Craftsman 358.350982 Operator's Manual page 16

CHECK FOR LOOSE
FASTENERS AND PARTS
• Bar Nuts
• Chain
• Muffler
• Cylinder Shield
• Air Filter
• Handle Screws
• Vibration Mounts
• Starter Housing
• Front Hand Guard
CHECK CHAIN TENSION
WARNING:
gloves when handling chain. The chain
is sharp and can cut you even when it is
not moving.
Chain tension is very important. Chains
stretch during use. This is especially true
during the first few times you use your
saw. Always check chain tension each
time before you start the chain saw.
1. Use the screwdriver end of the
chain adjustment tool (bar tool) to
move chain around guide bar to
ensure kinks do not exist. The
chain should rotate freely.
Bar Nuts
Adjusting
Screw
2. Loosen bar nuts until they are
finger tight against the clutch cover.
3. Turn adjusting screw clockwise
until chain solidly contacts bottom
of guide bar rail.
Adjusting
Screw
4. Using bar tool, roll chain around
guide bar to ensure all links are in
bar groove.
5. Lift up tip of guide bar to check for
sag. Release tip of guide bar, then
turn adjusting screw
wise. Repeat until sag does not
exist.
Wear protective
Guide
Bar
Chain Adjustment
Tool
(Bar Tool)
1
/ turn clock-
4
Adjusting Screw - -
6. While lifting tip of guide bar, tighten
bar nuts securely.
7. Use the screwdriver end of the bar
tool to move chain around guide bar.
8. If chain does not rotate, it is too
tight. Slightly loosen bar nuts and
loosen chain by turning the adjust-
1
ing screw /
4
wise. Retighten bar nuts.
9. If chain is too loose, it will sag be-
low the guide bar.
the saw if the chain is loose.
NOTE: The chain is tensioned correctly
when the weight of the chain does not
cause it to sag below the guide bar
(with the chain saw sitting in an upright
position), but the chain still moves freely
around the guide bar.
WARNING:
with a loose chain, the chain could jump
off the guide bar and result in serious
injury to the operator and/or damage the
chain making it unusable. If the chain
jumps off the guide bar, inspect each
drive link for damage. Damaged chain
must be repaired or replaced.
CHECK CHAIN SHARPNESS
A sharp chain makes wood chips. A dull
chain makes a sawdust powder and
cuts slowly. See
CHECK GUIDE BAR
Conditions which require guide bar
maintenance:
• Saw cuts to one side or at an angle.
• Saw has to be forced through the cut.
• Inadequate supply of oil to bar/chain.
Check the condition of guide bar each
time chain is sharpened. A worn guide
bar will damage the chain and make
cutting difficult.
After each use, ensure
switch is in the
STOP
clean all sawdust from the guide bar
and sprocket hole.
To maintain guide bar:
• Move
ON/STOP
16
1
/ Turn
4
Bar Nuts
turn counterclock-
operate
DO NOT
If the saw is operated
CHAIN SHARPENING.
ON/STOP
position, then
switch to .
STOP