How to Use a Chain Saw Tachometer

A tachometer measures the revolutions of an engine and can be an effective way to adjust the different speeds a chain saw will experience. For optimum performance, chain saws need to run at specific speeds for their idle, low and high speeds. However, during the life of a chain saw, dirt, bad gas and other matter will clog up the fuel system and cause the engine to run slower or faster than normal. These speeds can vary widely from saw to saw and from professional-grade to homeowner-grade saws, so make sure you know your saw’s rpm before adjusting the speeds.

Small screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Position the chain saw in an area where the chain won’t hit anything while using the tachometer. Start the chain saw and let it warm up for 10 minutes to reach operating temperatures.
- 2
  Unhook or unscrew the cylinder cover on top of the saw. Connect the tachometer’s wire to the spark plug wire, if your tachometer uses a lead wire. Switch the tachometer on.
- 3
  Check the reading for the idle speed. Adjust the idle speed up or down, turning the idle carburetor screw clockwise or counterclockwise with a screwdriver. Adjust the screw as needed to achiever your model’s specific idle speed.
- 4
  Squeeze the throttle in fully and check the reading on the tachometer. Adjust the high speed up or down, turning the high carburetor screw clockwise or counterclockwise as necessary to reach your model’s high-speed rpm.
- 5
  Let go of the throttle and recheck the idle speed reading. Adjust the idle screw as necessary if it has changed.

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