Husqvarna 281Xp 288Xp Users Manual OM, 288 XP, XP Lite, 2001 10

288XP, 288XP Lite to the manual c0b1aa86-09e1-4d20-966e-362599071b82

2015-01-24

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288XP/XP Lite
Operator's manual

(EPA)

Please read these instructions carefully and make
sure you understand them before using the saw.

101 90 04-95

KEY TO SYMBOLS
Symbols
CAUTION! Chain saws can be dangerous!
Careless or incorrect use can result in
serious or fatal injury to the operator or
others.

Switch off the engine by moving the stop
switch to the STOP position before carrying
out any checks or maintenance.

Please read the instructions carefully and
make sure you understand them before
using the saw.

Always wear approved protective gloves.

Always wear:
• Approved protective helmet
• Approved hearing protection
• Protective glasses or visor

Regular cleaning is required.

Both of the operator´s hands must be used
to operate the chain saw. Please see page
30 in your "Chain saw operator´s safety
manual".

Visual check.

Never operate a chain saw holding it with
one hand only. Please see page 30 in your
"Chain saw operator´s safety manual".
Protective glasses or a visor must be worn.

Contact of the guide bar tip with any object
should be avoided. Please see pages 12-21
in your "Chain saw operator´s safety
manual".

Tip contact may cause the guide bar to
move suddenly upward and backward,
which may cause serious injury. Please see
pages 12-21 in your "Chain saw operator´s
safety manual".

2 – English

CONTENTS
Before using a new saw
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Check cutting equipment is correctly fitted and adjusted.
See page 25.
• Refuel and start the saw. Check the carburetor settings.
See pages 26-29.
• Do not use the saw until sufficient chain oil has reached the
chain, see page 14.
IMPORTANT! If the carburetor mixture is too lean it greatly
increases the risk of engine failure.
Poor maintenance of the air filter will cause carbon build-up on
the spark plug and lead to difficult starting.
If the chain is badly adjusted it will cause increased wear or
damage to the bar, drive sprocket and chain.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission
control devices and systems may be performed by any
nonroad engine repair establishment or individual.

WARNING!
Under no circumstances may the design of
the machine be modified without the permission of the manufacturer. Always use genuine
spare parts/accessories. Non-authorized
modifications and/or accessories can result
in serious personal injury or the death of the
operator or others.
Your warranty does not cover damage or
liability caused by the use of non-authorized
accessories or replacement parts.

Contents
Key to symbols ..........................................2
Safety instructions
Personal protective equipment ........................ 4
Chain saw safety equipment ........................... 4
Inspecting, maintaining and servicing chain saw safety
equipment ............................................................................ 8

Cutting equipment ..........................................10
How to avoid kickback ....................................16
General safety precautions .............................18
General working instructions ......................... 19

What is what?
What is what? .................................................................... 24

Assembly
Mounting guide bar and chain ........................................... 25

Fuel handling
Fuelmix .............................................................................. 26
Fuelling .............................................................................. 27

Start and stop
Start and stop .................................................................... 28

Maintenance
Carburetor ......................................................................... 29
Starter device .................................................................... 30
Air filter .............................................................................. 31
Spark plug ......................................................................... 31
Muffler ................................................................................ 31
Adjusting the oil pump ....................................................... 31
Needle bearing maintenance ............................................ 32
Cooling system .................................................................. 32
Winter use ......................................................................... 32
Daily maintenance ............................................................. 33
Weekly maintenance ......................................................... 33
Monthly maintenance ........................................................ 33

Technical data
You will find the following labels
on your chain saw:

288XP/XPLite .................................................................... 34

Federal Emission Control
Warranty Statement
Your warranty rights and obligations ................................. 35

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

A chain saw is a dangerous tool if used
carelessly or incorrectly and can cause
serious, even fatal injuries. It is very important
that you read and understand these
instructions.

CHAIN SAW SAFETY EQUIPMENT
This section explains the various safety features of the saw,
how they work, and basic inspection and maintenance you
should carry out to ensure safe operation. (See the ”What is
what?” section to find out where these components are on Your
saw).

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

MOST CHAIN SAW ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
WHEN THE CHAIN TOUCHES THE OPERATOR. You must wear approved protective
equipment whenever you use a chain saw.
Personal protective equipment cannot
eliminate the risk of injury but it will reduce
the degree of injury if an accident does
happen. Ask your chain saw dealer for help in
choosing the right equipment.

• PROTECTIVE HELMET
• HEARING PROTECTION
• PROTECTIVE GLASSES
OR VISOR

NEVER USE A CHAIN SAW THAT HAS
FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT! Carry out the
inspection, maintenance and service routines
listed in this section.

Chain brake and front
hand guard

Throttle lock

Chain catcher

Right hand guard

Vibration damping system

Stop switch

Muffler

Cutting equipment (see
”Cutting equipment”
section).

• GLOVES WITH
SAW PROTECTION

• PROTECTIVE TROUSERS
WITH SAW PROTECTION

• BOOTS WITH SAW
PROTECTION, STEEL
TOE-CAP AND NON-SLIP
SOLE
Generally clothes should be
close-fitting without restricting
your freedom of movement.

• ALWAYS HAVE A FIRST
AID KIT NEARBY

4 – English

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1 Chain brake and front hand guard

The front hand guard is
not designed solely to
activate the chain brake.
Another important safety
feature is that it prevents
the chain from hitting your
left hand if you lose your
grip on the front handle.

You can also use the
chain brake as a
temporary brake when you
change position or if you
put the saw down for a
short time. 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.

As mentioned in section A,
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.

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 freeswinging pendulum). On
most of our models the
front hand guard acts as a
counterweight in case of
kickback.

B
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).

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
6

The way the chain brake is triggered, either manually or
automatically, 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).

2 Throttle lock
The throttle lock 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
trigger (B).
When you release the handle
the throttle trigger and the
throttle lock both move back
to their original positions. This
movement is controlled by two
independent return springs.
This arrangement means that
the throttle control is
automatically locked at the
idle setting when you release
the handle.

3 Chain catcher
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.

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 section on
”Assembly”) and if the bar and
chain are properly serviced
and maintained.
(See section on ”General
working instructions”).

4 Right hand guard
7

During felling your left
hand grasps the front
handle in such a way that
it cannot activate the front
hand guard. In this
position the chain brake
can only be activated by
the inertia action of the
counterweight.

The inertia activated
chain brake increases
your safety but there are
certain factors to
remember (see point 6
above).

6 – English

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.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5 Vibration damping system

6 Stop switch

Your chain saw is equipped
with a vibration damping
system that is designed to
minimise vibrations and make
operation easier.

Use the stop switch to switch
off the engine.

When you use a chain saw
vibrations are generated by
the uneven contact between
the chain and the wood you
are cutting.

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

The vibration damping system
reduces the vibrations
transmitted from the engine
and chain to the handles of
the chain saw. The body of
the saw, including the cutting
equipment, is insulated from
the handles by vibration
damping units.

Overexposure to vibration can lead to
circulatory damage or nerve damage in people
who have impaired circulation.
Contact your doctor if you experience
symptoms of overexposure to vibration.
These symptoms include numbness, loss of
feeling, tingling, pricking, pain, loss of
strength, changes in skin colour or condition.
These symptoms normally appear in the
fingers, hands or wrists.

7 Muffler
The muffler is designed to keep noise levels to a minimum and
to direct exhaust fumes away from the user.

The exhaust fumes from the engine are hot
and may contain sparks which can start a fire.
Never start the saw indoors or near
combustible material!

In countries with a hot climate
there is a high risk of forest
fires. Our chain saws are
therefore fitted with a SPARK
ARRESTOR MESH.
Check whether your saw is
fitted with such a mesh.
With this type of muffler it is
very important that you follow
the instructions on checking,
maintaining and servicing your
saw (see the section on
”Inspecting, maintaining and
servicing chain saw safety
equipment”).

The muffler gets very hot in use and remains
so for a short time afterwards. DO NOT
TOUCH THE MUFFLER IF IT IS HOT!

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Inspecting, maintaining and servicing
chain saw safety equipment

SPECIAL TRAINING IS REQUIRED to service
and repair chain saws. This is especially true
of chain saw safety equipment. If your chain
saw fails any of the checks described below
take it to your SERVICE AGENT.
When you buy any of our products we
guarantee the availability of professional
repairs and service. If the retailer who sells
your saw is not a SERVICING DEALER, ask
him for the address of your nearest SERVICE
AGENT.

