Husqvarna Chainsaw 353 Manual

The Husqvarna Chainsaw 353 is a professional-grade chainsaw designed for demanding forestry and cutting applications. It features a powerful X-Torq engine for reduced fuel consumption and emissions, an ergonomic design with low vibration, an inertia-activated chain brake, an air injection system for extended air filter life, and an automatic chain oiler. Below are key sections for safety, features, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and specifications.

Features at a Glance

Key components: X-Torq engine, ergonomic handles with anti-vibration, inertia-activated chain brake, combined choke/stop control, side-mounted chain tensioner, and automatic chain oiler.

Feature	Description
Engine Type	2-stroke, X-Torq for reduced emissions
Displacement	50.1 cm³ (3.06 cu.in.)
Power Output	2.4 kW (3.3 hp)
Fuel Tank Volume	0.55 liters (18.6 fl.oz.)
Oil Tank Volume	0.26 liters (8.8 fl.oz.)
Recommended Bar Length	15" - 18" (38 cm - 45 cm)
Chain Pitch	3/8" or .325"
Weight (excl. cutting equipment)	5.2 kg (11.5 lbs)
Vibration Dampening	Low vibration handles
Safety Features	Chain brake, throttle lock, right hand guard

Safety Instructions

Read all instructions before operation. Wear proper protective equipment.

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear chainsaw protective pants, gloves, helmet with face shield, hearing protection, and safety boots.
2. Work Area Safety: Keep bystanders and animals at least 15 meters away. Ensure secure footing.
3. Fuel Safety: Refuel outdoors only when engine is cool. Use clean fuel container.
4. Kickback Awareness: Be aware of kickback zone (upper quadrant of bar tip). Use reduced-kickback chain.
5. Chain Brake: Test chain brake function before each use.

WARNING! Never operate a chainsaw with one hand. Always hold with both hands. Do not operate when fatigued or under influence of medication/alcohol.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack and inspect contents. Assemble guide bar and chain.

1. Mount guide bar: Loosen bar nuts, position bar over studs, ensure chain tensioning pin engages in bar hole.
2. Fit chain: Place chain over sprocket and bar, ensure cutting teeth face forward on top of bar.
3. Tension chain: Adjust with side-mounted tensioner until chain snaps back when pulled from bar.
4. Tighten bar nuts: Hold bar tip up, tighten nuts securely.
5. Fuel mix: Use high-quality 2-stroke oil mixed with unleaded gasoline (50:1 ratio for Husqvarna XP oil).
6. Fill tanks: Add fuel to fuel tank and chain oil to oil tank (use recommended bar & chain oil).

CAUTION! Ensure chain is properly tensioned. Loose chain can derail; overtightened chain can damage bar or engine.

Technical Specifications

• Engine Model: Husqvarna 353.
• Engine Type: 2-stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled.
• Ignition System: Electronic, air gap 0.3 mm.
• Carburetor: Walbro HDA or Zama C1M.
• Spark Plug: NGK BPMR7A (gap 0.5 mm).
• Idle Speed: 2700 rpm.
• Maximum Power Speed: 9600 rpm.
• Sound Pressure Level: 106 dB(A).
• Sound Power Level: 117 dB(A).
• Vibration Levels (front/rear handle): 3.5/4.5 m/s².
• Warranty: 2 years commercial, 1 year professional use.

Controls and Components

Main controls located on top and rear handle.

Front Handle: Contains chain brake lever (inertia-activated), hand guard.

Rear Handle: Throttle trigger, throttle lockout, choke/stop control, primer bulb (if equipped), master control lever (combines choke, stop, and run positions).

Right Side: Side-mounted chain tensioner, oil filler cap, spark plug cover.

Left Side: Fuel filler cap, air filter cover, decompression valve (if equipped).

Bottom: Muffler, anti-vibration mounts.

