OPERATOR’S MANUAL 18 VOLT cHAIN sAW P540 P540A P540B ACCEPTS ALL one+ BATTERY PACKS batterIES and chargers sold Separately Your chain saw has been engineered and manufactured to our 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 your purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................2 General Safety Rules...................................................................................................................................................... 3-5 Specific Safety Rules.............................................................................................................
general SAFETY RULES n Keep handles dry, clean, and free of oil and grease. WARNING: n Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Chain should stop turning when the trigger is released. If the chain turns after the trigger has been released, have the unit serviced by your nearest Ryobi service dealer. Do not attempt to operate this unit until you have read thoroughly and understand completely all instructions, safety information, etc.
general SAFETY RULES Kickback ROTATIONAL KICKBACK See Figures 1 - 2. n 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.
general SAFETY RULES Understanding Your Chain Saw Safety Devices In The Cutting/Work Area n Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder, or scaffold; this is extremely dangerous. See Figure 4. SAFE-T-TIP® Anti-Kickback Nose Guard n Keep ALL children, bystanders, visitors, and animals out of the work area while starting or cutting with the chain saw. The SAFE-T-TIP® prevents kickback from happening, because it covers the tip of the bar where kickback is generated.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES BATTERY SAFETY n Battery operated units do not have to be plugged into an electrical outlet; therefore, they are always in operating condition. Be aware of possible hazards even when unit is not operating. n Remove the battery pack from the chain saw before cleaning, servicing, storing, removing material from the unit, changing accessories such as the bar and chain, or when not in use. n A battery pack must be recharged only with the specified charger for the battery pack.
SYMBOLS Some of the following symbols may be used on this product. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the product better and safer.
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.
FEATURES PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Motor.......................................................................................................................................................................18 Volt DC Bar Length....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 in. Replacement Bar Part Number.....................................................................................
ASSEMBLY UNPACKING WARNING: This product has been shipped completely assembled. If any parts are damaged or missing do not operate this product until the parts are replaced. Failure to heed this warning could result in serious personal injury. n Carefully remove the product and any accessories from the box. Make sure that all items listed in the packing list are included. n Inspect the product carefully to make sure no breakage or damage occurred during shipping.
OPERATION Chain Oil System This product will accept Ryobi One+ 18 V lithium-ion battery packs and Ryobi One+ 18 V nickel-cadmium battery packs. See Figure 7. Use Ryobi Bar and Chain Lubricant. It is formulated to perform over a wide temperature range with no dilution required. NOTE: Do not use dirty, used or otherwise contaminated oils. Damage may occur to the bar or chain. Carefully pour the bar and chain oil into the tank. Check and fill the oil tank when battery is recharged, or as needed.
OPERATION STARTING AND STOPPING THE CHAIN SAW See Figure 8. WARNING: Keep body to the left of the chain line. Never straddle the saw or chain, or lean over past the chain line. Starting the chain saw: Place the chain saw on a flat bare surface and make sure no objects or obstructions are in immediate vicinity which could come in contact with the bar and chain. Press and hold the trigger release button. This makes the trigger operational.
OPERATION WARNING: Never use a left-handed (cross-handed) grip, or any stance which would place your body or arm across the chain line. Maintain a proper grip on the saw whenever the unit is running. The fingers should encircle the handle and the thumb is wrapped under the handlebar. This grip is least likely to be broken (by a kickback or other sudden reaction of the saw).
OPERATION Proper Cutting Stance See Figure 12. Weight should be balanced with both feet on solid ground. CHAIN LINE Keep left arm with elbow locked in a "straight arm" position to withstand any kickback force. STRAIGHT ARM POSITION Your body should always be to the left of the chain line. Thumb should be on underside of handlebar. Basic Cutting Procedure Practice cutting a few small logs using the following technique to get the "feel" of using the saw before you begin a major sawing operation.
OPERATION planned line of fall WARNING: Periodically glance at the top of the tree during the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in the desired direction.
OPERATION Felling Backcut. The backcut is always made level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2 in. above the horizontal cut of the notch. See Figures 14 - 15. Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a band of wood between the notch and backcut (approximately 2 in. or 1/10 the diameter of the tree). This is called "hinge" or “hingewood.” It controls the fall of the tree and prevents slipping or twisting or shoot-back of the tree off the stump. See Figures 14 - 15.
OPERATION BUCKING Logs Under Stress Log Supported at One End: See Figures 19 - 20. When the log is supported along its entire length, it should be cut from the top or overbucking. When the log is supported on one end, cut 1/3 the diameter from the underside or underbucking. Then make the finishing cut by overbucking to meet the first cut. As the log is being cut, it will tend to bend. The saw can become pinched or hung in the log if you make the first cut deeper than 1/3 of the diameter of the log.