Checking the automatic brake

Hold the chain saw over a
stump or other firm object.
Let go of the front handle
so that the bar falls onto
the stump.

1 Chain brake and front hand guard
1

Brush off any sawdust,
resin and dirt from the
chain brake and clutch
drum. Dirt and wear can
impair operation of the
brake.

Regularly check that the
brake band is at least 0.6
mm thick at its thinnest
point.

When the bar hits the
stump the brake should
be applied.

Checking brake band wear

Checking the front hand guard

A Make sure the
FRONT HAND GUARD
is not damaged and
that there are no visible
defects such as cracks.

Checking the brake trigger
Start the chain saw and
place it on firm ground.
Make sure the chain does
not touch the ground or
any other object.

Grasp the saw firmly,
wrapping your fingers and
thumbs around the
handles.

Apply full throttle and
activate the chain brake
by tilting your wrist
forward onto the front
hand guard. Do not let go
of the front handle.
The chain should stop
immediately.

B Move the front hand
guard forwards and
back to make sure it
runs freely and that it is
securely anchored to
the clutch cover.

8 – English

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 Throttle lock

Make sure the throttle
control is locked at the
idle setting when you
release the throttle lock.

Press the throttle lock and
make sure it returns to its
original position when you
release it.

4 Right hand guard

Check that the right hand
guard is not damaged and
that there are no visible
defects, such as cracks.

5 Vibration damping system

Regularly check the
vibration damping units
for cracks or deformation
3

Check that the throttle
control and throttle lock
move freely and that the
return springs work
properly.

Start the saw and apply
full throttle. Release the
throttle control and check
that the chain stops and
remains stationary. If the
chain rotates when the
throttle is on idle setting
you should check the
carburetor idle
adjustment. See the
section on ”Maintenance”.

3 Chain catcher

Make sure the vibration
damping units are
securely attached to the
engine unit and handles.

6 Stop switch

Start the engine and
make sure the engine
stops when you move the
stop switch to the stop
setting.

Check that the CHAIN
CATCHER is not
damaged and is firmly
attached to the body of
the saw.

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
7 Muffler
Never use a chain saw
that has a faulty muffler.

CUTTING EQUIPMENT
This section describes how to choose and maintain your cutting
equipment in order to:
• Reduce the risk of kickback.
• Reduce the risk of the chain breaking or jumping.
• Obtain maximum cutting performance.
• Extend the life of cutting equipment.

The 5 basic rules
1

Only use cutting
equipment
recommended by us!
See the ”Technical data”
section.

Keep the chain cutting
teeth properly
sharpened! Follow our
instructions and use the
recommended file
gauge. A damaged or
badly sharpened chain
increases the risk of
accidents.

Maintain the correct
raker clearance! Follow
our instructions and
use the recommended
raker gauge. Too large a
clearance increases the
risk of kickback.

Keep the chain properly
tesioned! If the chain is
slack it is more likely to
jump off and lead to
increased wear on the
bar, chain and drive
sprocket.

Keep cutting equipment
well lubricated and
properly maintained!
A poorly lubricated chain
is more likely to break and
lead to increased wear on
the bar, chain and drive
sprocket.

Regularly check that the
muffler is securely
attached to the chain saw.

If the muffler on your saw
is fitted with a spark
arrestor mesh this must
be cleaned regularly. A
blocked mesh will cause
the engine to overheat
and may lead to serious
damage.
Never use a muffler if
the spark arrestor mesh
is missing or defective.

10 – English

NEVER USE A CHAIN SAW WITH FAULTY
SAFETY EQUIPMENT. CARRY OUT THE
CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE MEASURES
DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION. IF YOUR
CHAIN SAW FAILS ANY OF THESE CHECKS
CONTACT YOUR SERVICE AGENT TO GET IT
REPAIRED.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1 Cutting equipment designed to minimise
kickback

Faulty cutting equipment or the wrong
combination of bar and chain increases the
risk of kickback. Use only the bar and chain
combinations recommended in the ”Technical
data” section.

The only way to avoid kickback is to make sure that the kickback zone of the bar never touches anything.
By using cutting equipment with “built-in” kickback protection
and keeping the chain sharp and well-maintained you can
reduce the effects of kickback.

A Bar
The smaller the tip radius the
smaller the kickback zone and
the lower the chance of
kickback.

When the cutting equipment supplied with your saw becomes
worn or damaged you will need to replace it. Use only the type
of bar and chain recommended by us. See the ”Technical data”
section to find out which equipment is recommended for your
saw.

Bar
• LENGTH (inches/cm)
• NUMBER OF TEETH ON
BAR TIP SPROCKET (T).
Small number = small tip
radius = low-kickback
• CHAIN PITCH (inches)
The spacing between the
drive links of the chain must
match the spacing of the
teeth on the bar tip sprocket
and drive sprocket.

B Saw chain
A saw chain is made up of a number of links, which are
available in standard and low-kickback versions.
None

C Some terms that describe the bar and chain

Standard

Low-kickback

CUTTING LINK

• NUMBER OF DRIVE LINKS
The number of drive links is
determined by the length of
the bar, the chain pitch and
the number of teeth on the
bar tip sprocket.
• BAR GROOVE WIDTH
(inches/mm)
The groove in the bar must
match the width of the chain
drive links.
• SAW CHAIN OIL HOLE
AND HOLE FOR CHAIN
TENSIONER
The bar must be matched to
the chain saw design.

DRIVE LINK

SIDE LINK

Saw chain
Combining these links in different ways gives different degrees
of kickback reduction. In terms of kickback reduction alone, four
different types of link are available.
Kickback reduction
LOW

Cutting link

Drive link

• SAW CHAIN PITCH
(inches)
Spacing between drive links.

Side link
• DRIVE LINK WIDTH (mm/
inches)

STANDARD
HIGH

• NUMBER OF DRIVE LINKS

EXTRA HIGH

• LEVEL OF KICKBACK
REDUCTION
The level of kickback
reduction offered by a chain
is indicated by its model
number.
See the ”Technical data”
section to find the model
numbers of chains that are
recommended for use with
your saw.
English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 Sharpening your chain and adjusting
raker clearance

The risk of kickback is increased with a badly
sharpened chain!

It is very difficult to sharpen a
chain correctly without the
right equipment. We
recommend you use a file
gauge. This will help you
obtain the maximum kickback
reduction and cutting
performance from your chain.

A General information on sharpening cutting teeth
• Never use a blunt chain. When the chain is blunt you have to
exert more pressure to force the bar through the wood and
the cuttings will be very small. If the chain is very blunt it will
not produce any cuttings at all, just wood powder.

The following faults will increase the risk of
kickback considerably.

• A sharp chain eats its way
through the wood and
produces long, thick
cuttings.

• The cutting part of the chain
is called the CUTTING LINK
and this consists of a
CUTTING TOOTH (A) and
the RAKER LIP (B). The
cutting depth is determined
by the difference in height
between the two.

•

FILE ANGLE TOO
LARGE

•

CUTTING ANGLE
TOO SMALL

•

FILE DIAMETER
TOO SMALL

B Sharpening cutting teeth

• When you sharpen a cutting tooth there are five important
factors to remember.
FILING ANGLE

To sharpen cutting teeth you
will need a ROUND FILE and
a FILE GAUGE. See the
”Technical data” section for
information on the size of file
and gauge that are
recommended for your saw
chain.
1

Check that the chain is
correctly tensioned. A
slack chain is difficult to
sharpen correctly.

Always file cutting teeth
from the inside face,
reducing the pressure on
the return stroke.

CUTTING ANGLE

FILE POSITION

File all the teeth on one
side first, then turn the
saw over and file the
teeth on the other side.
ROUND FILE DIAMETER
3

FILE DEPTH

1
5
See the ”Technical data” section for information about
sharpening your saw chain.

12 – English

File all the teeth to the
same length. When the
length of the cutting teeth
is reduced to 4 mm
(0,16") the chain is worn
out and should be
replaced.

min 4 mm
(0,16")

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
C General advice on setting raker clearance
• When you sharpen the
cutting teeth you reduce the
RAKER CLEARANCE
(cutting depth). To maintain
cutting performance you
must file back the raker
teeth to the recommended
height.
See the ”Technical data”
section to find the raker
clearance for your saw
chain.
• On a low-kickback cutting
link the front edge of the
raker lip is rounded. It is
very important that you
maintain this radius or bevel
when you adjust the raker
clearance.
• We recommend the use of a
raker gauge to achieve the
correct clearance and bevel
on the raker lip.

