GardenCare GC3814 User manual

CHAIN SAWS
GC3814
GC4016
OWNER’S MANUAL
WARNING
• Before using our products, please read
this manual carefully to understand the
proper use of your unit.

CONTENTS
SAFETY FIRST
Instructions contained in warnings within this manual marked with a
symbol concern critical points which must be taken into consideration to
prevent possible serious bodily injury, and for this reason you are requested
to read all such instructions carefully and follow them without fail.
■ WARNINGS IN THE MANUAL
This mark indicates instructions which must be followed in order to prevent
accidents which could lead to serious bodily injury or death.
This mark indicates instructions which must be followed, or it leads to mechanical
failure, breakdown, or damage.
This mark indicates hints or directions useful in the use of the product.
1. Parts location………………………………………………………………… 2
2. Symbols on the machine…………………………………………………… 3
3. For safe operation ………………………………………………………………6
4. Installing guide bar and saw chain ……………………………………………11
5. Fuel and chain oil ………………………………………………………………13
6. Operation ………………………………………………………………………15
7. Sawing …………………………………………………………………………20
8.
Maintenance ……………………………………………………………………24
9. Maintenance of Saw Chain and Guide Bar …………………………………27
10. Storage …………………………………………………………………………30
11. Troubleshooting guide …………………………………………………………31
12. Specifications …………………………………………………………………32

2
1. Parts location
1. Front hand guard
2. Starter handle
3. Air filter cover
4. Choke knob
5. Throttle trigger lock-out
6. Rear handle
7. Throttle trigger
8. Engine switch
9. Fuel tank
10. Oil tank
11. Front handle
12. Saw chain
13. Guard bar

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2. Symbols on the machine
(1)
Read operator's instruction book before operating
this machine.
(2) Appropriate ear, eye, and head protection must be
worn.
(3) Use the chain saw with two hands.
(4) Warning! Danger of kickback.
(5) Read, understand and follow all warnings.
2. Symbols on the machine
For safe operation and maintenance, symbols are
carved in relief on the machine. According to these
indications, please be careful not to make any
mistake.
(a). The port to refuel the "MIX GASOLINE"
Position: near the fuel cap

(b).
The port to refuel the chain oil
Position: near the oil cap
(c).
Operate the engine switch
Flipping the switch to the "O" position, immediately
the engine stops.
Position:
rear at the left side of the rear handle
(d). Operate the choke knob
Pull out the choke knob, close
the choke knob, open
the choke.
Position: Air filter cover
(e). Adjust the oil pump
If you turn the rod by
screwdriver follow the arrow
to the "MAX" position, the chain oil flow more, and
if you turn to the "MIN" position, less.
Position:
Bottom of the power unit
2. Symbols on the machine
(f).
The screw under the "H" stamp is The
High-speed adjustment screw.
The screw under the "L" stamp is The Slow
adjustment screw.
The screw up
the "T" stamp is the Idle adjustment
screw.
Position: upper-
left of the rear handle
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The port to refuel the chain oil
Operate the engine switch
Flipping the switch to the "O" position, immediately
rear at the left side of the rear handle
the choke; push in
the choke.
screwdriver follow the arrow
to the "MAX" position, the chain oil flow more, and
if you turn to the "MIN" position, less.
Bottom of the power unit
The screw under the "H" stamp is The
The screw under the "L" stamp is The Slow
-speed
the "T" stamp is the Idle adjustment
left of the rear handle

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(g). Shows the directions that the chain brake is
released (white arrow) and activated (black arrow).
Position: Front of the chain cover
(h). Shows the direction of the saw chain
installation.
Position: Front of the chain cover

