Challenge PCS38Z Operation instructions

Original Manual
CHALLENGE
37cc Petrol Chainsaw
PCS38Z
Important - Please read these instructions fully before starting assembly.
These instructions contain important information that will help you get the best from your
chainsaw, ensuring it is assembled correctly and safely.
If you need help or have damaged or missing parts, call the Customer Helpline on 01904 727503
prior to returning product to store.
Aug 2016 Rev A
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

Contents
2
Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
Safety Information.............................................................................................................................................3
In the Box ..........................................................................................................................................................9
Preparing to Operate the Chainsaw...............................................................................................................10
Operating the Chainsaw.................................................................................................................................14
Maintenance and Storage...............................................................................................................................19
Troubleshooting...............................................................................................................................................24
Technical Data.................................................................................................................................................25
Disposal...........................................................................................................................................................26
Getting Help.....................................................................................................................................................26
Guarantee........................................................................................................................................................27

Important - Please read these instructions fully before operation or maintainance
3
Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
The following warning symbols appear through this manual and indicate the appropriate safety
measures you should take when operating and maintaining the chainsaw.
Before any use, refer to the corresponding paragraph in the present manual.
This symbol, before a safety comment, indicates a precaution, a warning or a danger.
Ignoring this warning can lead to an accident for yourself or for others. To limit the risk of
injury, re, or electrocution always apply the recommendations indicated.
Conforms to European standards.
The exhaust gas is poisonous and asphyxiating. If inhaled it may even be lethal. Do not
operate the engine in closed or poorly ventilated places.
Petrol and petrol vapours are extremely inammable.
Do not touch to prevent burns.
Wear hearing protection and eye protection when using the device.
Wear robust footwear when using the device.
Wear protective gloves when using the device.
Warning Symbols
Safety Information

Important - Please read these instructions fully before operation or maintainance
4Customer Helpline 01904 727503
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Guaranteed Sound power level data (115dB) in accordance with Directive 2000/14/EC
Beware of kickback (recoil).
Avoid contact with the tip of the guide bar (chain return point). This will result in kickback of
the chainsaw.
Do not hold the saw with one hand.
Hold the saw rmly with both hands. Place your right hand on the rear handle and your left
hand on the front handle.
Do not start or use the equipment close to people (especially children) or animals. During
operation, it is recommended that a minimum distance of 10 metres from other people be
maintained.
Warning Symbols
Safety Information
General Safety
The chain is designed exclusively for sawing wood. You may only fell trees if you have received
the appropriate training. The manufacturer cannot be held liable for damage caused by improper
or incorrect usage.
Please note that our equipment has not been designed for use in commercial, trade or industrial
applications. Our warranty will be voided if the machine is used in commercial, trade or industrial
businesses or for the equivalent purposes.

Important - Please read these instructions fully before operation or maintainance
5
Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
General Safety
Safety Information
WARNING!
- Keep this operating and maintenance manual in a safe place for reference at a later date.
- Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the controls and the proper use of the equipment.
- Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these instructions to use the chainsaw. Local
regulations can restrict the age of the operator.
- Never saw while people, especially children or pets are nearby. Keep in mind that the user is
responsible for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their property.
- This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical,
sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been
given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their
safety.
- Do not touch chain.
Preparation
WARNING!
- DO NOT operate a chainsaw with one hand! Serious injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders or
any combination of these persons may result from one-handed operation. A chainsaw is intended
for two-handed use only.
- Do NOT use the saw if you are tired, ill or under the inuence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Use safety footwear, snug-tting clothing, protective gloves as well as eye, hearing and head
protection devices.
- Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chainsaw at least 10 feet (3m) away from the fueling
point before starting the engine.
- DO NOT allow other persons to be near when starting or cutting with the chainsaw. Keep
bystanders and animals out of the work area.
- DO NOT start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path
from falling trees or branches.

Important - Please read these instructions fully before operation or maintainance
6Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
Operation
Safety Information
WARNING!
- Keep all parts of your body away from the saw’s chain when the engine is running.
- Before you start the engine, make sure that the chain is not in contact with anything.
- Carry the chainsaw with the engine stopped, the chain bar and saw chain facing rearwards, and with
the exhaust away from your body.
- NEVER use a chainsaw which is damaged, incorrectly set, incomplete or loosely assembled. Make
sure that the chain rotation stops when the chain brake is applied.
- Shut off the engine before setting the chainsaw down.
- Use extreme caution when cutting a small size bush and saplings because slender material may
catch in the saw chain and be whipped towards you or pull you off balance.
- 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 bers is released.
- Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture.
- Operate the chainsaw only in well-ventilated areas.
- DO NOT operate a chainsaw from in a tree unless you have been specically trained to do so.
- All chainsaw servicing, other than the items listed in the user manual safety and maintenance
instructions should be performed by competent chainsaw service personnel.
- When transporting your chainsaw, use the appropriate chain bar cover.
- DO NOT operate your chainsaw near or around ammable liquids or gases whether in or out of
doors. An explosion and/or re may result.
- Do not ll the fuel tank, oil reservoir or lubricate whilst the engine of the chainsaw is running.
- USE THE CORRECT TOOL: Cut wood ONLY. Do not use the chainsaw for purposes for which
it was not intended. For example, do not use the chainsaw for cutting plastic, masonry or building
materials.
- The engine will create toxic exhaust fumes as soon as the engine is started. Never work in enclosed
areas or in areas with poor ventilation.
NOTE! The chainsaw is designed for non-commercial, occasional use for general work such as
stump grubbing, cutting rewood, etc. It is not designed for lengthy use. If it is used for a lengthy
period, the vibrations it causes in the hands of the user may result in circulation problems (white nger
syndrome).
- The chain is designed exclusively for sawing wood. You may only fell trees if you have received
the appropriate training. The manufacturer cannot be held liable for damage caused by improper or
incorrect usage.