The risk of kickback is increased if the raker
clearance is too large!

D Setting the raker clearance

• Before setting the raker clearance the cutting teeth should be
newly sharpened.
We recommend that you adjust the raker clearance every
third time you sharpen the chain. NOTE! This
recommendation assumes that the length of the cutting teeth
is not reduced excessively.
• To adjust the raker
clearance you will need a
FLAT FILE and a RAKER
GAUGE.

• Place the gauge over the
raker lip.

• Place the file over the part
of the lip that protrudes
through the gauge and file
off the excess. The
clearance is correct when
you no longer feel any
resistance as you draw the
file over the gauge.

3 Tensioning the chain

A slack chain may jump off and cause serious
or even fatal injury.

• The more you use a chain the longer it becomes. It is
therefore important to adjust the chain regularly to take up the
slack.
• Check the chain tension every time you refuel.
NOTE! A new saw chain has a running-in period during which
you should check the tension more frequently.
• Tension the chain as tightly
as possible, but not so tight
that you cannot pull it round
freely by hand.

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
4 Lubricating cutting equipment
1

Undo the bar nuts that
hold the clutch cover and
chain brake, using the
combination spanner.
Then tighten the nuts by
hand as tight as you can.

Raise the tip of the bar
and stretch the chain by
tightening the chain
tensioning screw using
the combination spanner.
Tighten the chain until it
hangs slack on the
underside of the bar.

Use the combination
spanner to tighten the bar
nuts while lifting the tip of
the bar at the same time.
Check that you can pull
the chain round freely by
hand and that it is not
slack on the bottom of the
bar.
The position of the chain tensioning screw varies from
model to model. See the” What is what” section to find out
where it is on your saw.

Poor lubrication of cutting equipment may
cause the chain to snap and lead to serious,
even fatal injuries.

A Chain oil
• Chainsaw chain oil must demonstrate good adhesion to the
chain and also maintain its flow caracteristics regardless of
whether it is warm summer or cold winter weather.
• As a chainsaw manufacturer we have developed an optimal
chain oil which, with its vegetable oil base, is also
biodegradable. We recommend the use of our own oil for
both maximum chain life and to minimise environmental
damage.
• If our own chain oil is not available, standard chain oil is
recommended.
• In areas where oil specifically for lubrication of saw chains is
unavailable, ordinary EP 90 transmission oil may be used.
• Never use waste oil!
This is dangerous for yourself, the saw and the environment.

B Filling with chain oil
• All our chain saws have an
automatic chain lubrication
system. On some models
the oil flow is also
adjustable.
• The sizes of the chain oil
tank and fuel tank have
been chosen so that the
saw will run out of fuel
before running out of oil.
This means that you should
never run with a dry chain.
However, this safety feature
requires that you use the
right sort of chain oil (if the
oil is too thin it will run out
before the fuel), and that
you adjust the carburetor as
recommended (a weak
mixture may mean that the
fuel lasts longer than the
oil). You should also use the
recommended cutting
equipment (a bar that is too
long will use more chain oil).
The above conditions also
apply to models with an
adjustable oil pump.

14 – English

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
C Checking chain lubrication

Lubricating the clutch drum bearing

• Check the chain lubrication
each time you refuel.
Aim the tip of the saw at a
light coloured surface about
20 cm away. After 1 minute
running at 3/4 throttle you
should see a distinct line of
oil on the light surface.

• Between the engine drive
shaft and the clutch drum is
a needle bearing that must
be lubricated daily. Use the
specially designed grease
gun and a good quality
bearing grease.

F
If the chain lubrication is not working:
1

Check that the oil channel
in the bar is not
obstructed. Clean if
necessary.

Checking wear on cutting equipment
Saw chain

Check the saw chain daily for:
• Visible cracks in rivets and
links.
• Whether the chain is stiff.
• Whether rivets and links are
badly worn.

Check that the groove in
the edge of the bar is
clean. Clean if necessary.

We recommend you
compare the existing chain
with a new chain to decide
how badly it is worn.

Check that the bar tip
sprocket turns freely and
that the lubricating hole in
the tip is not blocked.
Clean and lubricate if
necessary.

When the length of the
cutting teeth has worn down
to only 4 mm the chain must
be replaced.

If the chain lubrication
system is still not working
after carrying out the
above measures you
should contact your
service agent.

min 4 mm
(0,16")

G Chain drive sprocket

The clutch drum is fitted with one of the following drive
sprockets:
A

SPUR (integral drive
sprocket)

RING (replaceable)

D Lubricating the bar tip sprocket

• Lubricate the bar tip
sprocket each time you
refuel. Use the special
grease gun and a good
quality bearing grease.

Regularly check the
degree of wear on the
drive sprocket. Replace if
wear is excessive.

Replace the drive
sprocket whenever you
replace the chain.

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO AVOID KICKBACK

H Bar

!
Check regularly:
• Whether there are burrs on
the edges of the bar.
Remove these with a file if
necessary.

• Whether the groove in the
bar has become badly worn.
Replace the bar if
necessary.

• Whether the tip of the bar is
uneven or badly worn. If a
hollow forms on one side of
the bar tip this is due to a
slack chain.

• To prolong the life of the bar
you should turn it over daily.

What is kickback?
The word kickback is used to
describe the sudden reaction
that happens when the upper
quadrant of the tip of the bar
(known as the “kickback zone”)
touches an object and the
saw is kicked backwards.

Kickback always occurs in
the cutting plane of the saw.
Normally the saw and bar are
thrown backwards and
upwards towards the user.
However the saw may move
in a different direction
depending on the way it was
being used when the kickback
zone of the bar touched the
object.

MOST CHAIN SAW ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
WHEN THE CHAIN TOUCHES THE
OPERATOR.

•

WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
(see the section on ”Chain saw safety
equipment”).

•

DO NOT TACKLE ANY JOB YOU ARE UNSURE OF
(see the section on ”Personal protective
equipment”, ”How to avoid kickback”, ”General
working instructions” and ”Cutting equipment”).

•

AVOID SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS A RISK OF
KICKBACK (see the section on ”Personal
protective equipment”).

•

USE THE RECOMMENDED PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT AND CHECK ITS CONDITION (see
section on ”General working instructions”).

•

CHECK THAT ALL SAFETY FUNCTIONS ARE
WORKING (see section on ”General working
instructions” and ”General safety precautions”).

16 – English

Kickback can happen very suddenly and
violently; kicking the saw, bar and chain back
at the user. If this happens when the chain is
moving it can cause very serious, even fatal
injuries. It is vital you understand what causes
kickback and that you can avoid it by taking
care and using the right working technique.

Kickback only occurs if the
kickback zone of the bar
touches an object.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
General rules
1

If you understand what kickback is and how it happens then
you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. By
being prepared you reduce the risk. Kickback is usually
quite mild, but it can sometimes be very sudden and
violent.

Always hold the saw
firmly with your right hand
on the rear handle and
your left hand on the front
handle.

Unless the user resists
this pushing force there is
a risk that the saw will
move so far backwards
that only the kickback
zone of the bar is in
contact with the tree. This
will cause kickback.

Wrap your fingers and
thumb around the handles. You should use this
grip whether you are
right-handed or lefthanded. This grip
minimises the effect of
kickback and lets you
keep the saw under
control.

Cutting with the bottom
edge of the bar, i.e. from
the top of the object
downwards, is known as
cutting on the pull stroke.

Do not let go of the
handles!

In this case the saw pulls
itself towards the tree and
the front edge of the saw
provides a natural rest
when cutting. Cutting on
the pull stroke gives you
better control over the
saw and the position of
the kickback zone.

Most kickback accidents
happen during limbing.
Make sure you are
standing firmly and that
there is nothing in the way
that might make you trip
or lose your balance.
Lack of concentration can
lead to kickback if the
kickback zone of the bar
accidentally touches a
branch, nearby tree or
some other object.

Never use the saw above
shoulder height and try
not to cut with the tip of
the bar.

Take great care when you
cut with the top edge of
the bar, i.e. when cutting
from the underside of the
object. This is known as
cutting on the push
stroke. The chain tries to
push the saw back
towards the user.

