Just had a Rancher 55 with the same symptoms, turned out the gear that drives the chain was broke off the clutch drum. A new clutch drum-gear cost around $20. If you take it apart I think it has left hand threads. Steve

I don't think it can be that as the clutch drum (the outer part which the clutch drives) seems to be in one piece and that includes the teeth. On the other hand, perhaps I didn't look close enough. Thanks, and I will pass this one.

On the Rancher 55 I couldn't tell it was broke untill I took the clutch off. It broke right where the gear meets the drum which is hard to see. It broke at a slight angle which caused it to bind. Steve

OK thanks. Will see if I can get my hands on it again.

Did you have the bar and chain off when you were checking out the saw. Sometimes wood chips get in around the sprocket on the bar and jam it up.

Yes I did. It wasn't simply jammed as it rotated freely for about 1½ turns and looked like it was screwing in and out on the shaft when doing so - then going tight. Steve's diagnosis may be correct but neighbour is selling it as is, so I don't think I'm going to get to find out. Thanks for the replies.

oillio,

If you can pick up that saw cheaply it is probably worth your time. It seems from your description that the clutch itself is loose enough to partially back off. The saw may or may not have some minor part needing replacement but disassembly and then a proper reassembly might also cure what ails this saw. I suspect that when the clutch spider is tightened down on the drum, the splined drum isn`t properly seated in the recesses of the oiler gear which doesn`t leave any working clearance and binds when fully tightened. Maybe you can be the hero or maybe you can get yourself a saw cheaply but it is worth looking at.