Husqvarna Chainsaw Strap Owner’s Manual

Husqvarna Chainsaw Strap Owner

Introduction

Product description and intended use
The product Husqvarna Chainsaw Strap is a lanyard for heavy tools such as chainsaws. It is used in work at height in trees. The product limits the load on the operator if the chainsaw gets caught in a cut branch and falls. The product must only be used by trained professionals. Do not use the product as lifting equipment as specified in EU directive 2006/42/EC.

WARNING: Do not use the product as personal protective equipment (PPE).

Product overview

1. Attachment point for carabiner
2. Attachment ring. Used to temporarily attach the chainsaw to the harness when the chainsaw is not used
3. Long loop. Used to attach the product to a chain saw with a girth hitch
4. Short loop. Used to attach the product to a chain saw with a carabiner
5. Small ring. Used to loosen the girth hitch
6. Fuse stitching
7. Energy dissipating webbing inside a storage pouch
8. Elastic strap
9. Carabiner fastener

Functional description
If a chainsaw gets caught in a cut branch and falls, the load of the combined falling mass can become very high. High loads to the fuse stitching activate the energy-dissipating webbing inside the storage pouch of the product. The energy dissipating webbing reduces the dynamic load on the harness of the operator, the fall protection system, and the anchor point. The energy dissipating webbing is torn apart until the falling mass stops or until the webbing has a length of 70 cm. At 70 cm the 2 parts of the energy-dissipating webbing separate fully. The dynamic load is limited to approximately 1.8 kN. The decreased dynamic load prevents injuries that can be caused by high loads from the falling mass.

Symbols and markings

Product liability
The manufacturer is not responsible for damages that occur during or after the use of the product if:

• the product is incorrectly used.
• the work positioning system is incorrectly assembled.

Safety

Safety definitions
Warnings, cautions and notes are used to point out specially important parts of the manual.

WARNING: Used if there is a risk of injury or death for the operator or bystanders if the instructions in the manual are not obeyed.

CAUTION: Used if there is a risk of damage to the product, other materials or the adjacent area if the instructions in the manual are not obeyed.

Note: Used to give more information that is necessary in a given situation.

General safety instructions

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• This product can be dangerous if you are not careful or if you use the product incorrectly. Before you use the product, you must read and understand the contents of this operator’s manual.
• You must obey all instructions in this operator’s manual. The risk of serious injury or death increases if the instructions are not obeyed.
• Only use the product for the specified intended use and in the specified limited scope.
• The operator must have good medical health.
• The product can cause damage if incorrectly used, stored, cleaned or if it is used with too much load.
• Do the product inspections as given in this operator’s manual.
• Keep this operator’s manual together with the product.

Safety instructions before operation

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• You must comply with the recommendations for use of the product together with other components:
• Carabiners must comply with EN 362.
• Do a visual inspection of the product before operation. If you are not fully sure that the product is safe to use, take it out of service. Refer to To take the product out of service on page 7.
• Prepare a risk assessment (RA) that includes emergency procedures for all possible emergencies. Make sure that emergency and rescue procedures can be done quickly and safely if an emergency occurs.
• The operator must be trained in the safe use of the product and in the applicable safety precautions. Obey local requirements, industry recommendations and national regulations.

Safety instructions for operation

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• Use applicable personal protective equipment. This product is not personal protective equipment.
• It is the responsibility of the operator that the risks during operation are at a minimum and that the product is operated safely.
• The product must be used by 1 person only.
• Do not do modifications to the product.
• If the product is subject to a fall, take it out of service immediately. Refer to To take the product out of service on page 7.

Operation

WARNING: Read and understand the safety chapter before you use the product.

To install the product on the chainsaw

WARNING: Do not use the small ring on the long loop as an attachment point.

• Rear handle chainsaw: Make a girth hitch of the long loop around the handle. (Fig. 2)
• Top handle chainsaw:
• Alternative 1: Connect a carabiner to the short loop of the product and to the eyelet on the chainsaw. (Fig. 3)
• Alternative 2: Make a girth hitch of the long loop around the eyelet on the chainsaw. (Fig. 4)
• Alternative 3: Remove the eyelet from the chainsaw, put the eyelet through the small loop and install the eyelet on the chainsaw again. (Fig. 5)

Note: Speak to your Husqvarna dealer if you are not sure how to remove and install the eyelet on the chainsaw.

To loosen the girth hitch

• Pull the small ring to loosen the girth hitch. (Fig. 6)

To attach the product to the harness

1. Install a carabiner fastener (A) and a carabiner to the attachment point (B):
2. (Fig. 7)
3. (Fig. 8)
4. (Fig. 9)
5. Connect the carabiner to an applicable attachment point of the harness: in a center position at the front or back of your body.