Follow the instructions on sharpening and maintaining your
bar and chain. When you replace the bar and chain use
only combinations that are recommended by us. See the
sections on ”Cutting equipment” and ”Technical data”.

The risk of kickback is increased if you use
the wrong cutting equipment or a chain that is
not sharpened correctly. The wrong
combination of bar and chain can increase the
risk of kickback!

Never use the saw onehanded!

Always use a fast cutting speed, i.e. full throttle.

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1

Chain saws are designed solely for cutting wood. The only
cutting equipment that can be used with this chain saw are
the combinations of bars and chains recommended in the
”Technical data” section.
Never use a chain saw if
you are tired, if you have
drunk alcohol, or if you
are taking medication that
affects your vision, your
judgement or your coordination.

Always wear suitable protective clothing. See the section
on ”Personal protective equipment”.

Never use a chain saw that has been modified in any way
from its original specification.

Never use a chain saw
that is faulty. Carry out
the regular checks,
maintenance and service
routines described in this
manual. Some
maintenance and service
measures must be carried
out by trained specialists.
See the section on
”Maintenance”.

STARTING

• Make sure there is plenty of
ventilation when refuelling
or mixing fuel (2-stroke
mixture).
• Move the saw at least 3 m
from the refuelling point
before starting it.
• Never start the chainsaw:
a) If you have spilt fuel or
chain oil on the saw.
Wipe off the spill and
allow remaining fuel to
evaporate.
b) If you spill fuel or chain
oil on yourself or your
clothes. Change your
clothes.
c) If there is a fuel leak.
Check regularly for
leaks from the
FUEL CAP and FUEL
LINES.

• Never start a chain saw
indoors. Exhaust fumes can
be dangerous.
• Before starting the saw
make sure there are no
people or animals nearby
who might be put at risk.
8

18 – English

Fuel and fuel vapour are highly inflammable.
Take care when handling fuel and chain oil.
Keep away from naked flames and do not
breathe in fuel vapour.

• Never try to refuel the saw
while it is running.

• Never start a chain saw
unless the bar, chain and
clutch cover are fitted
correctly. (See section on
”Assembly”).

• Place the saw on the
ground and hold the rear
handle down with your right
foot. Grasp the front handle
firmly using your left hand.
Make sure the chain saw is
steady and the chain is not
touching the ground. Then
grasp the starter handle
with your right hand and pull
the starter cord.

FUEL SAFETY
(Refuelling, fuel mixture, storage.)

Min. 3 m
(10 ft)

•

Always store the chain saw and fuel away from any
sources of sparks or naked flames, e.g. machines, electric
motors, relays, switches, boilers, etc.

•

Always store fuel in an approved container designed for
that purpose.

•

For longer periods of storage or for transport of the saw,
the fuel and chain oil tanks should be emptied. Ask where
you can dispose of waste fuel and chain oil at your local
petrol station.
Never use any accessories other than those recommended
in this manual. See the sections on ”Cutting equipment”
and ”Technical data”.

The risk of accident is increased if you use the
wrong cutting equipment or a chain that is not
sharpened correctly. Using the wrong combination of bar and chain can increase the risk
of accidents!

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL WORKING INSTRUCTIONS

Check the area around
you for possible obstacles
such as roots, rocks,
branches, ditches, etc., in
case you have to move
suddenly. Take great care
when working on sloping
ground.

Take the utmost care
when cutting through
branches or logs that are
in tension. A log or branch
that is in tension can
suddenly spring back into
its natural position before
or after you cut it. If you
stand on the wrong side
or start cutting in the
wrong place it may strike
you or your chain saw.
This could make you lose
control and cause a
serious accident.

Before moving your chain
saw switch off the engine
and lock the chain using
the chain brake. Carry the
saw with the bar and
chain pointing backwards.
Fit a guard to the bar
before carrying the saw
any distance.

Never put a chain saw
down while the engine is
running unless you have it
in clear view and the
chain brake is on. Switch
the engine off before
leaving your chain saw for
any length of time.

This section describes basic safety rules for
using a chain saw. This information is no
substitute for professional skills and
experience. If you get into a situation where
you feel unsafe, stop and seek expert advice
(look under FORESTRY SERVICES in the
telephone directory).
DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY TASK THAT YOU
FEEL UNSURE OF!

Important
1 Before using a chain saw you must understand the effects of
kickback and what causes it. (See the section on ”How to
avoid kickback”.)
2 Before using a saw you must understand the difference
between sawing with the top and bottom edges of the bar.
(See the section on ”How to avoid kickback”.)

1 Basic safety rules
1

Look around you:

• to make sure there are no
people, animals or other
objects nearby that might
affect your work.
• to make sure that none of
the above might come within
reach of your saw or be
injured by falling trees.

Follow the instructions above, but do not use a chain saw in a
situation where you cannot call for help in case of an accident.
2

Do not use the saw in bad weather, such as dense fog,
heavy rain, strong wind, intense cold, etc. Working in cold
weather is tiring and often brings added risks, such as icy
ground, unpredictable felling direction, etc.

Take great care when removing small branches and avoid
cutting bushes (i.e. cutting many small branches at the
same time). Small branches can be grabbed by the chain
and thrown back at you, causing serious injury.

English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 Basic cutting technique
General
• Always use full throttle when cutting!
• Reduce the speed to idle after every cut (running the
engine for too long at full throttle without any load can lead to
serious engine damage).

Two factors decide whether the chain will jam or the log will
split. The first is how the log is supported and the second is
whether it is in tension.
In most cases you can avoid these problems by cutting in two
stages; from the top and from the bottom of the log. You need
to support the log so that it will not trap the chain or split during
cutting.

• Cutting from above = Cutting on the pull stroke.

• Cutting from below = Cutting on the push stroke.
See the section on ”How to avoid kickback” to find out why
cutting on the push stroke increases the risk of kickback.

If the chain jams in the cut:
STOP THE ENGINE! Don’t try to pull the saw
free. If you do you may damage the chain
when the saw suddenly breaks free. Use a
lever to open up the cut and free the bar.

Terms:
Cutting =
Limbing =
Splitting =

General term for cutting through wood.
Cutting limbs off a felled tree.
When the object you are cutting breaks off
before the cut is complete.

The following instructions describe how to handle most types of
situation that you will be faced with when using a chain saw.

Cutting
There are five important factors you should consider
before making a cut:

Make sure the bar will not
jam in the cut.

Make sure the log will not
split.

Make sure the chain will
not strike the ground or
any other object during or
after cutting.

Is there a risk of kickback?

Do the conditions and
surrounding terrain affect
your safety when
working?

20 – English

The log is lying on the
ground. There is little risk
of the chain jamming or
the log splitting. However
there is a risk that the
chain will touch the
ground when you finish
the cut.

Cut all the way through
the log from above. Try
not to touch the ground as
you finish the cut.
Maintain full throttle but
be prepared in case the
chain snatches.

A If it is possible to turn
the log you should stop
cutting about 2/3 of the
way through.

B Turn the log and finish
the cut from the
opposite side.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 The log is supported at one
end. There is a high risk
that it will split.

3 Tree felling technique

It takes a lot of experience to fell a tree.
Inexperienced users of chain saws should not
fell trees. NEVER ATTEMPT A TASK YOU ARE
UNSURE OF.

A Safe distance

A Start by cutting from
below (about 1/3 of the
way through).

The safe distance between a tree that is to be felled and
anyone else working nearby is at least 21/2 tree lengths. Make
sure that no-one else is in this "risk zone" before or during felling.

B Finish by cutting from
above so that the two
cuts meet.

3 The log is supported at both
ends. There is a high risk
that the chain will jam.

B Felling direction
The aim is to fell the tree in the best possible position for
subsequent limbing and cross-cutting. You want it to fall on
ground where you can move about safely.
The main point to avoid is
letting the tree fall onto
another tree. It can be both
difficult and dangerous to
remove a tree in such a
position (see point 4 in this
section).
Once you have decided which
way you want the tree to fall
you must judge which way the
tree would fall naturally.

A Start by cutting from
above (about 1/3 of the
way through).

B Finish by cutting from
below so that the two
cuts meet.

Several factors affect this:
Lean of the tree
Bend
Wind direction

Limbing
When limbing thick branches
you should use the same
approach as for cutting.
Cut difficult branches piece by
piece.