Important - Please read these instructions fully before operation or maintainance
7
Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
Operation (continued)
Safety Information
- Please note that our equipment has not been designed for use in commercial, trade or industrial
applications. Our warranty will be voided if the machine is used in commercial, trade or industrial
businesses or for the equivalent purposes.
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the chain bar touches an object, or when the wood
closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. If the bar tip contacts, it may cause a extremely
fast reverse reaction, kicking the chain bar up and back towards the operator. Pinching the saw
chain along the top of the chain bar may push the chain bar rapidly back towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw, which could result in serious
personal injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a chainsaw
user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
NOTE! With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of
surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
- Keep a good rm grip on the saw with both hands, the right hand on the rear handle, and the
left hand on the front handle, when the engine is running. Use a rm grip with thumbs and ngers
encircling the chainsaw handles. A rm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control of
the saw. Never let go of the Chainsaw.
- Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose
of the chain bar contact a log, branch, or any other obstruction which could be hit while you are
operating the saw.
- Cut at high engine speeds.
- Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
- Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
- Only use replacement bars and chains specied by the manufacturer or the exact equivalent.
- PINCHING the saw chain along the BOTTOM of the cutting (chain) bar may PULL the saw
forward away from the operator.
- PINCHING the saw chain along the TOP of the cutting (chain) bar may PUSH the chain bar
rapidly back towards the operator.
- Any of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw, which could result in serious
personal injury.
Kickback

Important - Please read these instructions fully before operation or maintainance
8Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
Safety Information
Kickback (continued)
- Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition;
- Never store the equipment with petrol in the tank inside a building where fumes can reach an
open ame or spark;
- Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure;
- To reduce the re hazard, keep the engine, silencer and petrol storage area free of hedge,
leaves, or excessive grease;
- Replace worn or damaged parts for safety;
- If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done outdoors.
NOTE! Dispose of soiled maintenance material and operating materials at the appropriate
collection point. Recycle packaging material, metal and plastics.
Maintenance and Storage Safety
Beware of the following: Rotary recoil.
A = Recoil direction
B = Recoil reaction zone
Impact/Jamming recoil and pulling reactions
When cutting from under an object (See Pic D) using the top of the chain the object may pinch
the chain and cause either a forward force on the chainsaw or a rearward force on the object
(See Pic C).
When cutting from the top surface of an object (Pic E) using the bottom of the chain the object
may pinch the chain and cause either a rearward force on the chainsaw or a forward force on the
object.
A B
A A
C
D
E

9
Customer Helpline 01904 727503
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In the Box
Parts Tools
A
1
AChainsaw 1Screw driver
2Plug wrench
3Mixing bottle
3
2.5
5
2.5
5
40: 1
2
You will also need 2-Stroke engine oil according JASO FC classic, unleaded fuel and special chainsaw
oil.
Any parts missing? Call the customer helpline on 01904 727503, most parts can be send out on next
day delivery.

10
Customer Helpline 01904 727503
www.gardenservicecentre.co.uk
Preparing to Operate the Chainsaw
Safety features
a. LOW KICKBACK SAW CHAIN: helps signicantly reduce kickback, or the intensity of kickback,
due to specially designed depth gauges and guard links.
b i. CHAIN BRAKE LEVER / HAND GUARD: protects the operator’s left hand in the event it slips
off the front handle while saw is running.
b ii. CHAIN BRAKE: is a safety feature designed to reduce the possibility of injury due to kickback
by stopping a moving saw chain in milliseconds. It is activated by the CHAIN BRAKE lever.
c. STOP SWITCH: immediately stops the engine when tripped. Stop switch must be pushed to
the “START” position to start or restart engine.
d. SAFETY TRIGGER LOCK: prevents accidental acceleration of the engine. Throttle trigger
cannot be squeezed unless the safety latch is depressed.
e. CHAIN CATCHER: reduces the danger of injury in the event saw chain breaks or derails
during operation. The chain catcher is designed to intercept a whipping chain.
NOTE! Study your saw and be familiar with its parts.
b
a
d
c
e