Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw Manual

The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is a professional-grade chainsaw designed for demanding tasks like felling, limbing, and bucking. It features a powerful X-Torq engine for reduced emissions and fuel consumption, an inertia-activated chain brake for safety, LowVib anti-vibration system, Air Injection centrifugal air cleaning, combined choke/stop control, and Smart Start for easier starting. Below are key sections for safety, features, assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Features at a Glance

Key components: X-Torq engine, guide bar, saw chain, front hand guard with chain brake, throttle trigger, throttle trigger lockout, choke/stop control, primer bulb, and fuel/oil caps.

Safety Instructions

Read and understand all instructions before use. Always wear appropriate PPE.

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear chainsaw protective pants, safety boots, gloves, eye protection (goggles/visor), and hearing protection.
2. Work Area Safety: Keep bystanders and pets at least 15m away. Ensure secure footing. Do not operate in poor light, bad weather, or when fatigued.
3. Kickback Zone: Be aware of the upper quadrant of the guide bar tip. Never cut with this part of the bar.
4. Chain Brake: Test function before each use. The brake should engage manually (by hand) and automatically (by inertia).

WARNING! A chainsaw is a dangerous tool. Failure to follow safety instructions can result in serious injury or death. Never operate with one hand.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack and inspect contents. Assemble guide bar and chain.

1. Attach the guide bar: Remove the side panel. Place the bar over the studs, ensuring the tensioning pin fits into the hole.
2. Fit the chain: Place the chain over the bar sprocket and onto the guide bar, with cutting teeth facing forward on the top of the bar.
3. Replace the side panel and hand-tighten the nuts.
4. Tension the chain: Use the side-mounted tensioning screw to adjust until the chain snaps back when pulled from the bar. Tighten the bar nuts securely.
5. Fill fluids: Add Husqvarna 2-stroke oil/gasoline mix (1:50) to the fuel tank. Add bar and chain oil to the separate oil tank.

CAUTION! Ensure the chain is installed in the correct direction. A backwards chain will not cut and is dangerous.

Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 60.3 cm³ (3.68 cu.in.)
• Power Output: 3.4 kW (4.6 hp)
• Fuel Consumption: Approx. 470 g/kWh
• Recommended Bar Lengths: 16" to 24"
• Chain Pitch: 3/8"
• Chain Gauge: .050" (1.3 mm)
• Dry Weight (w/o bar & chain): 5.7 kg (12.6 lbs)
• Sound Pressure Level: 106 dB(A)
• Vibration Levels (Front/Rear Handle): 3.5/4.5 m/s²
• Fuel Tank Volume: 0.77 L (0.20 US gal)
• Oil Tank Volume: 0.38 L (0.10 US gal)

Controls and Components

Familiarize yourself with all controls before starting.

Right Side: Throttle trigger, throttle trigger lockout, front hand guard/chain brake, choke/stop control, primer bulb, start/stop switch.

Left Side: Side-mounted chain tensioner, combination tool (spanner/wrench), oil and fuel caps.

Rear: Rear handle with vibration dampeners, muffler, spark plug cover.

Chain Brake Operation: Push the front hand guard forward to engage the brake manually. Pull it back towards the front handle to disengage. The brake will engage automatically upon kickback.

Starting & Stopping

Cold Start:

1. Place saw on firm, flat ground. Engage the chain brake.
2. Press the decompression valve (if equipped).
3. Set the choke/stop control to full choke (position ).
4. Press the primer bulb 4-6 times until fuel is visible.
5. Hold the saw firmly with your left hand on the front handle and your right foot in the rear handle. Pull the starter handle sharply until the engine fires (usually 1-3 pulls).
6. Move the choke/stop control to half-throttle (position ). Pull again to start. The engine will run at high idle.
7. Blip the throttle to disengage high idle. Disengage the chain brake before cutting.

Warm Start: Use half-throttle position, no priming needed.

Stopping: Release the throttle and press the start/stop switch to "0" or "STOP".

Operating Instructions

Basic cutting techniques for felling, limbing, and bucking.

1. Felling: Plan escape path (45-degree angle to rear). Make notch cut (1/3 of tree diameter). Make felling cut from opposite side, leaving a hinge.
2. Limbing: Stand on left side of trunk. Use the guide bar's bottom for cutting. Let the chain do the work; don't force it.
3. Bucking (Cross-cutting): Support log properly. Cut from top down for tensioned wood. Use a plastic or wooden wedge for pinched bars.
4. Kickback Prevention: Always grip handles firmly. Do not cut above shoulder height. Maintain high chain speed in the cut.

Tip: Always let the saw reach full speed before beginning a cut.

Maintenance Schedule

CAUTION! Always disconnect the spark plug boot before performing any maintenance.

Chain Sharpening & Tensioning

A sharp, properly tensioned chain is essential for safety and performance.

1. Tensioning: Loosen bar nuts. Turn tensioning screw clockwise until the chain is snug against the bar bottom. Pull up on the chain; there should be slight gap between chain and bar. Tighten bar nuts securely.
2. Sharpening: Use a round file matching your chain gauge (e.g., 5/32" for .050" gauge). File each cutter at the factory angle (typically 30°). Ensure all cutters are filed to equal length. File depth gauges with a flat file and gauge.

WARNING! A loose chain can derail. An over-tightened chain can break and cause excessive wear.

Storage

For storage longer than 30 days:

1. Drain all fuel from the tank and run the engine until it stops to clear the carburetor.
2. Remove the chain and guide bar. Clean and oil them. Store separately.
3. Clean the entire saw, especially the cooling fins and air filter.
4. Store in a dry, locked place, out of reach of children.

CAUTION! Old fuel can gum up the carburetor. Always use fresh fuel mix.

Troubleshooting

Service: For repairs beyond basic maintenance, contact an authorized Husqvarna service dealer.

Support: Husqvarna AB, SE-561 82 Huskvarna, Sweden. USA: 1-800-487-5962. www.husqvarna.com