2
3

Arrangement of branches
Weight of snow

You may find you are forced to let the tree fall in its natural
direction because it is impossible or dangerous to try to make it
fall in the direction you first intended.
Another very important factor, which does not affect the felling
direction but does affect your safety, is to make sure the tree
has no damaged or dead branches that might break off and hit
you during felling.

During critical felling operations, hearing
protectors should be lifted immediately when
sawing is completed so that sounds and
warning signals can be heard.
English –

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
C Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreat
Remove any branches that
are in the way. To do this it is
best to work from the top
down and keep the trunk
between you and the chain
saw. Never limb above
shoulder height.

Remove any undergrowth
from the base of the tree and
check the area for obstacles
(stones, branches, holes, etc.)
so that you have a clear path
of retreat when the tree starts
to fall. Your path of retreat
should be roughly 135
degrees behind the intended
felling direction.

D Felling
Felling is done using three cuts. First you make the
DIRECTIONAL CUTS, which consist of the TOP CUT and the
BOTTOM CUT; followed by the FELLING CUT. By placing
these cuts correctly you can control the felling direction very
accurately.

DIRECTIONAL CUT
To make the DIRECTIONAL
CUT you begin with the TOP
CUT. Stand to the right of the
tree and cut downwards at an
angle.

Next make the BOTTOM CUT
so that it finishes at the end of
the TOP CUT.

The directional cut should run
1/4 of the diameter through
the trunk and the angle
between the TOP CUT and
BOTTOM CUT should be 45°.

The line where the two cuts
meet is called the
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE.
This line should be perfectly
horizontal and at right angles
(90°) to the chosen felling
direction.

22 – English

FELLING CUT
The felling cut is made from the opposite side of the tree and it
must be perfectly horizontal. Stand on the left side of the tree
and cut with the bottom edge of the bar.

Make the FELLING CUT
about 3-5 cm (1.5-2 inches)
above the flat section of the
DIRECTIONAL CUT.

Use full throttle and bring the
bar and chain slowly into the
tree. Make sure the tree does
not start to move in the
opposite direction to your
intended felling direction.
Drive a WEDGE or BREAKING BAR into the cut as
soon as it is deep enough.
Finish the FELLING CUT
parallel with the
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE so
that the distance between
them is at least at least 1/10
of the trunk diameter. The
uncut section of the trunk is
called the BREAKING STRIP.

The BREAKING STRIP act as
hinges that control the felling
direction of the falling tree.

All control over the felling
direction is lost if the BREAKING STRIP is too narrow or
if the directional cut and felling
cut are badly placed.

When the felling cut and
directional cut are complete
the tree should start to fall
under its own weight or with
the aid of a FELLING WEDGE
or BREAKING BAR.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
We recommend that you use
a bar that is longer than the
diameter of the tree, so that
you can make the FELLING
CUT and DIRECTIONAL CUT
with single cutting stokes.
(See ”Technical data” to find
out which lengths of bar are
recommended for your saw).

4 Freeing a tree that has fallen badly = high
accident risk
A Freeing a “Trapped tree”
The safest method is to use a winch.
A Tractor-mounted
B Portable

There are methods for felling
trees with a diameter larger
than the bar length. However
these methods involve a much
greater risk that the kickback
zone of the bar will come into
contact with the tree.

!
E

UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIAL TRAINING WE
ADVISE YOU NOT TO FELL TREES WITH A
DIAMETER LARGER THAN THE BAR LENGTH
OF YOUR SAW!

B Cutting trees and branches that are in tension
Preparations:
a)

Work out which way the tree or branch will move if released
and where the natural “BREAKING POINT” is (i.e. the place
it would break if it was bent even more).

Decide which is the SAFEST way to release the tension
and whether YOU are able to do it safely. In complicated
situations the only safe method is to put aside your chain
saw and use a winch.

Limbing

MOST KICKBACK ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
DURING LIMBING!PAY CLOSE ATTENTION
TO THE POSITION OF THE KICKBACK ZONE
OF THE BAR WHEN YOU ARE LIMBING
BRANCHES THAT ARE IN TENSION!

Make sure there are no
obstacles in your way. Work
on the left side of the trunk.
Work close to the saw for
maximum control. If possible,
let the weight of the saw rest
on the trunk.

General advice:
a)

Position yourself so that
you will be clear of the
tree or branch when it
springs free.

Make one or more cuts at
or near the BREAKING
POINT. Make as many
cuts of sufficient depth as
necessary to reduce the
tension and make the tree
or branch break at the
BREAKING POINT.

Keep the tree between you
and the saw as you move
along the trunk.

Cutting the trunk into logs

See chapter ”General working instructions” point 2 ”Basic
cutting technique”.

Never cut straight
through a tree or branch
that is IS in tension!

English –

WHAT IS WHAT?

6
22

5
24
1

13
25

23
26

What is what?
1.

Cylinder cover.

15. Saw bar.

Front handle.

16. Bumper.

Front hand guard.

17. Chain catcher. Catches chain if it jumps or breaks.

Starter cover.

18. Clutch cover.

Chain oil tank.

19. Right hand guard. Protects right hand if chain breaks or
jumps.

Starter handle.

Adjuster screw, carburetor.

Choke control

21. Throttle lock. Prevents accidental operation of throttle
control.

Rear handle.

22. Decompression valve.

20. Throttle control.

10. Stop switch. Ignition on/off switch.

23. Combination spanner.

11. Fuel tank.

24. Chain tensioning screw.

12. Muffler.

25. Operator's manual.

13. Bar tip sprocket.

26. Bar guard.

14. Saw chain.

27. Start throttle lock.

24 – English

ASSEMBLY
Mounting guide bar and chain

Always wear gloves, when working with the
chain, in order to protect your hands from
injury.

Check that the chain brake is
in disengaged position by
moving the front hand guard
towards the front handle.

Hold up the tip of the bar and
tighten the chain. The chain is
correctly tensioned when
there is no slack on the
underside of the bar, but it can
still be turned easily by hand.
Hold up the bar tip and tighten
the bar nuts with the
combination wrench.
When fitting a new chain, the
chain tension has to be
checked frequently until the
chain is run-in. Check the
chain tension regularly. A
correctly tensioned chain
gives good cutting
performance and long lifetime.

Take off the bar nuts and
remove the clutch cover. Take
off the transportation ring (A).

Fit the bar over the bar bolts.
Place the bar in its rearmost
position. Place the chain over
the drive sprocket and in the
groove on the bar. Begin on
the top side of the bar. Make
sure that the edges on the
cutting links are facing forward
on the top side of the bar.

Fit the clutch cover and locate
the chain adjuster pin in the
hole on the bar. Check that
the drive links of the chain fit
correctly on the drive sprocket
and that the chain is in the
groove on the bar. Tighten the
bar nuts finger tight.
Tension the chain by using
the combination wrench. Turn
the chain adjuster screw
clockwise. The chain should
be tensioned until it fits snugly
on the underside of the bar.

English –

FUEL HANDLING
Fuelmix

Mixing

IMPORTANT! The chain saw is equipped with a two-stroke
engine and must always been run using a mixture of gasoline
and two-stroke engine oil. It is important to accurately measure
the amount of oil to be mixed to ensure that the correct mixture
is obtained. When mixing small amounts of fuel, even small
inaccuracies can drastically affect the ratio of the mixture.

Always provide for good ventilation when
handling fuel.

• Always mix the gasoline
and oil in a clean container
intended for fuel.
• Always start by filling half
the amount of the gasoline
to be used. Then add the
entire amount of oil. Mix
(shake) the fuel mixture.
Add the remaining amount
of gasoline.

Gasoline

• Mix (shake) the fuel mixture
thoroughly before filling the
saw’s fuel tank.

• This engine is certified to
operate on unleaded
gasoline.

• Do not mix more than max.
one month’s supply of fuel.

• Use good quality unleaded
gasoline.

• If the saw is not used for
some time the fuel tank
should be emptied and
cleaned.

• The lowest recommended
octane rating is 87. If you
run the engine on lower
octane rating than 87 socalled “knocking“ can occur.
This leads to an increased
engine temperature, which
can result in a serious
engine breakdown.

• This engine is certified to
operate on unleaded
gasoline.

• When working at continuous
high revs a higher octane
rating is recommended.

