Filter
Top Products
6
SAW CHAIN TENSION ADJUSTMENT
WARNING: Before you adjust the saw chain tension always unplug it from the main
power outlet. Otherwise severe injury or death may occur from electrical shock. Bodily injury
may also occur from accidental contact with the moving chain.
WARNING: The cutting edges on the chain saw are very sharp so always wear protective
gloves when handling the chain.
WARNING: Always maintain the correct chain saw tension because a loose chain will
increase the risk of dangerous kickback. A loose chain may also jump out of its guide bar
groove and may seriously injure you. This may also result in rapid wear and tear of the
chain, guide bar and sprocket.
NOTE: For pre-assembled chain saw models, the saw chain is correctly set at the factory. However, a
new chain will stretch after using it. It’s recommended that you check the new chain after the first few
minutes of operation. First of all, allow the chain to cool down and follow the steps below to correctly
readjust the saw chain tension:
1. Before adjusting the chain first make sure that the two guide bar nuts are only finger tight (Fig. 18).
Also make sure that the adjusting block is seated in the oval adjusting hole on the guide bar (Fig. 18).
2. Use a flat head screw driver and turn the adjusting screw clockwise (Fig. 18).
NOTE: There should be no gap between the links of the chain and the bottom of the guide bar. (See
Fig. 18)
3. Wearing protective gloves, move the chain around guide bar by hand. The chain should move
freely. If it doesn’t, loosen the chain by turning the adjusting screw counterclockwise.
4. After the chain tension is corrected, tighten the two guide bar nuts firmly. If this is not done the
guide bar will move and loosen the chain tension. This will increase the risk of kickback and may
also damage the saw.
Sprocket Support
Saw Chain
Close up view showing where the Adjusting Plate, Block and
Screw are located behind the Guide Bar (The Saw Chain,
Guide Bar, Saw Chain and Nuts removed for clarity)
The Adjusting Plate is located directly behind
the Guide Bar. Turn the Adjusting Screw to
move the Guide Bar along. This tightens or
loosens the tension of the Saw Chain.
Before adjusting Saw
Chain tension, make
sure that the Guide Bar
Nuts are only finger tight
to allow the Guide Bar
to move along.
Adjusting Plate
Adjusting Block (this
grips and moves the
Guide Bar along)
Sprocket Support
Adjusting Screw
(when turned,
moves the
Adjusting Block)
Motor Housing
Guide Bar
Incorrect Tension: Too much space
between underside of Guide Bar
and Saw Chain
Correct Tension: Saw Chain slides on
and along underside of Guide Bar
Guide BarSaw Chain Saw Chain
Guide Bar
Fig. 18 Use the Adjusting Screw to correct
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
NOTICE: These are instructions for servicing your chain saw. Any servicing that is not mentioned
here should be done by an authorized service center.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHAIN SAW CLEAN
WARNING: Before you service the chain saw always unplug it from the main power
outlet. Otherwise severe injury or death may occur from electrical shock. Bodily injury may
also occur from accidental contact with the moving chain.
WARNING: The cutting edges on the chain saw are very sharp so always wear protective
gloves when handling the chain.
WARNING: Whenever you clean the chain saw body make sure that:
DO NOT submerge the chain saw in any liquids.
DO NOT use products that contain ammonia, chlorine or abrasives.
DO NOT use chlorinated cleaning solvents, carbon tetrachloride, kerosene or gasoline.
Keep the chain saw body clean by wiping with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap and water mixture.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE GUIDE BAR
Uneven wear on the guide bar causes most chain saw cutting problems. Incorrect sharpening of the
chain cutter and incorrect depth gauge settings often cause this. When the guide bar wears unevenly
it widens the guide bar groove. This may then cause the chain to clatter and for rivets to pop out. As a
result the chain saw will not cut straight. If this happens, it is advisable to replace the guide bar.
Inspect the guide bar before sharpening the chain. A worn or damaged chain is unsafe.
