the chain on my makita uc4030a electric chainsaw came off. why has this happened? was it a lack of oil, or just because it is no longer a new machine?

kieron stewart, September 2008

well kieron , the answer is simple . when you use the saw the chain streches , so after time it needs to be tightened up . look next to the bar on the saw , there is a screw there , lossen the bar a bit , tighten the screw and snug the bar back up ,. but first put the chain BACK on the bar ok? lol

nort73, September 2008

There should only be 1/8" inch slack in your chain or just enough slack so bottom of chain doesn't pull out of oil grove in bar.
Adjust chain so it's tight and hard to pull up only that 1/8" of an inch.
All chains come loose at times even on new saws.

Mike E, September 2008

Could be several reasons.

The chain has not been correctly adjusted.

You have the wrong chain fitted

You have pinched the groove in the guide bar.

A chain will not generally come off because of lack of oil.

Incidentally if it is simply lack of adjustment then the previous answer is dangerously incorrect, in so much as the adjuster should be turned CLOCKWISE to take up chain slackness and NOT anti-clockwise.

I would certainly remove the chain and bar and inspect both for damage especially the bar groove and the guide teeth on the underside of the chain. Normally is a chain comes off it damages these guide teeth and these can stick in the guide bar groove thus causing a dangerous problem. If in doubt at all then change the chain for a new one.

pleasant, September 2008

are you putting chainsaw iol in it? look for a little screw were the chain goes into the body , it should have one ,its for takeing the slack out of the chain turn it anti clock, to make the chain tight on the plate , but not too tight , / check to see if the plate is bent out of line in any way , and ( dont )have the chainsaw pluged in , when your working on it , as its easy to forget , and not nice to rember" take care ,

mick, September 2008