Why Does My Chainsaw Chain Dull So Quickly? (8 Possible Reasons)

How long does it take for your chainsaw chain to become dull? A few cuts, maybe 10? If this is the case, then it sounds like your chain is struggling, and it could do with some help. Usually, I can use my chainsaw most of the day with just one or two quick files of the teeth and rakers.

So, if you can only get a few cuts, then something definitely isn’t right. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why a chainsaw chain dulls quickly and see how to keep the chain sharp for longer.

Why Chainsaw Chains Dull Quickly (The Short Answer)

Chainsaw chains dull quickly due to several different reasons. For example, how the chain is sharpened, how the chain is used, and how the chain is looked after will all affect the chain’s ability to stay sharp. Here are 8 possible causes.

1. Ground Contact
2. Dirty Wood
3. Metal Objects in the Wood
4. Cutting Hardwoods
5. Not Sharpening the Chain to the Right Angle
6. Low Rakers
7. Not Sharpening the Chain Enough
8. Overheating the Chain

8 Causes Why Chainsaw Chains Dull Quickly (Why & How to Diagnose)

Let’s start off by looking at 8 different reasons why a chain can become dull and answer your question, why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?

Ground Contact

We all like to cut a tree down as low to the ground as possible. Nobody likes to leave a big stump in their yard if they don’t have to. Unfortunately, sometimes the bar and chain get in the dirt. Well, here’s the problem. As soon as the chain comes into contact with the ground, it starts digging through dirt and rocks.

This is also the case when you cut fallen limbs lying flat on the ground. The only way to cut a limb lying in the dirt is to have your chainsaw in the dirt. Luckily, there is a better method.

Cutting Dirty Wood

Keeping a fallen tree or limb out of the dirt can sometimes be nearly impossible, especially when working on a wet day. So, when you go to cut the wood down to size, the backside of the wood is usually covered in dirt.

Again, this is just like coming into contact with the ground with your chain. The dirt and rocks take the edge off your chain, and cutting will quickly become a problem.

Metal Objects in the Wood

Metal objects can be hidden inside the wood, just waiting to destroy your chainsaw chain. For example, you could find metal support stakes inside trees where the wood has grown and nails inside timber from previous uses.

Unfortunately, this is one of those things that sometimes can’t be helped, but you can be certain that if you hit some metal, your chainsaw chain will dull very quickly.

Cutting Hardwoods

If you have ever cut hardwood with a handsaw, then you know it can take a lot of effort, especially if it is a wood like oak, maple, or hickory. Because these hardwoods are much slower growing than softwoods, they produce a much denser wood. So, the extra effort it takes to cut hardwood will cause the chainsaw to become dull very quickly.

Not Sharpening the Chain to the Right Angle

The sharpening angle of a chainsaw chain can vary depending on the job at hand. Some people like to keep the angle tight, and some like to open it up a little. But this usually comes down to a personal preference and chain design.

The one thing people do agree on is that the sharpening angle should be between 25° and 35°. So, if you are sharpening outside of this range, then you’ll have problems with the chain becoming dull very quickly. Also, you’ll find that your chain doesn’t cut very well to start with.

Having Rakers Too Low

The raker is the part of the chain that sits between each of the cutting teeth. With each pass, the raker determines how deep the cutting tooth will cut into the wood. The raker can be set to three heights, resulting in different cutting abilities. Here are the three heights your chainsaw chain can be set to.

• Raker Set Too Low – Too much of the tooth will be exposed to fresh wood, resulting in the chain overworking and quickly becoming dull.

• Raker Set Correctly – The chainsaw chain will cut most effectively.

• Raker Set Too High – Insufficient or not cutting teeth will be exposed to the wood, resulting in limited to no cutting.

Not Sharpening the Chain Enough

If you are new to chainsaws or self-taught, it can be difficult to know how much a chainsaw needs to be sharpened. It’s not just a case of making the cutting-edge shiny so that it looks sharp. There are specific chain parts and techniques that all contribute to a sharp chain. So, having the correct tools and sharpening knowledge all help keep your chain sharper for longer.

Overheating the Chain

A chain and bar need to be lubricated to prevent overheating between the two parts. Without lubricating bar oil, a great amount of friction is created as the chain spins inside the bar. So, if the chain gets hot, it will stretch and warp. This can have an effect on cutting performance and definitely the lifespan of the chain.

