Husky or stihl

[chipper1]

I prefer stihl for being easy to deal with chain/bar swaps etc. BUT, the power to weight ratio of the husky 562 is really impressive. All the new saws have this computer usb garbage on them and can't be tuned on the fly so take your pick. Can't go wrong with either

Sort of.
You can still buy brand new saws that are current saws and not new old stock that have standard carbs. The only 90cc saw on the market with an electronic carb is the ms661cm.
In a 70cc saw there is one by husky, the 576xp, and one by stihl, the ms441cm. Both manufactures are still selling standard carb saws, husky the 372xp xtorq, and ms461.
Al that may be changing this fall when the 572 and the 462 are released here in the states, we'll have to wait and see. I know many guys will be/are stocking up on the standard carb saws.
Makita(previously called dolmar but owned by makita since 91) still has a full offering of standard carb saws up to the 79cc 7910 here in the states.
Jred is gone now and is going to be/is redmax, but I'm not 100% what the offerings are as far as cc's and what models will have computer carbs.
Echo has standard carb offerings as well and this may help them when the big guys switch to electronic carbs.

 

[chipper1]

If it's the brand new ones that's auto tuned then I don't think so but the older ones you should be able to. I cam ask someone and let you know soon


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I'm still wondering if there is a reason for you limiting the selection to husky and stihl as well as what you currently own.

 

[AshWilliams]

Sort of.
You can still buy brand new saws that are current saws and not new old stock that have standard carbs. The only 90cc saw on the market with an electronic carb is the ms661cm.
In a 70cc saw there is one by husky, the 576xp, and one by stihl, the ms441cm. Both manufactures are still selling standard carb saws, husky the 372xp xtorq, and ms461.
Al that may be changing this fall when the 572 and the 462 are released here in the states, we'll have to wait and see. I know many guys will be/are stocking up on the standard carb saws.
Makita(previously called dolmar but owned by makita since 91) still has a full offering of standard carb saws up to the 79cc 7910 here in the states.
Jred is gone now and is going to be/is redmax, but I'm not 100% what the offerings are as far as cc's and what models will have computer carbs.
Echo has standard carb offerings as well and this may help them when the big guys switch to electronic carbs.

Thanks for clarifying. I was under the impression that tuneability was all but gone.

 

[chipper1]

Thanks for clarifying. I was under the impression that tuneability was all but gone.

Welcome.
It's not gone yet, but it won't be long.
I've used the mtronic and autotune saws for quite a while now. I've enjoyed running them as the power is better (or very close) than the predecessors and the fuel economy is excellent(this is a great time saver for me since I'm a small company and don't burn much fuel a yr that's not much of a benefit but for a larger company the fuel savings are nice too) as are some of the other features on these saws such as captured bar nuts, master controls that return to the run position after the engine is killed(amazing how much time and effort this saves), fuel windows, great antivibe, better air filtration, I'm sure theres some others I'm missing but I do like them and the newest ones are supposed to have faster processors yet. There have been problems with them and I'd be lying to say there hasn't. Fortunately for me I've not experienced any except an off idle stumble and hot start issue on husky 550. The hot start was most likely operator error as I grabbed another saw and it has never done it again. This seems to be the norm with regards to most technology that the old rescues the new until the bugs are worked out of the new, ie growing pains. The stumbling problem was on an early model saw 2013 iirc, but wasn't to much of an issue as I usually blip the throttle a little prior to limbing anyway, that saw is still running strong in another forum members hands.
My current stable of these saws is a ms201 rear handle, two 540's, ported 241, two 550's one ported, lightly modded 562, and a 576.
I feel the saws are quite stable now, but most of the dealers are not fully equipped or trained to work on them yet. Taking the plunge may not be right for everyone, just as a husky or a Stihl or any other brand may not work for an individuals particular situation, but they are something worth looking at if you can afford it and have other saws to back them up, although for a one saw plan I'd advise most to go with a standard carb saw.

