Husqvarna 137 e-Series Bars (Fitment Guide)
For a Husqvarna 137 e-Series, choose a bar by its mount, chain pitch, gauge, and required drive-link count, not by length alone. The saw is 36.3 cm³, and replacement listings vary by market. Common bar lengths are 13 to 18 inches; verify the exact combination in your saw’s manual and the bar-and-chain maker’s fitment chart before buying.
A bar can be the right length and still be the wrong fit. If the mount, chain pitch, or drive-link count does not match, the chain may not seat or tension correctly. That can damage parts or create a dangerous operating condition. Check the details below before ordering or fitting a replacement.
How to identify the correct 137 e-Series bar
A guide bar is the metal track that supports and guides the chain. For the 137 e-Series, fitment depends on several measurements and parts working together. Start with the model plate and the manual for your market, then compare those details with the bar and chain listing.
The 137 e-Series is a light-duty homeowner saw with a listed engine displacement of 36.3 cm³. Do not treat every bar sold for a “Husqvarna” as compatible. Model numbers, parts, and approved combinations can differ by market and by the replacement bar maker.
Before shopping, record these details:
- Bar length: The cutting length listed by the maker, often measured from the front of the saw to the bar tip. Common listed lengths for this model are 13 to 18 inches.
- Bar-mount pattern: The shape and dimensions where the bar fits against the saw. The mount must match the saw’s studs, tensioner, and oil outlet.
- Chain pitch: The spacing between chain rivets, stated as a fraction or measurement. The common listed pitch for this saw is 3/8-inch low profile.
- Chain gauge: The thickness of the chain’s drive links, which must fit the bar groove. A common listed gauge is .050 inch.
- Drive-link count: The number of links that run inside the bar groove. It must match the bar length and the exact bar-and-chain combination.
- Chain type: The replacement chain must suit the bar, sprocket, and saw. Use the chain maker’s fitment information.
The pitch and gauge are not interchangeable. A chain with the wrong pitch will not match the sprocket properly. A chain with the wrong gauge will not fit the bar groove as designed.
Bar length and chain fitment
Bar length affects reach and cutting load, but it does not confirm fitment by itself. For routine homeowner work, 13 to 16 inches is the practical range listed for many 137 configurations. Use an 18-inch bar only when the saw manual and the bar-and-chain maker list that exact combination.
A longer bar does not turn this saw into a production felling saw. It can place more load on the engine and chain, especially in larger or harder wood. Choose a bar for the work you do and the exact setup your manual allows.
| Bar length | Fitment guidance | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| 13 inches | A short option listed for some configurations | Exact bar mount, chain pitch and gauge, drive-link count |
| 14 to 16 inches | Common practical range for routine cutting | Approved combination for your market and installed sprocket |
| 18 inches | Use only when specifically listed for your saw and replacement parts | Manual approval and the bar maker’s chain specification |
Do not infer drive-link count from length alone. Two bars of the same length can call for different chains because their nose design or other details differ. The bar maker’s chart should name the matching chain, or give a drive-link count that matches the chain maker’s listing.
If the manual or maker’s chart does not show your exact setup, pause before buying. Ask a Husqvarna dealer or the replacement-parts maker to confirm the mount and chain combination using your saw’s model and product details.
Check the bar and chain before ordering
A bar is only one part of the fit. The chain, sprocket, and tensioning system must work as a set. I start with the saw’s current parts, then compare each marking with the replacement chart. This catches errors that a quick check of bar length can miss.
With the saw shut off and cool:
- Read the model and product details from the saw’s plate. Use the market-specific manual, not a listing for a similar model.
- Check the existing bar for markings. Record its length, pitch, gauge, mount information, and any part number.
- Check the chain package or chain markings for pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. If these are missing or unclear, do not guess.
- Check the drive sprocket specification in the manual or approved parts information. The chain pitch must match the sprocket.
- Compare all details with the new bar and chain maker’s fitment chart. Confirm the tensioner and oil-hole arrangement match the saw.
If the bar or chain is already a nonstandard replacement, it may not be a reliable guide to the saw’s original fitment. Confirm the setup from the manual and parts information.
Installation and tension check
Correct installation means the bar sits properly, the chain runs in the groove, and the tensioner can adjust the chain as intended. Follow the manual’s steps for your saw. Keep the engine off and cool during the work, and engage the chain brake when the manual calls for it.
- Clean the bar-mount area and inspect the studs, tensioner, and oil outlet.
- Fit the bar in the correct position and route the chain around the sprocket and bar. Match the cutters’ direction to the manual’s illustration.
