Husqvarna K 970 III Power Cutter Saw 967348001, 14" Gas Engine

Safety Information

Husqvarna K 970 lll Power Cutter Saw

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.

• A power cutter is a dangerous tool if used carelessly or incorrectly and can cause serious injury or death.
It is very important that you read and understand the contents of this operator’s manual. It is also recommended that first time operators also obtain practical instruction before using the product.
• Do not do modifications to this product. Modifications that are not approved by the manufacturer, can cause serious injury or death.
• Do not operate the product if it is possible that other persons have done modifications to the product.
• Always use original accessories and spare parts. Accessories and spare parts that are not approved by the manufacturer, can cause serious injury or
death.
• Keep the product clean. Make sure that you can clearly read signs and decals.
• Never allow children or other persons not trained in the use of the product to use or service it.
• Do not let a person operate the product unless they read and understand the contents of the operator's manual.
• Only let approved persons operate the product.
• This product produces an electromagnetic field during operation. This field can under some circumstances interfere with active or passive medical implants. To decrease the risk of serious injury or death, we recommend persons with medical
implants to speak to their physician and the medical implant manufacturer before operating this product.
• The information in this operator's manual is never a substitute for professional skills and experience. If you are in a situation where you feel unsafe, stop and get expert advice. Speak to your servicing dealer. Do not try any task that you feel unsure of.

Safety instructions for operation

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

• Before you use a power cutter, you must understand the effects of kickback and how to prevent them. Refer to Kickback on page 18.
• Do the safety checks, maintenance and servicing as given in this operator's manual. Some maintenance and servicing must be done by an approved service
center. Refer to Introduction on page 25.
• Do not use the product if it is defective.
• Do not use the product if you are tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine. These conditions can have an unwanted effect on your
vision, alertness, coordination or judgment.
• Do not start the product without the belt and the belt guard installed. The clutch can become loose and cause injury.
• Sparks from the cutting blade can cause fire in flammable materials such as gasoline, gas, wood, clothes and dry grass.
• Do not cut asbestos material

Work area safety

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

• The safety distance for the power cutter is 15 m/50 ft. Make sure that animals and bystanders are not in the work area.
• Do not operate the product until the work area is clear and your feet and body are in a stable position.
• Look out for persons, objects and situations that can prevent safe operation of the product.
• Make sure that no persons or objects can come into contact with the cutting equipment or be hit by parts thrown by the blade.
• Do not use the product in fog, rain, strong winds, cold weather, risk of lightning or other bad weather conditions. To use the product in bad weather can
have a negative effect on your alertness. Bad weather can cause dangerous work conditions, such as slippery surfaces.
• During operation of the product, make sure that no material can become loose and fall and cause injury to the operator.
• Be very careful when you operate the product on a slope.
• Keep the work area clean and bright.
• Before you operate the product, find out if there are hidden hazards such as electrical cables, water, and gas pipes and flammable substances in the work
area. If the product hits a hidden object, stop the engine immediately and examine the product and the object. Do not start to operate the product again
until you know that it is safe to continue.
• Before you cut into a drum, a pipe, or other container, make sure that it does not contain flammable or other material that can cause fire or
explosion.

Vibration safety

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

• During operation of the product, vibrations go from the product to the operator. Regular and frequent operation of the product can cause or increase the
degree of injuries to the operator. Injuries can occur in fingers, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and/or nerves and blood supply or other body parts. The
injuries can be debilitating and/or permanent, and can increase gradually during weeks, months or years. Possible injuries include damage to the blood circulation system, the nervous system, joints, and other body structures.
• Symptoms can occur during operation of the product or at other times. If you have symptoms and continue to operate the product, the symptoms can increase or become permanent. If these or other symptoms occur, get medical aid:
• Numbness, loss of feeling, tingling, pricking, pain, burning, throbbing, stiffness, clumsiness, loss of strength, changes in skin color or condition.
• Symptoms can increase in cold temperatures. Use warm clothing and keep your hands warm and dry when you operate the product in cold environments.
• Do maintenance on and operate the product as given in the operator's manual, to keep a correct vibration level.
• The product has a vibration damping system that decreases the vibrations from the handles to the operator. Let the product do the work. Do not push
the product with force. Hold the product at the handles lightly, but make sure that you control the product and operate it safely. Do not push the handles into the end stops more than necessary.
• Keep your hands on the handle or handles only. Keep all other body parts away from the product.
• Stop the product immediately if strong vibrations suddenly occurs. Do not continue the operation before the cause of the increased vibrations is removed.
• To cut granite or hard concrete causes more vibration in the product than if you cut soft concrete.
Cutting equipment that is blunt, defective, of incorrect type or incorrectly sharpened, increases the vibration level

