Chain stops turning while cutting - Stihl HT101 Pole pruner

that big black handle in front of the handle you hold is a brake /clutch disconnect

it is a safety device that when in an emergency , you press ti forward and the chain drive is disconnected

you can also use it when you do not wish to stop the engine when you put it down and don't want the chain moving

to engage simply pull it hack towards the handle you hold before cutting

Could be a few things.

1. Clutch slipping at engine end.
2. Drive shafts have become detached from drive or broken.
3. Clutch behind the drive sprocket on the cutting head may need tightening.
4. Chain too sharp/aggressive and is trying to cut too much and the stopping the chain.
5. Chain too tight.

Not a lot of information here so I'll take a guess. If the chain isn't turning it can be frozen in the bar. The chain can also be too tight that keeps it from turning or your oiler may be plugged and not working and without lubrication it will slow the chain down.

Have you take the chain brake off..? This is a band which grips the clutch drum and must be disengaged before use.

Check chain tension, this shouldn't be too tight.

Did you also put chain oil in the oil tank.?

Hi,
The chain runs with a centrifugal clutch...the clutch is bad or the key has come out of the shaft and it is not transferring the power to the chain...

heatman101

Remove the bar and chain--check the sprocket and shaft for any mechanical damage. Try to turn the sprocket by hand in a CCW direction, does the shaft move with it? Does it seem to turn the motor? If the sprocket and shaft seem ok, then you may have a damaged gear (likely plastic) within the gearbox. Hope this helps!

Your problem statement seems to be chopped off, but apparently, when you go to cut something, the chain just stops turning. Assuming that is so, remove the bar and chain, then wash out the interior of the clutch mechanism with spray carburetor cleaner. Let dry and re-assemble the bar and chain. Make sure the chain is being properly oiled by running the saw at speed with bar tip near some cardboard--it should leave thin line of oil after several moments. Make sure the chain teeth cut toward you on the bottom run of chain. Hope this helps!

Check the engine running (it should 4-stroke at speed when not cutting, but will immediately 2-stroke when cutting) after removing the bar and chain. If the engine seems ok now, check that oil is oozing out of the engine side port. If ok, clean the oil ports at the drive end of the bar including the two small ports that go out to the chain groove on each side, then clean the entire chain groove. Oil the end sprocket (if it exists) and check it's turning. Reinstall the bar and chain, and adjust the chain until it just stops drooping from the lower bar, but not so tight that it can't be turned by hand. If no oil came out of the engine port in the first test, then troubleshoot the oil pumping system from the oil tank filter to the oil pump itself. The chain should cut at any running speed, just not as fast. Make sure that it is properly sharpened. Clean the air cleaner and the muffler if either is plugged. If you have further problems, suggest taking the machine to a Stihl repair center for carburetor service if needed. Hope this helps!

If your saw has a removable sprocket, Check the drive sprocket on the clutch drum. Either the the spline is worn or the drive link on the chain is not properly seated in the sprocket well.

After warming up the engine at part throttle for a couple of minutes, clear it out with a 3 second burst. Then idle the engine.. If the chain rotates, turn the idle speed screw to the left (CCW) until the chain stops.
Turn the LO NEEDLE slowly to the right (CW) to find the fastest engine speed. If this causes the chain to rotate, repeat idle screw adjustment to stop the chain from rotating.
High speed (with throttle wide open). Set needle 1-1/4 turns open, checking for smooth acceleration by opening the throttle wide for 3 seconds. If the saw stumbles, turn needle to the right (CW) 1/8 turn @ a time until smooth acceleration is obtained. Try a saw cut to see if adequate power is available. Continue making 1/8 turn adjustments (CW) until saw shows a power drop when asked to cut. (This indicates too lean a mixture setting.) Then, from the setting in step 3, turn the HIGH NEEDLE 1/4 turn to the left (CCW). Check the cutting ability of the saw again. This should be the best setting for your particular altitude, temp. and humidity conditions.
To pre-set before initally starting the saw, turn LOW and HIGH and IDLE screws in gently till each one just stops. Then turn each out (CCW) 1 - 1 - 1 1/4 turn.
Hope this is helpful. Try www.zamacarb.com/tips.html Select the "Tech. Guide"
Good luck and God Bless.
oft