Normal Guide Bar Maintenance
Guide Bar
with Burr
Flat
File
Remove any Burrs
with a Flat File
Guide Bar with
Uneven Wear
Guide
Bar
Guide Bar with
Normal Wear
Guide Bar Groove
Clean Oil Slots
after each day
of use
Remove any debris from
Guide Bar Groove with
a putty knife or wire
Guide
Bar
Guide
Bar
Guide Bar
Groove
Fig. 19 Cross Section View of Guide Bar Groove showing Normal and Uneven Wear
1. Remove the guide bar from the chain saw (Fig. 19).
2. Use a putty knife or wire to remove any sawdust from inside the guide bar groove (Fig. 19)
3. Clean oil slots after each day of use.
4. Use a flat file to remove any burrs from the sides of the guide bar and to make the edges square.
It is recommended that you replace the guide bar whenever the following happens:
• When the guide bar is bent or cracked.
• When the inside of the groove of the guide bar is badly worn.
NOTE: When replacing the guide bar, see the Safety Information section for the correct part numbers.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHAIN SAW SHARP
WARNING: Before you service the chain saw always unplug it from the main power
outlet. Otherwise severe injury or death may occur from electrical shock. Bodily injury may
also occur from accidental contact with the moving chain.
WARNING: The cutting edges on the chain saw are very sharp so always wear protective
gloves when handling the chain.
Keep the chain saw sharp as it will cut faster and more safely. A dull chain will cause undue wear and
tear on the sprocket, guide bar, chain and motor. You will know that the chain has become dull when
you experience the following:
• It takes more effort to cut and have to force the chain saw into the wood.
• Only saw dust is created with few large chips
Filing
Direction
30° Guide
Mark
Filing
Guide
5/32”
Round
File
Clamp the Guide Bar in a
vise to hold the chain saw
steady but do not clamp
the chain.
Top Plate of Cutter
(right side of chain)
Top Plate of Cutter
(left side of chain)
Depth Gauge
(right side
of chain)
Depth Gauge
(left side
of chain)
Filing
Direction
File from inside towards
the outside of the the Cutter
until it is sharp. Only file in
this one direction. Two or
three strokes with the file
should be enough to
sharpen each cutter.
Fig. 20 File and File Guide Placement on the Chain
Items Needed to Sharpen Chain Saw Cutter Teeth
These tools can be purchased from your local dealer, hardware store or chain saw supply outlet.
• 5/32” Round File
• Depth gauge tool
• File guide
• Vise
• Medium sized flat file
1. Adjust the chain to set the proper tension (see saw Chain Tension Adjustment section).
2. Clamp the guide bar in a vise to hold the chain saw steady.
NOTE: Do not clamp the chain.
3. Press the 5/32” round file, attached to file guide, into groove between the top plate and the depth
gauge on the chain. The file guide should rest on both the top plate and depth gauge (Fig. 20).
NOTE: File the midpoint of the guide bar.
4. Hold the file at guide level. Make sure that the 30° mark on the file guide is parallel to the center of
the guide bar (Fig. 20). This will ensure that you file the cutters at a 30° angle.
5. File from inside towards the outside of the cutter until it is sharp. Only file in this one direction
(Fig. 20).
NOTE: Two or three strokes with the file should be enough to sharpen each cutter.
6. After each cutter is sharpened, move the chain forward to sharpen the next cutter. File all the
cutters on one side of the chain.
7. Move to other side of chain and repeat the process of sharpening the remaining cutters.
How to Reset the Depth Gauge Clearance on the Chain Saw
Depth Gauge
Depth
Gauge
Tool
Flat File
Depth
Gauge
Slot
Top Plate
of Cutter
.025”
Front corner of
Depth Gauge
The cutter depth
gauge clearance is
reduced as cutters
are sharpened.
So after every second
or third sharpening it
is necessary to reset
the depth gauges.
Fig. 21 Use a Flat File to reset the Depth Gauge Clearance
The cutter depth gauge clearance is reduced as cutters are sharpened. So after every second or third
sharpening it is necessary to reset the depth gauges.
1. Place the depth gauge tool (.025”) firmly across the top of two cutters. Make sure that the depth
gauge enters the slot inside the depth gauge tool (Fig. 21).
2. Use the medium sized flat file and file depth gauge level with the depth gauge tool.
3. Remove the depth gauge tool. Use the flat file to round off the front corner of the cutter depth
gauge (Fig. 21).
After several hand filings, it is recommended that you take your chain saw to an authorized service
center or sharpening service. They will machine sharpen it to insure accurate and even filing.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS