Husqvarna Z 254 Manual

							English Ð 21
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 The log is supported at one
end. There is a high risk
that it will split.
A Start by cutting from
below (about 1/3 of the
way through).
B Finish by cutting from
above so that the two
cuts meet.
3 The log is supported at both
ends. There is a high risk
that the chain will jam.
A Start by cutting from
above (about 1/3 of the
way through).
B Finish by cutting from
below so that the two
cuts meet.
Limbing
When limbing thick branches
you should use the same
approach as for cutting.
Cut difficult branches piece by
piece.12
3
!
3 Tree felling technique
It takes a lot of experience to fell a tree.
Inexperienced users of chain saws should not
fell trees. NEVER ATTEMPT A TASK YOU ARE
UNSURE OF.
A Safe distance
The safe distance between a tree that is to be felled and
anyone else working nearby is at least 21/2 tree lengths.
Make sure that no-one else is in this Òrisk zoneÓ before or during
felling.
B Felling direction
The aim is to fell the tree in the best possible position for
subsequent limbing and cross-cutting. You want it to fall on
ground where you can move about safely.
The main point to avoid is
letting the tree fall onto
another tree. It can be both
difficult and dangerous to
remove a tree in such a
position (see point 4 in this
section).
Once you have decided which
way you want the tree to fall
you must judge which way the
tree would fall naturally.
Several factors affect this:
Lean of the tree
Bend
Wind direction
Arrangement of branches
Weight of snow
You may find you are forced to let the tree fall in its natural
direction because it is impossible or dangerous to try to make it
fall in the direction you first intended.
Another very important factor, which does not affect the felling
direction but does affect your safety, is to make sure the tree
has no damaged or dead branches that might break off and hit
you during felling.
!
During critical felling operations, hearing
protectors should be lifted immediately when
sawing is completed so that sounds and
warning signals can be heard. 
						

							22 Ð English
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
C Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreat
Remove any branches that
are in the way. To do this it is
best to work from the top
down and keep the trunk
between you and the chain
saw. Never limb above
shoulder height.
Remove any undergrowth
from the base of the tree and
check the area for obstacles
(stones, branches, holes, etc.)
so that you have a clear path
of retreat when the tree starts
to fall. Your path of retreat
should be roughly 135
degrees behind the intended
felling direction.
D Felling
Felling is done using three cuts. First you make the
DIRECTIONAL CUTS, which consist of the TOP CUT and the
BOTTOM CUT; followed by the FELLING CUT. By placing
these cuts correctly you can control the felling direction very
accurately.
DIRECTIONAL CUT
To make the DIRECTIONAL
CUT you begin with the TOP
CUT. Stand to the right of the
tree and cut downwards at an
angle.
Next make the BOTTOM CUT
so that it finishes at the end of
the TOP CUT.
The directional cut should run
1/4 of the diameter through
the trunk and the angle
between the TOP CUT and
BOTTOM CUT should be 45¡.
The line where the two cuts
meet is called the
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE.
This line should be perfectly
horizontal and at right angles
(90¡) to the chosen felling
direction.
FELLING CUT
The felling cut is made from the opposite side of the tree and it
must be perfectly horizontal. Stand on the left side of the tree
and cut with the bottom edge of the bar.
Make the FELLING CUT
about 3-5 cm (1.5-2 inches)
above the flat section of the
DIRECTIONAL CUT.
Set the spike bumper in
behind the breaking strip (if
one is fitted).Use full throttle
and bring the bar and chain
slowly into the tree. Make sure
the tree does not start to
move in the opposite direction
to your intended felling
direction. Drive a WEDGE or
BREAKING BAR into the cut
as soon as it is deep enough.
Finish the FELLING CUT
parallel with the
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE so
that the distance between
them is at least at least 1/10
of the trunk diameter. The
uncut section of the trunk is
called the BREAKING STRIP.
The BREAKING STRIP act as
hinges that control the felling
direction of the falling tree.
All control over the felling
direction is lost if the BREA-
KING STRIP is too narrow or
if the directional cut and felling
cut are badly placed.
When the felling cut and
directional cut are complete
the tree should start to fall
under its own weight or with
the aid of a FELLING WEDGE
or BREAKING BAR. 
						

