Husqvarna 365 Operator's Manual page 5

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.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• 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.
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English