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Introduction Your chainsaw is only as good as your chain, guide bar, and sprocket. They function as a team while doing the actual work of cutting wood and, therefore, must be maintained as a team. A properly maintained chain, bar, and sprocket will provide excellent cutting performance.
Introduction CHAINSAW SAFETY IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE SAFETY SYMBOL This safety symbol is used to highlight safety messages. When you see this symbol, read and follow the safety message to avoid severe personal injury. WARNING All cutting chain can kick back, which can lead to dangerous loss of control of the chainsaw and result in serious injury to the saw operator or by standers.
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Introduction CHAINSAW SAFETY CLOTHING AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Wear hard hat to protect head. Wear protective gloves to prevent slippage and to protect hands. Wear ear protection to protect ears. Wear chainsaw protective boots or safety boots and Wear safety goggles or gaiters to protect feet.
Saw Chains OREGON CHAIN TERMS ® CHAIN PITCH Chain Pitch is the distance between any three consecutive rivets, divided by two. OREGON chain pitches are: ® 1/4", .325", 3/8", .404" and 3/4". CHAIN GAUGE Chain gauge is the drive link’s thickness where it fits into the guide-bar groove.
Saw Chains OREGON CHAIN TERMS ® THE PARTS OF A SAW CHAIN NOTE: Highlighted parts below indicate kickback-reducing “bumper link" features: bumper tie strap, bumper drive link, and ramped depth gauge. Preset Tie Strap Preset Bumper Tie Strap Drive Link Left-hand Cutter Bumper Tie Strap Ramped...
Saw Chains CHAIN DRIVE-LINK NUMBER IDENTIFICATION Nearly all OREGON chains are named by a part number made up of a ® number (see below), followed by one or two letters (see page 9). OREGON Part-number Examples: 18 HX, 72LPX, 91VG ®...
Saw Chains CHAIN LETTER IDENTIFICATION The letters: 18 HX , 72 LPX , 91 VG The letters represent cutter type and sequence, safety features, or other physical traits of the chain. Chipper Cutter, Specially built chain with Standard Sequence round-ground chisel cutters (M73, 75LPX, M21,22LPX) Micro Chisel Cutter,...
Saw Chains THE FOUR BASIC SAW-CHAIN RULES ATTENTION CHAINSAW USERS: OREGON urges you to become familiar with the four basic saw-chain ® rules. Users who know and follow these rules can count on superior performance from their chain, bar, and sprocket, - and reduce safety hazards at the same time.
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Saw Chains THE FOUR BASIC SAW-CHAIN RULES RULE NUMBER 3 Your chain’s depth gauges must be set correctly Depth-gauge setting and depth-gauge shape are critical to performance and safety. See pages 16-17 for instructions on how to set your chain’s depth gauges.
Saw Chains HOW TO MAINTAIN CHAIN ATTENTION: DEALERS, CHAINSAW USERS, AND ANYONE WHO SERVICES SAW CHAIN - IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. OREGON urges you to become familiar with proper chain-maintenance ® techniques, and the possible dangers which can result if chain is not properly maintained.
Saw Chains HOW TO TENSION YOUR CHAIN WITHOUT INTENZ™ Read the warnings on page 12. NOTE: Always wear protective gloves. Turn the engine off. NOTE: Never tension your chain right after cutting. Chain tensioned while hot can cool and contract, causing tension to be much too tight. Let chain cool first.
Saw Chains HOW TO TENSION YOUR CHAIN WITH INTENZ™ Turn the engine off. Loosen the bar mounting nuts on the side of the saw. Insert a combination tool blade in the Intenz™ slot of the guide bar. ...
Saw Chains HOW TO SET DEPTH GAUGES Read the warnings on page 12. NOTE: • On saw depth-gauge setting requires proper chain tension, as shown on pages 13-14,prior to filing. • Pages 26 through 47 show the correct depth-gauge setting and the part number of the correct depth-gauge tool for each of the different OREGON chain types.
Saw Chains HOW TO SET DEPTH GAUGES NOTE: Do not file or alter the tops of kickback-reducing bumper tie straps or bumper drive links. File from the inside of the cutter to the outside outside inside After lowering, always file off the front corner of each depth gauge parallel to its original rounded or ramped shape.
Saw Chains HOW TO SHARPEN CUTTERS Read the warnings on page 12. NOTE: • On-saw sharpening requires proper chain tension. • Pages 26 through 47 show the correct maintenance specifications and the correct maintenance-tool part numbers for each of the OREGON chain types.
Saw Chains HOW TO SHARPEN CUTTERS Sharpen cutters on one side of the chain first. File from the inside of each cutter to the outside. Then turn your saw around and repeat the process for cutters on the other side of the chain. outside inside ...
