OPERATOR’S MANUAL 18 in. 46cc CHAIN SAW UT10552 Your chain saw has been engineered and manufactured to Homelite’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 Homelite product.
table of contents Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 General Safety Rules..................................................................................................................................................... 3-4 Specific Safety Rules..............................................................................................................
general safety rules WARNING: Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below, may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS Know your tool. Read the operator’s manual carefully. Learn the saw’s applications and limitations as well as the specific potential hazards related to this tool.
general safety rules ■ Do not adapt the powerhead to a bow guide or use it to power any attachments or devices not listed for the saw. ■ The gas powered saw (or electrically powered saw) is classified by CSA as a Class 1C (or Class 2C) saw. It is intended for infrequent use by homeowners, cottagers, and campers, and for such general applications as clearing, pruning, cutting firewood, etc. It is not intended for prolonged use.
symbols Some of the following symbols may be used on this tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer. SYMBOL NAME DESIGNATION/EXPLANATION Safety Alert Precautions that involve your safety. Read The Operator’s Manual To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand operator’s manual before using this product.
symbols The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product. SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
glossary of terms Bar Tip Guard An attachment that may be provided on the end of the guide bar to prevent the chain at the end of the guide bar from contacting the wood. Kickback (Pinch) The rapid pushback of the saw which can occur when the wood closes in and pinches the moving saw chain in the cut along the top of the guide bar. Bucking The process of cross cutting a felled tree or log into lengths.
features PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Bar length........................................................................................................................................................................ 18 in. Chain pitch................................................................................................................................................................... .325 in. Chain gauge...................................................................................................
features KNOW YOUR CHAIN SAW LOW KICKBACK SAW CHAIN See Figure 1. Before attempting to use this product, familiarize yourself with all operating features and safety rules. The low kickback saw chain helps minimize the force of a kickback reaction by preventing the cutters from digging in too deeply at the kickback zone. CHOKE LEVER primER bulb The choke lever opens and closes the choke valve in the carburetor. Positions available include FULL CHOKE, HALF CHOKE, and RUN.
operation FUEL AND REFUELING WARNING: Do not allow familiarity with tools to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict serious injury. HANDLING THE FUEL SAFELY WARNING: Check for fuel leaks. If any are found, correct them before using the saw to prevent fire or burn injury. WARNING: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating this tool.
OPERATION FILLING THE FUEL TANK See Figure 2. Clean the surface around the fuel cap to prevent contamination. Loosen the fuel cap slowly. Carefully pour the fuel mixture into the tank. Avoid spillage. Prior to replacing the fuel cap, clean and inspect the o-ring. Immediately replace the fuel cap and hand tighten. Wipe up any fuel spillage. Fig. 2 NOTE: It is normal for the engine to emit smoke during and after the first use. ADDING BAR AND CHAIN OIL See Figure 3. Use HOMELITE Bar and Chain Oil.
operation STARTING THE ENGINE See Figures 6 - 11. Starting the product differs depending on whether the engine is cold or warm. WARNING: ignition switch IN THE RUN POSITION Keep your body to the left of the chain line. Never straddle the saw or chain, or lean over past the chain line. n Place the chain saw on level ground and ensure that no objects or obstructions are in the immediate vicinity that could come in contact with the bar and chain. Fig.
operation n Push choke lever to half choke position. n Pull starter grip until engine runs. Trigger RELEASE Note: Allow the saw to run in this position 15-30 seconds, depending upon the temperature. 1 n Push choke lever all the way in to the RUN position. n Squeeze and release the throttle trigger to return the engine to idle after a total run time of at least 30 seconds.
operation ADJUSTING IDLE SPEED See Figure 14. n If the engine starts, runs, and accelerates, but will not idle, turn the idle speed screw “T” clockwise to increase idle speed. n If the chain turns at idle, turn the idle speed screw “T” counterclockwise to reduce the idle RPM and stop the chain movement. If the saw chain still moves at idle speed, contact an authorized service center for adjustment and discontinue use until the repair is made.
operation KICKBACK PRECAUTIONS kickback danger zone See Figures 16 - 17. Rotational kickback occurs when the moving chain contacts an object at the Kickback Danger Zone of the guide bar. The result is a lightning-fast reverse reaction, which kicks the guide bar up and back towards the operator. This reaction can cause loss of control, which can result in serious injury. Fig. 16 PREPARING FOR CUTTING rotational kickback PROPER GRIP ON HANDLES See Figure 18.
