T540lixp thoughts.

[colb]

I think one-handing is almost always unnecessary. I’ve made a couple cuts in my career that I believe were safer to one hand, but those situations were thought out and called out when executed. Also, If the best in the industry can be super productive without onehanding, you’re only admitting a lack of skill to say you can’t be as productive if you always have to use two hands.

Two-handing is also almost always unnecessary. The best in the industry can be super productive with two hands and a foot on the saw...

Although the above is tongue and cheek, I am seeking to make the point. I appreciate the sentiment of being safety conscious.

 

[Crimsonking]

“Two handing is almost always unnecessary.”

Until it isn’t.

 

[Timber1972]

I’m still appreciating the 540iXP.

Last week we had a 5°C (41°F) day with wet snow. Those of you who have worked in really wet snow will know that it’s about the wettest thing that a fellow can work in, in that it sticks to everything and holds the moisture there until it falls off or melts. I didn’t baby the 540iXP, figuring it was rated for such conditions and it didn’t disappoint with any unexpected behaviour.

The next day it was -10°C (14°F) and I had neglectfully left a spare battery in my bush cart all night. Although I had a warm battery, I thought I’d try the cold one in the 540iXP “just to see”. It would only operate the warning lights. I had a little pole saw work to do, and thought I’d try that cold battery in the less demanding 536liPT5 - it worked. I completed my pole saw limbing in a few minutes and tried the battery, that was now “warmed up” from use, in the 540iXP and (as we say here in Canada) “Bob’s you Uncle” - it worked. I would try using this approach again, in a pinch, as my top handled T536liXP is also more forgiving about cold batteries, and I often have it in my cart.

The next afternoon we had an extremely fluffy snowfall with temperatures just below freezing. (And as an aside I’d almost forgotten the magic of the muffled silence of a fluffy snow filled bush, when the trees fall with a fuwwumpp rather that a crash.) The virtues of the electric chain saw were again clear - not only are they quiet, but they run cool and don’t melt the snow and get soaked or ice encrusted, but stay clean and dry.

As far as cutting notches (which I previously grumbled about) with the 540iXP, I’m finding if I just relax and let the little saw take it’s time, the cuts are done well and quickly enough - for an old fellow like me.

Also for no explicable reason while becoming familiar with the 540iXP I found my felling aim was off; not dangerously off, but enough to cause me a degree of two consternation and doubt. Now after a little more experience with the saw, I’m happy to report that I’ve got (touch wood) my felling mojo back.

Seriously I do find, that for my current application, (commercial thinning of skinny red pine) the 540iXP to be an appropriate and satisfying tool.

Have you used in cold temperatures yet. Something like -25 C. That is a normal daily temp for 4 to 5 months for us. Would love it if the batteries lasted but suspect they aren't there yet, so real world experience is what I am hoping to hear about before wasting money in a saw I can't use for so much time of the year.

Sent from my SM-T818W using Tapatalk

 

[pete3d]

Have you used in cold temperatures yet. Something like -25 C

No not this saw - I have used the T536liXP all day at -20 C. The trick is to keep the batteries warmish until you start to use them. They generate heat as they discharge.
Being an old shiftless coot below -23 C (-10 F) I generally just chill inside.

 

[Patriot Arborist]

You can certainly feather the throttle. If it doesn't cut as fast as a 200t it's not behind by much. Plus, it never needs adjusting. Anyone ever run a gas climber that's running like shit? Won't start easy, won't idle? Want to throw it out of the tree? Fuel tank leaking on your leg?

Electric just hit the button it's like heaven. I already had a battery and charger for the preceding saw. 536i or whatever it is. This saw blows the doors off of that one, but made the purchase easier because I already had some of the pricey crap needed. I can't imagine someone being disapproved with it, but to each their own. As mentioned I'd never be tempted to bust out the 200t unless I had no battery and no way to charge

Do you recommend going with the 14" bar or the 16"?

 

[Patriot Arborist]

I just got a chance to watch Tony's T540lixp thoughts and tests. I already have a t536lixp that I really like. We use it frequently even in our bucket truck if the canopy cuts are small. I also have the QC80 vehicle charger already. I think I'll be buying a T540lixp as my next climbing saw. I have a pole saw as well as the leaf blower. Both are really useful. I don't have room in my bucket truck for a backpack blower. Ours normally rides in our F550 but once in a while we do a small pruning job with just my bucket truck and chipper. I usually forget to grab the backpack blower. Now I don't have to worry about

I’m still appreciating the 540iXP.