3. For safe operation
■
Before operate the product
1.
Before using our products, please read this
manual carefully to understand the proper use
of your unit.
2.
Never operate a chain saw when you are
fatigued, ill, or upset, or under the influence of
medication that may make you drowsy, or if
you are under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
3.
Operate the chain saw only in well ventilated
areas. Never start or run the engine inside a
closed room or building. Exhaust fumes
contain dangerous carbon monoxide.
4.
Never cut in high wind, bad weather, when
visibility is poor or in very high or low
t
emperatures. Always check the tree for dead
branches which could fall during the felling
operation.
5.
Use safety footwear, snug fitting clothing and
eye, hearing and head protection devices.
3.
For safe operation
6
Before operate the product
Before using our products, please read this
manual carefully to understand the proper use
Never operate a chain saw when you are
fatigued, ill, or upset, or under the influence of
medication that may make you drowsy, or if
you are under the influence of alcohol or
Operate the chain saw only in well ventilated
areas. Never start or run the engine inside a
closed room or building. Exhaust fumes
contain dangerous carbon monoxide.
Never cut in high wind, bad weather, when
visibility is poor or in very high or low
emperatures. Always check the tree for dead
branches which could fall during the felling
Use safety footwear, snug fitting clothing and
eye, hearing and head protection devices.

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6. Always use caution when handling fuel. Wipe
up all spills and then move the chain saw at
least ten(10)feet (three(3) m) from the fueling
point before starting the engine.
7.
Eliminate all sources of sparks or flame (ie.
smoking, open flames, or work that can cause
sparks) in the areas where fuel is mixed,
poured, or stored.
Do not smoke while handling fuel or while
operating the chain saw.
8. Do not allow other persons to be near the
chain saw when starting the engine or cutting a
wood. Keep bystanders and animals out of the
work area. Children, pets, and bystanders
should be a minimum of 30feet (10m) away
when you start or operate the chain saw.
9. Never start cutting until you have a clear work
area, secure footing, and planned retreat path
from the falling tree.
10. Always hold the chain saw firmly with both
hands when the engine is running. Use a firm
grip with thumb and fingers encircling the chain
saw handles.
11. Keep all parts of your body away from the
saw chain when the engine is running. Before
you start the engine, make sure the saw chain
is not contacting anything.
3. For safe operation

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12. Always carry the chain saw with the engine
stopped, the guide bar and saw chain to the
rear, and the muffler away from your body.
13. Always inspect the chain saw before each
use for worn, Ioose, or changed parts. Never
operate a chain saw that is damaged,
improperly adjusted, or is not completely and
securely assembled. Be sure that the saw
chain stops moving when the throttle control
trigger is released.
14. All chain saw service, other than the items
listed in the Operator’s Manual, should be
performed by competent chain saw service
personnel. (e.g., if improper tools are used to
remove the flywheel, or if an improper tool is
used to hold the flywheel in order to remove
the clutch, structural damage to the flywheel
could occur which could subsequently cause
the flywheel to disintegrate).
15. Always shut off the engine before setting it
down.
16. Use extreme caution when cutting small size
brush and saplings because slender material
may catch the saw chain and be whipped
toward you or pull you off balance.
17. 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.
18. Keep the handles dry, clean and free of oil or
fuel mixture.
3. For safe operation

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19. Guard against kickback. Kickback is the
upward motion of the guide bar which occurs
when the saw chain at the nose of the guide
bar contacts an object. Kickback can lead to
dangerous loss of control of the chain saw.
20. When transporting your chain saw, make
sure the appropriate guide bar scabbard is in
place.
KICKBACK SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR CHAIN SAW USERS
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar
touches an object, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the
cut. Tip contact in some cases may cause a lightning
fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back
towards the operator. Pinching the saw chain along the
top of the guide bar may push the guide 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 on the safety devices built into your saw. As a chain saw
user you should take several steps to keep cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
(1) With a basic understanding of kickback you can reduce or eliminate the
element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
3. For safe operation

10
(2) Keep a good 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 firm grip with thumbs
and fingers encircling the chain saw handles.
A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and
maintain control of the saw. Don’t let go.
(3) Make certain that the area in which you’re
cutting is free from obstructions. Do not let
the nose of the guide bar contact a log,
branch, or any other obstruction which could
be hit while you are operating the saw.
(4) Cut at high engine speeds.
(5) Do not overreach or cut above shoulder
height.
(6) Follow manufacturers sharpening and
maintenance instructions for saw chain.
(7) Only use replacement bars and chains
specified by the manufacturer or the
equivalent.
4.
Installing guide bar and saw chain
A standard saw unit package contains the
items as shown below. ：
(1) Power unit
(2) Guide bar scabbard
(3) Guide bar
(4) Saw chain
(5) Plug wrench
(6) Screwdriver for carburetor adjustment
Open the box and install the guide bar and the

