Chain Maintenance - Ryobi RY40500 Operator's Manual

ADJUSTING THE CHAIN TENSION
See Figures 31 - 32.
WARNING:
Never touch or adjust the chain while the motor
is running. The saw chain is very sharp. Always
wear protective gloves when performing main-
tenance on the chain.
 Remove the battery pack before you do any
work on the chain saw.
 Slightly loosen the chain cover lock knob.
 Turn the chain tensioning knob clockwise to
tension the chain.
NOTE: A cold chain is correctly tensioned when
there is no slack on the underside of the guide
bar, the chain is snug, and it can be turned by
hand without binding.
 Rotate the chain cover lock knob clockwise to
secure.
Retension the chain whenever the flats on the drive
links hang out of the bar groove.
NOTE: During normal saw operation, the tem-
perature of the chain increases. The drive links
of a correctly tensioned warm chain will hang
approximately .050 in. out of the bar groove.
NOTE: New chains tend to stretch; check the
chain tension frequently and tension as required.
NOTICE:
A chain tensioned while warm may be too tight
upon cooling. Check the "cold tension" before
next use.

CHAIN MAINTENANCE

See Figures 33 - 35.
WARNING:
Remove the battery pack and make sure the chain
has stopped before you do any work on the saw.
Use only low-kickback chain on this saw. This
fast-cutting chain will provide kickback reduction
when properly maintained.
For smooth and fast cutting, chain needs to be
maintained properly. The chain requires sharpen-
MAINTENANCE
CHECK fOR WEAR
OR DAMAGE
TOP PLATE
RIVET HOLE
ing when the wood chips are small and powdery,
the chain must be forced through the wood dur-
ing cutting, or the chain cuts to one side. During
maintenance of your chain, consider the following:
 Improper filing angle of the side plate can
increase the risk of a severe kickback.
 Raker (depth gauge) clearance.
 Too low increases the potential for kickback.
 Not low enough decreases cutting ability.
 If 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.
NOTE: Inspect the drive sprocket for wear or dam-
age when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or
damage are present in the areas indicated, have the
drive sprocket replaced by a Ryobi Service dealer.
24 - English
RAKER CLEARANCE
.025 in.
CUTTING
CORNER
DEPTH GAUGE
HEEL
TOE
GULLET
Fig. 33
Fig. 34
SIDE PLATE
Fig. 35