ADJUSTING THE CHAIN TENSION
See Figures 31 - 32.
WARNING:
Never touch or adjust the chain while the motor
is running. The saw chain is very sharp. Always
wear protective gloves when performing main-
tenance on the chain.
Remove the battery pack before you do any
work on the chain saw.
Slightly loosen the chain cover lock knob.
Turn the chain tensioning knob clockwise to
tension the chain.
NOTE: A cold chain is correctly tensioned when
there is no slack on the underside of the guide
bar, the chain is snug, and it can be turned by
hand without binding.
Rotate the chain cover lock knob clockwise to
secure.
Retension the chain whenever the flats on the drive
links hang out of the bar groove.
NOTE: During normal saw operation, the tem-
perature of the chain increases. The drive links
of a correctly tensioned warm chain will hang
approximately .050 in. out of the bar groove.
NOTE: New chains tend to stretch; check the
chain tension frequently and tension as required.
NOTICE:
A chain tensioned while warm may be too tight
upon cooling. Check the "cold tension" before
next use.
CHAIN MAINTENANCE
See Figures 33 - 35.
WARNING:
Remove the battery pack and make sure the chain
has stopped before you do any work on the saw.
Use only low-kickback chain on this saw. This
fast-cutting chain will provide kickback reduction
when properly maintained.
For smooth and fast cutting, chain needs to be
maintained properly. The chain requires sharpen-
MAINTENANCE
CHECK fOR WEAR
OR DAMAGE
TOP PLATE
RIVET HOLE
ing when the wood chips are small and powdery,
the chain must be forced through the wood dur-
ing cutting, or the chain cuts to one side. During
maintenance of your chain, consider the following:
Improper filing angle of the side plate can
increase the risk of a severe kickback.
Raker (depth gauge) clearance.
Too low increases the potential for kickback.
Not low enough decreases cutting ability.
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.
NOTE: Inspect the drive sprocket for wear or dam-
age when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or
damage are present in the areas indicated, have the
drive sprocket replaced by a Ryobi Service dealer.
24 - English
RAKER CLEARANCE
.025 in.
CUTTING
CORNER
DEPTH GAUGE
HEEL
TOE
GULLET
Fig. 33
Fig. 34
SIDE PLATE
Fig. 35