Husqvarna 61 Chainsaw Manual

The Husqvarna 61 is a professional-grade chainsaw featuring a powerful 61cc engine, designed for demanding cutting tasks such as felling, limbing, and bucking. It includes safety features like a chain brake, inertia-activated chain catcher, and anti-vibration system. Below are key sections for safety, features, assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Features at a Glance

Key components: 61cc X-Torq engine, 20-inch guide bar, chain brake, anti-vibration system, air injection cleaning, combined choke/stop control, and side-mounted chain tensioner.

Safety Instructions

Read all instructions before use. Wear protective equipment.

1. Personal Protective Equipment: Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, chainsaw chaps, and steel-toed boots.
2. Work Area Safety: Keep bystanders at least 15 feet away. Clear area of debris.
3. Kickback Awareness: Hold saw firmly with both hands. Avoid contact with bar tip.
4. Fuel Safety: Refuel outdoors, away from ignition sources. Use fuel/oil mix (50:1).

WARNING! Chainsaw kickback can cause severe injury. Always engage chain brake when not cutting.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack and inspect contents. Assemble guide bar and chain.

1. Attach Guide Bar: Remove side cover. Place bar over studs, align chain sprocket.
2. Install Chain: Fit chain over bar sprocket, ensuring cutting teeth face forward.
3. Tension Chain: Adjust tensioning screw until chain snaps back when lifted.
4. Fill Fluids: Add fuel mix to fuel tank. Fill bar/chain oil reservoir.

CAUTION! Ensure chain is properly tensioned before starting. Loose chain may derail.

Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 61 cc (3.7 cu in).
• Power Output: 3.8 kW (5.1 hp).
• Max Power Speed: 9,000 rpm.
• Idle Speed: 2,700 rpm.
• Fuel Consumption: Approx. 0.9 liters/hour at max power.
• Sound Pressure Level: 112 dB(A).
• Vibration Level: Front handle: 4.2 m/s², Rear handle: 5.1 m/s².
• Recommended Bar Length: 16" - 24".
• Spark Plug: NGK BPMR7A (gap 0.020").
• Fuel/Oil Ratio: 50:1 (Husqvarna XP+ oil recommended).

Controls and Components

Main Controls: Front handle with chain brake, rear handle with throttle trigger, throttle lockout, choke/stop control, primer bulb, and decompression valve.

Right Side: Chain tensioner, side cover nuts, bar studs. Left Side: Fuel cap, oil cap, air filter cover.

Chain Brake: Manual engagement via front hand guard; inertia-activated during kickback. Throttle Lockout: Must be depressed before throttle trigger engages. Choke/Stop Control: Three positions: Run, Choke, Stop. Decompression Valve: Reduces pulling force during starting.

Starting & Stopping

Cold Start Procedure:

1. Place saw on flat ground. Engage chain brake.
2. Press decompression valve (if equipped).
3. Set choke to full choke position. Press primer bulb 6 times.
4. Pull starter cord sharply until engine fires (1-2 pulls).
5. Move choke to half-throttle position. Pull cord until engine starts.
6. Blip throttle to disengage fast idle. Release chain brake.

Stopping: Release throttle, push stop switch to OFF position.

Tip: Always start with chain brake engaged to prevent chain movement.

Operating Procedures

Proper cutting techniques for felling, limbing, and bucking.

1. Felling: Plan escape path. Make notch cut 1/3 into tree. Make felling cut opposite notch.
2. Limbing: Stand uphill. Cut branches from bottom to top. Use saw as support.
3. Bucking: Support log. Cut from top down. Avoid pinching bar.
4. Kickback Prevention: Maintain firm grip. Do not cut with bar tip. Use reduced-kickback chain.

WARNING! Never operate above shoulder height. Do not operate when fatigued.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily: Check chain tension, sharpness, bar/chain oil level. Clean air filter. Weekly: Clean cooling fins, check spark plug. Monthly: Clean fuel filter, check clutch and sprocket.

Chain Sharpening & Tensioning

Sharpening: Use round file matching chain pitch (typically 3/8"). Maintain 30° cutting angle. File each cutter equally. Tensioning: Chain should snap back when lifted from bar. Adjust when chain is warm.

1. Loosen bar nuts.
2. Turn tensioning screw clockwise until chain is snug.
3. Tighten bar nuts while lifting bar tip.
4. Check tension; adjust if necessary.

CAUTION! Over-tightening can damage bar and chain. Chain should move freely by hand.

Storage Guidelines

Long-term storage (over 30 days):

1. Drain fuel tank and run engine until it stops.
2. Remove spark plug, add 1 tsp oil to cylinder, pull starter 2-3 times.
3. Clean entire saw, especially cooling fins.
4. Remove chain, clean and soak in oil.
5. Store in dry, cool place, covered.

CAUTION! Never store with fuel in tank. Fuel deteriorates and can damage carburetor.

Troubleshooting

Service: For technical support, contact Husqvarna at 1-800-487-5962 or visit www.husqvarna.com.