Husqvarna 345e Chainsaw Manual

The Husqvarna 345e is a professional-grade, lightweight gasoline chainsaw designed for demanding forestry and arborist work. It features a high-performance 45cc X-Torq® engine for reduced emissions and fuel consumption, Smart Start® for easy starting, LowVib® anti-vibration system, combined choke/stop control, inertia-activated chain brake, and an ergonomic design for superior handling. Below are key sections for safety, features, assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Features at a Glance

Key components: X-Torq® engine, inertia-activated chain brake, combined choke/stop control, front hand guard, rear handle with vibration dampeners, and side-mounted chain tensioner.

Safety Instructions

Read and understand all instructions before operation. Always wear proper PPE.

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear chainsaw chaps or pants, safety helmet with face shield and hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toed boots.
2. Work Area Safety: Keep bystanders and pets at least 15 meters away. Ensure secure footing. Never operate on a ladder or unstable surface.
3. Fuel Safety: Refuel outdoors only, with engine stopped and cooled. Use clean, fresh fuel mix (50:1 gasoline to 2-stroke oil). Wipe up spills immediately.
4. Kickback Zone: Be aware of the upper quadrant of the guide bar tip. Never cut with this part of the bar.

WARNING! A chainsaw is a dangerous tool. Failure to follow safety instructions can result in serious injury or death.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack and inspect all parts. Assemble on a clean, flat surface.

1. Attach Guide Bar & Chain: Place bar on drive sprocket cover. Fit chain over bar sprocket and onto drive sprocket, with cutting teeth facing forward on top of bar. Secure bar nuts finger-tight.
2. Tension Chain: Using side-mounted tensioner, adjust until chain fits snugly against bar but can be pulled around by hand. Tighten bar nuts fully.
3. Fill Oil & Fuel: Fill chain oil reservoir with recommended bar & chain oil. Fill fuel tank with fresh 50:1 fuel/oil mix.
4. Check Chain Brake: Pull front hand guard back towards front handle to engage brake. Push forward to disengage. Ensure it moves freely.

CAUTION! Ensure chain is correctly installed and tensioned before starting. A loose chain can derail; an overtightened chain can break.

Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 45.7 cc (2.79 cu. in.)
• Engine Power: 2.4 kW (3.2 hp)
• Fuel Tank Volume: 0.47 L (0.99 US pt)
• Oil Tank Volume: 0.26 L (0.55 US pt)
• Recommended Bar Length: 40 cm (16") or 45 cm (18")
• Chain Pitch: 3/8" Low Profile (Picco)
• Chain Gauge: 0.050" (1.3 mm)
• Dry Weight (excl. cutting equipment): 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs)
• Sound Power Level (LWA): 112 dB(A)
• Vibration Levels (Front/Rear Handle): 3.2/2.5 m/s²

Controls and Components

Familiarize yourself with all controls before starting the engine.

Main Controls: - Throttle Trigger: Controls engine speed. Located inside rear handle. - Throttle Trigger Lockout: Must be pressed before throttle trigger can be engaged. Prevents accidental acceleration. - Stop Switch: Moves between RUN and STOP positions. - Combined Choke/Stop Control: Pull out fully for CHOKE (cold start). Push in halfway for RUN/HALF-CHOKE. Push in completely to engage STOP. - Chain Brake Hand Guard: Pull back towards front handle to engage brake manually. Automatically engages via inertia in a kickback. - Front Handle: Main support handle with vibration dampeners. - Side-Mounted Chain Tensioner: Knob for adjusting chain tension.

Starting & Stopping

Cold Start Procedure:

1. Place saw on flat ground. Engage chain brake by pulling hand guard back.
2. Press decompression valve (if equipped).
3. Set combined control to full CHOKE position (pulled out).
4. Press throttle trigger lockout and squeeze throttle trigger once to set fast idle.
5. Pull starter handle until engine fires (usually 2-5 pulls).
6. Move combined control to HALF-CHOKE position (pushed in halfway).
7. Pull starter handle again until engine starts. Let run for 10-15 seconds.
8. Squeeze throttle trigger to return to idle. Disengage chain brake.

Warm Start: Set combined control to RUN. Follow steps 4, 7, and 8.

Stopping: Release throttle, allow engine to idle. Push combined control fully in to STOP position.

Operation & Cutting Techniques

Always use proper stance and grip. Let the chain do the work.

1. Basic Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, left foot slightly forward. Hold front handle with left hand, rear handle with right hand.
2. Felling a Tree: Plan escape path. Make notch cut (1/3 of tree diameter) on felling side. Make felling cut from opposite side, leaving a hinge.
3. Limbing: Stand on left side of trunk. Cut branches from bottom to top, using the trunk as a barrier.
4. Bucking (Cross-Cutting): Support log properly. Cut from top for tensioned wood. Use an undercut for compressed wood to avoid pinching.
5. Kickback Prevention: Maintain a firm grip. Do not cut with the upper tip of the bar. Use a reduced-kickback chain and bar.

WARNING! Never operate the chainsaw above shoulder height or with one hand.

Maintenance Schedule

Chain & Bar Care

Proper maintenance extends life and ensures safe operation.

1. Sharpening: Use a round file matching chain pitch (typically 4.0mm). File at 30° angle, maintaining original depth gauge setting. File all cutters evenly.
2. Depth Gauge Setting: Check with depth gauge tool. File down gauges that are too high to prevent poor cutting and kickback.
3. Bar Maintenance: Clean bar groove regularly. Flip bar weekly for even wear. Dress bar rails with a flat file if burred.
4. Lubrication: Always use recommended bar & chain oil. Check oil flow by running saw at idle over light-colored surface; a line of oil should appear.

CAUTION! A dull or damaged chain increases the risk of kickback and operator fatigue.

Storage

Prepare chainsaw for storage if not used for more than 30 days.

1. Empty fuel tank and run carburetor dry in a well-ventilated area.
2. Remove chain and bar. Clean thoroughly and coat with oil.
3. Clean entire saw, especially cooling fins and air filter.
4. Store in a dry, locked place, out of reach of children.

Tip: For long-term storage, remove spark plug and pour a teaspoon of 2-stroke oil into cylinder. Pull starter cord slowly to distribute oil, then reinstall plug.

Troubleshooting

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

Support: Husqvarna AB, SE-561 82 Huskvarna, Sweden. www.husqvarna.com