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18 - English
A cold chain is correctly tensioned when there
is no slack on the underside of the guide bar,
the chain is snug, but it can be turned by hand
without binding.
Chain must be re-tensioned whenever the flats
on the drive links hang out of the bar groove.
During normal saw operation, the temperature
of the chain will increase. The drive links of
a correctly tensioned warm chain will hang
approximately .050 in. out of the bar groove.
NOTE: New chain tends to stretch, check chain
tension frequently and tension as required.
CAUTION:
Chain tensioned while warm, may be too tight
upon cooling. Check the “cold tension” before
next use.
CHAIN MAINTENANCE
See Figures 31 - 32.
CAUTION:
Remove the battery pack and make sure the
chain has stopped before you do any work on
the saw.
Use only low-kickback chain on this saw. This
fast-cutting chain will provide kickback reduction
when properly maintained.
For smooth and fast cutting, chain needs to be
maintained properly. The chain requires sharpen-
ing when the wood chips are small and powdery,
the chain must be forced through the wood during
cutting, or the chain cuts to one side. During main-
tenance of your chain, consider the following:
Improper filing angle of the side plate can
increase the risk of a severe kickback.
Raker (depth gauge) clearance.
Too low increases the potential for kickback.
Not low enough decreases cutting ability.
If cutter teeth have hit hard objects such as nails
and stones, or have been abraded by mud or
sand on the wood, have service dealer sharpen
chain.
MAINTENANCE
NOTE: Inspect the drive sprocket for wear or dam-
age when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or
damage are present in the areas indicated, have
the drive sprocket replaced by a Ryobi Service
dealer.
HOW TO SHARPEN THE CUTTERS
See Figures 33 - 34.
Be careful to file all cutters to the specified angles
and to the same length, as fast cutting can be
obtained only when all cutters are uniform.
Wear gloves for protection. Properly tension
the chain prior to sharpening. Refer to Chain
Tension Section earlier in this manual. Do all
of your filing at the mid-point of the bar.
Use a 5/32 in. diameter round file and holder.
Keep the file level with the top plate of the tooth.
Do not let the file dip or rock.
Using light but firm pressure, stroke towards the
front corner of the tooth.
Lift file away from the steel on each return
stroke.
Put a few firm strokes on every tooth. File all left
hand cutters in one direction. Then move to the
other side and file the right hand cutters in the
opposite direction. Occasionally remove filings
from the file with a wire brush.
WARNING:
Improper chain sharpening increases the poten-
tial of kickback.
WARNING:
Failure to replace or repair damaged chain can
cause serious injury.
WARNING:
The saw chain is very sharp, always wear pro-
tective gloves when performing maintenance
to the chain.