Poulan PLN1510 User Manual - Page 14

6 - BAR/CHAIN MAINTENANCE 6-1. GUIDE BAR MAINTENANCE WARNING Ensure that the power cord is disconnected before performing any maintenance on your saw. Proper maintenance of the guide bar, as explained In this section, is essential to keep your saw in good working order. GUIDE BAR MAINTENANCE : most guide bar problems can be prevented merely by keeping the chain saw well maintained. Incorrect filing and non-uniform cutter and depth gauge settings cause most guide bar problems, primarily resulting in uneven bar wear.As the bar wears unevenly, the rails widen, which may cause chain clatter and difficulty in making straight cuts. Insufficient guide bar lubrication and operating the saw with a chain that is TOO TIGHT will contribute to rapid bar wear (see Section 6-2). To help minimize bar wear, the following guide bar maintenance is recommended. BAR WEAR- Turn guide bar frequently at regular intervals (for example, after five(5) hours of use), to ensure even wear on top and bottom of bar. BAR GROOVES - Bar grooves (or rails which support and carry the chain) should be cleaned if the saw has been heavily used or if the saw chain appears dirty. Rails should always be cleaned every time the saw chain is removed. OIL PASSAGES- Oil passages at bar pad should be cleaned to ensure proper lubrication of the bar and chainduring operation. This can be done using a soft wire small enough to insert into the oif discharge hole. TO CLEAN GUIDE BAR RAILS: 1. Remove sprocket cover, bar and chain (see Section 3.4). 2. Using a screwdriver, putty knife, wire brush or other similar instrument, clear residue from the rails on the guide bar. This will keep the oil passages open to provide proper lubrication to the bar and chain (Figure 6-1A). 3. Reinstall the bar, chain and bar bolt retaining nuts. (See Section 3-4). 6-1A 6-2. CHAIN MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS WARNING Unless you have experience and specialized training for dealing with kickback (see Safety Precautions), always use a low-kickback saw chain, which significantly reduces the danger of kickback. Low-kickback saw chain does not completely eliminate kickback. A lowkickback or "safety chain", should never be regarded as total protection against injury. A low kick saw chain should always be used in combination with other kickback protection devises such as a hand guard and reduced kickback guide bar supplied with the your unit. Always use a replacement saw chain designed as "low-kickback" or a saw chain which meets the low-kickback performance. A standard saw chain (a chain which does not have the kickback reducing guard links) should only be used by an experienced professional chain saw operator. What Is a Low-Kickback Saw Chain? A low-kickback saw chain is a chain which has met the kick-back performance requirements of ANSI B175.1. Do not use other replacement chain unless it has met theser equirements for your specific model. By keeping the saw chain in good working condition and correctly serviced as recommended in this manual, you will be able to maintain the safety system of your chain saw over the life of the product. WARNING Never remove, modify or make inoperative any safety device furnished with your unit.The hand guard, reduced kickback guide bar and low kick back saw chain are major safety features provided for your protection. 14