Stihl GTA 26 Garden Pruner Questions & Answers

Hi Chris, just check the chain, take it off and ensure all debri is removed. Do this by taking the battery out, then unscrew the chain cover, take the cap off and remove the chain. Inspect in between the spindle, and ensure the chain is free from debri. Then you can replace the chain, put the cover back on. I always manually turn the chain first just to check it without power. If it turns then replace the battery and try with power. Generally, as long as the spindle and chain is clear you wont have a problem. Mine gets clogged every few times i use it but it takes no time to unscre the cap, clear, and go again.

Same as above. I recently purchased a new chain for it. It’s certainly been getting a work out. Have same issue with it getting clogged up

I find it has a short battery life and needs a good charge. Another reason is that stuff gets caught in the chain. If not working take it back. Mines been getting a workout. Thinking of getting a second battery.

Hi, thank you for your reply. The battery is charged and showing 4 green LCD's. I have lightly brushed the chain not that there was anything to bush off. Guess I will be returning it, hopefully they'll find out what is wrong. Such a shame as It has become a game changer for all the pruning that needs to be done.

Hi Lynne, I would suggest unscrewing the knob and actually removing the chain, giving it a good clean around the spindle and putting it together. I regularly have things caught near the spindle where the chain goes around, ie under the guard. You cant see this unless you take it off. Mine gets clogged probably every 3rd or 4th time Im using it, but I cut fairly big trees

Hi Shane my review shows what we paid.

My review states the price for the machine plus extra battery.

Mike

250 if you ask nicely

My stihl gta 26 will Not run consistently. Battery fully charged and engage switch, pull trigger and runs a few seconds and stops. Only second time using this. Help

Hi Annie, our machine has now done much cutting work and we have not seen this problem at all. I can only guess that either the chain was too loose before the cut or a lot of twisting in the cut could be happening. The best advice I can offer is to go talk to the Stihl folk, I have found them to be most helpful, even after the sale.

Best of luck.

Hi Annie I have the same problem, I am left handed and I don't believe the Pruner works very well if used left handed.

The chain tensioner is the dial handle at the base of the blade. Turn left 90 to 180 degrees to loosen then manually pull on chain bar to tension chain and re-tighten. EZ as!!

No matter what is done the tightening mechanism doesn't work that well. May be cutting smooth timber for carpentry isn't an issue but bush work cutting saplings is. I have 2 and found one worse than the other but both keeps getting loose plus one battery is a dud lasts 15 mins the other two incl a spare lasts 35 mins.

Your doing it wrong, mine never comes off, follow the instructions.

I'm having the same problem. Brand new and chain pops off constantly. Kept putting it back on and even put on new chain but still not working. There is just too much slack and no way to adjust it. Did you ever get a solution for yours? Update: I read the detailed response from Warb a little further down more carefully. The secret is his note to pull on the bar slightly while tightening down the nut. There is very little play there but pulling on it just slightly while tightening seemed to make the difference. I went back out and used the saw for about 2 hrs (I bought 3 batteries) and the chain only jumped off track once! Best of luck to you all and thanks so much to Warb!

It doesnt have a chain tensioner.

My chain has never fallen off, not even after a good oil before use. Having said that, it's a very tight fit when it's fitted over the star-shaped turning mechanism of the machine and is secured by the outer housing. Once secure, there shouldn't be hardly any play between the chain and the blade track and it should fit snugly in there . If yours is loose after fitting and securing, I would take it back to the supplier and request a replacement as it sounds faulty, to me. It should still be under warranty. Good luck in the future. Hope you get it resolved.

I need to tighten my chain fairly regularly - but it does depend on the type of cutting that I'm doing. For a pruning saw, surprisingly, I have found that it prefers larger cuts - anything that jolts the chain tends to loosen it very quickly - eg small twigs or sudden loading etc. I have also found that overtightening it will significantly shorten the amount of pruning time that you get from a battery so have found that the best level of tightening is to hold the bar and let the weight of the body tighten the chain, then tighten it back up again.

Most chainsaws have a tensioning screw for the chain, but this little GTA26 doesn't. When you put the chain on (battery out!), fit the bar with the slot located over the square "pin" on the saw body and very loosely do up the plastic nut on the cover that secures the chain. Then gently pull the bar to tighten the chain - the bar will slide along that square "pin", A new chain quite possibly won't move, but an older one may slide a few mm. Hold the bar to keep the chain tight whilst tightening up the nut. On ANY chainsaw, the chain should be tight enough to sit in the slot in the bar - if it hangs down or can easily be pulled away from the bar is is too loose (and dangerous) as it can slip out of the bar. On the other hand, if you can't pull the chain along the bar (take the battery out before trying!) it is too tight.

As a chainsaw is used, the chain "stretches". This is due to wear in the pins holding the links together, and this wear is greatly accelerated if the chain is dirty (don't try to cut roots, termite dirt etc.), or dry (oil it). Keep an eye on the chain between cuts, and as it stretches it should be tensioned to keep it snug against the bar (battery out!).

If you attempt to force the saw, or use it when the chain is blunt (sharpen it!), you may damage it. This is the same for any saw. With a sharp and correctly adjusted chain it will cut straight and true, with minimal force required.

It is also important to note that ANY chainsaw should be used to make straight cuts without any turning or levering. Hold the branch you are cutting in place until the cut is completed, do not let it twist and trap the bar, or use the bar to try to snap the branch.... doing so risks forcing the chain out of the slot, with potentially dangerous results (seriously dangerous on a bigger saw!). If the branch starts to move, stop the saw and consider your options!

Finally, remember this is a tiny saw for pruning small trees in the garden. If you need to cut branches more than perhaps 60mm (60mm green, less for dry, dead wood), go buy a "proper" chainsaw.

Thank you,reading this has helped .I love the little machine , It is perfect for my wood kindling expeditions. Will try it again this weekend with your advice Thanks again Mary

Your doing it wrong, pull the bar out when tightening

I have taken the chain shield off a lot of times to clean it both during use and after use, but I haven't come across a spring in that area. When I take out my chain and clean it and its driving mechanism, the chain is then set back onto the machine and the top safety shield just fits into place and screws down until firm with the turning mechanism which is part of the shield. I have never come across a spring in there. Have you unscrewed any permanent turners for the chain and found a spring underneath and inside the pruner's works? Or, just another thought, have you purchased an original Stihl GTA 26 pruner and not one of the copies that seemed to pop up when Stihl put theirs on the market? Just trying to work out why you are finding a spring in there. Hope that helps.

I too have taken the chain off my original Stihl GTA 26 and can't work out how to put it back in. Love the product just wish the battery would last a bit longer.

Has someone got the answer about how the spring should be positioned?

I think mine is 12 months however the chain may not be.

Not sure in s a They are in short supply everywhere Ask your local sthil shop about stock Alan