Husqvarna 562XP Hand Guard (Replacement)

The Husqvarna 562XP hand guard is the front guard that protects your left hand and trips the chain brake. If it is cracked, bent or loose on the saw, replace it before the next cut.

A safety part, not a cosmetic one

The hand guard on a 562XP does two jobs. It shields your front hand from the chain and from branches, and it is the lever that applies the chain brake, either when you push it forward or, on many saws, by inertia in a kickback. A guard that is cracked or wobbly may not trip the brake the way it should.

Saws on a tree crew get thrown in the truck, dropped from the chipper and run into stumps. Check the guard and brake every morning: with the saw idling on the ground, engage the brake and confirm the chain stops. If the guard is damaged or the brake is slow, fix it before using the saw.

Hand guards usually break from impact rather than wear. A saw that slides off the tailgate, gets pinched in a cut and wrenched free, or takes a hit from a falling limb can crack the guard without anyone noticing. Make a quick look at the guard part of the morning saw check, along with the chain catcher and throttle lockout.

Fitting the new guard

Follow the Husqvarna service steps or have a qualified shop fit it, since the guard connects to the brake mechanism. After fitting, test the brake several times before cutting. Never run a saw with a broken guard or a disabled brake. More service parts are in our power equipment parts section.