Two-stroke oil
• For the best results use HUSQVARNA two-stroke oil, which is
especially developed for chain saws. Mixing ratio 1:50 (2%).
• Never use two-stroke oil intended for water cooled outboard
engines, so-called, outboard oil.
• Never use oil intended for four-stroke engines.

Gasoline

Oil

2%(1:50)
Lit.

Lit.

5
10
15
20

0,10
0,20
0,30
0,40

US
gallon

US
fl. oz.

1
2 1/2
5

2 1/2
6 1/2
12 7/8

Chain oil
• The chain lubrication
system is automatic. Always
use special chain oil with
good adhesive
characteristics.
• In countries where no
special chain oil is available,
EP 90 transmission oil can
be used.
• Never use waste oil. This
results in damage to the oil
pump, the bar and the
chain.
• It is important to use oil of
the right viscosity according
to the air temperature.
• In temperatures below 0oC
(32oF) some oils become
too viscous. This can
overload the oil pump and
result in damage to the oil
pump components.
• Contact your servicing
dealer when choosing chain
oil.

26 – English

FUEL HANDLING
Fuelling

Taking the following precautions, will lessen
the risk of fire.

• Do not smoke or place warm objects in the vicinity of
the fuel.
• Always shut off the engine before refuelling.
• Slowly open the fuel cap, when filling fuel, so that
possible overpressure is slowly released.
• Tighten the fuel cap carefully after fuelling.
• Always move the saw from the fuelling area before
starting.
Clean around the fuel cap.
Clean the fuel and chain oil
tanks regularly. The fuel filter
should be changed at least
once a year. Contamination in
the fuel tanks causes
malfunction. Make sure the
fuel is well mixed by shaking
the container before fuelling.
The volume of chain oil and
fuel tanks are adjusted to
each other. Therefore, always
fill chain oil and fuel at the
same time.

Min 3 m
(10ft)

English –

START AND STOP
Start

Start and stop

WARNING!

• Never start the saw engine without the bar, chain and
clutch cover (chain brake) assembled - or else the
clutch can come loose and cause personal injuries.
• Always move the saw away from the fueling area
before starting.
• Place the saw on clear ground and make sure that the
chain is not contacting anything. Also, make sure that
you have a secure footing.
• Keep people and animals well away from the working
area.

Cold engine
CHAIN BRAKE:
Disengage the chain brake by
pulling the hand guard
towards the front handle.

FAST IDLE:
1.Push down the throttle
trigger lockout (A).
2.Open the throttle fully (B).
3.Push the throttle latch
downwards (C).

C
A
Stop
The engine is stopped by
switching off the ignition.
(Move the ignition switch to
stop position.)

A
The saw is fitted with a
decompression valve (A):
Press the valve to reduce the
pressure in the cylinder and
make starting easier. Always
use the decompression valve
when starting the saw. Once
the saw has started the valve
will automatically return to its
original setting.

Warm engine
Use the same starting
procedure as for a cold
engine, but do not pull out the
choke knob.

28 – English

Push in the choke control
immediately when the engine
ignites and make repeated
starting attemps. When the
engine starts, rapidly give full
throttle. Then the throttle latch
will disengage.

CAUTION! Do not release the
starter handle from fully pulled
out position as this can cause
damage on the saw.

IGNITION:
Move the ignition switch to
startposition.
CHOKE:
Pull out the choke knob.

Grip the front handle with your
left hand and hold the saw
down by putting your right foot
in the rear handle. Pull the
starter handle with your right
hand and pull out the starter
cord slowly until the starter
pawls engage. Then pull
sharply.

MAINTENANCE
Carburetor

Conditions

Your Husqvarna product has been designed and manufactured
to specifications that reduce harmful emissions.
After your unit has been run 8-10 tanks of fuel the engine has
broken in. To ensure that your unit is at peak performance and
producing the least amount of harmful emissions after break in,
have your authorized servicing dealer, who has a revolution
counter at his disposal, to adjust your carburetor for optimum
operating conditions.

• Before any adjustments are made the air filter should be
clean and the cylinder cowling fitted. Adjusting the carburetor
while a dirty air filter is in use will result in a leaner mixture
when the filter is finally cleaned. This can give rise to serious
engine damage.
• Carefully turn the L and H needle to the mid point.
• Do not attempt to adjust the needles beyond the stops as
damage can occur.
• Now start the saw according to the starting instructions and
run it warm for 10 minutes.
NOTE! If the chain rotates the T screw should be turned
counter-clockwise until the chain stops.
• Place the saw on a flat surface so that the bar points away
from you and so that the bar and chain do not come into
contact with the surface or other objects.

Functioning, Basic setting, Final setting

WARNING! Do not start the saw without the
bar, chain and clutch cover (chain brake)
assembled. If you do, the clutch might come
loose and cause severe injuries.

Low speed needle L
Operation
• The carburetor governs the engine speed via the throttle. Air/
fuel are mixed in the carburetor. The air/fuel mixture is
adjustable. To take advantage of the engine’s optimal output
the setting must be correct.
• The setting of the carburetor means that the engine is
adapted to local conditions, for example, the climate, altitude,
fuel and the type of 2-stroke oil.
• The carburetor has three
adjustment possibilities:
L = Low speed jet.
H = High speed jet.
T = Adjustment screw for
idling.

• The fuel quantity required in relation to the air flow, provided
by opening the throttle, is adjusted by the L and H-jets. If they
are screwed clockwise the air/fuel ratio becomes leaner (less
fuel) and if they are turned counter-clockwise the ratio
becomes richer (more fuel). A leaner mixture gives a higher
engine speed and a richer mixture give a lower engine speed.
• The T screw regulates the idling speed. If the screw T is
turned clockwise this gives a higher idling speed; counterclockwise a lower idling speed.

Basic setting and running in
The carburetor is set to its basic setting when test run at the
factory. The basic setting is richer than the optimal setting and
should be kept during the machine‘s first working hours.
Thereafter the carburetor should be finely adjusted. Fine
adjustment should be carried out by a skilled technician.
NOTE! If the chain rotates while idling the T screw should be
adjusted counter-clockwise until it stops.
Recommended idling speed: 2 500 rpm.

Contact your servicing dealer, if the idle speed
setting cannot be adjusted so that the chain
stops. Do not use the saw until it has been
properly adjusted or repaired.

Fine adjustment
• When the saw has been ”run-in” the carburetor should be
finely adjusted. The fine adjustment should be carried out
by qualified person. First adjust the L-jet, then the idling
screw T and then the H-jet.

Turn the low speed needle L clockwise until the stop. If the
engine has bad acceleration or erratic idling, turn the L needle
counter-clockwise until good idling and acceleration.
NOTE! If the chain rotates in the idling position, turn the
idling speed screw counter-clockwise until the chain stops.

Final setting of the idling speed T
Adjust the idling speed with the screw T. If it is necessary to readjust, first turn the idle speed adjusting screw T clockwise, until
the chain starts to rotate. Then turn, counter-clockwise until the
chain stops. A correctly adjusted idle speed setting occurs
when the engine runs smoothly in every position. It should also
be good margin to the rpm when the chain starts to rotate.

Contact your servicing dealer, if the idle speed
setting cannot be adjusted so that the chain
stops. Do not use the saw until it has been
properly adjusted or repaired.

High speed needle H
The high speed needle H
influences the power of the
saw. A too lean adjusted high
speed needle H (high speed
needle H closed too much)
gives overrevs and damages
the engine. Turn the high
speed needle H counterclockwise until the stop. If the
engine runs roughly, turn the
H
high speed needle slowly the
minimum amount clockwise
until the engine runs smoothly.
The high speed needle H is correctly set when the saw ”4cycles” a little. If the saw ”whistles” the setting is too lean. If
there is too much exhaust gas at the same time as the saw ”4cycles” much, the setting is too rich. Turn the high speed needle
H until the setting sounds correct. NOTE! For optimum setting
of the carburetor, contact a qualified servicing dealer who
has a revolution counter at his disposal.

Correctly adjusted carburetor
A correctly adjusted carburetor means that the saw accelerates
without hesitation and the saw 4-cycles a little at max speed.
Furthermore, the chain must not rotate at idling. A too lean
adjusted low speed needle L may cause starting difficulties and
bad acceleration. A too lean adjusted high speed needle H
gives lower power=less capacity, bad acceleration and/or
damage to the engine. A too rich adjustment of the two speed
needles L and H gives acceleration problems or too low working
speed.

