18
19
MAINTENANCE
CHAIN MAINTENANCE
See Figure 27.
For smooth and fast cutting, the chain needs to be main-
tained properly. The following conditions indicate that the
chain requires sharpening:
n
Wood chips are small and powdery
n
Chain must be forced through the wood during cutting
n
Chain cuts to one side
During maintenance of the chain, consider the following:
n
Improper filing angle of the side plate can increase the
risk of a severe kickback.
n
Depth gauge (or raker clearance) setting determines the
height the cutter enters the wood and the size of the wood
chip that is removed. Too much clearance increases the
potential for kickback. Too little clearance decreases the
size of the wood chip thus decreasing the chain's cutting
ability.
n
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.
CUTTING CORNER
SIDE PLATE
DEPTH GAUGE
TOE
GULLET
HEEL
RIVET HOLE
TOP PLATE
PARTS OF A CUTTER
Fig. 28
DEPTH GAUGE SETTING
Fig. 27
HOW TO SHARPEN THE CUTTERS
See Figures 28 - 31.
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.
n
Use a 5/32 in. diameter round file and holder.
n
Keep the file level with the top plate of the tooth. Do not
let the file dip or rock.
n
Using light but firm pressure, stroke towards the front
corner of the tooth. Lift file away from the steel on each
return stroke.
Fig. 29
Fig. 30
n
Put a few firm strokes on every tooth. File all left hand
cutters in one direction. Then move to the other side and
file the right hand cutters in the opposite direction. Oc-
casionally remove filings from the file with a wire brush.
n
Tighten the chain tension enough that the chain does not
wobble. Do all of your filing at the mid-point of the bar.
Wear gloves for protection.
LEFT HAND
CUTTERS
RIGHT HAND
CUTTERS
Fig. 31
