The name Husqvarna is familiar to anyone with a little interest in forest, park and garden technology. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most famous brands of gasoline-powered tools not only in our country, but all over the world. The range of products is huge, any user, from a summer resident to a professional gardener or lumberjack, will find everything he needs for work. Equipment with a characteristic logo, similar to a sight, can be found not only in the country, in the garden or in the forest, but even on city streets – it is often used by municipal services.
The modern market is developing very dynamically, the regulations for the production of equipment are constantly changing. One of the reasons for the company’s success is that it not only follows modern requirements, but often goes ahead of them. Sometimes Husqvarna itself sets the direction for further development. An example is the emergence of tools with innovative X-TORQ engine technology. More recently, the company has once again confirmed its title of “trendsetter” by releasing a series of chainsaws with an improved chain brake design, called Triobrake.
One of the strengths of Husqvarna chainsaws is that all the technical “highlights” are available not only on the elite professional models, but are widely used in the construction of the “amateur” class tools, providing the opportunity to achieve maximum results and ease of use.
An example of this is the so-called fourth generation models. They are created for the demanding customer “- one who, when choosing a tool, is guided by the performance, quality, reliability and durability of the tool in accordance with the tasks set. The designers have implemented many technical solutions in them, including those from professional models.
THE LINEUP
The 4th series of Husqvarna chainsaws, presented in Russia, includes seven models with a capacity of 1.6 to 2.7 kW (435, 440e, 440e TrioBrake, 445e, 450e, 455e Rancher, 460). The entire range is powered by X-TORQ engines and a starting assist system. The models differ from each other in engine power and some structural elements.
ENGINE
A year ago, we wrote about the introduction of a saw with an X-TORQ engine in the Husqvarna range. X – from the word “extra”, which is translated from English as “excess, additional”, and “TORQ” in this case is translated, again from English, as “torque”. X-TORQ is an advanced patented design. Air entering the engine through separate channels prevents fuel from being emitted into the atmosphere. This is the main difference between X-TORQ motors and standard 2-stroke engines. The new technology contributes to a more complete combustion of the fuel mixture, which provides a whole bunch of advantages.
X-TORQ engines have 2.5 times lower exhaust toxicity and higher torque for the same cylinder volume (the latter can be felt to the greatest extent by inexperienced users who often operate the saw in a “gentle mode”, that is, at low revs). Vibration levels and fuel consumption are significantly reduced. By the way, we checked the last parameter (fuel consumption) during personal testing.
We took two saws with similar characteristics (Husqvarna 142e and Husqvarna 240e), of which the first was with a “normal” engine, the second was with an X-TORQ. They filled it with the same volume of fuel mixture (250 ml) and sawed off a fifty edged board until the saw stalled, having used up all the fuel. Then the number of complete cuts was counted. The experiment was repeated several times, the average result is as follows: 360 cuts against 480, with an error of plus or minus 20. That is, the spread, as we see, goes far beyond the experimental error, which means that we can talk about the experimentally established difference. And it is explained precisely by the features of the X-TORQ technology, which saves about 25% of fuel. Quite a tangible value for both your personal budget and your own lungs. After all, lower consumption is not just money saved on gasoline and oil, it is also proportionally lower amount of exhaust gases.
EASY START-UP AND OPERATION
On models of the 4th series, a combined design of the lever of the ignition and air damper control system is used. Also, to simplify the starting process, the models are equipped with a starter with an additional spring and a pump for pre-supplying fuel to the carburetor (primer), and some with a decompression valve. These devices are the very “options” that greatly facilitate the start-up and operation of the chainsaw, which should be taken into account when choosing a particular model in accordance with your tastes and needs. By the way, for the convenience of the user, the starting procedure is shown on the cylinder cover “in pictures” – it is accessible and understandable. The user does not have to “peep” into the instruction manual at startup.
All Husqvarna chainsaws of the fourth series are equipped with the Air Injection centrifugal air purification system. It prevents large particles of chips from entering the filter and ensures a longer interval between filter cleaning. Access to the filter does not require any additional tools, the cover is fixed with latches, which was previously found only on professional models.
To simplify the control of the fuel level, a transparent window is provided in the wall of the fuel tank.
Another attractive “option” is the tool-less chain tensioner. There is another option, a little easier – when the adjustment screw is located on the side, next to the tire fixing nuts. This is commonly referred to as a side chain tensioner.
SECURITY
Here in this issue Husqvarna takes a simply irreconcilable position: even on the simplest models, exactly the same set of systems is installed that protect the user from various abnormal situations, as on expensive professional chainsaws. These include the following devices: automatic inertial chain brake, anti-vibration system, right hand protection and chain catcher.
The chain brake is an old invention of Husqvarna. Back in 1973, the Husqvarna-140 was produced, on which for the first time in the world a chain brake was included in the standard package. Now “de facto” this device is mandatory for all gasoline-powered saws of any manufacturer. The modern design activates the chain brake both by contact with the hand and by inertia. This makes the saw equally safe when sawing both vertically and horizontally (for example, when felling a tree). Not all manufacturers can boast of the same – quite often the brake is easily activated by hand, but under the influence of inertia forces it does not work. Obviously, this design guarantees a much lower level of safety. But the chainsaw is perhaps the most traumatic tool.
The usefulness of an anti-vibration system is a subjective concept in a sense. Because the more you work with a chainsaw, the more you need this system. Long-term exposure to vibration leads to rather serious occupational diseases. It would seem that the “lover” does not really need vibration isolation, but even here Husqvarna does not compromise.
Without exception, all saws are designed according to the same scheme: the engine is separated from the rest of the units by steel springs and rubber shock absorbers. This design is much more efficient than the simpler and more widespread version, when the springs are placed between the handles and a single “monoblock”, which includes all other components. A direct analogy to a car: the lower the unsprung weight, the smoother the ride. It’s just that the engine, the source of vibration, should be considered as such for a chainsaw.
Finally, the chain catcher. This is a very simple part, but it plays a very important role – if the chain breaks, it eliminates the risk of injury to the hand gripping the rear handle when the chain breaks or falls off the bar. This is a small “stop” at the bottom of the case. Even on the “smallest” Husqvarna chainsaws, the chain catcher is metal and always replaceable.