OPERATION Limbing See Figure 21. Limbing is removing branches from a fallen tree. Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with a firm grip. Always make sure your footing is secure and your weight is distributed evenly on both feet. Leave the larger support limbs under the tree to keep the tree off the ground while cutting. Limbs should be cut one at a time. Remove the cut limbs from the work area often to help keep the work area clean and safe.
MAINTENANCE GENERAL MAINTENANCE WARNING: Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents and may be damaged by their use. Use clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc. When servicing, use only identical replacement parts. Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage. WARNING: WARNING: Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline, petroleumbased products, penetrating oils, etc.
MAINTENANCE REPLACing Bar and Chain See Figures 24 - 28. adjusting pin sprocket warning: Remove the battery pack from the chain saw and make sure the chain has stopped before you do any work on the saw. Failure to do so may result in accidental starting and possible serious injury bar WARNING: washer The safety instructions in this section are to protect the user from serious personal injury.
MAINTENANCE Replace the chain cover, washer and chain cover screw. Tighten the chain cover screw finger tight only. The bar must be free to move for tension adjustment. Remove all the slack from the chain by turning the chain tensioning screw clockwise until the chain seats snugly against the bar with the drive links in the bar groove. Lift the tip of the guide bar up to check for sag. Release the tip of the guide bar and turn the chain tensioning screw 1/2 turn clockwise.
MAINTENANCE Chain Maintenance See Figures 31 - 32. Cutting Corner CAUTION: Top Plate Remove the battery pack and make sure the chain has stopped before you do any work on the saw. Side Plate Depth Gauge Rivet Hole 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.
MAINTENANCE WARNING: correcT TOP PLATE FILING ANGLE Improper chain sharpening increases the potential of kickback. 30° INcorrecT TOP PLATE FILING ANGLE LESS THAN 30° MORE THAN 30° WARNING: Failure to replace or repair damaged chain can cause serious injury. Fig. 35 WARNING: correct SIDE PLATE FILING ANGLE The saw chain is very sharp, always wear protective gloves when performing maintenance to the chain. INcorrect SIDE PLATE FILING ANGLE HOOK Top Plate Filing Angle See Figure 35.
MAINTENANCE Replace the SAFE-T-TIP® on the bar nose. NOTE: The locking tab fits in the recessed hole in the bar. Tighten the screw with your finger. From the finger-tight position, tighten the screw an additional 3/4 of a turn using a wrench. Use a Flat File and a Depth Gauge Jointer to lower all gauges uniformly. Depth gauge jointers are available in .020 in. to .035 in. Use a .025 in. depth gauge jointer. After lowering each depth gauge, restore original shape by rounding the front.
MAINTENANCE mounting screw WARNING: Remove the battery pack and make sure the chain has stopped before you do any work on the saw. locking rivet WARNING: Although the guide bar comes with a SAFE-T-TIP® antikickback device already installed, you need to check the tightness of the mounting screw before each use. SAFE-T-TIP® Nose Guard Maintenance See Figures 41 - 42. Tighten the mounting screw of the nose guard as instructed below. These are specially hardened screws.
TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Cause Solution Bar and chain running hot and smoking. 1. Check chain tension for over tight condition 2. Chain oil tank empty. 1. Tension chain. Refer to Chain Tension earlier in this manual. 2. Check oil tank. Motor runs, but chain is not rotating. 1. Chain tension too tight. 2. Check guide bar and chain assembly. 3. Check guide bar and chain for damage. 1. Retension chain, Refer to Chain Tension earlier in this manual. 2.
WARRANTY LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT A. Tune-ups – Spark Plugs, Carburetor, Carburetor Adjustments, Ignition, Filters B. Wear items – Bump Knobs, Outer Spools, Cutting Lines, Inner Reels, Starter Pulleys, Starter Ropes, Drive Belts, Tines, Felt Washers, Hitch Pins, Mulching Blades, Blower Fans, Blower and Vacuum Tubes, Vacuum Bag and Straps, Guide Bars, Saw Chains Techtronic Industries North America, Inc.
OPERATOR’S MANUAL 18 VOLT cHAIN sAW P540 p540a P540B • Parts and Service Prior to requesting service or purchasing replacement parts, please obtain your model and serial number from the product data plate. • MODEL NUMBER • SERIAL NUMBER P540/P540A/P540B • How to obtain Replacement Parts: Replacement parts can be purchased online at www.ryobitools.com or by calling 1-800-860-4050. Replacement parts can also be obtained at one of our Authorized Service Centers.
