Replacement Chains for Tree Pruners

About Replacement Chains for Tree Pruners

Replacement chains for tree pruners are essential maintenance components that ensure your pole pruner or pole chainsaw continues to deliver clean, efficient cuts through branches and limbs. Over time, even the highest quality cutting chains will dull, stretch or become damaged through regular use, making replacement chains a necessary investment for anyone serious about tree maintenance and pruning work. These specialised chains are designed specifically for pole-mounted cutting tools, featuring optimised tooth geometry and chain pitch that matches the original equipment manufacturer's specifications.

Tooled-Up.com stocks genuine replacement chains from leading brands including DeWalt and Einhell, ensuring compatibility with popular cordless and petrol pole pruner models. Each replacement chain is manufactured to exacting standards, delivering the same cutting performance as the original chain supplied with your tool. Whether you're maintaining a DeWalt DCMPS567 pole chainsaw or an Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T cordless pole pruner, having a spare chain on hand minimises downtime and keeps your pruning projects on schedule.

These replacement chains typically feature hardened steel construction with precision-sharpened cutting teeth, designed to slice cleanly through green wood and seasoned branches alike. Most chains are supplied ready to fit, though proper tensioning and lubrication are essential for optimal performance and longevity. Regular chain replacement not only improves cutting efficiency but also enhances safety by reducing the risk of kickback and ensuring predictable cutting behaviour when working at height.

Jargon Buster

• Chain Pitch: The distance between drive links on the chain, measured in inches. This must match your pruner's bar specification exactly for proper fit and operation.
• Gauge: The thickness of the drive links that fit into the guide bar groove. Using the wrong gauge will result in loose or binding chain movement.
• Drive Links: The lower portion of the chain that fits into the guide bar groove and engages with the drive sprocket to move the chain around the bar.
• Cutter Teeth: The sharpened cutting elements on the chain that perform the actual cutting work. These wear down with use and require periodic sharpening or replacement.
• Chain Tension: The correct tightness of the chain on the guide bar. Proper tension prevents the chain from derailing whilst allowing smooth rotation during cutting.
• Kickback: A dangerous reaction where the guide bar is suddenly thrown upward and backward toward the operator, often caused by dull or damaged chains.

Who Uses Replacement Chains for Tree Pruners?

• Professional Arborists: Tree surgeons and arborists who rely on pole pruners daily for commercial tree maintenance and pruning contracts.
• Groundskeepers and Estate Managers: Those responsible for maintaining parks, estates, golf courses and large private grounds with extensive tree cover.
• Landscape Gardeners: Professional landscapers offering tree pruning and maintenance services as part of their commercial garden care business.
• Forestry Workers: Professionals involved in woodland management, forestry operations and rural land maintenance.
• Facilities Management Teams: Staff responsible for maintaining trees and vegetation around commercial properties, schools and public buildings.
• DIY Enthusiasts: Homeowners with large gardens, orchards or smallholdings who regularly maintain their own trees and hedgerows.
• Agricultural Workers: Farmers and agricultural contractors who need to maintain trees, hedgerows and boundary vegetation on farming land.

How to Choose the Right Replacement Chains for Tree Pruners

Check Your Model Number: The most critical step is identifying your exact pole pruner model. Replacement chains are model-specific, so verify your tool's full model number before purchasing. The Tooled-Up range includes chains designed for specific DeWalt and Einhell models, ensuring perfect compatibility.

Verify Chain Specifications: If you're unsure of the model, check the chain pitch, gauge and length of your existing chain. These specifications are sometimes stamped on the drive links or listed in your pruner's manual. Matching these measurements precisely ensures proper fit and safe operation.

Choose Genuine Parts: Whilst aftermarket chains may seem economical, genuine manufacturer replacement chains guarantee compatibility, performance and safety. Genuine parts from brands like DeWalt and Einhell are engineered specifically for their tools, maintaining the performance characteristics you expect.

Consider Buying Multiple Chains: Professional users often keep several spare chains in rotation, allowing them to swap out a dull chain immediately and sharpen it later. This approach minimises downtime and maintains productivity throughout the working day.