English –

MAINTENANCE
Starter device

WARNING!

• When the recoil spring is assembled in the starter
housing, it is in tensioned position and can when
treated carelessly, pop out and cause injuries.
• Always be careful, when changing the recoil spring or
the starter cord. Always wear safety goggles for eye
protection.

Tensioning the recoil spring
• Lift the starter cord up in the
notch on the starter pulley
and turn the starter pulley 2
turns clockwise.
NOTE! Check that the
starter pulley can be turned
at least half a turn, when the
starter cord is entirely pulled
out.

Changing a broken or worn
starter cord
Changing the broken recoil spring
• Loosen the screws, that
hold the starter device
against the crankcase and
remove the starter device.

• Pull out the cord approx. 30
cm and lift it up into the
notch in the pulley. Zero-set
the recoil spring by letting
the pulley rotate slowly
backwards. Undo the screw
in the centre of the pulley
and remove the pulley.

• Insert and fasten a new
starter cord in the pulley.
Wind approx. 3 turns of the
starter cord on to the pulley.
Assemble the starter pulley
against the recoil spring, so
the end of the spring
engages to the pulley. Fit
the screw in the centre of
the pulley. Carry the starter
cord through the hole in the
starter housing and the
starter handle. Make a knot
on the starter cord.

• Lift the starter pulley (see
"Changing a broken or worn
starter cord").
• The recoil spring is
disassembled from the
starter device, with its inside
facing down. Tap the starter
lightly against a working
bench or similar. If the
spring pops out when
assembling, it should be
mounted again, out and in
towards the centre.
• Lubricate the recoil spring
with thin oil. Assemble the
starter pulley, and tension
the recoil spring.

Starter device assembly
• Assemble the starter
device, by pulling the starter
cord out first, then place the
starter against the
crankcase. Then slowly
release the starter cord so
that the pulley engages with
the pawls.
• Assemble and tighten the
screws, which hold the
starter.

30 – English

MAINTENANCE
Muffler

Air filter
The air filter must be regularly cleaned from dust and dirt in
order to avoid:
• Carburetor malfunctions
• Starting problems
• Engine power reduction
• Unnecessary wear on
the engine parts
• Abnormal fuel consumption

Clean the air filter daily or
more often if the air is
exceptionally dusty in the
working area.
• Disassemble the air filter by
removing the cylinder cover
and unscrew the filter.
When reassembling, make
sure that the filter is tight
against the filter holder.
Clean the filter by brushing
or shaking it.

The muffler is designed in
order to reduce the noise level
and to direct the exhaust
gases away from the operator.
The exhaust gases are hot
and can contain sparks, which
may cause fire if directed
against dry and combustible
material.
Some mufflers are equipped
with a special screen. If your
saw has this type of muffler,
you should clean the screen
at least once a week. This is
done with a wire brush.
CAUTION! The screen must
be replaced, if damaged. The
saw will be overheated, if the
screen is clogged. This results
in damage on the cylinder and
the piston. Never use a saw
with a clogged or defective
muffler.

• A more thorough cleaning of
the filter is obtained by
washing it in water and
soap.
An air filter, which is used for
some time, cannot be cleaned
completely. Therefore it must
be replaced by a new one,
with regular intervals.
IMPORTANT! A damaged air
filter must always be
replaced.

Adjusting the oil pump

Spark plug
0,5 mm
The spark plug condition is
influenced by:
• An incorrect carburetor
setting.
• Wrong fuel mixture (too
much oil in the gasoline).
• A dirty air filter.
These factors cause deposits
on the spark plug electrodes,
which may result in
malfunction and starting
difficulties. If the engine is
low on power, difficult to
start or runs poorly at idling
speed, always check the
spark plug first.

The oil pump can be adjusted
to give four different oil flow
rates. To adjust the flow rate,
first remove the chain, bar,
clutch cover, centrifugal clutch
and the clutch drum. Using a
screwdriver, adjust the oil flow
rate by turning the adjuster
screw one way or the other.
The projection on the screw
should point towards the
chosen setting. The diagram
shows the setting for flow rate
2.
Recommended settings:
18" bars
Setting 2
20" bars and longer Setting 3-4
NOTE! Do not carry out this adjustment with the engine
running!

If the spark plug is dirty, clean it and check the electrode gap.
Readjust if necessary. The correct gap is 0,5 mm (0,020").
The spark plug should be replaced after about a month in
operation or earlier if the electrodes are badly eroded.
IMPORTANT! Always use the recommended spark plug type.
An incorrect spark plug can severely damage the piston/
cylinder.
English –

MAINTENANCE
Needle bearing maintenance

Winter use
A

The clutch drum is equipped
with one of the following chain
sprockets:

During winter time, powder snow and cold weather can cause
running problems, such as:
• Too low engine temperature.
• Icing on the air filter and carburetor.
Therefore some special measures are required:
• Partly reduce the air inlet of the starter and by doing that
increase the engine temperature.
• Preheat the intake air to the carburetor by removing the
special plug between the cylinder and the carburetor space.

• Spur sprocket (A) (the chain
sprocket is welded on the
drum)

Temperature 0oC (32oF) or colder

B
• Rim sprocket (B)
(exchangeable)

Twist the cover flap so that
preheated air from the
cylinder can enter the
carburetor chamber to prevent
icing of the filter.
Both versions have built-in
needle bearing at the drive
shaft, whitch has to be
greased regularly (once a
week).
NOTE! Use only high
quality bearing grease.

Temperature -5oC (23oF) or colder

When using the saw in cold
weather or powder snow
conditions you should cover
the starter unit with adhesive
tape. This reduces the flow of
cold air and prevents large
amounts of snow from being
sucked in.

Cooling system

To obtain the lowest possible running temperature the saw is
equipped with a cooling system.
The cooling system
consists of:
1.

Air intake on the starter
unit.

Air guide plate.

Fan blades on the
flywheel.

Cooling fins on the
cylinder.

Cylinder cowling
(supplies cold air over
the cylinder).

5
4
3

IMPORTANT! Any maintenance other than that described in
this manual must be carried out by your servicing dealer.
2
1

Clean the cooling system with a brush once a week, more often
in demanding conditions. A dirty or blocked cooling system
results in the saw overheating which causes damage to
piston and cylinder.

32 – English

IMPORTANT! If a special
winter kit is assembled or
measures are taken to
increase the engine
temperature, a readjustment
to normal setting has to be
done when the saw is used
under normal conditions.
Otherwise, there is a risk of
overheating, which can
cause severe engine
damage.

MAINTENANCE
Below you will find some general maintenance instructions.
If you have more questions, contact your servicing dealer.

Weekly maintenance
1.

Daily maintenance
1.

Check that all the
components of the throttle
control operate safely (i.e.
throttle lock, throttle lever
and start throttle lock).

Clean the chain brake
and check its function
according to the
instructions. Make sure
that the chain catcher is
undamaged. Otherwise
replace it immediately.

Clean or replace the air
filter as necessary. Check
for damage or holes.

The bar should be turned
daily for more even wear.
Check the lubrication hole
in the bar, to be sure it is
not clogged. Clean the
bar groove, if the bar has
a sprocket tip, this should
be lubricated.

Check the function of the
oiler to be sure the bar
and chain receive proper
lubrication.

Sharpen the chain and
check its tension and
condition. Check the drive
sprocket for wear.
Replace if necessary.

Lubricate the clutch drum
bearing.

File off burrs, if any, on
the sides of the bar.

Clean the spark plug and
check the gap.
The correct gap is 0,5 mm
(0,020 inch).

Check the starter and the
recoil spring. Clean the
fins on the flywheel.

Clean the cooling fins on
the cylinder.

Clean or change the
screen in the muffler.

Clean the carburetor body
and air box.

Check the starter and
starter cord for wear or
damage. Clean the air
intake slots on the starter
housing.

Check for any loose nuts
and screws and retighten
if necessary.

Test the stop switch to be
sure it shuts off the
engine.

1
2
3

0,5 mm

6
7

5
8

Monthly maintenance
1.

Check that the AV
elements are not soft or
torn.

7
8

Check the brake band on
the chain brake for wear.

Check the clutch centre,
clutch drum and clutch
spring for wear.

Clean the outside of the
carburetor.

Change the fuel filter.

