Husqvarna 550XP, 545 Throttle lockout, Chain catcher, Right hand guard, Vibration damping system

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GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

of the front hand guard, the chain brake can only be activated by the inertia action.

Will my hand always activate the chain brake during a kickback?

No. It takes a certain force to move the hand guard forward. If your hand only lightly touches the front guard or slips over it, the force may not be enough to trigger the chain brake. You should also maintain a firm grip of the chain saw handles while working. If you do and experience a kickback, your hand may never leave the front handle and will not activate the chain brake, or the chain brake will only activate after the saw has swung around a considerable distance. In such instances, the chain brake might not have enough time to stop the saw chain before it touches you.

There are also certain positions in which your hand cannot reach the front hand guard to activate the chain brake; for example, when the saw chain is held in felling position.

Will my inertia activated chain brake always activate during kickback in the event of a kickback?

No. First your brake must be in working order. Testing the brake is simple, see instructions under the heading Checking, maintaining and servicing chain saw safety equipment. We recommend you do before you begin each work session. Second the kickback must be strong enough to activate the chain brake. If the chain brake is too sensitive it would activate all the time which would be a nuisance.

Will my chain brake always protect me from injury in the event of a kickback?

No. First, the chain brake must be in working order to provide the intended protection. Second, it must be activated during the kickback as described above to stop the saw chain. Third, the chain brake may be activated but if the bar is too close to you the brake might not have enough time to slow down and stop the chain before the chain saw hits you.

Only you and proper working technique can eliminate kickback and its danger.

Throttle lockout

The throttle lockout is designed to prevent accidental operation of the throttle control. When you press the lock

(A) (i.e. when you grasp the handle) it releases the throttle

control (B). When you release the handle the throttle control and the throttle lockout both move back to their original positions. This arrangement means that the throttle control is automatically locked at the idle setting.

A

B

Chain catcher

The chain catcher is designed to catch the chain if it snaps or jumps off. This should not happen if the chain is properly tensioned (see instructions under the heading Assembly) and if the bar and chain are properly serviced and maintained (see instructions under the heading General working instructions).

Right hand guard

Apart from protecting your hand if the chain jumps or snaps, the right hand guard stops branches and twigs from interfering with your grip on the rear handle.

Vibration damping system

Your machine is equipped with a vibration damping system that is designed to minimize vibration and make operation easier.

The machines vibration damping system reduces the transfer of vibration between the engine unit/cutting equipment and the machines handle unit.The body of the chain saw, including the cutting equipment, is insulated from the handles by vibration damping units.

Cutting hardwoods (most broadleaf trees) creates more vibration than cutting softwoods (most conifers). Cutting with cutting equipment that is blunt or faulty (wrong type or badly sharpened) will increase the vibration level.

10 – English

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Contents Operator′s manual Symbols on the machine KEY to SymbolsDecompression valve Symbols in the operator’s manual Contents Introduction Dear CustomerWhat is WHAT? What is what on the chain saw?General Safety Precautions Before using a new chain sawPersonal protective equipment Machine′s safety equipmentAlways use common sense Chain brake and front hand guardGeneral Safety Precautions Right hand guard Throttle lockoutChain catcher Vibration damping systemMuffler Stop switchCutting equipment General rulesCutting equipment designed to reduce kickback Sharpening your chain and adjusting depth gauge setting Lubricating cutting equipment Adjustment of depth gauge settingTensioning the chain Cause serious or even fatal injuryChain drive sprocket Filling with chain oilChecking chain lubrication Needle bearing lubricationChecking wear on cutting equipment Fitting a spike bumper AssemblyFitting the bar and chain Working with the chainFuel Handling FuelTransport and storage Fuel safetyFueling Long-term storageStarting Starting and StoppingStarting and stopping Cold engineStopping Before use Basic safety rulesWorking Techniques General working instructionsWorking Techniques Terms Basic cutting techniqueLimbing Safe distance Tree felling techniqueFelling direction Felling Training we advise you not to fell trees Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreatFelling cut Your sawFreeing a trapped tree General adviceFreeing a tree that has fallen badly Cutting trees and branches that are in tensionWhat is kickback? How to avoid kickbackCutting the trunk into logs Carburettor adjustment MaintenanceGeneral Checking the brake trigger Checking the inertia brake releaseImmediately Muffler Changing a broken or worn starter cord StarterTensioning the recoil spring Changing a broken recoil spring Air filterSpark plug Fitting the starterLubricating the bar tip sprocket Adjustment of the oil pumpRunning when making adjustments Needle bearing lubricationWinter use Air Injection centrifugal cleaningTemperature 0C or colder Heated handlesMaintenance schedule Daily maintenance Weekly maintenance Monthly maintenanceTechnical Data Technical data550XP TrioBrake 550XPG Guide bar and chain combinations Saw chain filing and file gaugesApplies to Europe only EC-declaration of conformityEN ISO 12100-2/A12009, Cispr 122007, EN ISO Page Page