Adjusting The Chain Tension; Chain Maintenance - Ryobi RCS-3540C Operator's Manual

ADJUSTING THE CHAIN TENSION

See Figures 44 - 46.
WARNING
Never touch or adjust the chain while the motor is
running. The saw chain is very sharp. Always wear
protective gloves when performing maintenance on
the chain.
■ Stop the engine before setting the chain tension.
■ Make sure the bar mounting nuts are loosened to fi nger
tight.
■ Turn the chain tensioning screw 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.
■ Retension the chain whenever the fl ats on the drive links
(A) hang out of the bar groove.
NOTE: During normal saw operation, the temperature
of the chain increases. The drive links of a correctly
tensioned warm chain will hang approximately 1.25 mm.
out of the bar groove. The tip of the combination wrench
can be used as a guide to help determine the correct
warm chain tension.
NOTE: New chains tend to stretch; check the chain
tension frequently and tension as required.
CAUTION
A chain tensioned while warm may be too tight upon
cooling. Check the "cold tension" before next use.

CHAIN MAINTENANCE

See Figures 47 - 48.
CAUTION
Check that the switch is in the STOP "
before you work on the saw.
Use only a low-kickback chain on this saw. This fast-
cutting chain provides kickback reduction when properly
maintained.
For smooth and fast cutting, maintain the chain properly.
The chain requires sharpening when the wood chips are
small and powdery, the chain must be forced through the
wood during cutting, or the chain cuts to one side. During
maintenance of the chain, consider the following:
■ Improper fi ling angle of the side plate can increase the
risk of severe kickback.
■ Raker (depth gauge) clearance (A).
MAINTENANCE
• Too low increases the potential for kickback.
• Not low enough decreases cutting ability.
■ If the cutter teeth hit hard objects such as nails and
stones, or are abraded by mud or sand on the wood,
have an authorized service center sharpen the chain.
NOTE: Inspect the drive sprocket (B) for wear or damage
when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or damage are
present in the areas indicated, have the drive sprocket
replaced by an authorized service center.
NOTE: If you do not fully understand the correct procedure
for sharpening the chain after reading the instructions that
follow, have the saw chain sharpened by an authorized
service center or replace with a recommended low-kickback
chain.
SHARPENING THE CUTTERS
See Figures 49 - 52.
Parts of a cutter:
(A) Cutting corner (B) Side plate (C) Depth gauge
(D) Toe
(G) Rivet hole
Be careful to fi le all cutters to the specifi ed angles and to
the same length, as fast cutting can only be obtained when
all cutters are uniform.
WARNING
The saw chain is very sharp. Always wear protective
gloves when performing maintenance to the chain
to prevent serious personal injury.
■ Tension the chain prior to sharpening. Refer to Adjusting
The Chain Tension.
■ Use a 1.6 mm diameter round file and holder (not
provided). Do all of your fi ling at the midpoint of the
bar.
■ Keep the fi le level with the top plate of the tooth. Do not
let the fi le dip or rock.
■ Using light but fi rm pressure. Stroke towards the front
" position
corner of the tooth.
■ Lift the fi le away from the steel on each return stroke.
■ Put a few fi rm strokes on every tooth. File all left hand
cutters (A) in one direction. Then move to the other
side and fi le the right hand cutters (B) in the opposite
direction.
■ Remove fi lings from the fi le with a wire brush.
CAUTION
A dull or improperly sharpened chain can cause
excessive engine speed during cutting, which may
result in severe engine damage.
12
(E) Gullet (F) Heel
(H) Top plate