							English Ð 23
!
We recommend that you use
a bar that is longer than the
diameter of the tree, so that
you can make the FELLING
CUT and DIRECTIONAL CUT
with single cutting stokes.
(See 
ÓTechnical dataÓ to find
out which lengths of bar are
recommended for your saw).
There are methods for felling
trees with a diameter larger
than the bar length. However
these methods involve a much
greater risk that the kickback
zone of the bar will come into
contact with the tree.
UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIAL TRAINING WE
ADVISE YOU NOT TO FELL TREES WITH A
DIAMETER LARGER THAN THE BAR LENGTH
OF YOUR SAW!
E  Limbing
MOST KICKBACK ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
DURING LIMBING!PAY CLOSE ATTENTION
TO THE POSITION OF THE KICKBACK ZONE
OF THE BAR WHEN YOU ARE LIMBING
BRANCHES THAT ARE IN TENSION!
Make sure there are no
obstacles in your way. Work
on the left side of the trunk.
Work close to the saw for
maximum control. If possible,
let the weight of the saw rest
on the trunk.
Keep the tree between you
and the saw as you move
along the trunk.
F   Cutting the trunk into logs
See chapter ÓGeneral working instructionsÓ point 2 ÓBasic
cutting techniqueÓ
.
!
4 Freeing a tree that has fallen badly = high
accident risk
A Freeing a ÒTrapped treeÓ
The safest method is to use a winch.
A Tractor-mounted B Portable
B Cutting trees and branches that are in tension
Preparations:
a) Work out which way the tree or branch will move if released
and where the natural ÒBREAKING POINTÓ is (i.e. the place
it would break if it was bent even more).
b) Decide which is the SAFEST way to release the tension
and  whether YOU are able to do it safely. In complicated
situations the only safe method is to put aside your chain
saw and use a winch.
General advice:
a) Position yourself so that
you will be clear of the
tree or branch when it
springs free.
b) Make one or more cuts at
or near the BREAKING
POINT. Make as many
cuts of sufficient depth as
necessary to reduce the
tension and make the tree
or branch break at the
BREAKING POINT.
Never cut straight
through a tree or branch
that is IS in tension!
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 
						

							24 Ð English
WHAT IS WHAT?
What is what?
1. Cylinder cover.
2. Front handle.
3. Front hand guard.
4. Starter cover.
5. Chain oil tank.
6. Starter handle.
7. Adjuster screw, carburettor.
8. Choke control/Start throttle lock.
9. Rear handle.
10. Stop switch. Ignition on/off switch.
11. Fuel tank.
12. Muffler.
13. Bar tip sprocket.
14. Saw chain.15. Saw bar.
16. Bumper.
17. Chain catcher. Catches chain if it jumps or breaks.
18. Clutch cover.
19. Right hand guard. Protects right hand if chain breaks or
jumps.
20. Throttle control.
21. Throttle lock. Prevents accidental operation of throttle
control.
22. Decompression valve.
23. Combination spanner.
24. Chain tensioning screw.
25. Operators manual.
26. Bar guard.
28. Switch for heated handles (XPG).
23
13
14
15 17 18
19 20 21221
16
25
23
26
24
57
9
10 11
46
8
12
28 
						

							English Ð 25
Mounting guide bar and chain
Always wear gloves, when working with the
chain, in order to protect your hands from
injury.
Check that the chain brake is
in disengaged position by
moving the front hand guard
towards the front handle.
Take off the bar nuts and
remove the clutch cover. Take
off the transportation ring (A).
ASSEMBLY
Hold up the tip of the bar and
tighten the chain. The chain is
correctly tensioned when
there is no slack on the
underside of the bar, but it can
still be turned easily by hand.
Hold up the bar tip and tighten
the bar nuts with the
combination wrench.
When fitting a new chain, the
chain tension has to be
checked frequently until the
chain is run-in. Check the
chain tension regularly. A
correctly tensioned chain
gives good cutting
performance and long lifetime.
A
Fit the clutch cover and locate
the chain adjuster pin in the
hole on the bar. Check that
the drive links of the chain fit
correctly on the drive sprocket
and that the chain is in the
groove on the bar. Tighten the
bar nuts finger tight.
Tension the chain by using
the combination wrench. Turn
the chain adjuster screw
clockwise. The chain should
be tensioned until it fits snugly
on the underside of the bar.
!
Fit the bar over the bar bolts.
Place the bar in its rearmost
position. Place the chain over
the drive sprocket and in the
groove on the bar. Begin on
the top side of the bar. Make
sure that the edges on the
cutting links are facing forward
on the top side of the bar.
Fitting a spike bumper
To fit a spike bumper Ð
contact your service agent. 
						

