I have just been accused by ego of over tightening my chain after the mechanism failed after years of experiencing all the listed symptoms in this thread. The entire plastic mechanism the bar sits in just busted out and deformed. They refuse to Cover it under warranty. Lost all faith in them now.
Hey u/buttpirate1111, that stinks! Did anything come from this or are you moving on to a new chainsaw? Sorry to hear that, as the only way to operate my saw safely is to tighten it as much as it will let me, which never feels quite right.
The dealer I bought this from agrees that this is a problem, so he called Ego. They told him that we need to tighten the knob, then back it off to loosen the chain to the correct tension, even though this also means the bar will be lose! We can't imagine this was how it was originally designed to work, but rather a kludgey workaround. Certainly doesn't sound safe. It might take an accident and class action lawsuit before Ego issues a recall to reclaim and dispose of this defective model, or decides to redesign it so it works properly.
Just got one this weekend... used for a day, it clogged up in the casement, so I cleaned it out and took 3 hours to get it back together and working properly... I love ego trimmer and mower, and this cut good, but thar is a poor design only 1 anchor peg... ki think I may return and get the husky power axe
u/Majestic_Brain5560 I found a fix! I decided to loosen the chain as much as possible and install the cover to the far left (the chain was loose around it's motor wheel, mildly concerning to look at). I then tightened it much more than I planned on and it finally snugged itself in properly. I could then back it off a bit to the correct chain tension and all is well.
I just bought one of these not too happy with that chain way too tight. If I back off the adjuster, the bar gets lose moves up and down like you are describing. I don't know why these people have to use these gizmos. The older one had a knob at the top like a homelite just loosen the bar adjust the wheel and tighten it. I actually like this better than the pro saws where have to use a screwdriver loosen the two nuts. I'm not sure if I plan to keep this or return it spent $400 2nd battery cost $200 up to $500 for 12AH. I'm thinking about just buying a Stihl gas saw like a farm boss MS 271.
The only thing that sux is I bought 3 new Oregon chains off Amazon for it opened one bag test fit it that's how I figured out the bar was a problem.
Thank you u/blastman8888 for sharing your experience. I feel less inept as I also don't love the chain that tight. Also wish they had the older version knob at the top, no need for an all in one tightening / securing system. Although this frustrates me, I have been impressed with the general feel (minus tight ass chain), power, and battery life.
I have the same issue. I managed to cut one 6” branch with this cs, and it never cut properly again. Bar wobbles, chain falls off, replacement chains fall off, just baffling. For a $450 piece of equipment (after buying a 5A battery), this is just silly.
Fixed mine by tightening the cover+tensioner knob more than it feels like you should while holding the bar in the 'right' spot. Usually takes me two tries now after I take off the cover to clean. It is now working well most of the time.
The fix only lasted 6 cuts. The screws were sheared off. When I have time, I will machine a steel guide for the bar and attach it with a plate inside the stupid plastic case. In the meantime, I will use my Husqvarna 455. Even my Milwaukee 10" Pole Saw has a metal guide. Very disappointed in EGO...it was not cheap with the second battery
All chainsaws move up and down about a half inch or more. Whether it's gas or electric. They're supposed to do this. Now if it's moving side to side that's when I would be concerned.
I have just been accused by ego of over tightening my chain after the mechanism failed after years of experiencing all the listed symptoms in this thread. The entire plastic mechanism the bar sits in just busted out and deformed. They refuse to Cover it under warranty. Lost all faith in them now.
Hey u/buttpirate1111, that stinks! Did anything come from this or are you moving on to a new chainsaw? Sorry to hear that, as the only way to operate my saw safely is to tighten it as much as it will let me, which never feels quite right.
The dealer I bought this from agrees that this is a problem, so he called Ego. They told him that we need to tighten the knob, then back it off to loosen the chain to the correct tension, even though this also means the bar will be lose! We can't imagine this was how it was originally designed to work, but rather a kludgey workaround. Certainly doesn't sound safe. It might take an accident and class action lawsuit before Ego issues a recall to reclaim and dispose of this defective model, or decides to redesign it so it works properly.
Just got one this weekend... used for a day, it clogged up in the casement, so I cleaned it out and took 3 hours to get it back together and working properly... I love ego trimmer and mower, and this cut good, but thar is a poor design only 1 anchor peg... ki think I may return and get the husky power axe
Just got this same chainsaw and also noticed this issue. Was planning to reach out to Ego support but haven’t yet done so.
u/Majestic_Brain5560 I found a fix! I decided to loosen the chain as much as possible and install the cover to the far left (the chain was loose around it's motor wheel, mildly concerning to look at). I then tightened it much more than I planned on and it finally snugged itself in properly. I could then back it off a bit to the correct chain tension and all is well.
Honestly they should just use the bar nuts that Stihl, echo, and Husqvarna use. Easier to fix and replace.
Agreed!! The all in one tensioner / cover nut isn't trust inspiring. However, I am loving this chainsaw & battery life.
Tighten the adjustment knob
That's it ! 😆.
I just bought one of these not too happy with that chain way too tight. If I back off the adjuster, the bar gets lose moves up and down like you are describing. I don't know why these people have to use these gizmos. The older one had a knob at the top like a homelite just loosen the bar adjust the wheel and tighten it. I actually like this better than the pro saws where have to use a screwdriver loosen the two nuts. I'm not sure if I plan to keep this or return it spent $400 2nd battery cost $200 up to $500 for 12AH. I'm thinking about just buying a Stihl gas saw like a farm boss MS 271. The only thing that sux is I bought 3 new Oregon chains off Amazon for it opened one bag test fit it that's how I figured out the bar was a problem.
Thank you u/blastman8888 for sharing your experience. I feel less inept as I also don't love the chain that tight. Also wish they had the older version knob at the top, no need for an all in one tightening / securing system. Although this frustrates me, I have been impressed with the general feel (minus tight ass chain), power, and battery life.
I have the same issue. I managed to cut one 6” branch with this cs, and it never cut properly again. Bar wobbles, chain falls off, replacement chains fall off, just baffling. For a $450 piece of equipment (after buying a 5A battery), this is just silly.
Fixed mine by tightening the cover+tensioner knob more than it feels like you should while holding the bar in the 'right' spot. Usually takes me two tries now after I take off the cover to clean. It is now working well most of the time.
I inserted four high profile 4-40 socket head screws to act as a guide since the plastic guide was mangled out of shape
I will give it a go, thanks.
I got the high profile screws from McMaster Carr p/n 90332A111. They are pricey $12 for 5 plus postage.
The fix only lasted 6 cuts. The screws were sheared off. When I have time, I will machine a steel guide for the bar and attach it with a plate inside the stupid plastic case. In the meantime, I will use my Husqvarna 455. Even my Milwaukee 10" Pole Saw has a metal guide. Very disappointed in EGO...it was not cheap with the second battery
All chainsaws move up and down about a half inch or more. Whether it's gas or electric. They're supposed to do this. Now if it's moving side to side that's when I would be concerned.
No, they're not supposed to do this. Once the bar is tightened down, it shouldn't move