Troubleshooting the CS300 Cordless Chainsaw

Chainsaw Motor Does Not Run or Runs Intermittently

1. Saw Chain
2. Guide Bar
3. Front Hand Guard/Chain Brake
4. Battery
5. Trigger Switch
6. Trigger Lock-Out
7. Oil Inspection Window
8. Oil Reservoir Cap
9. Side Cover
10. Side Cover Chain Catch
11. Rear Handle
12. Rear Hand Guard

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Chain saw chain brake is engaged.	Before starting, make sure the hand guard is in its most rearward position (chain brake disengaged). See diagram below for correct hand guard position
The battery has no power.	Recharge the chain saw battery. Consult the Oregon CS300 manual for instructions.
Trigger lock-out is not pressed. Note: The trigger lock-out is the movable stop which prevents the operation of the trigger switch until it is activated by hand.	Depress the trigger lock out. Press and hold the trigger lock-out with your thumb. Squeeze the trigger switch to start the saw.
The battery pack is not inserted all the way	Remove debris from battery port and terminals using a dry cloth or non-conductive brush.
The side cover contains debris.	Remove the battery pack, then remove the side cover and clean out the debris.
The battery pack is cold.	Allow the battery to warm above the minimum operation temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Motor Runs but Chain saw Chain Does not Rotate

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Chain is not engaging drive sprocket.	Reinstall the chain, making sure that the drive links on the chain are fully seated on the sprocket. See “Maintenance and Cleaning” in the Oregon CS300 manual for additional instructions.
The chainsaw bar’s nose sprocket is not turning.	Replace the guide bar. See the Replacing a Worn Guide Bar” section of the Oregon CS300 manual for instructions.

Chain Saw Chain Brake does not Engage

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Debris is preventing the full movement of the hand guard.	Clean the debris off of the external chain brake mechanism.
Possible chain brake malfunction	Contact an approved service location immediately. Warning Operating a chainsaw without a functioning chain brake could lead to serious personal injury

Chain Saw Won’t Cut Properly

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Insufficient chain tension	Tension the saw chain based on the instructions in the Oregon CS300 manual.
Dull chain saw chain	Sharpen the chain using the instructions in the “Sharpening with PowerSharp” section of the Oregon CS300 manual
Chain saw chain is installed backwards	Make sure the saw chain is looped onto the drive sprocket so that the cutting edges of the teeth along the top of the bar face away from the powerhead. See diagram below.
Worn chain saw chain	Replace the chain and stone. They are designed to wear at the same rate.
Dry or excessively stretched chain	Check the oil level. Refill the oil reservoir if necessary following the instructions in the "Filling the Bar and Chain Oil Reservoir" section of the Oregon CS300 manual. Check for a clogged oil system. A small amount of oil should be delivered to the bar.
The chain is not in the bar groove	Feed the chain into the groove of the bar. Rotate the chain tensioning gear to slide the bar away from the motor to remove slack from the chain. See diagram below.

Alarm Beeps when the Trigger is Pulled

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Motor is overheated from heavy use	Let the saw cool down before you begin cutting again.
The chain brake is engaged.	Before starting, make sure the hand guard is in the rearward-most position (with the chain brake disengaged). For correct hand guard positioning, see the first diagram in this article.

Chain saw battery pack does not charge

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Battery pack over/under temperature protection is activated	This may occur when the saw is run continuously or exposed to high ambient temperatures. Allow the chain saw battery pack to reach the acceptable temperature before charging. If the battery pack is hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit/40 degrees Celsius, the battery pack will display a steady orange light. Note: You can leave the pack on the charger while the temperate adjusts. Charging will begin when the pack reaches the right temperature.
Dirty or damaged contacts on battery pack or charger	Inspect the contacts on both the chainsaw’s battery pack and its charger. If necessary, the pack and charger according to the instructions in the Oregon CS300 manual.
Battery pack is at the end of its life	All batteries have a limited shelf life. If the chain saw battery pack is more than two years old or has been recharged frequently, it may be time to replace it. Replace only with the battery pack specified for the CS 300.
Charger is faulty	Have the function checked at an approved service location.