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saw chain on the power unit as follows.
The saw chain has
very sharp edges. Use protective gloves for
safety.
1. Pull the guard towards the front handle to
check that the chain brake is not on.
2.
Loosen a nut and remove the chain cover.
3. Gear the chain to the sprocket and, while
fitting the saw chain around the guide bar,
mount the guide bar to the power unit. Adjust
the position of chain tensioner nut.
(1) Clutch cover
(2) Chain tensioner nut.
4. Installing guide bar and saw chain
Pay attention to the correct direction of the saw
chain.
（1）Moving direction
4. Mount the guide bar then fit the saw chain
around the bar and sprocket.
5. Fit the chain tensioner nut into the lower
hole of the guide bar, then install the chain
cover, and fasten the mounting nut to finger

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tightness.
5. While holding up the tip of the bar, adjust the
chain tension by turning the tensioner screw
until the tie straps just touch the bottom side of
the bar rail.
6. Tighten the nuts securely with the bar tip
held up (12 ~ 15 Nm). Then check the chain
for smooth rotation and proper tension while
moving it by hand. If necessary, readjust with
the chain cover loose.
7. Tighten the tensioner screw.
(1) Loosen
(2) Tighten
(3) Chain tension adjusting screw
It is very important to maintain the proper chain tension. Rapid wear of the guide
bar or the chain coming off easily can be caused by improper tension. Especially
when using a new chain, take good care of it since it should expand when first
used.
5. Fuel and chain oil
■Fuel
The engines are lubricated by oil specially
formulated for air-cooled 2-cycle gasoline
engine use. If oil is not available, use an
antioxidant added quality oil expressly labeled
for air-cooled 2-cycle engine use.
RECOMMENDED MIXING RATIO
GASOLINE 35 : OIL 1
These engines are certified to operate on

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unleaded gasoline.
The fuel is highly flammable. Do not smoke or
bring any flame or sparks near fuel.
1. FUEL WITH NO OIL(RAW GASOLINE) – It
will cause severe damage to the engine inner
parts very quickly.
2. OIL FOR 4-CYCLE ENGINE USE or
WATER COOLED 2-CYCLE ENGINE USE – It
can cause spark plug fouling, exhaust port
blocking, or piston ring sticking.
■ HOW TO MIX FUEL
1. Measure out the quantities of gasoline and
oil to be mixed.
2. Put some of the gasoline into a clean,
approved fuel container.
3. Pour in all of the oil and agitate well.
5. Fuel and chain oil
4. Pour in the rest of gasoline and agitate
again for at least one minute.
5. Put a clear indication on the outside of the
container to avoid mixing up with gasoline or
other containers.
■CHAIN OIL
Use special chain saw oil all year round.

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Do not use waste or regenerated oil that can
cause damage to the oil pump.
6. Operation
■ STARTING ENGINE
1. Untwist and remove the fuel cap. Rest the
cap on a dustless place.
2. Put fuel into the fuel tank to 80% of the full
capacity.
3. Fasten the fuel cap securely and wipe up
any fuel spillage around the unit.
4. Put the switch to the "I" position.
5. Continuously push the priming bulb until fuel
comes in the bulb.

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(1) Oil
(2) Fuel
(3) Engine switch
(4) Choke knob
4. Pull out the choke knob. The choke will
close and the throttle lever will then be set in
the starting position.
When restarting immediately after stopping the
engine. Set choke in the open position
Once the choke knob has been pulled out, it
will not return to the operating position even if
you press down on it with your finger. When
you wish to return the choke knob to the
operating position, pull out the throttle lever
instead.
5. While holding the saw unit securely on the
ground, pull the starter rope vigorously.
6. When firing occur, push in the choke knob
and pull the starter again to start the engine.
7. Allow the engine to warm up with the throttle
lever pulled slightly.
Before you start the engine, make sure the
saw chain is not contacting anything.
■ CHECKING OIL SUPPLY
6. Operation