Saw Chains HOW TO INSTALL NEW CHAIN PARTS Read the warnings on page 12. NOTE: • Use only OREGON parts to repair OREGON chain. And only use ® ® parts which are the correct size and type for your chain. ...
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Saw Chains HOW TO INSTALL NEW CHAIN PARTS Assemble chain to the preset tie strap. Assemble tie strap with brandmark or Lubrilink™ contour face up, and the notch toward the drive-link tangs. Assemble bum- per tie strap in the correct direction, with the notch toward the drive-link tangs.
Saw Chains HOW TO BREAK OUT RIVETS NOTE: Always wear approved safety accessories for hands and face when breaking out rivets. Select proper anvil slot number on chain- breaker anvil which matches the drive-link number on the chain to be broken (see Chain Drive-link-number Chart on the next page).
Saw Chains HOW TO BREAK OUT RIVETS REMOVING RIVETS FROM BROKEN DRIVE LINKS When removing rivets from broken drive links, hold the two broken segments together in their original (unbroken) positions as you tighten the chain link in the adjustable anvil. ...
Saw Chains HOW TO RUN-IN A NEW CHAIN The life of your new chain can be extended by taking these few simple steps before using it. Soak the chain overnight to allow oil to penetrate all chain components. Never run any chain on a worn drive sprocket, especially a new chain.
Saw Chains CHAINSAW SAFETY THE FOUR OREGON END-USER SYMBOLS ® Each of these four symbols represents a large category of saw-chain users. OREGON chains are listed under one or more of these symbols, ® generally indicating the type of user for whom the chain is intended.
Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING Most chain problems are caused by four things: incorrect chain tension, incorrect filing, lack of lubrication, cutting any material other than wood. Here are the things you should look for, and the corrective actions you should take: PROBLEM Chain cuts slow, cuts rough, or won’t hold an edge.
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Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) Low depth gauges. High depth gauges. Square or blunt depth Remedy: See E. Remedy: See F. gauges. Remedy: See G. REMEDIES: A. File cutters back until all damage is removed. (pictures 1, 2, and B. Resharpen cutters while holding your file at the correct top-plate filing angle for your chain.
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Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM Cutters and tie straps wear heavily or break. Excessive heel wear on Cracks under rear rivet Tie straps between cut- cutters and opposite tie holes on cutters and ters, broken in the center. straps. opposite tie straps.
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Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM Drive links wear heavily or break. Straight bottoms. Concave bottoms. Battered and broken bot- Remedy: See K. Remedy: See K. toms. Remedy: See L. Peening in front or back. Drive-link tang is turned Worn fronts. Remedy: See M.
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Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) REMEDIES: (continued) M. Sprocket has worn out of pitch, replace it. Replace chain. Do not attempt to run a new chain on an old sprocket, or an old chain on a new sprocket. (picture 20, previous page) N.
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Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM Chain has tight joints Tight joints are caused by either: loose tension, or a worn out drive sprocket. Look closely at your chain’s chassis. Peening on bottoms of cutters and tie straps. Remedy: See Q. Peening on front corners of cutters and tie straps.
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Saw Chains Saw Chains SAW-CHAIN TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM Chain cuts crooked Damage to cutters on one side of the chain. Remedy: See S. Inconsistent sharpening. Remedy: See S. REMEDY: File cutters back enought to remove all damage and incorrect angles. Keep cutter lengths and depth-gauge settings equal (pictures 27 and 28).
Guide Bars OREGON GUIDE-BAR TERMS ® GROOVE CHAIN LEAD-INS RAILS NOSE-ATTACHMENT RIVET HOLES NOSE-SPROCKET GREASE HOLE BAR-CHAIN MOTOR OIL HOLE NOSE SPROCKET MOUNT NOSE RIVETS REPLACEABLE SPROCKET NOSE BAR BODY TAIL SOLID NOSE ARMOR TIP OREGON GUIDE-BAR MAINTENANCE TOOLS ® SPANNER WRENCH FLAT FILE WITH HANDLE BARGROOVE CLEANER...
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Guide Bars OREGON GUIDE-BAR MAINTENANCE ® ATTENTION: DEALERS, CHAINSAW USERS, AND ANYONE WHO SERVICES GUIDE BARS-IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. WARNING Always turn off your saw’s engine before handling the guide bar. Failure to do so can result in severe injury. For proper mounting of your guide bar, refer to the operator’s manual for your chainsaw.
Guide Bars OREGON GUIDE-BAR MAINTENANCE ® Oil Hole 90ϒ With chain on the bar, hold a straightedge against the bar body and against a cutter side plate. A good groove will hold the chain straight, leaving a small gap between the straightedge and bar body. A worn grove will let the chain lean until straightedge is flush with bar body.
