, we will deliver this knowledge to you. This guide will help you replace the chain on Ryobi and Worx chainsaws and can also be used to replace chains on other chainsaws.
Please make sure that you read all the points before setting to work. Take necessary safety precautions while working with chains. Wear safety gloves and keep children away all the time.
How to Replace Chain on a Ryobi Chainsaw?
Time Needed: 30-45 Minutes
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Place your Ryobi chainsaw on a flat surface, preferably at a waist height. For replacing the chain, you don’t need a long list of tools. You will need the wrench that came with your Ryobi chainsaw. If you don’t have it or lost it, you can get the work done with a ½ inch socket driver and a flat head screwdriver. You will also need an old rag to clean the dirt on the removed parts. If you plan to install a new chain instead of sharpening your old one, you will need a new chain. We suggest that you check the chain size before buying one and get a manufacturer-approved chain.
Procedure
Step 1: Make sure your chainsaw is turned off. The chain replacement mechanism is the same for electric and powered chainsaws. Remove the plug if you have an electric chainsaw and turn off the engine if you have a gas-powered one. The chainsaw must not be hot, and the chain brake must be in the off position.
Step 2: Once the chainsaw is ready and set, you have to loosen the 2 nuts holding the guide bar. On a Ryobi chainsaw, these nuts are located just below the chain brake handle. Don’t remove these nuts completely for now.
Step 3: The next step is to loosen the tension on the chain. You can use a flat-head screwdriver for this purpose. The tension nut is located just below the guide bar nuts. If you can’t locate any nuts or bolts, refer to the user manual or search online. As you loosen the tension nut, the chain will start to lose. Once the chain is loose enough, remove the guide bar nuts. Remember to keep your nuts in a safe place, so you don’t lose them.
Step 4: Once the guide bar nuts have been removed, the assembly cover will come off. Inspect the cover’s internal side and if it has dust or grease marks on it, clean it off. To remove the chain, slide the guide bar backward, and the chain will be free to come off. Remove the chain. At this point, you can also clean the guide bar and all the other parts of the chainsaw, which have just been removed. If you notice wear and tear on the guide bar’s upper side, turn it upside down and then install it back.
Step 5: Now, insert the guide bar and slide it back all the way. Ryobi offers a visual aid on the guide bar for putting in the chain. Check it out; it will help you put the new chain on. Line up your chain and start from the backside. First, line the chain on the top side of the guide bar. Once the chain has been lined up, move the guide bar to its normal place to put some tension on the chain. Move the chain with your hand. It must move without any issues.
Step 6: It is now time to close down the things. Re-check that the chain brake is still in off position. You must ensure that the adjusting pin on the guide bar cover goes right onto its place on the chainsaw. Putting the cover back may need a little bit of jiggling so it may take a couple of minutes. Put the bolts on, and don’t tighten them for now.
Step 7: This step is one of the most important steps while replacing the chain on a chainsaw. Now you need to tighten your chain and ensure that it has proper tension. There must be no slack at the bottom of the saw. Refer to the user manual to check the needed tension for the chain. The chain must move freely on the guide bar. You may need to make some adjustments by tightening or loosening the tension nut. After getting the tension corrected, tighten the bolts above fully.
You have just learned how to change the chain in a Ryobi chainsaw. Let’s learn how to change the chain on a Worx chainsaw.
How to Replace Chain on a Worx Chainsaw?
Time Needed: 30-45 Minutes
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Place the chainsaw on a flat surface and wear safety gloves. Make sure your saw is turned off and cool enough to work with it. The chain brake handle must be turned off before starting work, and children must be kept away from the worksite.
Step 1: Loosen the big nut/bolt/handle on the chainsaw panel. In most of the Worx models, it is located behind the guide bar and just below the chain brake safety handle. Once the knob is fully opened, the casing will come off as well. If you can’t remove the knob with your hand, you may need to spray a little WD-40 to loosen up the things.
Step 2: You may need to clean the removed parts and inside of the panel. The latest models from Worx come with a self oiler. If you have one, lubricate the sprocket below and wipe off the dust and debris. Pull the guide bar out and clean it as well.
Step 3: The next step is the most critical of all. You need to put the chain on the guide bar before placing it on the main assembly and the sprocket. Make sure that the cutting edge is on the outer side of the chain. Set the main assembly on its side in such a way that the sprocket faces towards you. Adjust the chain and the guide bar on the allocated grooves. The guide bar must be balanced on the assembly.
Step 4: Once you have achieved the balancing, grab the cover, and adjust it over the top. The cover must fit perfectly on the grooves. Tighten the knob. It will adjust the chain tension. While tightening the knob, ensure that all the teeth on the chain are on the guide bar. Once the knob has been tightened to the right position, the chain tension will be perfect. You can adjust this knob to loosen/tighten the chain. It must have the right tension and a little slack, as suggested in the user manual. Go ahead and turn on the chainsaw and give it a try.