16
Maintenance
Please contact an authorized Snow Joe
®
+ Sun Joe
®
dealer
or call the Snow Joe
®
+ Sun Joe
®
customer service center
at 1-866-SNOWJOE (1-866-766-9563) for all maintenance
operations not foreseen in this manual. Any operation
performed in an unauthorized service center or by unqualified
personnel will completely invalidate the warranty.
m
WARNING!
For your safety and that of others:
•
Correct maintenance is essential to maintain the original
efficiency and safety of the machine over time.
•
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
•
Never use the machine with worn or damaged parts.
Damaged parts are to be replaced and never repaired.
•
Only use original Snow Joe
®
+ Sun Joe
®
replacement
parts. Parts that are not of the same quality can seriously
damage the equipment, compromise safety, and invalidate
the warranty.
m
WARNING!
Always unplug the unit from the power
source before
performing any adjustments, maintenance, or
repairs to your electric chain saw.
• Use protective gloves when handling the bar and chain.
• Keep the protective cutting bar sheath on, except when
intervening directly on the bar or the chain.
• Never dispose of oils or other pollutants in unauthorized
places.
Motor Cooling
To avoid overheating and damage to the motor, always keep
the cooling air vents clean and free of sawdust and debris.
Chain Tension
Check the chain tension before using the saw when the chain
is cold. The correct tension of a cold chain is when there is no
slack on the underside of the guide bar; the chain is snug, but
you can rotate it by hand without binding.
During normal saw operation, the temperature of the chain
will increase. The drive links of a correctly tensioned warm
chain will hang approximately 0.050 in. (1.25 mm) out of the
bar groove (Fig. 21). Be aware that a chain tensioned while
warm may be too tight upon cooling. Check the “cold tension”
before next use. The chain must be re-tensioned whenever the
flats on the drive links hang out of the bar groove (Fig. 21).
NOTE: A new chain tends to stretch. Check the chain tension
frequently and re-tension as needed.
Nuts + Screws
Periodically check that all the nuts and screws are securely
tightened and the hand grips are tightly fastened.
Chain Sharpening
m
WARNING!
To ensure that the chain saw works safely
and efficiently, it is essential that the cutting components are
well-sharpened. It is highly recommended to replace the
chain once it loses its ability to cut cleanly and safely.
It is possible, however, to sharpen the existing chain if the
sharpening is carefully performed. Any work on the chain
and bar requires specific experience and special tools. For
safety purposes, we recommend you contact an authorized
Snow Joe
®
+ Sun Joe
®
dealer or call the Snow Joe
®
+
Sun Joe
®
customer service center at 1-866-SNOWJOE
(1-866-766-9563).
Sharpening is necessary when:
• The sawdust looks like dust.
• Cutting becomes more difficult.
• The cut is not straight.
• Vibrations increase.
An authorized service center will sharpen the chain using the
right tools to ensure minimum removal of material and even
sharpness on all the cutting edges.
If you sharpen the chain yourself, use special round-section
files with the diameter of 5/32 inch (4 mm). You need a certain
amount of skill and experience to avoid damaging the cutting
edges.
Sharpen the chain as follows (Fig. 22):
• Secure the bar firmly, with the chain mounted, in a
suitable vice.
•
Tighten the chain if it is loose.
Fig. 21
Properly Adjusted Warm Chain
Approximately .050 in. (1.25 mm)
Flats are
visible here
Flats are not
visible here
Chain Needs Tensioning