8
Figure 3
CAUTION!
■
Always maintain the P231
pole pruner according to the
this owner’s manual and
follow the recommended
scheduled maintenance.
■
Never modify or disable any of
the pole pruner’s safety
devices.
■
Always use genuine
Shindaiwa parts and accesso-
ries when repairing or main-
taining this unit.
■
Do not make unauthorized
modifications or substitutions
to the guide bar or chain.
■
Never allow the engine to run
at high RPM without a load.
Doing so could damage the
engine.
■
When transporting the pruner in
a vehicle, tie it down securely to
prevent damage and fuel
spillage.
■
Always clear your work area of
trash or hidden debris to help
ensure good footing.
■
Keep the saw chain sharp and
properly adjusted.
■
Keep the pruner as clean as
possible. Keep it free of loose
vegetation, mud, etc.
■
Make sure the scabbard is
in place when transporting the
pruner.
■
When carrying by hand, the
chain should be pointing
backward. See Figure 3.
P231_1
Operating Precautions
SAFETY
P231_45
Cause
File held at less than
recommended angle.
Result
Slow cutting. Requires
extra effort to cut.
Remedy
File cutters to recom-
mended angle.
Cause
File held at more than
recommended angle.
Result
Cutting angle is very
sharp but will dull fast.
Cutting action rough and
erratic.
Remedy
File cutters to
recommended angle.
Top plate angle
less than
recommended
Top plate angle
more than
recommended
20¡
P231_47
Correct angle on
top plate
Slightly protruding hook or point
(curve on non-chisel chain)
Top of depth
gauge at correct
height below top
plate
Front of depth
gauge rounded
Keep all cutter lengths equal
Cause
File held too low or the
file was too small.
Result
Rough cutting. Chain
grabs. Cutters dull quickly
or won’t hold a cutting
edge.
Remedy
File cutters at recom-
mended angle. Check file
size.
Cause
File held too high or the
file was too large.
Result
Cutters won’t feed into
wood. Slow cutting. Must
force chain to cut. Causes
excessive bottom wear.
Remedy
File cutters at recom-
mended angle. Check file
size.
Hook in side
plate cutting
edge
Backslope on
side plate
cutting edge
P231_49
P231_50
Cause
Wrong gauge setting or
no gauge used.
Result
Rough cutting. Chain
grabs. Saw won’t pull
chain through wood.
Excessive wear on the
cutter heel.
Remedy
If depth gauges are too
low, the chain is no
longer serviceable.
Low depth
gauge
Cause
Depth gauge never filed.
Result
Slow cutting. Must force
chain to cut. Will cause
excessive wear on the
cutter heel.
Remedy
Lower gauges to
recommended setting.
High depth
gauge
P231_51
P231_52
50¡
P231_48
A
B
A=B
0.020"
P231_46
Correct Filing Technique
Filing Problems
29
MAINTENANCE