There are two ways to check if your chain is being lubricated. The first is to place the tip of the bar close to a surface and give the engine a rev. If the chain is lubricated, then the oil will be ejected from the bar tip as the chain spins. Another way to tell if your bar oil is being pumped onto the chain and that it is being pumped at the right speed is to check how much oil you are using. Normally, it’s one tank of oil to one tank of fuel.

How to Stop Your Chainsaw Chain from Going Dull Quickly (The Steps)

Hopefully, you have figured out the answer to why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly. If it’s because of one of these eight causes, then here are the steps you can take to get more cutting out of your saw. Let’s take a look.

Keep the Chainsaw Out of the Dirt

There is always a better solution than digging your chainsaw into the dirt. You could try digging the top of your stump out a bit to get your saw lower. You could grab an axe or leave the stump to rot away.

Also, if you are happy spending a few bucks, you could hire a stump grinder. Now, if you’re dealing with a limb that’s already on the ground, then just raise it up, and there’ll be no need to have your chainsaw in the dirt.

Cut Clean Wood

If you find that the log you want to cut is covered in dirt, you’ll want to clean it off or avoid it completely if you can. I usually kick off the dirt and then brush down the log with my glove. This is usually enough to remove pretty much all of the dirt or at least enough to prevent causing problems for my chain. This is another good reason to wear protective gloves when using a chainsaw.

Avoid Metal Objects

Trying to avoid a hidden metal spike inside a tree is impossible since you only find it by hitting it with your saw. But you can avoid cutting up old fence posts or anything else that you know probably has metal in it. So, it’s a case of avoiding metal when you can and trying a different tool if you are able to.

Picking the Right Chain & Setting Expectations

If you take a look at the chain options for chainsaws, you’ll see that there is a huge variety of different chains for different applications. So, if you’re always cutting hardwoods, then an appropriate chain is going to work and last much longer.

Just by looking at the Stihl catalog, you can pick from chains suited to hardwoods, softwoods, and general purposes. You can even pick chains for concrete, ice, and ornate carving. So, using the right chain for the job will stop your chainsaw chain from dulling quickly.

Chain Sharpening Method

To sharpen your chainsaw chain effectively, I suggest getting hold of a chainsaw sharpening kit. They have all come with the right tools and gauges you will need. Once you have the right tools, here are the steps you can follow.

Steps to Sharpen a Chainsaw Chain

• Tension the chain.
• Stabilize the chainsaw.
• Position the saw so that the side of the bar is facing you.
• Locate a tooth where the side plate and the top plate meet closest to you.
• File the top and side plates cutting edge using a round file in an away and level filing motion using the file guide to achieve a 25° to 35° angle on the tooth.
• Repeat this action for every other tooth.
• Rotate the Saw 180°.
• Repeat the sharpening process for the remaining teeth.
• Place the depth gauge onto one of the rakers.
• Check the amount of the raker protruding above the depth gauge.
• Remove the depth gauge and file away the excess metal using a flat file.
• Repeat this process for all rakers.

Tools to Sharpen Chainsaw Chains

• Chainsaw Bar Brace
• Round File with Angle Gauge
• Flat File
• Raker Depth Gauge

Keeping the Oil Flowing

To make sure the bar oil flows, you’ll need to keep the inside of your saw clean. Any dirt that builds up on the oil outlet will prevent the oil from flowing. So, remove the cover of your chainsaw and clean out any sawdust and wood chipping. I find an air compressor, a cleaning cloth, and a can of WD-40 are enough to clean this area.

Then you’ll want to make sure that the oil outlet isn’t blocked. If it is, then you should be able to dig out the dirt with a pin. Finally, you’ll want to take a look inside the oil reservoir. Usually, you’ll find a small filter that stops dirt from getting into the oil pump.

If the filter is dirty, then you’ll need to replace it. Usually, it’s just a case of unhooking the filter from the small oil pipe and installing a new filter.

Tools & Parts to Restore Chainsaw Bar Oil Flow

• Air Compressor
• Cleaning Cloth
• WD-40
• Small Pin
• Hook Tool
• Replacement Oil Reservoir Filter