Ryobi P542 - Manual (Page 22)

22 - English
cHAIN MAINTENANcE
See Figures 30 - 31.
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-
ing 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 main-
tenance 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.
HOW TO SHARPEN THE cUTTERS
See Figures 32 - 33.
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.

Wear gloves for protection. Properly tension
the chain prior to sharpening. Refer to chain
Tension Section earlier in this manual. Do all
of your filing at the mid-point of the bar.
 Use a 5/32 in. diameter round file and holder.
 Keep the file level with the 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 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. Occasionally remove filings
from the file with a wire brush.
MAINTENANcE
Fig. 32
Fig. 31
CHECK FOR wEAR
OR DAMAGE
Fig. 30
CUTTING
CORNER
SIDE PLATE
DEPTH GAUGE
TOE
GULLET
HEEL
RIvET HOLE
TOP PLATE
LEFT HAND
CUTTERS
RIGHT HAND
CUTTERS
Fig. 33