MAINTENANCE

CHAIN MAINTENANCE

See Figure 27.

For smooth and fast cutting, the chain needs to be main- tained properly. The following conditions indicate that the chain requires sharpening:

nWood chips are small and powdery

nChain must be forced through the wood during cutting

nChain cuts to one side

During maintenance of the chain, consider the following:

nImproper filing angle of the side plate can increase the risk of a severe kickback.

nDepth gauge (or raker clearance) setting determines the height the cutter enters the wood and the size of the wood chip that is removed. Too much clearance increases the potential for kickback. Too little clearance decreases the size of the wood chip thus decreasing the chain's cutting ability.

nIf 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.

DEPTH GAUGE SETTING

Fig. 27

HOW TO SHARPEN THE CUTTERS

See Figures 28 - 31.

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.

PARTS OF A CUTTER

TOP PLATE

CUTTING CORNER

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE PLATE

 

RIVET HOLE

 

DEPTH GAUGE

 

 

 

HEEL

 

 

 

 

GULLET

TOE

Fig. 28

 

 

nTighten the chain tension enough that the chain does not wobble. Do all of your filing at the mid-point of the bar. Wear gloves for protection.

nUse a 5/32 in. diameter round file and holder.

nKeep the file level with the top plate of the tooth. Do not let the file dip or rock.

Fig. 29

nUsing light but firm pressure, stroke towards the front corner of the tooth. Lift file away from the steel on each return stroke.

Fig. 30

nPut 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. Oc- casionally remove filings from the file with a wire brush.

LEFT HAND

CUTTERS

RIGHT HAND

CUTTERS

Fig. 31

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Ryobi Outdoor RY52002 manual Chain Maintenance, HOW to Sharpen the Cutters, See Figures 28