OPERATOR'S MANUAL 18 in. ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW DOUBLE INSULATED RY43006 Your chain saw has been engineered and manufactured to Ryobi's high standard for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. When properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance. WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator's manual before using this product. Thank you for buying a Ryobi product. SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS n Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2 n General Safety Rules .................................................................................................................................................... 3-6 n Symbols........................................................................................................................................................................ 7-8 n Electrical .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 n Glossary of Terms.......................................................................................................................................................... 10 n Features......................................................................................................................................................................... 11 n Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 n Operation.................................................................................................................................................................. 12-20 n Adjustments................................................................................................................................................................... 21 n Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................................. 21-27 n Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................................................. 28 n Parts List........................................................................................................................................................................ 28 n Parts Ordering / Service ................................................................................................................................................ 30 INTRODUCTION This tool has many features for making its use more pleasant and enjoyable. Safety, performance, and dependability have been given top priority in the design of this product making it easy to maintain and operate. 2 GENERAL SAFETY RULES WARNING: Do not attempt to operate this unit until you have read thoroughly and understand completely all instructions, safety information, etc. contained in this manual. Failure to comply can result in accidents involving fire, electric shock, or serious personal injury. short pants, sandals, or go barefoot. Do not wear loose fitting clothing, which could be drawn into the motor or catch the chain or underbrush. Secure hair so it is above shoulder level. n Wear eye protection which is marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 as well as hearing and head protection when operating this equipment. n Always be aware of what you are doing when using the chain saw. Use common sense. Do not operate the chain saw when you are tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. n Do not expose the chain saw to rain. n Do not use the chain saw in damp or wet locations. n Always be aware of extension cord while operating chain saw. Take precautions to avoid tripping over cord. Keep cord away from chain and operator at all times. Never carry saw by the cord or pull it to disconnect from receptacle. Keep cord from oil and sharp edges. n Stay alert and pay attention to what you are doing. Use common sense when using this unit. n Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the unit is running. n Always carry the chain saw by the front handle with the unit unplugged and the guide bar and saw chain positioned to the rear. When transporting your chain saw, use the appropriate guide bar scabbard. n Never let anyone use your chain saw who has not received adequate instructions in its proper use. This applies to rentals as well as privately owned saws. n Before you start the unit, make sure the saw chain is not contacting any object. n Stop the chain saw before setting it down. n To avoid accidental starting, never carry the unit with your finger on the switch trigger. n Maintain the unit with care. Keep the cutting edge sharp and clean for best performance and to reduce the risk of injury. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. n Keep handles dry, clean, and free of oil and grease. n Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. Serious injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders, or any combination of these persons may result from one-handed operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BASIC SAFETY PRECAUTIONS n Do not start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path from the falling tree. Cluttered areas invite accidents. n Keep ALL children, bystanders, visitors, and animals out of the work area while starting or cutting with the chain saw. n Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes. n When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked "W-A" or "W". These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric shock. n Polarized Plugs. To reduce the risk of electric shock, this tool has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way. n Make sure your extension cord is in good condition. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. A wire gauge size (A.W.G.) of at least 12 is recommended for an extension cord 50 feet or less in length. A cord exceeding 100 feet is not recommended. If in doubt, use the next heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. n Inspect extension cords periodically and, if damaged, have repaired by a licensed electrician. Constantly stay aware of cord location. Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric shock or fire. n Wear snug fitting clothing. Always wear heavy, long pants, overalls, jeans or chaps made of cut resistant material or ones that contain cut resistant inserts. Wear non-slip safety footwear. Wear non-slip heavy duty gloves to improve your grip and to protect your hands. Do not wear jewelry, 3 GENERAL SAFETY RULES n Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as metal pipes and wire fences. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded. n Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Chain should slow to a stop when the switch trigger is released. If the chain continues to turn after the switch trigger has been released, have the unit serviced by your nearest Ryobi service dealer. n Check for damaged parts. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service dealer unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this manual. n All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the operation and maintenance sections, should be performed by your nearest Ryobi service dealer. n Always maintain a proper stance. n Do not use chain saw if switch does not turn it on and off. Have defective switches replaced by authorized service center. n Do not adapt your powerhead to a bow guide or use it to power any attachments or devices not listed for the saw. n Disconnect chain saw when not in use, before servicing, and when making adjustments and changing attachments, such as saw chain and guard. n Do not cut vines and/or small underbrush. n Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder, or scaffold; this is extremely dangerous. NOTE: The size of the work area depends on the job being performed as well as the size tree or work piece involved. For example, felling a tree requires a larger work area than making bucking cuts. n Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush and saplings, because small material may catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance. n When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for spring back so that you will not be struck when the tension in the wood fibers is released. n Do not force the chain saw. The job can be performed better and safer at the rate for which it was intended. n Always use the right product for your application. The chain saw should be used for cutting wood only. Never use the chain saw to cut plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials. n Do not use the chain saw for purposes not intended. n Store chain saw when not in use. Chain saw should be stored in a dry and high or locked area out of the reach of children. When storing chain saw place the scabbard on the bar and chain and store the chain saw in carrying case. n Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and use them to instruct others who may use this tool. If you loan someone this tool, loan them these instructions also. WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are: · lead from lead-based paints, · crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and · arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber. Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles. 4 GENERAL SAFETY RULES KICKBACK See Figures 1 - 2. ROTATIONAL KICKBACK WARNING: Kickback may occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control which can result in serious injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into the saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury. n The following precautions should be followed to minimize kickback: 1. Always grip the saw firmly with both hands. Hold the saw firmly with both hands when the unit is running. Place your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front handle with your thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip together with a stiff left arm will help you maintain control of the saw if kickback occurs. 2. Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, fence, or any other obstruction that could be hit while you are operating the saw. 3. Always cut with the unit running. Fully squeeze the switch trigger and maintain cutting speed. 4. Use replacement parts such as low kickback chain (part no. 301304001), SAFE-T-TIP® anti-kickback nose guards and special guide bars that reduce the risks associated with rotational kickback. Use only the replacement guide bars (part no. 301139003) and low kickback chains specified by the ma ...