Husqvarna 440 Chainsaw Owners Manual

The Husqvarna 440 is a professional-grade chainsaw designed for demanding forestry, landscaping, and cutting tasks. It features a high-performance X-Torq® engine for reduced fuel consumption and emissions, an inertia-activated chain brake for enhanced safety, LowVib® anti-vibration system, Smart Start® for easy starting, combined choke/stop control, 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, LowVib® system, Smart Start®, combined choke/stop control, side-mounted chain tensioner, air injection centrifugal cleaning system.

Safety Information

Read and understand all safety instructions before use. Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

1. PPE Requirements: Wear safety helmet, hearing protection, protective goggles, gloves, chainsaw protection trousers, and sturdy boots.
2. Work Area Safety: Keep bystanders and pets at least 15 meters away. Ensure secure footing. Do not operate in poor weather or visibility.
3. Kickback Zone: Be aware of the upper quadrant of the guide bar nose where kickback occurs. Never cut with this part of the bar.
4. Fuel Safety: Refuel outdoors only, with engine stopped and cooled. Use clean, fresh fuel mix (gasoline and 2-stroke oil).

WARNING! Chainsaws are dangerous tools. Improper use can cause serious injury or death. Always follow safety procedures.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack and inspect contents. Assemble guide bar and chain.

1. Attach Guide Bar & Chain: Place bar on mounting studs. Loop chain over sprocket and onto bar groove, ensuring cutting teeth face forward on top. Install clutch cover and hand-tighten nuts.
2. Add Fuel & Oil: Fill fuel tank with correct 2-stroke mix (50:1 ratio). Fill chain oil tank with recommended bar and chain oil.
3. Tension Chain: Use side-mounted tensioner to adjust until chain fits snugly against bar but can be pulled around by hand. Retighten clutch cover nuts.
4. Check Chain Brake: Test by pushing front hand guard forward towards bar. It should engage with a click. Pull back to disengage.

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

Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 40.9 cc
• Power Output: 2.2 kW (3.0 hp)
• Fuel Tank Volume: 0.33 L (0.87 US pt)
• Oil Tank Volume: 0.25 L (0.53 US pt)
• Recommended Bar Lengths: 13" to 18" (33 cm to 45 cm)
• Chain Pitch/Gauge: 3/8" LP / .050" (1.3 mm)
• Weight (excl. cutting equipment): 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs)
• Sound Pressure Level: 106 dB(A)
• Vibration Level (front/rear handle): 3.2/2.8 m/s²
• Emissions Compliance: EPA Phase III, EU Stage V

Controls and Components

Front Handle: Contains throttle trigger, throttle trigger lockout, and front hand guard (chain brake). Rear Handle: Contains start/stop switch, choke/stop control, and purge bulb (if equipped).

Main Controls: Start/Stop Switch (I=On, 0=Off), Choke/Stop Control (Cold start position), Throttle Trigger, Throttle Trigger Lockout (must be depressed to engage throttle), Chain Brake Lever/Hand Guard, Chain Tensioner, Decompression Valve (if equipped).

Maintenance Points: Air Filter Cover, Spark Plug, Cylinder Cover, Fuel Cap, Oil Cap, Muffler.

Starting & Stopping

Cold Start:

1. Place saw on firm, flat ground. Engage chain brake.
2. Press decompression valve (if equipped).
3. Move choke/stop control to full choke position.
4. Press purge bulb 5-6 times until fuel is visible (if equipped).
5. Pull starter handle until engine fires (usually 2-5 pulls).
6. Move choke/stop control to half-throttle position.
7. Pull starter handle again to start engine.
8. Blip throttle to disengage fast idle. Disengage chain brake.

Warm Start: Use half-throttle position, no choke.

Stopping: Release throttle. Move start/stop switch to "0" position.

Tip: Always engage the chain brake when starting, carrying, or when the saw is not in immediate use.

Operating Instructions

Supports felling, limbing, bucking, and pruning.

1. Basic Stance: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, left foot slightly forward. Hold saw firmly with both hands.
2. Kickback Prevention: Maintain a firm grip. Do not cut above shoulder height. Never cut with the nose of the bar.
3. Felling a Tree: Plan escape path (45-degree angle behind fall direction). Make notch cut (1/3 tree diameter), then felling cut. Use felling wedge if needed.
4. Limbing: Stand on left side of trunk. Let the chain do the work. Beware of spring-loaded branches.
5. Bucking (Cross-cutting): Support log properly. Cut from top to avoid pinching. For logs under tension, cut from compression side first.

WARNING! Never operate the chainsaw with one hand. Always be aware of where the bar tip is. Watch for falling limbs.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Perform daily maintenance before and after use. Unplug spark plug boot before servicing.

1. Air Filter: Clean daily or more often in dusty conditions. Remove cover, tap filter clean, or wash in warm soapy water. Dry completely before reinstalling.
2. Spark Plug: Check and clean electrode gap (0.5 mm / 0.020") weekly. Replace if worn or fouled.
3. Fuel Filter: Replace annually or if fuel flow is restricted.
4. Chain Sprocket: Inspect for wear. Replace if teeth are hooked or worn.
5. Muffler & Cooling Fins: Keep free of carbon deposits and debris.
6. Exterior: Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Do not use pressure washers.

CAUTION! Always stop engine and allow to cool before maintenance. Use only Husqvarna recommended parts and lubricants.

Chain Sharpening & Tensioning

A sharp, properly tensioned chain is essential for safety and performance.

1. Sharpening: Use correct round file size (typically 4.0 mm / 5/32"). File each cutter from inside out at 30-degree angle. Maintain equal length on all cutters. File depth gauges (rakers) with a flat file and gauge.
2. Tensioning: Chain should be snug against bar but pull freely by hand. Adjust with side tensioner when saw is cold. Re-tension after first 10 minutes of use. Check frequently.
3. Bar Maintenance: Flip bar weekly for even wear. Clean bar groove. Lubricate sprocket tip (if equipped).

Tip: A properly sharpened chain produces coarse wood chips, not fine dust. Sharpen at the first sign of reduced cutting performance.

Storage

For storage longer than 30 days:

1. Drain fuel tank and run engine until it stops to empty carburetor.
2. Remove spark plug, add a teaspoon of 2-stroke oil into cylinder, pull starter cord slowly to distribute oil, reinstall plug.
3. Clean entire saw thoroughly.
4. Remove chain, clean and soak in oil. Store bar and chain in a dry place.
5. Store in a cool, dry place, protected from dust and moisture.

CAUTION! Never store with fuel in the tank for extended periods. Old fuel can gum up the carburetor.

Troubleshooting

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

Support: 1-800-HUSKY62 (1-800-487-5962); www.husqvarna.com/us