Husqvarna 346XP EPA II, 353 EPA I manual Chain brake and front hand guard

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Chain brake and front hand guard

Your chain saw is equipped with a chain brake that is designed to stop the chain immediately if you get a kickback. The chain brake reduces the risk of accidents, but only you can prevent them.

Take care when using your saw and make sure the kickback zone of the bar never touches any object.

•The chain brake (A) can either be activated manually (by your left hand) or automatically by the inertia release mechanism (a pendulum that swings independently of the chain saw. On most of our models the front hand guard acts as a counterweight in case of kickback).

The brake is applied when the front hand guard (B) is pushed forwards.

This movement activates a spring-loaded mechanism that tightens the brake band (C) around the engine drive system (D) (clutch drum).

•The front hand guard is not designed solely to activate the chain brake. Another important feature is that it reduces the risk of the chain hitting your left hand if you lose grip of the front handle.

•The chain brake must be engaged when the chain saw is started.

•You can also use the chain brake as a temporary brake when you change position or if you put the chain saw down for a short time! Apart from the fact that a chain saw with a chain brake greatly reduces the risk of accidents

due to kickback, you should also apply the chain brake manually if there is a risk of the chain accidentally hitting anyone or anything close by.

•To release the chain brake pull the front hand guard backwards, towards the front handle.

•Kickback can be very sudden and violent. Most kickbacks are minor and do not always activate the chain brake. If this happens you should hold the chain saw firmly and not let go.

•The way the chain brake is activated, either manually or automatically by the inertia release mechanism, depends on the force of the kickback and the position of the chain saw in relation to the object that the kickback zone of the bar strikes.

If you get a violent kickback while the kickback zone of the bar is farthest away from you the chain brake will be activated by the movement of the counterweight (inertia activated) in the kickback direction.

If the kickback is less violent or the kickback zone of the bar is closer to you the chain brake will be activated manually by the movement of your left hand.

•During felling your left hand grasps the front handle in such a way that it cannot activate the chain brake. In this position, i.e. when your left hand is in such a position that

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Contents Operator’s manual EPA KEY to Symbols Key to symbolsContents Before using a new chain saw Please read the operator’s manual carefullySafety Instructions Machine′s safety equipmentPersonal protective equipment Chain brake and front hand guard Chain catcher Stop switchThrottle lock Right hand guardChecking the front hand guard MufflerChecking brake band wear Checking the inertia brake releaseChain catcher Stop switchThrottle lock Right hand guardCutting equipment designed to minimise kickback Cutting equipmentGeneral rules BarSharpening your chain and adjusting raker clearance Some terms that describe the bar and chainGeneral information on sharpening cutting teeth General advice on setting raker clearance Setting the raker clearanceSharpening cutting teeth Chain oil Tensioning the chainLubricating cutting equipment Filling with chain oilNeedle bearing lubrication Checking chain lubricationLubricating the bar tip sprocket Checking wear on cutting equipmentHow to avoid kickback What is kickback?General safety precautions Fuel safety StartingTransport and storage Basic cutting technique Basic safety rulesGeneral working instructions GeneralCutting Safe distance Tree felling techniqueLimbing Felling directionFelling Directional cutsCutting the trunk into logs General adviceFreeing a tree that has fallen badly Freeing a trapped treeWhat is WHAT? What is what on the chain saw?Assembly Fitting the bar and chainFuel Handling FuelFollowing applies to chain saws with catalytic converters Chain oil FuellingFuel Handling Cold engine Starting and StoppingStarting and stopping Warm engineStopping Maintenance CarburettorChanging a broken or worn starter cord Correctly adjusted carburettorStarter Tensioning the recoil springMuffler Air filterSpark plug Fitting the starterNeedle bearing lubrication Adjustment of the oil pumpAir Injection centrifugal cleaning Cooling systemHeated handles Temperature 0 C 32 F or colderTemperature -5C 23 F or colder Electrical carburettor heatingMonthly maintenance Daily maintenanceWeekly maintenance Below you will find some general maintenance instructionsTechnical Data Technical dataBar Chain Length, inches Pitch, inch Max nose radius Federal Emission Control Warranty Statement Your Warranty Rights and ObligationsEmission Control Warranty Parts List 1140204-95
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