Easy Way to Put the Chain on a Remington Chainsaw

A Remington chainsaw cuts through most types of wood, but the chains must be replaced after they have worn down, been broken or are missing teeth. You will need to put the chain back onto the guide bar many times over the course of your chainsaw’s life, so learning the fast, easy way to reassemble it will save you a lot of time.

Always make sure the saw is turned off, and the chain brake is free. The chain brake is the plastic handle that runs across the top of the saw’s body and stops the chain from spinning. This safety feature, which is invaluable if you happen to fall while cutting, also blocks you from putting a chain on. Pull back on the chain brake to ensure that it is off, and the chain slides freely along the bar.

You also must release the chain’s tension on the bar before you can put on a new chain. The bar tensioner screw is a small screw in between the bar cover’s metal posts. Twist it counter-clockwise at least one full turn to make sure it is loose enough to slip the new chain on over the bar and around the sprocket. If the old chain is still on the bar, you will see the chain start sagging below the bar when you loosen the tensioner screw. On most Remington models, you must loosen the guide-bar nuts until they are only finger-tight before you can release the chain’s tension. After releasing the tension, take off the bar’s cover and screws. Remove the bar, and separate the chain from the bar.

Always start by holding the bar with the tip pointing up. Put the chain over the tip first. Then, with the tip still pointing up, pinch the chain and bar together at the tip. Let the chain hang loose across the bar. Pull the bottom end of the chain down tight, then fit it across one side of the bar first. While still holding the chain tight against one side, push the chain over the other side so it slips into place. Continue holding the bottom chain down and the tip pinched together. This will make sure the chain doesn’t slip off when you try to put it on the drive sprocket.

You must do this process quickly before losing tension on the chain and it slips off its guides. If at any point during the installation the chain falls off the guides, take the bar and chain off, and repeat this process by holding the tip up and using gravity to help keep the chain in place.

When you put the chain and bar on the saw, always place the rear end of the chain over the sprocket first. Also, make sure the guide bar’s rear slots are placed over the metal posts and are sitting on the adjusting block properly. If it is set properly, you will be able to wiggle the bar slightly without knocking it off. The bar shouldn’t be rigid against the saw’s body. Hold the tip of the bar and chain with one hand to keep it in place while tightening the screws of the bar’s faceplate. Don’t forget to put tension back on the chain after putting the bar cover back on.