To transfer the chainsaw to the operator

1. Attach the attachment ring (A) and the carabiner (B) to the ascent tool and lift the product to the operator in the tree. (Fig. 10)
2. Disconnect the carabiner (B) from the ascent tool and connect the carabiner to an applicable attachment point on the harness (C). (Fig. 11)
3. Disconnect the attachment ring (A) from the ascent tool and connect it to a tool holder on the harness.

To operate the product

• For correct function of the product and to help the operator keep their balance, use 2 independent structural anchor points in the work positioning system.
• Be aware that the energy dissipating function of the product is disabled when the attachment ring is connected to the harness.
• For the work procedure, refer to the illustrations. (Fig. 12) (Fig. 13)

Product inspection

WARNING: Do the product inspections at the intervals given below. There is a risk of serious injury or death if defects are not identified.

Note: Refer to national regulations for other product inspection intervals.

• Product inspections must always be done before and after each use. The operator can do these inspections.
• We recommend to make notes of the findings and the date of inspection.
• If you think that the product can be damaged, a full product inspection must be done by a competent person or the manufacturer. The detailed instructions in To do a full product inspection on page 6 must be obeyed.

To do a product inspection before each use

• Do a visual inspection of the product and the end connection.
• Examine the fuse stitching for damages.
• If defects are found or if you are not sure that the product is safe to use, take the product out of service. Refer to To take the product out of service on page 7.

To do a product inspection after each use

• Examine the product for abrasion and cuts.
• Make sure that the product label is clearly visible and easy to read.
• If defects are found or if you are not sure that the product is safe to use, take the product out of service. Refer to To take the product out of service on page 7.

To do a full product inspection

WARNING: This product inspection must only be done by a competent person or the manufacturer.

We recommend that the product inspection is documented.

• Do a check of the general product condition:

• Do a check of the product age.

• Do a check of the completeness of the product.

• Make sure that the product is not dirty.

• Make sure that the product is correctly assembled.
  Examine all individual parts for these types of mechanical damage:

• Cuts and cracks

• Indentations

• Fibrillation and abrasion of fiber parts

• Formation of ribs

• Kinks

• Crush damages

• Examine all individual parts for thermal or chemical damages, such as fusing or hardening.

• Make sure that there is no discoloration of the product.

• Examine all metal components for corrosion and deformations.

• Do a check of the condition and completeness of the stitching.

Maintenance

To repair the product

• Only let the manufacturer do repairs.

To clean the product

1. Clean the product with warm water and a mild detergent.
2. Flush the product with a large quantity of clear water.
3. Let the product become fully dry, away from sunlight, fires or other heat sources.

WARNING: Do not use the product or put it in storage before it is fully dry.

Service life of the product

The actual service life depends fully on the condition of the product. The condition of the product is affected by these factors:

• UV radiation
• Type and frequency of use
• Product handling and storage
• Climatic influences such as ice or snow
• Operational environments such as salt or sand
• Chemical influences such as battery acid
• Heat contamination
• Mechanical deformation or distortion

Extreme conditions during operation can shorten the service life to a single use only. If the product is damaged before its first use, for example during transportation, it must be discarded immediately and not used. Mechanical wear and sunlight decrease the service life considerably. Bleached or abraded fibers, discoloration, and hardened spots are signs that show that the product must be discarded.

To take the product out of service
If the product is subject to a fall or shows signs of wear or damage, it must be taken out of service.

1. If you are sure that the product is damaged, discard it.
2. If you think that the product can be damaged, do these steps:
3. Put a clearly visible label or marking on the product to prevent accidental use.
4. Let a competent person or the manufacturer do the required tests and inspections.

If the competent person gives a written approval, the product can be used again.

Transportation, storage and disposal

Transportation and storage

• Before transportation and storage, make sure that the product is clean and dry.
• Put the product in a bag that gives protection from moisture, light and dirt.
• Make sure that the storage space meets these requirements:
• The temperature is 15–25°C.
• The air flow is sufficient.
• There is no sunlight, UV radiation or light from welding equipment.
• There are no chemicals or other aggressive environments.
• There are no objects with sharp edges.

Disposal

• Obey national regulations.
• Use the local recycling system.

Compliance and approvals

The product accompanied by this set of instructions is not personal protective equipment. Thus, the product is not in conformity with the European regulation (EU)2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The product is however type-examined by TÜV AustriaServices GmbH, Deutschstrasse 10, A-1230 Vienna, Austria. Responsible manufacturer: Husqvarna AB, SE-561 82 Huskvarna, Sweden, tel: +46-36-146500  www.husqvarna.com 

References

• Husqvarna Forest & Garden

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