Chainsaw - grease bar or not?

[stickshift]

I have a HF Portland electric pole saw. The manual says to grease the guide bar every 10 uses, and I'm about there. I was going to get a cheap grease gun, but discovered there's a bit of controversy on whether greasing makes any difference - since the saw has an auto-oiler, what purpose does the grease serve?

I assume the constantly flowing oil is pushing the grease out, hence the instruction to re-grease every 10 uses. Isn't the oil providing all the lubrication necessary?

If it will significantly extend the life of the chain or bar, I can grease it, but if not, I'd rather not have one more maintenance task.

 

[metaleltr]

I've only ever heard to grease the wheel at the tip of the bar. I've never actually seen anyone do it though.

 

[M.Bryant]

Most saws/bars supply enough oil to keep the guide links lubed but not the nose wheel bearings and they'll wear out. Being a HF it may wear faster if not kept greased. If it has the little grease hole near the tip then keep it greased. Don't forget to flip the bar with each chain replacement/ sharpening to keep the wear on your bar even.

 

[DFB]

Yes grease for the bar nose sprocket. That's what the hole is for.

A needle point type fitting is what you want to use with a standard grease gun. You can also purchase a small accessory grease gun for just that purpose

 

[bob15]

The oil lubricates the chain. The grease lubricates the bearing in the bar. I grease my bars whenever I change saw chains or on the first start-up of the day. It takes 15-30 seconds to grease it. Pump grease into it until grease comes out of the tip.

 

[Lassen Forge]

What bob said. Use one of those little chainsaw bar pump greasers (I used to have one of those converters but they were always a PITA for me) on both sides, usually a pump or 2 every time you clean the chain and bar. There's other small maintenance items you have to do on the bar, all pretty easy to do!

 

[fang123]

What bob said. Use one of those little chainsaw bar pump greasers (I used to have one of those converters but they were always a PITA for me) on both sides, usually a pump or 2 every time you clean the chain and bar. There's other small maintenance items you have to do on the bar, all pretty easy to do!

Yep get one of the pre filled bump feed grease "gun" . It will last years.

 

[kctyphoon]

Just spray some WD 40 around the thing.. it all gets filled up with grit and dust anyway.. dont go crazy making a project out of it.. you can use almost anything.

 

[WaterBoyz]

I've always used the super tacky bar oil and greased the sprocket.

I also have a hacksaw blade, that I thinned down to fit in the chain track and ground a hook on the end, to remove all the debris.

Here is an "image" of my greaser that I've been using since the late 70s.

 

[stickshift]

Thanks guys. I'll pick up a cheap chainsaw grease gun like this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oregon-1-5-oz-Manual-Pre-Loaded-Chain-Saw-Grease-Gun/1112145

Should last forever for my light duty use.

 

[CR888]

The grease forms a barrier stopping abrasive dirt entering the bearing. You can grease it or don't with success but if you grease it keep greasing it periodically. Only a ting bit is needed, the 'micro' little saw grease guns are great.