Exhaust fumes safety

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

• The exhaust fumes from the engine contain carbon monoxide which is an odorless, poisonous and very dangerous gas. To breathe carbon monoxide can cause death. Because carbon monoxide is odorless and cannot be seen, it is not possible to sense it. A symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is dizziness, but it is possible that a person becomes unconscious without warning if the quantity or concentration of carbon monoxide is sufficient.
• Exhaust fumes also contain unburned hydrocarbons including benzene. Long-term inhalation can cause health problems.
• Exhaust fumes that you can see or smell also contain carbon monoxide.
• Do not use a combustion engine product indoors or in areas that do not have sufficient airflow.
• Do not breathe the exhaust fumes.
• Make sure that the airflow in the work area is sufficient. This is very important when you operate the product in trenches or other small work areas
where exhaust fumes can easily collect.

Dust safety

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.
• Operation of the product can cause dust in the air.
Dust can cause serious injury and permanent health problems. Silica dust is regulated as harmful by several authorities. These are examples of such
health problems:
• The fatal lung diseases chronic bronchitis, silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis
• Cancer
• Birth defects
• Skin inflammation
• Use correct equipment to decrease the quantity of dust and fumes in the air and to decrease dust on work equipment, surfaces, clothing and body parts.
Examples of controls are dust collection systems and water sprays to bind dust. Decrease dust at the source where possible. Make sure that the equipment is correctly installed and used and that regular maintenance is done.
• Use approved respiratory protection. Make sure that the respiratory protection is applicable for the dangerous materials in the work area.
• Make sure that the airflow is sufficient in the work area.
• If it is possible, point the exhaust of the product where it cannot cause dust to go into the air.

Personal protective equipment

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

• Always use approved personal protective equipment during operation. Personal protective equipment cannot eliminate the risk of injury but it will reduce
the degree of injury if an accident does happen. Ask your servicing dealer for help in choosing the right equipment.
• Use an approved protective helmet.
• Use approved hearing protection. Long-term exposure to noise can result in permanent hearing impairment. Be aware of warning signals or shouts
when you are wearing hearing protection. Always remove your hearing protection as soon as the engine stops.
• Use approved eye protection to decrease the risk of injury from thrown objects. If you use a face shield then you must also wear approved protective
goggles. Approved protective goggles must comply with standard ANSI Z87.1 in the USA or EN 166 in EU countries. Visors must comply with standard EN 1731.
• Use heavy duty gloves.
• Use approved respiratory protection. The use of products such as cutters, grinders, drills, that sand or form material can generate dust and vapors which
may contain hazardous chemicals. Check the nature of the material you intend to process and use appropriate breathing mask.
• Use tight-fitting, heavy-duty and comfortable clothing that permits full freedom of movement. Cutting generates sparks that can ignite clothing. Husqvarna
recommends that you wear flame-retardant cotton or heavy denim. Do not wear clothing made of material such as nylon, polyester or rayon. If ignited such
material can melt and cling to the skin. Do not wear shorts.
• Use boots with steel toe-cap and non-slip sole.
• Always keep a first aid kit near
• Sparks can come from the muffler or the cutting blade. Always have a fire extinguishing available.

Safety devices on the product

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

• Do not use a product with defective safety devices.
• Do a check of the safety devices regularly. If the safety devices are defective, speak to your Husqvarna approved service agent.
• Do not change the safety devices.
• Do not use the product if protective plates, protective covers, safety switches or other protective devices are defective or not attached.

Throttle trigger lockout

The throttle trigger lockout prevents accidental operation of the throttle trigger. If you put your hand around the handle and push the throttle trigger lockout (A), it releases the throttle trigger (B). If you release the handle, the throttle trigger and the throttle trigger lockout move back to their initial positions. This function locks the throttle trigger at idle speed.

