Why do the bar and chain smoke and cut poorly while using the chainsaw?

While using your chainsaw, you can experience a decrease in the chainsaw’s power as well as the appearance of smoke from the bar and chain.

This is most commonly a result of a dull chain and too much pressure on the bar and chain when trying to make the chainsaw cut.

This could also be due to a lack of bar and chain oil (empty tank, restricted oil hole) or an inferior type of oil that is being slung off the chain and has no lubricating effect.
A properly sharpened chain will require little pressure to have it cut correctly. Make sure to use a specific saw chain oil for your saw chain.

How to sharpen a chainsaw chain