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After starting the engine, run the chain at
medium speed and see if chain oil is scattered
off as shown in the figure.
(1) Chain oil
The chain oil flow can be changed by inserting
a screwdriver in the hole on bottom of the
clutch side. Adjust according to your work
conditions.
(1) Chain oil flow adjusting shaft
(2) Rich
(3) Lean
The oil tank should become nearly empty by
the time fuel is used up. Be sure to refill the oil
tank every time when refueling the saw.
■ ADJUSTING CARBURETOR
The carburetor on your unit has been factory
adjusted, but may require fine tuning due to
change in operating conditions.
Before adjusting the carburetor, make sure
that provided are clean air/fuel filters and fresh,
properly mixed fuel.
When adjusting, take the following steps:
Be sure to adjust the carburetor with the bar
chain attached.
1. H and L needles are restricted within the
number of turn as shown below.
6. Operation

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H needle –1/4
L needle –1/4
2. Start engine and allow it to warm up in low
speed for a few minutes.
3. Turn idle adjusting screw (T)
counter-clockwise so that saw chain does not
turn. If idling speed is too slow, turn the screw
clockwise.
4. Make a test cut adjust the H needle for best
cutting power, not for maximum speed.
(1) L needle
(2) H needle
(3) Idle adjusting screw
■ CHAIN BRAKE
The chain brake is a device which stops the
chain instantaneously if the chain saw recoils
due to kickback.
Normally, the brake is activated automatically
by inertial force. It can also be activated
manually by pushing the brake lever ( Front
handle guard ) down toward the front.
When the brake operates, a white cone pops
up from the base of the brake lever.
(1) Front handle (2) Release (3) Brake (4)
Front handle guard
To release brake, pull up the front handle
guard toward the front handle till “click” sound
is heard.
6. Operation

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When the brake operates, release the throttle
lever to slow down the engine speed.
Continuous operation with the brake engaged
will generate heat from the clutch and may
cause trouble.
Be sure to confirm brake operation on the daily
inspection.
How to confirm:
1) Turn off the engine.
2) Holding the chain saw horizontally, release
your hand from the front handle, hit the tip of
the guide bar to a stump or a piece of wood,
and confirm brake operation. Operating level
varies by bar size.
In case the brake is not effective, ask our
dealer inspection and repairing.
• CARBURETOR ANTI-FREEZE MECHANISM
Operating chain saws in temperatures of 0 – 5°C at times
of high humidity may result in ice forming within the
carburetor, and this in turn may cause the output power
of the engine to be reduced or for the engine to fail to
operate smoothly.
(1) Cylinder cover (2) “Sunshine” mark (3) “Snow” mark
(a) Normal operating mode (b) Anti-freeze mode
This product has accordingly been designed with a
ventilation hatch on the right side of the surface of the
cylinder cover to allow warm air to be supplied to the
engine and to thereby prevent icing from occurring.
Under normal circumstances the product should be used
in the normal operating mode, i.e., in the mode which it is
set at the time of shipment.
However when the possibility exists that icing may occur, the unit should be set to
operate in the anti-freeze mode before use
6. Operation

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Continuing to use the product in the anti-freeze mode even when temperatures
have risen and returned to normal, may result in the engine failing to start properly
or in the engine failing to operate at its normal speed, and for this reason you
should always be sure to return the unit to the normal operating mode if there is no
danger of icing occurring.
HOW TO SWITCH BETWEEN OPERATING MODES
(1) Cylinder cover
(2) Choke knob
(3) Icing cap
1. Flip the engine switch to turn off
the engine.
2. Remove the cover to the air filter,
remove the air filter, and then
remove the choke knob from the
cylinder cover.
3. Loosen the screws holding the cylinder cover in place (i.e., the three screws on
the inside and the one screw on the outside of the cover), and then remove the
cylinder cover.
4. Press with your finger down on the icing cap located on the right-hand side of
the cylinder cover to remove the icing cap.
5. Adjust the icing cap so that the “snow” mark faces upwards and then return it to
its original position in the cylinder cover.
6. Fix the cylinder cover back into its original position, and then fix all other parts
back into their proper positions.
■Stopping engine
1. Release the throttle lever to allow the engine
idling for a few minutes.
2. Set the switch to the “O” (STOP) position.
(1) Engine switch
7. Sawing
Before proceeding to your job, read "For