Last week we had a 5°C (41°F) day with wet snow. Those of you who have worked in really wet snow will know that it’s about the wettest thing that a fellow can work in, in that it sticks to everything and holds the moisture there until it falls off or melts. I didn’t baby the 540iXP, figuring it was rated for such conditions and it didn’t disappoint with any unexpected behaviour.

The next day it was -10°C (14°F) and I had neglectfully left a spare battery in my bush cart all night. Although I had a warm battery, I thought I’d try the cold one in the 540iXP “just to see”. It would only operate the warning lights. I had a little pole saw work to do, and thought I’d try that cold battery in the less demanding 536liPT5 - it worked. I completed my pole saw limbing in a few minutes and tried the battery, that was now “warmed up” from use, in the 540iXP and (as we say here in Canada) “Bob’s you Uncle” - it worked. I would try using this approach again, in a pinch, as my top handled T536liXP is also more forgiving about cold batteries, and I often have it in my cart.

The next afternoon we had an extremely fluffy snowfall with temperatures just below freezing. (And as an aside I’d almost forgotten the magic of the muffled silence of a fluffy snow filled bush, when the trees fall with a fuwwumpp rather that a crash.) The virtues of the electric chain saw were again clear - not only are they quiet, but they run cool and don’t melt the snow and get soaked or ice encrusted, but stay clean and dry.

As far as cutting notches (which I previously grumbled about) with the 540iXP, I’m finding if I just relax and let the little saw take it’s time, the cuts are done well and quickly enough - for an old fellow like me.

Also for no explicable reason while becoming familiar with the 540iXP I found my felling aim was off; not dangerously off, but enough to cause me a degree of two consternation and doubt. Now after a little more experience with the saw, I’m happy to report that I’ve got (touch wood) my felling mojo back.

Seriously I do find, that for my current application, (commercial thinning of skinny red pine) the 540iXP to be an appropriate and satisfying tool.

what bar length are you running on the 540?

 

[Patriot Arborist]

Don't overlook this sentence!
I have a 536LiXPT and 540LiXPT and have to say 540LiXPT is superior in performance, but in my opinion, a large part of their performance difference comes from new X-Precision bar and X-Cut SP21G chain. This combo comes standard on 540LiXPT, but can be also fitted on 536LiXPT by changing a sprocket - and it is a game changer. The difference is so obvious - the friction between the chain and bar is way less - so this new combo spends less power just to turn the chain. It is also narrower, which means less cut area to turn into sawdust, thus it does it faster with less energy spent. I liked the 536LiXPT, but never used it for larger cuts (had 201T for those), but when I upgraded to new B&C combo, the 201T is collecting dust.
Just thought to share my thoughts - Husqvarna have really done excellent with X-Cut chains!

Do you think the 540ixp will run a 16" okay?

 

[Merle Nelson]

It absolutely does. I have two T540 i's with 16 inch bars. Ran a 16 inch bar on one of my t536's for balance and reach, not because the saw did well cutting 16 inch.

Have been meaning to go get a new spec sprocket, chain and bar for my 536's to make it less painful when I pick one of those up because my 540 is out of reach. I'll do that today.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Follow on for clarity- the 540i pulls a 16 cut fine.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Oops, down at the Husky dealer I just realized longest bar I put on the 536 was 14 inch for balance and reach.

 

[Patriot Arborist]

Oops, down at the Husky dealer I just realized longest bar I put on the 536 was 14 inch for balance and reach.

I see that the file needed is a 4mm. Do you know if the Stihl 2 in 1 for a .325 can be used for this chain, or is the fact that is a mini .325 make it wrong? I cannot find if Husqvarna makes a 2 in 1 type of sharpener

 

[saucerboy]

I see that the file needed is a 4mm. Do you know if the Stihl 2 in 1 for a .325 can be used for this chain, or is the fact that is a mini .325 make it wrong? I cannot find if Husqvarna makes a 2 in 1 type of sharpener

I don't think so, the Stihl 2in1 .325 is for 4,8mm files only. I use the Husqvarna combination roller guide for my t540i and it works great, although it's not as convenient as the 2in1

Husqvarna Combination gauges

Our combination gauges are specially designed with a file gauge and depth gauge setter, put together in one tool. <br />Use together with our round and flat

www.husqvarna.com

 

[pete3d]

I see that the file needed is a 4mm. Do you know if the Stihl 2 in 1 for a .325 can be used for this chain, or is the fact that is a mini .325 make it wrong? I cannot find if Husqvarna makes a 2 in 1 type of sharpener

I pulled my Stihl 2 in 1 - 4mm sharpener out of the back of the cupboard (I’ve gone back to free hand sharpening except for the rakers) and tried it on an X-cut chain, on my 540lixp and it worked ok.