Inertia Brake Question

rochs77

Relatively new chainsaw user here (second season of cutting my own firewood) and I just got myself a new Husqvarna 455 Rancher saw with a 20" bar. After using other people's saws, I wanted my own so that I know it is maintained well and is safe.

After reading the manual, I did all of the tests on the saw like activating the manual chain brake, checking if the oiler is working by reving the engine with the bar pointed at a stump, etc. when I got to checking the inertia brake.

The Husqvarna manual says, while in the "off" position, hold the saw over a stump or other firm object and let the front handle go while holding onto the rear handle. As the saw rotates around the rear handle and strikes the stump, the chain brake should engage. I haven't been able to get my saw to do this, and it doesn't seem to be that great of an idea to be dropping your saw like that to test the inertia brake.

On another note, when I was first putting the bar on, the chain brake engaged while I was pulling off the clutch plate. I had to have a friend fabricate me a tool out of a scrench to release the chain brake so that I could get the clutch plate back on. I don't know if that has anything to do with my problem, but I figured I'd give you all of the info.

So, is it just me or do other people have issues with getting the inertia brake to engage while testing it? Is there a trick here that I'm missing? Thanks for all of your help!

Rich

Eric Frei

Yeah, interesting.

I have a lot of saws and most will not engage the brake with that description either, and I dont like testing it like that either.

Want to see how fast kick back is in the real world then watch the video in this link.

Kickback video| kick back video| chainsaw

As far as the clutch thing goes, I have no idea what you mean.

Welcome aboard by the way, and that is a decent saw you bought.

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rochs77

Thanks, Ekka. At least I know it isn't just me. As far as the chain brake, that brake band on the Huskys that is built into the clutch cover plate was in the "brake" position, making the diameter of the brake band too small to fit it back around the clutch. This made it impossible to fit the plate back onto the saw without disengaging the brake, which, ironically, you can't do unless the plate is properly attached to the saw .

Anyway, I don't think that is the issue, and yes, I think this saw is great so far. I can't wait to get more use out of it and break it in.

Rich

newguy18

Next time your brake engages while the cover is off,put it between your legs and snap the brake,it should disengage.If not you can put it in a vice.

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old schooler

Steve Tipton

Dead right Bill

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Victor Lindsay

I check the inertia brake about once every month. They wouldn't tell you to check it that way if it would hurt the saw. I just let the tip hit, and the brake kicks in. Good to know it works.