Greasability on clutch bearings

[LuDookie]

As @rahtreelimbs mentioned bar oil never reaches the clutch bearing in any sort of reasonable quantity.
Clutch bearings just don't spin much and require very little lube.

Disagree. Especially with my Echo saws… everything gets a nice coat of bar oil. Lol.

 

[Backstage]

I can't see how oil could be naturally reaching that bearing from the oil pump system…but it does need some kind of grease to run properly.

 

[LuDookie]

Oil tends to “get around”.

 

[bwalker]

Keeping the bearing clean and lube is part of maintaining. Slop too much in there it spins out to the clutch shoes.

We have shared chainsaws for trail work that I seem to keep them going. For the past 2 years in a row our Stihl MS362C-M the users seem to not remove the sprocket drum to clean and lube. It has been tagged twice as a non runner. The bearing is so bound up that it is locked solid, so when you pull the starter rope the chain on the bar will spin. Of course with the chain brake on you can not pull the starter rope.

I know it is just simple cleaning and maintenance for us but at the same time it should be for them too. But it seems it is not the case! I think I should do a movie to show them how to clean out the clutch and lube a bearing. I'm sure some of them would not get the oiler rod back in the grove on assembly properly.

Ok rant off....I'm glad I have my own saws to use out on the trail.

I've never, ever lost a clutch. Don't know how I've functioned so long without cleaning and luring clutch bearings on a regular basis.

 

[bwalker]

Oil tends to “get around”.

My 361 has a HD oiler off a 460. It oils extremely well. No oil makes it to the bearing, unless you have a leak at the oil pump.

 

[LuDookie]

My 361 has a HD oiler off a 460. It oils extremely well. No oil makes it to the bearing, unless you have a leak at the oil pump.

With an outboard clutch, right where the sprocket side butts up against the oil pump is where bar oil can find itself getting to that bearing. At nearly 3,000rpm, the bearing will pull oil in. I know this isn’t where the oiler is supposed to supply it, but oil gets there on my Echos for sure. The Huskys run a pretty tight show, and my Stihls barely oil the bar. Lol. But on an inboard clutch, I could see it being nearly impossible for bar oil to reach it.

 

[bwalker]

With an outboard clutch, right where the sprocket side butts up against the oil pump is where bar oil can find itself getting to that bearing. At nearly 3,000rpm, the bearing will pull oil in. I know this isn’t where the oiler is supposed to supply it, but oil gets there on my Echos for sure. The Huskys run a pretty tight show, and my Stihls barely oil the bar. Lol. But on an inboard clutch, I could see it being nearly impossible for bar oil to reach it.

Most modern saws don't have an outboard clutch.
For those that do bar oil is not going to be sucked in. Centrifugal force and all.

 

[LuDookie]

Most modern saws don't have an outboard clutch.
For those that do bar oil is not going to be sucked in. Centrifugal force and all.

Well I’m definitely wrong then. I’ll have to figure out how that bar oil is getting there. My most modern saw is a 261 and my least favorite.

 

[Old2stroke]

Only people who have clutch bearing problems are those who leave their saw idling while they pick up limbs, stop for coffee, go for a pee, etc.

 

[PV Hiker]

Those that use a power washer and the water sits in the bearing could be a cause.

 

[LuDookie]

I’ve never had a a clutch bearing problem but I do think it’sa good idea to have a look at it from time to time. I’ve found Spanish moss in there several times and it really dries things out.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If bar lube is oiling the clutch bearing then why are clutch bearings dry? I call BS on that one.

 

[Dangerous]

Disagree. Especially with my Echo saws… everything gets a nice coat of bar oil. Lol.

I thought my echo bearings look pretty open lightly lubed a little bar oil . Like a gun not to much not to little cleaned the area around the bearing .

 

[bwalker]

I thought my echo bearings look pretty open lightly lubed a little bar oil . Like a gun not to much not to little cleaned the area around the bearing .

What little lube you add is quickly flung out at 8000+ rpm.

 

[Dangerous]

What little lube you add is quickly flung out at 8000+ rpm.

That’s why I add Engine Restore to my Bar Oil. Too much attracts dirt too little excess wear I imitate what I saw.
(Pun)

 

[LuDookie]

If bar lube is oiling the clutch bearing then why are clutch bearings dry? I call BS on that one.

Mine aren’t usually dry so I just have to assume that they haven’t thrown all the oil that I put on them or they are getting bar oil.