Saw runs great, however when cutting;the kerf goes to the left.Replaced the chain recently and it cut fine for a few cuts then started the same problem. Could it be the bar grove is worn and needs replacing as well? Thanks

It is important for even cuts that the board is fixtured properly. I would secure the plywood to a second board that is flat stiff and strong. A table top that is not warped may work OK. This will prevent the plywood from bending from the weight of the saw.

Use a scrap piece of material at the exact thickness of the plywood to allow the saw to cut through the width of the plywood .
You need to cut past the back edge to ensure the kerf depth is consistent.

If you cannot hold the saw flat and steady you may also need a lead in piece so the saw is flat and square before beginning the cut into the 12 inch wide plywood.

I would use a fence along the side of the saw as a guide relocating after each cut.

Since the 550 xp is a bigger motor than the 346 xp and the chain kerf is about the same, then more horsepower equates to faster cutting

Hi, physically it can be done as far as pitch goes but there would most likely be insufficient side clearance on the guide plates etc. Also the saw would not have enough power to drive it as it cuts a wider kerf. Basically you need a bigger saw. Hope this answers your question, regards Phil.

suggest you sharpen the chain, sounds like it's dull like maybe the log you cut had been fallen on ground for awhile, this causes dirt build up in bark and acts just like cutting Dirt and we all know what that does to your chain...dulls it fast ! I learned from experience I cut an oak tree that was cut down for about 2 years when I got permission to cut it up,needless to say it had a lot of dirt in the bark! hope this helps you !

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!

Remove the bar and chain--check the oil port in the side of the engine case where the bar fits up to. Start the engine--oil should ooze out of the port. If not, service the pump, lines and tank filter. If oil does ooze out, clean the chain groove, and the two oil passages that feed oil to the groove. If the outsides of the chain groove have flared out from chain wear, file these edges off (about 45 degrees) til they don't project beyond the bar vertical surface so that they don't catch on the kerf cut. Make sure the chain is being sharpened and adjusted properly. The 'choking down' may be from the engine overheating while trying make the cut. The engine should 4-stroke when running at speed, but immediately 2-stroke when cutting. Make sure the air cleaner and muffler are not plugged. Hope this helps!

This could be a problem with chain sharpening technique. Use of the correct size file, filing angles, and filing depth will all affect cutting performance. If the bar and chain are worn, you may be experiencing chain 'roll-over' which hinders the way the teeth cut into the wood. Try turning the bar over and tighten the chain a little more than usual, but still be able to turn it by hand. If the outer edges of the bar groove area have a 'flared-out surface, take a file to those edges (cut about 45 degrees) which may be catching on the 'kerf' of the cut. Make sure the teeth are cutting toward you on the bottom run. Hope this helps!

All things are possible but it isn't likely the bar is bent. Are you getting fairly large chips or sawdust? Try raising the rear of the saw a little when she quits cutting. so you have a small contact area instead of a wide flat cut. Run a flat file at an angle along both edges of the bar to remove any wire edge. Let me know what you find you have piqued my curiosity. Lou

you will need to clean the carb and put new gaskets in it. Make sure it has clean thin oil. Dont over due it on the oil

Hi

Before other checking change the spring of the clutch(2).

best regards savumihai71