To do a check of the throttle trigger lockout

1. Make sure that the throttle trigger is locked at the idle position when the throttle trigger lockout is released.
2. Push the throttle trigger lockout and make sure that it goes back when you release it.
3. Make sure that the throttle trigger and throttle trigger lockout move freely and that the return springs operate correctly.
4. Start the product and apply full throttle.
5. Release the throttle control and make sure that the cutting blade stops and stays stationary.
6. If the cutting blade rotates at idle position, adjust the idle speed. Refer to To adjust the idle speed on page 30

To do a check of the stop switch
1. Start the engine. Refer to To start the product with a cold engine on page 23.
2. Push the stop switch to the STOP position. The engine must stop.

Blade guard and SmartGuard (Optional)

WARNING: Make sure that the blade guard and SmartGuard are correctly attached before you start the product. Do not use the product if the blade guard or SmartGuard is missing, defective or has cracks.

The blade guard (A) and SmartGuard (B) are installed above the cutting blade (C). They prevent injury if pieces of the blade or cut material are thrown in the direction of the operator.
The SmartGuard is spring loaded and must always move freely and retract to its initial position by spring force.

To examine the blade and the blade guard

WARNING: A damaged cutting blade can cause injury.

1. Make sure that the cutting blade is attached correctly and does not show signs of damage.
2. Make sure that the blade guard has no cracks or is damaged.
3. Replace the blade guard if it is damaged.

To do a check of the SmartGuard

WARNING: A damaged SmartGuard can cause injury.

1. Make sure that the SmartGuard has no cracks or is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the SmartGuard moves freely and retracts by spring force.
3. Clean or replace the SmartGuard if it does not retract immediately when pushed in, or is damaged.

Vibration damping system

Your product is equipped with a vibration damping system that is designed to minimize vibration and make operation easier. The product′s vibration damping
system reduces the transfer of vibration between the engine unit/cutting equipment and the product′s handle unit.

To do a check of the vibration damping system

WARNING: Make sure that the engine is off and that the stop switch is in STOP position.

1. Make sure that there are no cracks or deformation on the vibration damping units. Replace the vibration damping units if they are damaged.
2. Make sure that the vibration damping units are
correctly attached to the engine unit and handle unit.

Muffler

The muffler keeps the noise levels to a minimum and sends the exhaust fumes away from the operator.
Do not use the product if the muffler is missing or defective. A defective muffler increases the noise level and the risk of fire.

WARNING: The muffler becomes very hot during and after use and when the engine
operates at idle speed. Be careful near flammable materials and/or fumes to prevent
fire.

To do a check of the muffler

• Examine the muffler regularly to make sure that it is attached correctly and not damaged.

Fuel safety

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

• Fuel is flammable and the fumes are explosive. Be careful with fuel to prevent injury, fire and explosion.
• Only refuel the product outdoors, where the airflow is sufficient. Do not breathe in the fuel fumes. The fuel fumes are poisonous and can cause injury, fire and explosion.
• Do not remove the fuel tank cap or fill the fuel tank when the engine is on.
• Let the engine become cool before you refuel.
• Do not smoke near the fuel or the engine.
• Do not put hot objects near the fuel or the engine.
• Do not fill fuel near sparks or flames.
• Before you refuel, open the fuel tank cap slowly and release the pressure carefully.
• Fuel on your skin can cause injury. If you get fuel on your skin, use soap and water to remove the fuel.
• If you spill fuel on your clothing, change clothing immediately.
• Tighten the fuel tank cap fully. If the fuel tank cap is not correctly tightened, the vibrations in the product can loosen it and cause leakage of fuel and fuel fumes. Fuel and fuel fumes are a risk of fire.
• Before you start the product, move the product to a minimum of 3 m/10 ft from where you refueled.
• Do not start the product if there is fuel or oil spilled on the product. Remove the unwanted fuel and oil and let the product dry before you start the engine.
• Examine the engine for leaks regularly. If there are leaks in the fuel system, do not start the engine until the leaks are repaired.
• Keep fuel in approved containers only.
• When the product and fuel is in storage, make sure that fuel and fuel fumes cannot cause damage, fire and explosion.
• Drain the fuel in an approved container outdoors and away from sparks and flames.

Safety instructions for maintenance

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.
• Make sure that the engine is off and that the stop switch is in STOP position.
• Use personal protective equipment. Refer to Personal protective equipment on page 9.
• If the maintenance is not done correctly and regularly, the risk of injury and damage to the product increases.
• Only do the maintenance as given in this operator's manual. Let an approved service center do all other servicing.
• Let an approved Husqvarna service agent do servicing on the product regularly.
• Replace damaged, worn or broken parts.
• Always use original accessories.