operation PROPER CUTTING STANCE See Figure 19. ■n Balance your weight with both feet on solid ground. n Keep left arm with elbow locked in a “straight arm” position to withstand any kickback force. thumb on underside of handle bar chain line straight arm n Keep your body to the left of the chain line. n Keep your thumb on underside of handlebar. WORK AREA PRECAUTIONS See Figure 20. n Cut only wood or materials made from wood; no sheet metal, no plastics, no masonry, no non-wood building materials.
operation FELLING TREES planned line of fall HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WARNING: Do not fell trees during periods of high wind or heavy precipitation. Wait until the hazardous weather has ended. When felling a tree, it is important that you heed the following warnings to prevent possible serious injury. ■n Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean or large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark, or hollow trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged down with heavy equipment, then cut them up.
operation n On large diameter trees, stop the back cut before it is deep enough for the tree to either fall or settle back on the stump. Then insert soft wooden or plastic wedges into the cut so they do not touch the chain. Drive wedges in, little by little, to help jack the tree over. n When bucking or felling with a wedge, it may be necessary to remove the SAFE-T-TIP anti-kickback device to allow the bar to be drawn through the cut. After you complete the cut, reinstall the tip immediately.
operation BUCKING WITH A WEDGE See Figure 27. If the wood diameter is large enough for you to insert a soft bucking wedge without touching the chain, you should use the wedge to hold the cut open to prevent pinching. Note: When bucking or felling with a wedge, you may need to remove the SAFE-T-TIP anti-kickback device to allow the bar to be drawn through the cut. After you complete the cut, reinstall the tip. WEDGE BUCKING LOGS UNDER STRESS See Figure 28.
operation UNDERBUCKING See Figure 30. Begin on the under side of the log with the top of the saw against the log; exert light pressure upward. During underbucking, the saw will tend to push back at you. Be prepared for this reaction and hold the saw firmly to maintain control. LIMBING AND PRUNING See Figures 31 - 32. n Work slowly, keeping both hands on the saw with a firm grip. Maintain secure footing and balance. Fig. 30 Underbucking ■n Keep the tree between you and the chain while limbing.
maintenance WARNING: Run Position When servicing, use only identical Homelite replacement parts. Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage. WARNING: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields during power tool operation or when blowing dust. If operation is dusty, also wear a dust mask. Fig. 34 GENERAL MAINTENANCE Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts.
MAINTENANCE Remove the clutch cover. Remove the bar and chain from the mounting surface. Remove the old chain from the bar. CHAIN TENSIONING PIN HOLE Lay out the new saw chain in a loop and straighten any kinks. The cutters should face in the direction of chain rotation. If they face backwards, turn the loop over. Place the chain drive links into the bar groove as shown. Position the chain so there is a loop at the back of the bar.
MAINTENANCE Fit the bar flush against the mounting surface so that the bar studs are in the long slot of the bar. NOTE: When placing the bar on the bar studs, ensure that the adjusting pin is in the chain tension pin hole. Replace the clutch cover and bar mounting nuts. Finger-tighten the bar mounting nuts. The bar must be free to move for tension adjustment.
MAINTENANCE Retension the chain whenever the flats on the drive links hang out of the bar groove. NOTE: During normal saw operation, the temperature of the chain increases. The drive links of a correctly tensioned warm chain will hang approximately .050 in. out of the bar groove. The tip of the combination wrench can be used as a guide to help determine the correct warm chain tension. NOTE: New chains tend to stretch; check the chain tension frequently and tension as required. ≈ .050 in. (1.25 mm) Fig.
maintenance SHARPENING THE CUTTERS See Figures 49 - 52. Be careful to file all cutters to the specified angles and to the same length, as fast cutting can only be obtained when all cutters are uniform. Cutting Corner Side Plate Top Plate Depth Gauge Rivet Hole WARNING: Heel The saw chain is very sharp. Always wear protective gloves when performing maintenance to the chain to prevent serious personal injury. Toe Gullet Fig. 49 n Tension the chain prior to sharpening.
maintenance TOP PLATE FILING ANGLE MAINTAINING DEPTH GAUGE CLEARANCE See Figure 53. n CORRECT 30° – file holders are marked with guide marks to align file properly to produce correct top plate angle. See Figure 55 - 57. n Maintain the depth gauge at a clearance of .025 in. Use a depth gauge tool for checking the depth gauge clearances. n LESS THAN 30° – for cross cutting. n Every time the chain is filed, check the depth gauge clearance. n MORE THAN 30° – feathered edge dulls quickly.
