26
100642 - ChAiNSAw
MAiNTENANCE
Maintaining the Saw Chain
For safe, efficient operation, the saw chain must be maintained
properly.
The saw chain will wear with use, causing the chain to stretch.
This is normal. When it is no longer possible to obtain a correct
chain tension adjustment, the saw chain will need to be replaced.
Refer to
Replacing the Guide Bar and Saw Chain
. Always keep
the saw chain sharp. During operation, look for the following
indicators of a dull saw chain:
–
Wood chips are small and powdery.
–
The saw chain must be forced through the wood.
–
The saw chain cuts to one side. If any of these conditions
exist, sharpen or replace the saw chain. Refer to
Sharpening
the Saw Chain
or
Replacing the Guide Bar and Saw Chain
.
NOTiCE
If you do not fully understand the sharpening procedure after
reading the instructions, have the saw chain sharpened by
Champion or other qualified service dealer or replace the saw
chain.
Sharpening the Saw Chain
wARNiNG
The saw chain is very sharp. Always wear heavy-duty
protective gloves when handling or performing maintenance on
the saw chain.
wARNiNG
An improperly sharpened saw chain increases the chance of
kickback. Failure to replace or properly maintain the saw chain
can cause serious injury.
wARNiNG
A dull or improperly sharpened saw chain can cause excessive
engine speed during operation, which can result in severe
engine damage.
If the saw chain was damaged by contacting hard objects, such as
nails or stones, or was abraded by mud or sand on the wood, have
Champion or other qualified service dealer inspect for potential
damage and sharpen or replace the chain and/or bar if needed.
When sharpening the saw chain, file all cutters to the specified
angles and measurements. Other angles or measurements can
cause excessive wear to the guide bar and saw chain, cause the
chain to dull quickly and increase the chance of kickback. Fast
cutting can be obtained only when all cutters are uniform.
1. Tighten the chain tension so that the saw chain is taut and
does not wobble. Refer to
Adjusting the Chain Tension
.
1a. Always file the saw chain at the midpoint of the guide bar.
2. Use a round file to sharpen the top plate and side plate of
each cutter.
2a. Use a 5/32" (4 mm) diameter file.
2b. Keep the file level with the top plate of the cutter (Fig. 32).
Do not let the file dip or rock. Use light, but firm pressure.
2c. File toward the front corner of the cutter (Fig. 33). Lift the
file away from the cutter at the end of the forward stroke.
Only file on the forward stroke.
2d. Apply a few firm strokes to each tooth. When filed
correctly, the top plate will be at a 30º angle and the side
plate will be at an 80º angle (Fig. 34). Using the correct
file and file holder will automatically produce the correct
angles.
2e. File all the left-hand cutters in one direction (Fig. 33).
Then move to the other side of the saw chain and file all
of the right-hand cutters in the opposite direction (Fig. 33).
2f. Occasionally remove filings from the file teeth with a wire
brush.
3. Use a depth gauge tool (not included) to measure the depth
gauge clearance (Fig. 35) of each cutter. The depth gauge
clearance must be maintained at 1/32 inch (0.6 mm). The
depth gauge clearance determines the depth at which the
cutter enters the wood during operation and the size of the
wood chips produced. Too much clearance increases the
chance of kickback. Too little clearance decreases the size of
the wood chips, thus deceasing the ability to cut.
3a. Use a 1/32 inch (0.6 mm) depth gauge jointer and a flat
file (tools not included) to lower the depth gauge to the
correct clearance (Fig. 35).
3b. After lowering the depth gauge, use the flat file to restore
the original rounded shape to the depth gauge (Fig. 36).
Take care not to damage the cutting edges or nearby
links.
Depth gauge clearance
1/32 in. (0.6 mm)
Depth gauge
Side plate
Top plate
Figure 32