							26 Ð English
FUEL HANDLING
Chain oil
¥ The chain lubrication
system is automatic. Always
use special chain oil with
good adhesive
characteristics.
¥ In countries where no
special chain oil is available,
EP 90 transmission oil can
be used.
¥ Never use waste oil. This
results in damage to the oil
pump, the bar and the
chain.
¥ It is important to use oil of
the right viscosity according
to the air temperature.
¥ In temperatures below 0
oC
(32oF) some oils become
too viscous. This can
overload the oil pump and
result in damage to the oil
pump components.
¥ Contact your servicing
dealer when choosing chain
oil.
Mixing
¥ Always mix the petrol and
oil in a clean container
intended for fuel.
¥ Always start by filling half
the amount of the petrol to
be used. Then add the
entire amount of oil. Mix
(shake) the fuel mixture.
Add the remaining amount
of petrol.
¥ Mix (shake) the fuel mixture
thoroughly before filling the
sawÕs fuel tank.
¥ Do not mix more than
approx. 1 months supply of
fuel.
¥ If the saw is not used for
some time the fuel tank
should be emptied and
cleaned.
Fuelmix
Always provide for good ventilation when
handling fuel.
!
IMPORTANT! The chain saw is equipped with a two-stroke
engine and must always been run using a mixture of petrol and
two-stroke engine oil. It is important to accurately measure the
amount of oil to be mixed to ensure that the correct mixture is
obtained. When mixing small amounts of fuel, even small
inaccuracies can drastically affect the ratio of the mixture.
Petrol
¥ Use good quality unleaded
or leaded petrol.
¥ The lowest octane
recommended is 90.
¥ If you run the engine on a
lower octane grade than 90
so-called, knocking can
occur. This gives rise to a
high engine temperature,
which can result in serious
engine damage.
¥ When working with
continuous high revs (e.g.
delimbing) a higher octane
grade is recommended.
Two-stroke oil
¥ For the best results use HUSQVARNA two-stroke oil, which is
especially developed for chain saws. Mixing ratio 1:50 (2%).
¥ If HUSQVARNA two-stroke oil is not available, you may use
another two-stroke oil of good quality that is intended for air
cooled engines. Contact your dealer when selecting an oil.
Mixing ratio 1:33 (3%)-1:25 (4%).
¥ Never use two-stroke oil intended for water cooled outboard
motors, so-called, outboard oil.
¥ Never use oil intended for four-stroke engines.
5
10
15
202%(1:50)
0,10
0,20
0,30
0,403%(1:33)
0,15
0,30
0,45
0,604%(1:25)
0,20
0,40
0,60
0,80
Gasolin
Benzin
Essence
Gasolina
Lit.Oil ¥ …l
Huile ¥ Aceite
Lit.
1
2 1/2
52%(1:50)
2 1/2
6 1/2
12 7/83%(1:33)
3 3/4
9 3/4
19 1/44%(1:25)
5 1/8
12 7/8
25 3/4
US
gallonUS
fl. oz. 
						

							English Ð 27
!
Fuelling
Taking the following precautions, will lessen
the risk of fire.
¥ Do not smoke or place warm objects in the vicinity of
the fuel.
¥ Always shut off the engine before refuelling.
¥ Slowly open the fuel cap, when filling fuel, so that
possible overpressure is slowly released.
¥ Tighten the fuel cap carefully after fuelling.
¥ Always move the saw from the fuelling area before
starting.
Clean around the fuel cap.
Clean the fuel and chain oil
tanks regularly. The fuel filter
should be changed at least
once a year. Contamination in
the fuel tanks causes
malfunction. Make sure the
fuel is well mixed by shaking
the container before fuelling.
The volume of chain oil and
fuel tanks are adjusted to
each other. Therefore, always
fill chain oil and fuel at the
same time.
FUEL HANDLING
Min 3 m
(10ft) 
						