- Seat the drive links fully in the bar groove. If the links do not sit correctly or the chain will not align with the sprocket, stop and recheck pitch, gauge, and chain type.
- Adjust tension using the saw’s specified procedure. The chain should seat in the groove and move by hand with gloves, while remaining engaged along the bar.
- Tighten the bar nuts as the manual directs, then recheck tension. Check it again after the first short run and after the saw cools.
A chain that is too tight can add strain and wear. One that is too loose can come off the bar. Do not compensate for a mismatch by forcing the tensioner to its limit.
Common fitment mistakes and shop checks
A frequent mistake I see is buying a chain because the package says “3/8” and assuming that settles the question. The 137’s commonly listed chain is 3/8-inch low profile, not every chain described as 3/8-inch. Verify the chain type, gauge, and drive-link count as well.
These examples show how I would check typical fitment problems. They are diagnostic scenarios, not a claim that one setup fits every 137.
- A replacement chain is too long to tension: Confirm the chain’s drive-link count against the bar listing. Do not shorten or alter the chain unless the maker’s service method permits it and you have the proper equipment.
- The chain will not sit in the groove: Compare the chain gauge with the bar groove. A chain that is too thick or too thin is not a safe substitute.
- The chain sits on the bar but does not match the sprocket: Recheck pitch at both the chain and sprocket. Do not run the saw until the parts match.
- A listing says “fits Husqvarna” but names no model or mount: Treat that as incomplete information. Get confirmation from the seller or maker before ordering.
- A bar appears to fit but will not tension evenly: Check the mount pattern, tensioner alignment, chain length, and bar condition. Do not force the bar or chain into place.
Safe operating limits and upkeep
A correct bar fit does not remove the need for safe setup and maintenance. Inspect the chain brake, throttle lockout, chain catcher, handles, bar, sprocket, and chain before use. Wear a helmet with eye and ear protection, chainsaw chaps, gloves, and protective boots. Keep bystanders outside the work zone.
The manual specifies a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil mixture when using oil labeled for that ratio. Measure carefully and use fresh, correctly labeled fuel. Fill the separate bar-and-chain oil tank with suitable bar oil, then check oil delivery using the manual’s procedure.
Keep cutters sharp and even. Use the chain maker’s file size and sharpening angles, and follow its depth-gauge setting. A setting around 0.025 inch (0.65 mm) is common on some chains, but it is not a universal specification. Confirm the chain marking or maker’s chart before filing depth gauges.
Keep the guide-bar nose clear of wood. Contact with its upper quadrant can cause rotational kickback, which can drive the bar rapidly up and back toward the operator. Cut from a stable stance with both hands on the saw, and do not make cuts beyond your training.
Conclusion and fitment FAQ
The safe replacement is the bar-and-chain combination confirmed for your exact saw, not simply the one with the same advertised length. Check the mount, pitch, gauge, drive-link count, sprocket, and manual limits before buying. If a key detail is unknown, confirm it with the manual, dealer, or parts maker before fitting the parts.
What bar lengths are available for a Husqvarna 137 e-Series?
Common listed lengths are 13 to 18 inches. Confirm the approved length for your market and exact bar-and-chain combination.
Is a 16-inch bar a practical choice?
It is within the common 13-to-16-inch routine range, but verify the mount, chain details, and manual approval before fitting it.
Can I use an 18-inch bar?
Only if the saw’s manual and the bar-and-chain maker list that exact combination. A longer bar increases load and does not make the saw suitable for larger or harder wood.
What chain pitch is commonly listed?
The common fitment is 3/8-inch low profile. Confirm the actual chain and sprocket specifications for your saw.
What chain gauge is commonly listed?
A common listing is .050 inch. The chain gauge must match the bar groove.
How do I find the correct drive-link count?
Use the bar or chain maker’s fitment chart for the exact bar. Do not estimate the count from bar length.
Will any bar sold for a Husqvarna fit?
No. The bar mount and oil and tensioner details must match the saw, and the bar must suit the chain.
Can I reuse my old chain on a new bar?
Only if its pitch, gauge, drive-link count, and condition match the new bar and sprocket. Confirm all details first.
Why does the chain not tension after installation?
Check drive-link count, bar mount, chain routing, and tensioner alignment. Do not run the saw if the chain cannot be tensioned correctly.
Where should I confirm fitment if the listing is unclear?
Check the market-specific manual and the parts maker’s chart, or ask a Husqvarna dealer using your saw’s model details.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, David Hensley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
