REMOVING AND INSTALLING THE GUIDE BAR AND SAW
CHAIN
WARNING:
The saw chain is very sharp. Always wear
heavy-duty protective gloves when handling or performing
maintenance on the saw chain.
The guide bar and saw chain need to be removed when certain
maintenance procedures are performed, such as when rotating the
guide bar. When replacing old guide bars and saw chains with new
parts, always use the manufacturer's specified replacement parts.
Refer to Replacing the Guide Bar and Saw Chain.
Removing the Guide Bar and Saw Chain
1. Turn the bar knob counterclockwise to loosen the bar cover (Fig. 19).
2. Remove the bar cover.
3. Carefully remove the saw chain and guide bar (Fig. 25).
4. Remove the saw chain from the guide bar.
5. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw that holds
the bracket onto the guide bar (Fig. 23).
Installing the Guide Bar and Saw Chain
1. Place the bracket onto the guide bar (Fig. 23). Align the hole on
the bracket with the hole on the guide bar (Fig. 23). Insert the
screw into the aligned holes (Fig. 23). Tighten the screw securely
with a small Phillips screwdriver.
2. Set the saw chain on a clean, flat surface and straighten out any
kinks.
3. Fit the saw chain into the guide bar groove (Fig. 24). Make sure
the cutters point in the correct direction of rotation (Fig. 24). Keep
a loop of saw chain at the back end of the guide bar (Fig. 24).
4. Hold the saw chain and guide bar together in position over the
unit. Loop the saw chain around the drive sprocket and install
the guide bar onto the guide bar bolt (Fig. 25). Make sure the
guide bar is flush against the mounting surface (Fig. 25). Make
sure the flats on the saw chain are in the grooves on the drive
sprocket (Fig. 24).
5. Turn the chain-tensioning ring (Fig. 21) until the arrow on the chain-
tensioning ring aligns with the arrow on the bar cover (Fig. 26).
6. Place the bar cover onto the motor housing. Make sure the tab
on the bar cover is seated securely in the slot on the motor
housing (Fig. 27). Make sure the post on the bar cover is seated
securely in the hole on the motor housing (Fig. 27).
7. Turn the chain-tensioning ring (Fig. 21) clockwise until the bar
cover is connected to the motor housing and the guide bar
begins to move forward.
8. Turn the bar knob clockwise to tighten the bar cover (Fig. 19).
DO NOT tighten the bar knob completely.
9. Make sure the saw chain is still in the guide bar groove. Adjust
the chain tension. Refer to Adjusting the Chain Tension.
10. Hold the guide bar tip up (Fig. 20). Turn the bar knob clockwise to
securely tighten the bar cover (Fig. 19).
Arrow
Arrow
Fig. 26
Guide Bar
Screw
Hole
Guide Bar Groove
Direction of Rotation
Guide Bar
Guide Bar Bolt
Drive
Sprocket
Tab
23
Fig. 23
Cutter
Fig. 24
Saw Chain
Mounting
Surface
Fig. 25
Post
Hole
Slot
Fig. 27
Bracket
Hole
Saw
Chain
Flat