							28 Ð English
Start and stop
WARNING!
¥ Never start the saw engine without the bar, chain and
clutch cover (chain brake) assembled - or else the
clutch can come loose and cause personal injuries.
¥ Always move the saw away from the fueling area
before starting.
¥ Place the saw on clear ground and make sure that the
chain is not contacting anything. Also, make sure that
you have a secure footing.
¥ Keep people and animals well away from the working
area.
!
Start
Grip the front handle with your
left hand and hold the saw
down by putting your right foot
in the rear handle. Pull the
starter handle with your right
hand and pull out the starter
cord slowly until the starter
pawls engage. Then pull
sharply.
Push in the choke control
immediately when the engine
ignites and make repeated
starting attemps. When the
engine starts, rapidly give full
throttle. Then the throttle latch
will disengage.
CAUTION! Do not release the
starter handle from fully pulled
out position as this can cause
damage on the saw.
Cold engine
CHAIN BRAKE:
Disengage the chain brake by
pulling the hand guard
towards the front handle.
IGNITION:
Move the ignition switch to
startposition.
CHOKE:
Set the choke control in choke
position.
FAST IDLE:
Combined choke/fast idle is
received when the choke is
moved to choke position.
If the saw is fitted with a
decompression valve (A):
Press the valve to reduce the
pressure in the cylinder and
make starting easier. Always
use the decompression valve
when starting the saw. Once
the saw has started the valve
will automatically return to its
original setting.
Warm engine
Use the same procedure as
for starting cold engine but
without choke. Fast idle is
recived by first set the choke
control in choke position, and
then back again.
A
START AND STOP
Stop
The engine is stopped by
switching off the ignition.
(Move the ignition switch to
stopposition.) 
						

							English Ð 29
Carburettor
Functioning, Basic setting, Final setting
WARNING! Do not start the saw without the
bar, chain and clutch cover (chain brake)
assembled. If you do, the clutch might come
loose and cause severe injuries.
Operation
¥ The carburettor governs the engine speed via the throttle. Air/
fuel are mixed in the carburettor. The air/fuel mixture is
adjustable. To take advantage of the sawÕs maximum output
the setting must be correct.
¥ Adjusting the carburettor means the engine is adapted to
local operating conditions, e.g. climate, altitude, petrol and
the type of 2-stroke oil used.
¥ The carburettor has three
adjustment possibilities:
L = Low speed jet.
H = High speed jet.
T = Adjustment screw for
idling.
¥ The fuel quantity required in relation to the air flow, provided
by opening the throttle, is adjusted by the L and H-jets. If they
are screwed clockwise the air/fuel ratio becomes leaner (less
fuel) and if they are turned anti-clockwise the ratio becomes
richer (more fuel). A leaner mixture gives a higher engine
speed and a richer mixture give a lower engine speed.
¥ The T screw regulates the idling speed. If the screw T is
turned clockwise this gives a higher idling speed; anti-
clockwise a lower idling speed.
Basic setting and running in
The carburettor is adjusted to a basic setting when the saw is
tested at the factory.
254XP: The basic setting is:  H = 1 
1/2 turns respective
L = 1 1/4 turns.
257: The basic setting is:  H = 1 turns respective
L = 1 turns.
262XP: The basic setting is:  H = 1 turns respective
L = 1 turns.
To provide the engineÕs components with a good level of
lubrication (running in) the carburettor should be set for a
richer fuel mixture for the first 3-4 hours of operating. To
obtain this adjust the overspeed 6-700 rpm under the
recommended max. overspeed.
If you do not have the possibility to check the overspeed using a
tachometer the H-jet should not be set for a leaner mixture than
that stated for the basic setting.
The recommended overspeed should not be exceeded.
NOTE! If the chain rotates while idling the T screw should be
adjusted anti-clockwise until it stops.
Fine adjustment
¥ When the saw has been Órun-inÓ the carburettor should be
finely adjusted. The fine adjustment should be carried out
by qualified person. First adjust the L-jet, then the idling
screw T and then the H-jet.
The following engine speed applies:
Max. overspeed Idling speed
254XP: 13.800  rpm 2.500 rpm
257: 13.500  rpm 2.500 rpm
262XP: 13.500  rpm 2.500 rpm
Conditions
¥ Before any adjustments are made the air filter should be
clean and the cylinder cowling fitted. Adjusting the carburettor
while a dirty air filter is in use will result in a leaner mixture
when the filter is finally cleaned. This can give rise to serious
engine damage.
¥ Carefully turn the L and H-jets clockwise to the bottom. Now
!
turn the jets one turn anti-clockwise. The carburettor is now
set to H = 1 and L = 1.
¥ Now start the saw according to the starting instructions and
run it warm for 10 minutes.
NOTE! If the chain rotates the T screw should be turned
anti-clockwise until the chain stops.
¥ Place the saw on a flat surface so that the bar points away
from you and so that the bar and chain do not come into
contact with the surface or other objects.
Low speed needle L
Try to find the highest idling
speed, turning the low speed
needle L clockwise
respectively counter-
clockwise. When the highest
speed has been found, turn
the low speed needle L 1/4
turn counter-clockwise.
NOTE! If the chain rotates in
the idling position, turn the idling speed screw counter-
clockwise until the chain stops.
Final setting of the idling speed T
Adjust the idling speed with the screw T. If it is necessary to re-
adjust, first turn the idle speed adjusting screw T clockwise, until
the chain starts to rotate.  Then turn, counter-clockwise until the
chain stops. A correctly adjusted idle speed setting occurs when
the engine runs smoothly in every position.  It should also be
good margin to the rpm when the chain starts to rotate.
Contact your servicing dealer, if the idle speed
setting cannot be adjusted so that the chain
stops. Do not use the saw until it has been
properly adjusted or repaired.
High speed needle H
The high speed needle H
influences the power of the
saw. A too lean adjusted high
speed needle H (high speed
needle H closed too much)
gives overrevs and damages
the engine. Let the saw run at
full speed for about 10
seconds. Thereafter, turn the
high speed needle H 1/4 turn
counter-clockwise.
Let the saw run again at full
speed for about 10 seconds and note the difference of the
enginesound. Repeat this procedure with the high speed needle
H turned 1/4 turn more counter-clockwise. The saw has now
been tested with the following settings: H=±0, H=+1/4, H=+1/2
from basic adjustment. At full speed the engine has produced a
different sound for each setting. The high speed needle H is
correctly set when the saw Ó4-cyclesÓ a little. If the saw Ówhist-
lesÓ the setting is too lean. If there is too much exhaust gas at
the same time as the saw Ó4-cyclesÓ much, the setting is too
rich. Turn the high speed needle H until the setting sounds
correct. NOTE! For optimum setting of the carburettor,
contact a qualified servicing dealer who has a revolution
counter at his disposal. The maximum speed
recommended must not be exceeded.
Correctly adjusted carburettor
A correctly adjusted carburettor means that the saw accelerates
without hesitation and the saw 4-cycles a little at max speed.
Furthermore, the chain must not rotate at idling. A too lean
adjusted low speed needle L may cause starting difficulties and
bad acceleration.
A too lean adjusted high speed needle H gives lower
power=less capacity, bad acceleration and/or damage to the
engine.
A too rich adjustment of the two speed needles L and H gives
acceleration problems or too low working speed.
!
MAINTENANCE
L
+ 1/4
H 
						

