5 Ways to Free a Pinched Chainsaw Bar

Stop the saw immediately Continuing to force the saw can damage the chain or bar.

Cut a relief notch above the pinch Make a wedge-shaped cut into the top of the log directly over where the bar is stuck. This releases the tension holding the bar.

Use a plastic wedge if you don’t have a second saw Drive the wedge into the original cut to spread the kerf and free the bar.

Understand compression before you cut When a log is supported on both ends, the top is in tension and the bottom is in compression. Pinches happen from the bottom.

Cut from the tension side first Start your cut from the top of the log, then finish from the bottom to avoid pinching entirely.