Guide Bars HOW TO REPLACE OREGON POWER MATCH ® ® BAR NOSES NOTE: Select a new Power Match nose with the correct pitch for your ® bar and chain. Reduced-kickback Double Guard replacement noses ® can be installed on any Power Match® bar and can be used with the same drive-link-count loop of chain.
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Guide Bars POWER MATCH BAR NOSES (CONTINUED) ® 4. With the bar body, nose, and rivet solidly supported on a strong flat metal surface, peen the Power Match rivet’s head down with the flat ® end of a hammer. Do not hit the bar body, hit only the rivet head. Strike only on the “X"...
Guide Bars HOW TO REPLACE OREGON PRO-LITE NOSE ® ® SPROCKETS NOTE: Select a new nose sprocket with the correct pitch for your bar and chain. Drill or punch out heads from each of the nose- sprocket rivets. Punch out the remainder of the rivets.
Guide Bars PRO-LITE NOSE SPROCKETS (CONTINUED) ® Align the sprocket’s innerrace holes with the holes in the bar nose. Insert rivets into each hole through the bar. On used bars the nose rails may tend to spread apart. Use a small clamp to hold the nose rails together when inserting and securing the rivets.
Guide Bars GUIDE-BAR TROUBLESHOOTING Most guide bar problems occur in the bar rails, and care caused by four things: lack of lubrication, incorrect chain tension, and accidents or irregular operating techniques which pinch the rails or push the drive links sideways against the bar rails. PROBLEM Worn Rail Conditions Rails are worn down, groove...
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Guide Bars GUIDE-BAR TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM Bar Sprocket-Nose Failure Chipped rails or excessive rail wear just behind the hard stellite alloy on solid-nose bars, or near the nose connection on replaceable-sprocket- nose bars. Remedy: See X. Rails in the tip of a sprocket-nose bar have spread, allowing loss of bearings.
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Guide Bars Guide Bars GUIDE-BAR TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) REMEDIES: (T-Y) Shallow grooves and wire edges are the result of normal wear over time. Use a flat file to square up the bar’s rails and remove wire edges promptly. Left alone, wire edges can break off, chipping away good rail material, (pictures 31 and 32) U.
® inboard-clutch or outboard-clutch assemblies. Follow instructions in the operator’s manual provided by your chain saw’s manufacturer for correct sprocket installation. The illustration below are for general reference only. Do not use them as instructions for sprocket or clutch assembly.
Drive Sprockets OREGON SPROCKET MAINTENANCE ® ATTENTION: DEALERS, CHAINSAW USERS, AND ANYOME WHO SERVICES DRIVE SPROCKETS-IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. WARNING Always turn your saw’s engine before handling the drive sprocket. Failure to do so can result in sever injury. Your drive sprocket, the third member of the cutting team, deserves regular attention and maintenance just like your bar and chain.
Drive Sprockets BASIC SPROCKET-MAINTENANCE TASKS 5. LI Chain tension is especially important when the saw is tipped on its side during felling cuts. Loose chain (and rim-type sprocket, if used), will slide down and out of alignment with the bar. Loose chain tension is the leading cause of sprocket problems.
Drive Sprockets SPROCKET TROUBLESHOOTING Most sprocket problems are caused by loose chain tension and failure to replace the sprocket or clutch drum when necessary. Sprockets are inexpensive. One worn inexpensive sprocket can rapidly damage an expensive chain and bar. Do not try to save money by running new chains on old sprockets.
Drive Sprockets SPROCKET TROUBLESHOOTING REMEDIES: (Z-DD) Z. Such outer surface wear is normal over time. Replace rim sprockets and spur sprockets when wear is 1/64" (0,4mm) deep. Never run chain on severely worn sprockets. Severely worn sprockets could break during operation. (picture 40) AA.
Useful Informations HOW A CUTTER WORKS Understanding how cutters work can help you see why proper chain maintenance is so important. The depth gauge rides on the wood and controls the depth at which the working corner bites in. ...
Useful Informations CUTTING IN COLD WEATHER Cutting frozen wood will cause rapid wear and possible breakage around the rear rivet hole of cutters. Follow the steps below to keep cold-weather wear to a minimum. Dilute bar-chain oil 25 percent with clean kerosene or diesel oil. Use twice as much of this diluted oil during operation, and be certain your chain is receiving oil from the saw.
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Useful Informations Useful Informations SOME GOOD SAW CHAIN ADVICE 1. Saw chain is made to cut only one thing: wood. Do not use saw chain to cut other materials, and never let your chain contact rocks or dirt during operation. Dirt may seem soft. But, in fact, dirt is extremely abrasive and will wear away your chain’s vital chrome plating within seconds.