Starting & Stopping

Cold Start Procedure:

1. Place chainsaw on flat ground, ensure chain is clear of obstructions.
2. Activate chain brake by pushing front hand guard forward (brake ON position).
3. Set master control lever to choke position (full down).
4. Press primer bulb 6-8 times until fuel is visible (if equipped).
5. Pull starter handle slowly until resistance is felt, then pull briskly 3-5 times.
6. When engine fires, move master control lever to half-throttle position (middle).
7. Pull starter handle again until engine starts.
8. Blip throttle to disengage choke, allow to warm up 30 seconds.
9. Release chain brake by pulling hand guard toward rear handle.

Warm Start: Set master control to run position, pull starter.

Stopping: Release throttle, set master control to STOP position.

Cutting Techniques

Basic Cutting Principles:

1. Felling: Plan escape path (45° behind tree). Make notch cut (1/3 tree diameter), then felling cut leaving hinge wood.
2. Limbing: Stand on left side of trunk, cut downward branches first, use bar as support.
3. Bucking: Support log properly, cut from top, avoid cutting into ground.
4. Kickback Prevention: Keep firm grip, do not cut with bar tip, maintain high chain speed.
5. Pinch Prevention: For top bind, cut from compression side; for bottom bind, cut from tension side.

Tip: Let chain do the work; do not force saw. Keep chain sharp for efficient cutting.

Maintenance Schedule

Interval	Task
Daily	Clean air filter, check chain tension, inspect chain sharpness, check bar for wear
Weekly	Clean cooling fins, check spark plug, clean fuel filter, inspect anti-vibration mounts
Monthly	Clean carburetor air intake, check fuel lines, clean chain brake mechanism
Every 3 months	Replace spark plug, clean muffler spark arrestor, check clutch and sprocket
Annually	Replace fuel filter, check cylinder compression, professional servicing recommended

CAUTION! Always disconnect spark plug wire before performing maintenance.

Chain Sharpening & Tensioning

Chain Sharpening Procedure:

1. Secure bar in vise or use filing clamp.
2. Use correct round file size (typically 4.0 mm for 3/8" chain).
3. File at 30° angle, maintain consistent pressure on forward strokes only.
4. File all cutters to same length; check depth gauges with gauge tool.
5. File depth gauges to 0.025" (0.65 mm) below cutter edge.

Chain Tensioning:

1. Loosen bar nuts with combination wrench.
2. Turn tensioning screw clockwise until chain is snug against bar.
3. Pull chain around bar; it should snap back when released.
4. Hold bar tip up, tighten bar nuts securely.
5. Re-check tension after first few minutes of operation.

Storage Guidelines

Long-term Storage (over 30 days):

1. Drain fuel tank and run engine until it stops to empty carburetor.
2. Remove chain, clean and soak in oil. Clean bar groove and oil holes.
3. Remove spark plug, add 1 teaspoon of engine oil through spark plug hole, pull starter slowly 2-3 times to distribute oil.
4. Clean entire saw, especially cooling fins and air filter.
5. Store in dry, cool place, protected from dust and moisture.

WARNING! Never store with fuel in tank for extended periods. Fuel deteriorates and can damage carburetor.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine won't start	No spark, flooded, fuel issues	Check spark plug, dry plug if wet, ensure fresh fuel mix, check fuel filter.
Engine starts then dies	Clogged air filter, carburetor issues	Clean/replace air filter, check fuel lines, adjust carburetor.
Poor performance	Dull chain, clogged muffler, carb adjustment	Sharpen chain, clean spark arrestor, adjust H/L screws.
Chain won't oil	Empty oil tank, clogged oil passages	Fill oil tank, clean oil holes in bar, check oil pump.
Excessive vibration	Loose components, worn mounts	Tighten all fasteners, check anti-vibration mounts.
Chain comes off bar	Loose chain, worn bar, damaged drive links	Tension chain properly, inspect bar for wear, replace chain if damaged.

Service: For technical support, contact Husqvarna authorized service center. Visit www.husqvarna.com or call 1-800-487-5962.