2
3

4
5

Flush the inside off the
fuel tank with gasoline.

6
6.

Flush the inside of the oil
tank with gasoline.

Check all cables and
connections.

Change the spark plug.

Change the air filter.

7
8

0,5 mm

English –

TECHNICAL DATA
288XP/XP Lite
Engine
Cylinder volume, cu.in/cm3
Cylinder bore, inch/mm
Stroke, inch/mm
Idle speed, rpm
Power, kW/ rpm

5,3/87
2,1/54
1,5/38
2 500
4,5/ 9 600

Ignition system
Manufacture
Type of ignition system
Spark plug
Electrode gap, inch/mm

SEM
AM 7
Champion RCJ 6Y
0,020/0,5

Fuel and lubrication
system
Manufacturer
Carburetor type
Fuel capacity, US pint/litre
Oil pump capacity at 8500 rpm,
ml/min
Oil capacity, US pint/litre
Type of oil pump

Tillotson
HS 283A
1,9/0,9
9-12-15-18
1,1/0,5
Automatic

Weight
Without bar and chain, Lbs/kg

The Husqvarna chain saw models 288XP and 288XP Lite
are in the ANSI category of saws above 3,8 cu. in. and are
not required to comply with low kickback performance
requirements. For these Husqvarna models we recommend
the following cutting equipment.

288XP
Guide bar

Saw chain

Length
inch

Pitch
inch

Max nose
radius

15-32

3/8

11T

Husqvarna H42 / S48 / H41 or
Oregon 73VL / 73LG / 73LP

288XP Lite
Guide bar

Saw chain

Length
inch

Pitch
inch

Max nose
radius

15-32

3/8

11T

Husqvarna H42 / S48 / H41 or
Oregon 73VL / 73LG / 73LP

XP: 16,5 /7,5
XP Lite: 16,1 /7,3

The combinations of power head, bar and chain have been
investigated in accordance with the vibration requirements
of ANSI B 175.1-1991.

Chain/bar
Recommended bar lengths,
inches/cm
Usable cutting length,
inches/cm

15-32"/38-80
13-31"/34-79

Chain speed at max.
power, m/sec

21,4

Pitch, inches
Thickness of drive link, inch/mm
Number of teeth on drive
sprocket

34 – English

Recommended original and replacement bar
and chain combinations

3/8
0,058/1,5
7

´*3ÆQ¶5P¨

Note: For the chains above you are free to choose
between 0,050" and 0,058" gauge drive link for the
corresponding bar, see the table below.
0,058"/1,5mm

H42

S48

H41

73VL

73LG

73LP

0,050"/1,3mm

–

72VL

72LG

72LP

WARNING! These chain saw models are capable
of severe kickback that could result in serious
injuries to the user. Do not operate these saws
unless you have extraordinary cutting needs and
experience and specialized training for dealing
with kickback. Saws with significantly reduced
kickback potential are available. Always use the
safest saw and cutting equipment applicable to
your cutting need.

FEDERAL EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT
YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS
The EPA (The US Environmental Protection Agency)
and Husqvarna Forest & Garden are pleased to explain
the emissions control system warranty on your 1999
and later small nonroad engine. In U.S., new small
nonroad engines must be designed, built and equipped
to meet the federal stringent anti-smog standards.
Husqvarna Forest & Garden must warrant the emission
control system on your small nonroad engine for the
periods of time listed below provided there has been no
abuse, neglect or improper maintenance of your unit.
Your emission control system includes Parts such as
the carburetor and the ignition system.
Where a warrantable condition exists, Husqvarna
Forest & Garden will repair your small nonroad engine
at no cost to you. Expenses covered under warranty
include diagnosis, parts and labor.

MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY
COVERAGE
The 1999 and later small nonroad engines are
warranted for two years. If any emission related part on
your engine (as listed above) is defective, the part will
be repaired or replaced by Husqvarna Forest &
Garden.

OWNER’S WARRANTY
RESPONSIBILITIES
As the small nonroad engine owner, you are
responsible for the performance of the required
maintenance listed in your Operator’s Manual.
Husqvarna Forest & Garden recommends that you
retain all receipts covering maintenance on your small
nonroad engine, but Husqvarna Forest & Garden
cannot deny warranty solely for the lack of receipts or
for your failure to ensure the performance of all
scheduled maintenance.
As the small nonroad engine owner, you should,
however, be aware that Husqvarna Forest & Garden
may deny you warranty coverage if your small nonroad
engine or a part of it has failed due to abuse, neglect,
improper maintenance, unapproved modifications or
the use of parts not made or approved by the original
equipment manufacturer.
You are responsible for presenting your small nonroad
engine to a Husqvarna Forest & Garden authorized
servicing dealer as soon as a problem exists. The
warranty repairs should be completed in a reasonable
amount of time, not to exceed 30 days.
If you have any questions regarding your warranty
rights and responsibilities, you should contact your
nearest authorized servicing dealer or call Husqvarna
Forest & Garden at 1-800-487-5963.

WARRANTY COMMENCEMENT DATE
The warranty period begins on the date small nonroad
engine is delivered.

LENGTH OF COVERAGE
Husqvarna Forest & Garden warrants to the initial
owner and each subsequent purchaser that the engine
is free from defects in materials and workmanship
which cause the failure of a warranted part for a period
of two years.

WHAT IS COVERED
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS
Repair or replacement of any warranted part will be performed at no charge to the owner at an approved Husqvarna
Forest & Garden servicing dealer. If you have any questions
regarding your warranty rights and responsibilities, you
should contact your nearest authorized servicing dealer or
call Husqvarna Forest & Garden at 1-800-487-5963.
WARRANTY PERIOD
Any warranted part which is not scheduled for replacement
as required maintenance, or which is scheduled only for
regular inspection to the effect of ”repair or replace as
necessary” shall be warranted for 2 years. Any warranted
part which is scheduled for replacement as required
maintenance shall be warranted for the period of time up to
the first scheduled replacement point for that part.
DIAGNOSIS
The owner shall not be charged for diagnostic labor which
leads to the determination that a warranted part is defective,
if the diagnostic work is performed at an approved Husqvarna
Forest & Garden servicing dealer.
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
Husqvarna Forest & Garden may be liable for damages to
other engine components caused by the failure of a
warranted part still under warranty.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED
All failures caused by abuse, neglect or improper
maintenance are not covered.
ADD -ON OR MODIFIED PARTS
The use of add-on or modified parts can be grounds for
disallowing a warranty claim. Husqvarna Forest & Garden is
not liable to cover failures of warranted parts caused by the
use of add-on or modified parts.

HOW TO FILE A CLAIM
If you have any questions regarding your warranty rights and
responsibilities, you should contact your nearest authorized
servicing dealer or call Husqvarna Forest & Garden at
1-800-487-5963.

WHERE TO GET WARRANTY SERVICE
Warranty services or repairs shall be provided at all
Husqvarna Forest & Garden authorized servicing dealers.

MAINTENANCE, REPLACEMENT AND
REPAIR OF EMISSION-RELATED PARTS
Any Husqvarna Forest & Garden approved replacement part
used in the performance of any warranty maintenance or
repairs on emission-related parts, will be provided without
charge to the owner if the part is under warranty.

EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY
PARTS LIST
1.
2.
3.
4.

Carburetor and internal parts
Intake pipe, airfilter holder and carburetor bolts.
Airfilter and fuelfilter covered up to maintainance schedule.
Ignition System
a) Spark Plug, covered up to maintenance schedule
b) Ignition Module

MAINTENANCE STATEMENT
The owner is responsible for the performance of all required
maintenance, as defined in the operator’s manual.

35 – English

´*3ÆQ¶5P¨

1998W48

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Create Date                     : 1998:01:12 16:37:35Z
Modify Date                     : 2002:10:16 08:20:20+02:00
Subject                         : HOUS2001_1019004-95
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Mod Date                        : 2002:10:16 08:20:20+02:00
Metadata Date                   : 2002:10:16 08:20:20+02:00
Creator                         : Husqvarna
Title                           : OM, 288 XP, 288 XP Lite, 2001-10
Description                     : HOUS2001_1019004-95

EXIF Metadata provided by EXIF.tools

Husqvarna 281Xp 288Xp Users Manual OM, 288 XP, XP Lite, 2001 10

288XP, 288XP Lite to the manual c0b1aa86-09e1-4d20-966e-362599071b82

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