MAINTENANCE
Chain Maintenance
For smooth and fast cutting, raker chain needs to be maintained
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 your chain, consider the following:
1. Improper filing angle of the side plate can increase the risk of
a severe kickback.
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2. Raker (depth gauge) clearance (A, Fig. 62): Too much increases
the potential for kickback; not enough decreases cutting
ability.
3. If cutter teeth have hit hard objects such as nails and stones,
or have been abraded by mud or sand on the wood, have
Servicing Dealer sharpen chain.
4. In rare instances drive tangs could flare resulting in chain not
rotating freely. Replace chain if necessary.
NOTE: Inspect the rim sprocket for wear or damage when
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replacing the chain. If signs of wear or damage are present in the
areas indicated in Fig. 63, have the rim sprocket replaced by a
Servicing Dealer.
How to Sharpen the Cutters (Fig. 64)
Be careful to file all cutters to the specified angles and to the
same length, as fast cutting can be obtained only when all cutters
are uniform.
1. Wear gloves for protection. Tighten the chain tension enough
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that the chain does not wobble. Do all of your filing at the
mid-point of the bar. See Operation-Chain Tension.
2. Use a 5/32" (4 mm) diameter round file and holder.
3. Keep the file level with the top plate of the tooth as shown in
Fig. 65. Do not let the file dip or rock.
4. Using light but firm pressure, stroke towards the front corner
of the tooth as shown in Fig. 66. Lift file away from the steel on
each return stroke.
5 Put a few firm strokes on every tooth. File all left hand cutters
(E, Fig. 67) in one direction. Then move to the other side and
file the right hand cutters (F) in the opposite direction.
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Occasionally remove filings from the file with a wire brush.
CAUTION: Dull or improperly sharpened chain can
cause excessive engine speed during cutting which
may result in severe engine damage.
WARNING: It is absolutely essential to comply with
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the angles and dimensions specified below. If the
pole pruner chain is incorrectly sharpened – and in
particular if the depth gauge is set too low – there is
a risk of increased kickback of the pole pruner, with
resulting risk of injury.
Failure to replace or repair damaged chain can
cause serious injury.
The pole pruner chain is very sharp, always wear
protective gloves when performing maintenance to
the chain.
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en
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