 

[AshWilliams]

You're bang on with the captured bar nuts and killswitch reset. I love those features on our new ones. Our 562's with the autotune had constant issues to be honest but I'm nothing short of impressed with how much grunt those saws have for their compact size and weight. I'm also glad husky finally got their act together and made the bar nuts and chain tensioner more accessible, out from the dogs and more room under the wrap handle. At this point, the pro grade offerings from both manufacturers are par imo, it's totally about what the local saw shop service is like, as that great point was mentioned earlier.

 

[rico]

I have been running a 562XP with a 28” bar everyday for a few years, and have had zero problems with it. I live and do most of my work at lower elevations, but I also frequently work at fairly high altitudes in the Sierras. The auto tune has worked perfectly no matter the temp, altitude, weather, etc. I challenge you to find a stock 60cc saw with a 24” bar that has the more grunt or chain speed than a 562XP.

 

[chipper1]

I have been running a 562XP with a 28” bar everyday for a few years, and have had zero problems with it. I live and do most of my work at lower elevations, but I also frequently work at fairly high altitudes in the Sierras. The auto tune has worked perfectly no matter the temp, altitude, weather, etc. I challenge you to find a stock 60cc saw with a 24” bar that has the more grunt or chain speed than a 562XP.

They are a sweet 60cc saw, but I've not found them to have any grunt in stock form. They will spin some rpms for sure and as long as you let them do their thing they are great, force them a little and the party is over(at least in hardwood).
Muffler mod and a timing advance helps them a lot, and makes me smile more.
Here in the hardwood if it's over 20 you reach for the 70cc saws when practical, if I've only have a few more cuts to make I'll run a smaller saw when on a job though as it doesn't save any time going to get a bigger saw when you're already there.
Do you have any mods on yours.
What chain do you run, semi or skip, we run full here for the most part.

 

[chipper1]

You're bang on with the captured bar nuts and killswitch reset. I love those features on our new ones. Our 562's with the autotune had constant issues to be honest but I'm nothing short of impressed with how much grunt those saws have for their compact size and weight. I'm also glad husky finally got their act together and made the bar nuts and chain tensioner more accessible, out from the dogs and more room under the wrap handle. At this point, the pro grade offerings from both manufacturers are par imo, it's totally about what the local saw shop service is like, as that great point was mentioned earlier.

I don't run wraps a lot, but I've been tempted to drill a hole right through the bar before lol.
You guys probably already know this, but I've found it easier to access the nut by reaching under the bar from the back as the scrench will be up off the cover instead of right on the cover. If you have the proper scrench that helps even more, just doesn't always work that way here when ever saw doesn't have a wrap.

 

[Z'sTrees]

I have been running a 562XP with a 28” bar everyday for a few years, and have had zero problems with it. I live and do most of my work at lower elevations, but I also frequently work at fairly high altitudes in the Sierras. The auto tune has worked perfectly no matter the temp, altitude, weather, etc. I challenge you to find a stock 60cc saw with a 24” bar that has the more grunt or chain speed than a 562XP.

The 562 has quickly become my favorite saw. I'm running a 24" full comp in hardwoods and softwoods and it's got plenty of speed. I did do a small muffler mod which has given it a bit more grunt. Mine is a 2017 model and has had zero issues. My 550 can be a little finicky at times but all my other autotune huskys have been great. The fuel economy is second to none and the rev boost is an awesome feature.

 

[AshWilliams]

We Got a first gen when they came out and apparently there was a machining issue right from the factory which caused premature wear on the cylinder walls, something to that affect. Atleast that's what The dealer said after it finally conked out. The 2nd one we got has run like a champ.

 

[Chaplain242]

Love the Husky air vortex air filter covers - Had a 395Xp for a while and filter never even needed cleaning the whole time I had it.... but the exhaust was a shocker - a thin stream too close to the kickback lever. If buried it into a large log with bark the stream would get redirected back onto the plastic kickback lever and cut the lever off - its a pain to replace too if the spring becomes unfriendly... Did it twice and sold the saw in frustration. Should have kept it though as was a great climbing saw, so much lighter than my current MS660, which sucks sawdust like a pro and filter needs cleaning all the time - the filter covers help in this but miss the Husky induction design...