Low Cutting Time per Battery Charge

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Dull chain saw chain	Sharpen the chain using the instructions in the “Sharpening with PowerSharp” section of the Oregon CS300 manual. Do not cut with dull chain saw chain, since doing so will increase the risk for kickback and can produce jagged cuts.
Worn chain saw chain	Replace the chain following the instructions in the manual.
Dry chain	Check the oil level and refill oil reservoir if necessary.
Over-tensioned chain	Tension the chain according to the instructions in the manual.
Improper cutting technique	Follow best practices for cutting as outlined in the manual. Do not cut materials other than wood or use dull chain. Hold the saw the right way. Maintain a steady speed while cutting.
Debris in side cover	Remove the battery pack and the side cover. Then, clean out debris.
Battery pack is at the end of its life	Recharge the chain saw battery pack.

Blinking Orange Light on Charge State Indicator

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Charger short circuit, charger over current, over voltage limit, open circuit on battery pack, or charge/pre-charge time out error	1. Make sure the charger cord is connected to both the charger and the electrical outlet. 2. Make sure the charger is receiving the correct voltage. 3. Try charging another battery pack designed for this charger. If this not correct the problem, have the function checked at an approved service location.

FAQ

When using the CS300 chainsaw, how long does the battery last?

The 4.0 Ah Battery Pack will last up to 400 cuts per charge in 2 to 3 inch (5 to 7 cm) diameter limbs. This performance may vary with user technique, chain sharpness, size, and type of wood. The 2.6 Ah Battery Pack will make up to 250 cuts. Cuts per charge will drop significantly with increasing diameter wood. The new 6.0 Ah Battery pack offers 50% more run time compared with the 4.0 Ah Battery pack.

What is the difference between the Oregon CS300 and CS250 chainsaws?

The CS300 features brushless motor technology as well as increased power and torque, letting the user get more work done. The bar length has increased from 14" to 16" on the CS300 and it features tool-less chain tensioning. The CS300 has retained the patented PowerSharp® self-sharpening chain technology so you’ll never have to cut with a dull chain again.

How fast do the Oregon chainsaws (CS250 and CS300) cut?

In 3 to 6 inch (7 to 15 cm) diameter limbs, the chainsaw will take approximately 4 seconds, while large 8 to 10 inch (20 to 25 cm) diameter cuts will take approximately 25 seconds. This performance may vary with user technique, chain sharpness, and hardness of the wood.

What is PowerSharp (the red lever) and how does it work?

PowerSharp is a chain sharpening system that is built into some Oregon chainsaw models. When the chain is dull or not cutting fast enough, bring the chainsaw to full speed, pull the red lever for 3 to 5 seconds, and the chain will work like new. You can xpect approximately 10 to 20 re-sharpenings on an individual PowerSharp® chain depending on how damaged the chain is prior to sharpening.

Can a non-PowerSharp type chain be used on the CS300 chainsaw?

Yes, other chains can be used on the chainsaw, but the integrated sharpening feature will only work with PowerSharp chain. When installing another chain type, remove the sharpening stone as non-PowerSharp chains can be damaged by operating the red lever when a sharpening stone is installed. For the CS300, 3/8-in. Low Profile™, .050″ gauge chain with 56 drive links can be used as an alternate chain.

Can I put a shorter or longer guide bar on the saw?

It is not recommended to install a guide bar longer than 16 inches (40 cm) onto the CS300. The CS300 chainsaw has been designed with a 16 inch (40 cm) guide bar as the optimal length. Performance will decrease with a longer guide bar. Shorter guide bars with an A041 tail mount can be fitted to the CS300.

Does the chainsaw use bar and chain oil?

Yes, bar and chain oil is required to lubricate the cutting system properly. Oregon Premium Bar and Chain Oil is recommended. Place the chainsaw on its side and fill the oil reservoir accessed through the oil cap. Check oil level each time you recharge the battery and fill as needed.

How do I tighten the chain on the CS300 chainsaw?

Always remove the battery and wear gloves when tightening the chain. Loosen the side-cover release knob 1.5 turns (counter-clockwise). Use the red tensioning ring to tighten the chain, clockwise adds tension. Once the chain is at desired tension, tighten the side-cover release knob.