							30 Ð English
Starter device
WARNING!
¥ When the recoil spring is assembled in the starter
housing, it is in tensioned position and can when
treated carelessly, pop out and cause injuries.
¥ Always be careful, when changing the recoil spring or
the starter cord. Always wear safety goggles for eye
protection.
!
MAINTENANCE
Tensioning the recoil spring
¥ Lift the starter cord up in the
notch on the starter pulley
and turn the starter pulley 2
turns clockwise.
NOTE! Check that the
starter pulley can be turned
at least half a turn, when the
starter cord is entirely pulled
out.
Starter device assembly
¥ Assemble the starter
device, by pulling the starter
cord out first, then place the
starter against the
crankcase. Then slowly
release the starter cord so
that the pulley engages with
the pawls.
¥ Assemble and tighten the
screws, which hold the
starter.
Changing the broken recoil spring
¥ Lift the starter pulley. (SeeÓChanging a broken or worn
starter cordÓ). The recoil
spring is disassembled from
the starter device, with its
inside facing down. Tap the
starter lightly against a
working bench or similar.
¥ Put a new recoil spring in
the right position. If the
spring pops out when
assembling, it should be
mounted again, out and in
towards the centre.
¥ Lubricate the recoil spring
with thin oil. Assemble the
starter pulley, and tension
the recoil spring.
Changing a broken or worn
starter cord
¥ Loosen the screws, that
hold the starter device
against the crankcase and
remove the starter device.
¥ Pull out the cord approx. 30
cm and lift it up into the
notch in the pulley. Zero-set
the recoil spring by letting
the pulley rotate slowly
backwards. Undo the screw
in the centre of the pulley
and remove the pulley.
¥ Insert and fasten a new
starter cord in the pulley.
Wind approx. 3 turns of the
starter cord on to the pulley.
Assemble the starter pulley
against the recoil spring, so
the end of the spring
engages to the pulley. Fit
the screw in the centre of
the pulley. Carry the starter
cord through the hole in the
starter housing and the
starter handle. Make a knot
on the starter cord.