Check Chain Length: Pole pruner chains are typically shorter than standard chainsaw chains, often measuring between 200mm and 300mm. Confirm the correct length for your specific model to avoid ordering the wrong size.

Assess Your Usage Pattern: If you're cutting hardwoods or working daily, you'll need replacements more frequently than occasional users tackling lighter pruning tasks. Stock up accordingly based on your typical workload.

Popular Accessories

• Chain Sharpening Files: Round files matched to your chain's tooth size for field sharpening and maintaining cutting performance between replacements.
• File Guides and Holders: Tools that maintain the correct filing angle for consistent, accurate chain sharpening.
• Bar and Chain Oil: Specialised lubricant that reduces friction, prevents overheating and extends chain life during operation.
• Chain Tensioning Tools: Screwdrivers or combination tools designed for adjusting chain tension safely and accurately.
• Replacement Guide Bars: The metal bar that supports the chain; these also wear over time and may need replacement alongside chains.
• Protective Gloves: Heavy-duty work gloves for handling chains safely during installation and maintenance.
• Safety Goggles: Essential eye protection when operating pole pruners or performing chain maintenance.
• Chain Storage Cases: Protective containers that keep spare chains clean, organised and safe when not in use.

Safety Information

Installation Safety: Always disconnect the battery or power source before installing or removing a replacement chain. Chains have sharp cutting edges that can cause serious injury if the tool activates unexpectedly during maintenance.

Correct Tensioning: An incorrectly tensioned chain presents serious safety hazards. Chains that are too loose can derail during operation, whilst overtightened chains may snap or cause excessive wear to the drive mechanism. Follow the manufacturer's tensioning guidelines precisely.

Wear Appropriate PPE: When operating pole pruners, always wear safety goggles or a face shield, protective gloves, sturdy footwear and a hard hat. The HSE recommends appropriate protective equipment for all tree work operations, particularly when working at height or overhead.

Inspect Before Use: Check new chains for any shipping damage or defects before installation. Once fitted, run the pruner briefly at low speed to ensure proper operation before commencing cutting work.

Proper Lubrication: Never operate a chain without adequate lubrication. Insufficient bar and chain oil causes excessive heat buildup, increasing the risk of chain breakage and potential injury.

Regular Maintenance: Replace chains showing signs of damage, excessive wear or damaged teeth immediately. Continuing to use a worn chain compromises both cutting performance and operator safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my pole pruner chain?
This depends entirely on usage frequency and cutting conditions. Professional users may need replacement every few months, whilst occasional domestic users might get a year or more from a chain. Replace immediately if you notice damaged teeth, significant stretching, or if sharpening no longer restores cutting performance. Chains cutting predominantly hardwood or encountering dirt and debris will wear faster than those used on clean softwood.

Can I use a generic chain instead of a manufacturer-specific replacement?
It's strongly recommended to use genuine replacement chains matched to your specific pole pruner model. Generic chains may not meet the exact pitch, gauge and length specifications, potentially causing poor performance, accelerated wear or safety issues. Genuine chains from Tooled-Up ensure proper fit and maintain your tool's warranty coverage.

Do replacement chains come pre-sharpened?
Yes, replacement chains typically arrive factory-sharpened and ready to use. However, you should still check the chain tension after initial installation and again after the first few minutes of use, as new chains may stretch slightly during the break-in period.

How do I know if my chain needs replacing rather than just sharpening?
Replace your chain if the cutting teeth are worn down significantly, if there are cracked or broken links, if the chain has stretched beyond the tensioner's adjustment range, or if sharpening no longer improves cutting performance. Chains with damaged depth gauges or those that have been sharpened many times and have very short teeth should also be replaced.

Will a replacement chain fit different pole pruner models from the same brand?
Not necessarily. Even within the same brand, different models may use chains with varying specifications. Always verify that the replacement chain is explicitly compatible with your exact model number. The product descriptions at Tooled-Up clearly indicate which models each replacement chain fits, such as chains specifically designed for the DeWalt DCMPS567 or Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T.