Saw will not cut , chain stops turning when chain touches wood

Hi Pam:
Using chain saws takes a bit of getting used to, and it can be DANGEROUS.
- The chain must be sharp to be able to cut properly, and a sharp chain "bites" into the wood.
- Before you touch the chain into the wood, you have to speed up the engine. This takes some getting used to.
- Try this technique: With the chain about an inch above where you want to cut, squeeze the throttle about half way so the chain is spinning. Touch the chain to the wood and increase the engine speed as the chain starts to cut. The harder you cut, the more power you need to apply.
After a while it gets to be second nature.
Work Safe, and get an experienced friend to help with some "hands on" coaching.
Cheers.

1st shut saw off
2nd obtain wrench that fits bolt to hold bar on (theres only one)
3rd lose en the bolt for bar by only one turn !!
4th locate screwdriver (or a dime works too) and turn small screw next to bar just before it connects to saw
observe chain tension , stop when you can no longer lift the chain up from bar , don't overtighten!!
5th retighten the bolt that holds bar to saw , Tight!!!
6th restart saw and cut wood !!!

White smoke is usually associated with burning antifreeze in an automobile engine, but in this case, trying to cut wet wood might be suspect. The chain must be properly sharpened and the teeth cut toward you on the bottom run of chain. When the chain is properly adjusted, it should not droop from the lower edge of the bar, but no so tight that you can't turn it by hand. Forcing a poor cutting chain into the kerf will overheat the chain and cause it to become loose quickly. Hope this helps!

Have the chain professionally sharpened (Stihl or Husqvarna) at a saw retailer (take your saw). While there ask them to verify the gauge of the bar and chain are the same. When you return to pick-up your chain bring a few pieces of wood. Ask them to make a few cookies with your saw. Please reply with the result.

If you have more questions or need additional help please reply below and I will get back to you. Thank you for using FixYa and Good Luck. HTH
Lou

It sounds like the chain is too tight. Loosen up the tension on the chain by turning the tensioning screw located on the end of the saw where the bar goes out.

It's hard to say. 41CCs should handle a 16" chain reasonably well.

1. What are you cutting? Hard woods oak and maple are more difficult than pine.
2. Are you digging in the dogs and trying to force the saw through the wood? Let the saw determine how fast it wants to cut, I rarely engage the dogs on my 359, I let the weight of the saw work for me.
3. How sharp is your chain? Have the rakers been filed to low?
4. Is the saw bogging down at speed before contacting the wood?
5. Your saw was set extremely lean to meet EPA requirements. It is fitted with adjustment limiters also mandated by the EPA. To lean can impact how it performs.

All of these and few not coming to mind effect how fast the saw cuts. This isn't the answer you wanted but it is honest. We would have to see you cut and examine your saw to provide anything better. HTH
Lou

THE SAW IS RUNNING FINE . WHEN THE CHAIN STOPS AND THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING AT HI THROTTLE THE CLUTCH MAY BE WORN AND SLIPPING. PULL THE CHAIN AND BAR AND SEE IF THE CLUTCH HOUSING IS BLUEISH IN COLOR IF SO I WOULD REPLACE THE CLUTCH

yes but will have to change chain and will bog down. you will have to take less cuts and run it at higher rpm to do the same job.

Chain is on backwards or very dull.

There are two idle screws one high, and one low. Your high adjustment idle screw needs to be adjusted.