maintenance MAINTAINING THE GUIDE BAR See Figure 58. CAUTION: Make sure the chain has stopped before you do any work on the saw. LUBRICATING HOLE Every week of use, reverse the guide bar on the saw to distribute the wear for maximum bar life. The bar should be cleaned every day of use and checked for wear and damage. Feathering or burring of the bar rails is a normal process of bar wear. Such faults should be smoothed with a file as soon as they occur.
maintenance CLEANING THE AIR FILTER See Figures 61 - 63. n For access to the air filter and carburetor area, loosen the three screws holding the cylinder cover. screws n Activate chain brake. cylinder cover n Lift the front of the cylinder cover past chain brake lever. n Lift the back of the cylinder cover past the handle. n Before removing the air filter from the carburetor, blow or brush as much loose dirt and sawdust from around the carburetor and chamber as possible.
maintenance ADJUSTING THE CARBURETOR air filter See Figures 64 - 66. Before adjusting the carburetor: n Use a brush or compressed air to clean the starter cover vents. n Clean the air filter. Refer to Cleaning the Air Filter in the Maintenance section of this manual. n Allow the engine to warm up prior to adjustment of engine idle speed. Fig. 64 warning: Weather conditions and altitude may affect carburetion. Do not allow bystanders close to the chain saw while adjusting the carburetor.
maintenance CLEANING THE ENGINE See Figures 67 - 68. Clean the cylinder fins and flywheel fins with compressed air or a brush periodically. Dangerous overheating of the engine may occur due to impurities on the cylinder. clean cylinder fins WARNING Never run the saw without all the parts, including the drivecase cover and starter housing, securely in place.
maintenance INSPECTING/CLEANING THE SPARK arrestor screen See Figure 71. The muffler is equipped with a spark arrestor screen. A faulty spark arrestor screen can create a fire hazard. Through normal use the screen can become dirty and should be inspected weekly and cleaned as required. Always keep the muffler and spark arrestor on the saw in good condition. WARNING Muffler surfaces are very hot during and after operation of the chain saw.
BAR AND CHAIN COMBINATIONS Chain specifications: .325 in. pitch, .05 in. chain gauge, 72 drive links Length of Bar Guide Bar Part Number Chain Part Number 18 in. 308626001 900920007 TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Engine will not start. [Make sure ignition switch is in the RUN ( l ) position.] Possible Cause Solution No spark. Check spark. Remove air filter cover. Remove spark plug from cylinder.
troubleshooting Problem Bar and chain running hot and smoking. Engine starts and runs, but chain is not rotating. Possible Cause Solution Chain oil tank empty. Oil tank should be filled every time fuel tank is filled. Chain tension is too tight. Tension chain per instructions in Adjusting the Chain Tension in the Maintenance section of this manual. Oiler is not functioning. Run at half throttle 30 to 45 seconds. Stop saw and check for oil dripping from SAFE-T-TIP and guide bar.
warranty LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT Homelite Consumer Products, Inc. warrants to the original retail purchaser that this HOMELITE product is free from defect in material and workmanship and agrees to repair or replace, at Homelite Consumer Products, Inc.’s discretion, any defective product free of charge within these time periods from the date of purchase.
warranty The following California Air Resources Board (CARB) statement only applies to model numbers required to meet the CARB requirements. HOMELITE CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC. LIMITED WARRANTY FEDERAL AND CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS NONROAD AND SMALL OFF-ROAD ENGINES The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and Homelite Consumer Products, Inc. are pleased to explain the Emission Control System Warranty on your nonroad or small off-road engine.
warranty EMISSIONS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND WARRANTED PARTS LIST Emissions Parts Inspect Before Each Use Clean Every 5 Hours Replace Every 25 Hours or Yearly Clean Every 25 Hours or Yearly Replace Every 50 Hours AIR FILTER ASSY includes: Filter................................................................... X.............................X SPARK arrestor .............................................................................................................
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OPERATOR’S MANUAL 18 in. 46cc CHAIN SAW UT10552 WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 SERVICE For parts or service, contact your nearest Homelite authorized service dealer. Be sure to provide all relevant information when you call or visit. For the location of the authorized service dealer nearest you, please call 1-800-242-4672 or visit us online at www.