Anyone with a 3d printer here that build me a Husky Air filter cover design that fits an MS660?

 

[Z'sTrees]

It's not the filter itself as much as the air injection system

 

[chipper1]

Love the Husky air vortex air filter covers - Had a 395Xp for a while and filter never even needed cleaning the whole time I had it.... but the exhaust was a shocker - a thin stream too close to the kickback lever. If buried it into a large log with bark the stream would get redirected back onto the plastic kickback lever and cut the lever off - its a pain to replace too if the spring becomes unfriendly... Did it twice and sold the saw in frustration. Should have kept it though as was a great climbing saw, so much lighter than my current MS660, which sucks sawdust like a pro and filter needs cleaning all the time - the filter covers help in this but miss the Husky induction design...

Anyone with a 3d printer here that build me a Husky Air filter cover design that fits an MS660?

They make a pre filter.
http://www.outerwearsracing.com/products.asp?cat=12901
You can also use a K&N.
https://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=E-4250
And theres a maxflow setup for it.
http://www.maxflowfilters.com

 

[Chaplain242]

Got the pre filter - certainly cuts down the impaction of sawdust that normally fills the k&N filter. But will certainly chase up that Maxflow design.

Anyone out there uses a MaxFlow and can recommend it?

 

[chipper1]

Got the pre filter - certainly cuts down the impaction of sawdust that normally fills the k&N filter. But will certainly chase up that Maxflow design.

Anyone out there uses a MaxFlow and can recommend it?

Lots of guys recommend them. I don't worry about it as much because I run a lot of huskys and Dolmars.

 

[Kris Anderson]

Interesting thread, I was about to purchase a ms362 . Rented one for my last two jobs , it's brand new and I had to start it after every cut on a 70ft chunk down. I wanted to throw it out the tree. Never considered a Husqvarna since I have been happy with Stihl to this point. What's there equilivent ?

 

[chipper1]

Interesting thread, I was about to purchase a ms362 . Rented one for my last two jobs , it's brand new and I had to start it after every cut on a 70ft chunk down. I wanted to throw it out the tree. Never considered a Husqvarna since I have been happy with Stihl to this point. What's there equilivent ?

Husky would be a 562xp.
I would see what's up with that one, they have proven to be great saws and your the first I've heard with a complaint similar to that. I like my huskys, but I would trust the 362 just as much as the 362.
See if you can get one and try it out in the yard, hopefully the rental shop will let you try another. I think husky may have a satisfactory guarantee or you can return it within the first couple days also.

 

[Benjo75]

I finally fixed my 661 cm. It hasn't idled in several months. Nice feature for a new $1500 saw. My local Stihl shop knows absolutely nothing about saw repair. I called a stihl rep personally. He said it's the low idle solenoid on the carb. I ordered one. $39. Drove an hour to get it. It wasn't hard to install. Runs and idles fine now. So much easier and cheaper than taking 5 seconds to adjust the carb by hand like has been done for decades. Thanks stihl.

 

[chipper1]

I finally fixed my 661 cm. It hasn't idled in several months. Nice feature for a new $1500 saw. My local Stihl shop knows absolutely nothing about saw repair. I called a stihl rep personally. He said it's the low idle solenoid on the carb. I ordered one. $39. Drove an hour to get it. It wasn't hard to install. Runs and idles fine now. So much easier and cheaper than taking 5 seconds to adjust the carb by hand like has been done for decades. Thanks stihl.

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

 

[chiselbit]

Got the pre filter - certainly cuts down the impaction of sawdust that normally fills the k&N filter. But will certainly chase up that Maxflow design.

Anyone out there uses a MaxFlow and can recommend it?

I run a few saws that have max flow filters and a neat trick is to cut about 6” off a pantyhose leg and put that over the filter. Works great, you can just brush it off with a cloth or a glove and it takes much longer before you have to wash the filter. I’ve been cutting timber in an area that burned and the ash and soot was terrible. Clogged filters fast. I started using the pantyhose trick and went from cleaning my filters everyday to cleaning them once or twice a week.