© STIHL Inc., Virginia Beach, VA     2013 US/STR
confidential
Correct Chain Tension
 With the chain brake 
disengaged, pull the 
chain through from the 
top side and it should 
rotate freely without any 
slack appearing 
 If the chain goes from 
tight to loose the 
sprocket and chain may 
not be of the same pitch, 
or the sprocket and chain 
may have excessive 
wear and no longer have 
the same pitch
© STIHL Inc., Virginia Beach, VA     2013 US/STR
confidential
Correct Chain Tension
 Regardless of bar 
length, check for 
correct chain tension 
by pulling up on the 
chain at the center of 
the bar
 The tension is correct 
when the bottom of the 
drive link will just clear 
the bar groove