Mac 3516 Chainsaw Manual PDF

The Mac 3516 is a 35cc, 16-inch bar gas-powered chainsaw designed for general-purpose cutting, pruning, and firewood preparation. This manual covers essential safety procedures, assembly instructions, operation guidelines, maintenance schedules, troubleshooting, and specifications. Always read and understand this manual completely before operating the chainsaw to prevent serious injury or death.

Safety Warnings & Symbols

Operating a chainsaw is inherently dangerous. Understand and heed all safety symbols and warnings on the machine and in this manual.

Symbol/Feature	Description
Kickback Danger Zone	Upper quadrant of the bar nose; avoid contact during cutting
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)	Always wear: safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, chainsaw chaps, and steel-toe boots
Chain Brake	Engage before starting; activates manually or via inertia in a kickback
Throttle Lockout	Must be depressed before throttle can be engaged; prevents accidental acceleration
Right-Hand Guard	Protects right hand from a broken or derailed chain

WARNING! Never operate a chainsaw when tired, under the influence, or in poor weather conditions. Keep bystanders and pets at least 15 feet away.

Assembly Instructions

Unpack all components. Assembly requires attaching the guide bar and chain, and filling fluids.

1. Attach Guide Bar & Chain: Loosen bar nuts. Place chain over sprocket, ensuring cutting teeth face forward on top of bar. Fit bar onto studs. Adjust tension (see Section 8). Tighten nuts.
2. Fill Bar & Chain Oil: Use recommended bar oil. Fill reservoir until full.
3. Prepare Fuel: Mix high-quality 2-stroke oil with unleaded gasoline (87 octane minimum) at a 50:1 ratio (2.6 oz oil per 1 gallon gas). Shake well. Fill fuel tank.

CAUTION! Fuel is highly flammable. Mix and fill outdoors, away from sparks or flames. Wipe up spills immediately.

Controls & Components

Familiarize yourself with all controls before starting the engine.

• Front Handle/Wrap-Around Guard: Left hand grip with integrated chain brake lever.
• Rear Handle: Right hand grip with throttle trigger and throttle lockout.
• Master Control Lever: Combines choke, start, and run positions.
• Primer Bulb: Press 5-10 times to draw fuel into carburetor for cold starts.
• Chain Catcher: Designed to catch a broken or derailed chain.
• Muffler: Reduces exhaust noise and directs gases away from operator.
• Decompression Valve (if equipped): Reduces cylinder pressure for easier starting.

Fuel & Oil Mixture

Using the correct fuel/oil mixture is critical for engine performance and longevity.

Component	Specification
Gasoline	Fresh, unleaded, 87 octane (R+M)/2 minimum. Do not use fuel older than 60 days.
2-Stroke Engine Oil	High-quality, JASO FD or ISO-L-EGD certified for air-cooled engines.
Mix Ratio	50:1 (2.6 fl oz oil per 1 US gallon of gasoline).
Bar & Chain Oil	Use dedicated chainsaw bar oil for proper adhesion. Do not use waste motor oil.

Tip: Use a dedicated, clearly marked fuel can for your 2-stroke mix to avoid accidental use in 4-stroke equipment.

Starting & Stopping Procedure

Always start on clear, level ground with the chain brake engaged.

Cold Start:

1. Engage chain brake by pulling guard toward front handle.
2. Set Master Control Lever to CHOKE position (full up).
3. Press primer bulb 5-10 times until fuel is visible.
4. Place saw on ground, hold rear handle with right foot, grip front handle with left hand.
5. Pull starter cord briskly 3-5 times until engine "pops."
6. Move Master Control to HALF-CHOKE (middle position).
7. Pull starter cord again until engine starts. Let run for 10 seconds.
8. Squeeze throttle trigger to disengage choke (lever moves to RUN position).

Warm Start: Set lever to RUN, pull starter cord.

Stopping: Release throttle, push Master Control lever down to STOP.

Cutting Techniques

Proper stance and technique are vital for safety and efficiency.

• Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, firm footing. Never cut above shoulder height.
• Kickback Prevention: Do not cut with the nose of the bar. Be aware of wood tension and binding.
• Felling a Tree: Notch on fell side, back cut slightly above notch hinge. Have an escape path planned at 45-degree angle away from fall direction.
• Limbing: Cut branches from bottom to top, using the saw as a pivot point. Stand on opposite side of tree from branches being cut.
• Bucking (cutting felled tree): Support log off ground. Cut from top down for logs under tension. Use wedges to prevent pinching.

WARNING! Always plan your cut and escape route. Never operate the saw with one hand.

Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance ensures safe operation and extends saw life.

Task	Frequency
Check chain tension	Before each use, and after first 10 minutes of new chain use
Clean air filter	Every 5 operating hours or more often in dusty conditions
Clean cooling fins & muffler area	Every 10 operating hours
Sharpen chain	When wood chips become fine dust, or as needed
Check spark plug	Every 20 operating hours
Clean fuel filter	Every season or 25 operating hours
Replace bar & chain oil filter	Every season

Chain Sharpening & Tensioning

A sharp, properly tensioned chain is essential for safe and efficient cutting.

Tensioning: Loosen bar nuts. Using a scrench, turn tensioning screw clockwise until the drive links are snug in the bar groove. Pull up on the tip of the chain; the drive links should just be visible. The chain should pull freely around the bar by hand. Retighten bar nuts securely.

Sharpening: Use a round file matching the chain pitch (typically 3/8" LP). File each cutter at the manufacturer's specified angle (usually 30°). Apply equal pressure and strokes to each cutter. Maintain consistent file height to keep all cutters the same length. File depth gauges (rakers) with a flat file and gauge to proper height.

Tip: Mark a starting cutter to ensure you file all teeth. A dull chain requires more force and increases kickback risk.

Storage Guidelines

Proper storage prevents fuel system issues and corrosion.

1. Short-Term (under 30 days): Run the saw dry of fuel, or add fuel stabilizer to a full tank and run for 2 minutes.
2. Long-Term (over 30 days):
   • Drain all fuel from tank and carburetor.
   • Start and run engine until it stops to clear carburetor.
   • Remove, clean, and re-oil air filter.
   • Remove chain, clean in solvent, dry, and soak in oil. Clean bar groove and oil hole.
   • Store in a dry, locked place, out of reach of children.

CAUTION! Never store a chainsaw with fuel in the tank for extended periods. Old fuel will gum up the carburetor.

Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 35 cc (2.1 cu in)
• Guide Bar Length: 16 inches
• Chain Pitch: 3/8" Low Profile (LP)
• Chain Gauge: 0.050 inch
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 0.95 pints (450 ml)
• Oil Tank Capacity: 0.74 pints (350 ml)
• Dry Weight (w/o bar & chain): 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
• Sound Power Level (LWA): 112 dB(A)
• Vibration Level (Front/Rear Handle): 4.5/3.2 m/s²

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine will not start	No spark, old fuel, flooded engine, clogged air filter	Check spark plug; use fresh fuel; wait if flooded; clean/replace air filter.
Engine starts then dies	Clogged fuel filter, dirty carburetor, improper fuel mix	Clean/replace fuel filter; clean carburetor; use correct 50:1 mix.
Chain does not turn	Chain brake engaged, clutch worn, sprocket damaged	Disengage chain brake; inspect clutch drum and sprocket for wear.
Chain throws oil excessively	Oil pump setting too high, wrong oil viscosity	Adjust oil pump (if adjustable); use correct bar oil.
Chain dulls quickly	Cutting dirty/abrasive wood, hitting ground, improper filing	Avoid cutting into dirt; sharpen correctly; check for damaged cutters.
Excessive vibration	Loose components, unbalanced chain, damaged AV mounts	Tighten all nuts/bolts; balance chain; inspect anti-vibration mounts.

Service: For repairs beyond basic maintenance, contact an authorized Mac or McCulloch service center. Use only genuine replacement parts.