455 question

My friend just received a new husq 455 rancher. He called me and said that he put the chain brake on and went to take the cover off to add the bar but can't. He THEN read instructions that were highlighted saying the brake MUST be disengaged to remove the cover. Then he called the shop and they said that only a dealer can unlock it. I told him to come over and ill try and figure it out. Anybody have any pointers? Thx

Unlock what exactly? Is he supposed to take the saw to a dealer every time the brake gets put on?

Just pull back the brake handle until it disengages - unless there's something wrong with it.

The brake works by gripping the clutch hub with a metal band - so it works the same with or without the bar. And the sidecover won't come off while the brake band is gripping the clutch hub.

I hope your friend doesn't hurt himself.

Sounds like the saw shop is either stupid or trying to rip him off.

I think I made the same rookie mistake earlier on. If I remember right once you get the cover half off you can't screw it back on without fear of buggering something. I took the brake handle off and then disengaged the brake by turning the ears with a tool I manufactured for the occasion made from a modified castellated nut welded to a lever.

He called and fixed the problem... thx

Future reference for anybody that ends up in the same situation:

The chain brake is on the cover that is removed to change the bar &/or chain. The brake handle is on the body of the power head. If the brake is engaged when the cover is removed the brake band tries to stay with the drum on the body of the power head instead of coming off with the cover. Also the sprocket that links the brake controller to the brake handle gets out of sync with the handle. Due to the springs in the action, when the brake is engaged and the cover is taken off, the sprocket turns further than the socket it should fit into. Both have to be put into the disengage position before the cover is put back on. (They can also get out of sync if the brake accidentally pops while the cover is off. Drop the cover, it will pop.)

Easy fix is, while the two parts are separate, push the brake handle to the disengage position. Then take a pair of pliers and turn the sprocket to disengage the actual brake. If you turn it the right way it will pop into position. Looking at the sprocket it is easy to determine which way to turn it. Once both are disengaged they line up and allow you to put the cover back on.

KaptJaq

EDITED for spelling & grammar mistakes. Ah shuda paid tention in skol.

Yep. Did this on my 455. But I used a a pair of needle nose pliers to unlock the brake. PITA

Here is a video I found when this happened to me. It's not the best video, but will give an idea of what needs to be done to fix the problem.

We used to modify a scrench to fit the chain brake sprocket and easily unlock them. Pliers would work as would laying the saw on it's side and using the heel of your hand to force the sprockets together enough so you could disengage the brake. (only works with plastic covers).

-Muttering to himself- Stupid Husqvarna and their ^$%#ing outboard clutches