Poulan PPB4014 Owner Manual - Page 19

MAINTENANCE NOTE: The saw chain is properly tensioned if, in the middle of the guide bar, it can be lifted 3mm to 4mm from the edge of the guide bar. NOTE: If the chain is too tight, it will not rotate. Loosen the bar nuts slightly and turn the chain tensioner screw 1/4 turn counterclockwise. Lift the tip of the guide bar up and retighten the bar nuts. Ensure that the chain will rotate without binding. ADJUSTING THE CHAIN TENSION • Rotate the chain cover bar nuts clockwise to secure. Re-tension the chain whenever the flats on the drive links hang out of the bar groove. • Improper filing angle of the side plate can increase the risk of severe kickback • Raker (depth gauge) clearance. • Too low increases the potential for kickback. • Not low enough decreases cutting ability. • If the cutter teeth hit hard objects such as nails or stones, or are abraded by mud or sand on the wood, have an authorized service center sharpen the chain. Raker (Depth Gauge) Clearance Flats on drive links 1/32 in. (0.6 mm) WARNING: Never touch or adjust the chain while the motor is running. The saw chain is very sharp. Always wear protective gloves when performing maintenance on the chain. NOTE: During normal saw operation, the temperature of the chain increases. The drive links of a correctly tensioned warm chain will hang approximately 1/16 in. (1.3 mm) out of the bar groove. NOTE: New chains tend to stretch; check the chain tension frequently as required. CAUTION: A chain tensioned while warm may be too tight upon cooling. Check the "cold tension" before next use. CHAIN MAINTENANCE Use only a low-kickback chain on this saw. This fast-cutting chain provides kickback reduction when properly maintained. For smooth and fast cutting, maintain the chain 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 the chain, consider the following: NOTE: • Inspect the drive sprocket for wear or damage when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or damage are present in the areas indicated, have the drive sprocket replaced by an authorized service center. • If you do not fully understand the correct procedure for sharpening the chain after reading the instructions that follow, have the saw chain sharpened by an authorized service center or replace with a recommended low-kickback chain. SHARPENING THE CUTTERS • 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. • Tension the chain prior to sharpening. Refer to Adjusting The Chain Tension. • Use a 5/32 in. (4 mm) diameter round file and holder. Do all of your filing at the midpoint of the bar. • Keep the file level with a top plate of the tooth. Do not let the file dip or rock. • Using light but firm pressure. Stroke towards the front corner of the tooth. • Lift the file away from the steel on each return stroke. • 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. • Remove filings from the file with a wire brush. 19