Service & Maintenance Question
Husq 460 rancher chainsaw question: I removed the chain...escalated
Service & Maintenance Question posted September 30, 2012 by norm sanders
1460 Views, 3 Comments
Question:
Husq 460 rancher chainsaw question: I removed the chain brake cover while the chain brake was engaged. (Manual says to remove chain brake cover while disengaged but wasn't, ya know, in BOLD. Now I can't get the thing back on. Disassembled the chain brake cover itself but I can't push the brake by hand into the open position. Spring holding the item in place is very stiff. Now I have stripped the plastic chain brake handle part that fits into the steel mechanism that engages/disengages the chain brake. Soft plastic manipulating hard steel not a very good design element I must say. I will have to order another chain brake handle already. Any ideas about how to force the brake open?
Answer
Norm, The easiest method would be to get the replacement handle, and when you have the new handle in your hand, use it as a tool to disengage the clutch cover. I have seen a couple of other methods on U-tubes but being mechanically inclined they look pretty scary to me, and flying springs are not a good thing. Husqvarna also makes a special tool for removing the spring inside the clutch cover, so If you had one of those that would work also, The special tool is #502 50 67-01 (Assembling spring, chain brake tool).
Oh also about the handle being plastic and the spring mechanism being metal, I have looked at that too, and kind of thought the same thing but then at a closer examination I realized that the key to not damaging the handle is that upon assembly the clutch cover it has to be properly aligned with the handle before tightening the bar nuts, there are several things that will cause this to not happen. One is the tensioning pin for the bar has to be backed off (CCW) about a turn or so and aligned properly so that the clutch cover is not forcing itself onto the plastic handle and damaging those little plastic tabs. Also during disassembly the chain brake must be disengaged as stated, but also the tension screw for the bar should also be backed up (CCW) a turn or so to remove the tension. The high impact plastic will only wear if the cover is not aligned and installed correctly or removed corrrectly. In my opinion, once its in place the action of the brake engaging and disengaging will not wear those plastic tabs. Just a thought!
If your saw is still under warranty, I would recommend taking it to an authorized Husqvarna repair center too!
I hope this information helps.
Be the first to rate this
|
Karla,
I have the same issue. I now have to order a replacement handle because I messed the original up trying to press the plate back on and engage the mechanism. I know, not what you are recommending. The issue here is that this is a design flaw. I asked a Stihl owner. He said the handle comes with the cover on his saw. Why doesn't Husqvarna make (actually provide) a tool for this issue as it is all over the web (hence common).
Be the first to rate this
|
Dave,
Thanks for the feedback, and just two other pieces of information.
I recently dissassembled a Poulan Pro 220, an older model Chainsaw and the brake handle and clutch cover are all one assembly, so I do understand, what you are describing, similar to the Stihl.
Also since I own several Husqvarna 455's, I found a New brake handle on sale, and purchased the extra handle as both a replacement If or maybe I should say when I need one, and to use as a tool, so I can work on the clutch covers brake band.
Anyhow the handle as a tool does work but it does take alot of force to move the spring inside the clutch cover, a better tool would be some kind of a 1/2" drive socket with three tabs on it that would engage the clutch cover.
Thanks for the thoughts' and correspondence, maybe If we knew a manufacturer that could make the tool, we could make a fortune. Lol.
Be the first to rate this
|