Husky saw review and questions

[Brad Johnson]

About a year ago I bought a new Husky 562 XP, with the autotune carb. Overall, I really like this saw. It has plenty of power, and effortlessly pulls chips with a 20″ bar on board. It has a good power to weight ratio and feels balanced in my hands. I was running a Jonsered 72 cc saw previsouly, and I think this Husky has just as much zip. But, some of the parts, particularly the plastic ones, seem cheaply made. For example, I am on my third chain brake handle, as they seems to crack with the smallest impact, particularly in cold weather. And, when the saw is hot, the compression release makes the saw hard to start. So, I’d say I like it overall, but with a those caveats. Is anyone else running these autotune saws? Similar issues?
-Brad

[irish]

have a 550xpg and love it but it is a pig to start if you run it fully out of fuel, and it has bust a brake band

[Hopewell Farm]

Brad,

I bought a 576XP autotune saw last year, as the shop I deal with said in the coming years all saws will be moving to autotune versions due to emissions standards. I have had no issues thus far with mine, but I don’t have a lot of miles on it as of yet. I have used it in hot and cold weather and have had no issues with starting in either condition. I would say I am overall happy with mine at this point.

John

[Tender Soles]

Brad, I’m looking at the 562XP as well. One of the things the guy at the shop said to do when your saw is hot is to skip the compression release and just pull the choke in an out to put it into starting position. He said it starts hot much better this way without affecting the saw. Starting cold, you should use the compression release though.

He also did have a few other Husqvarna saws with the chain brake handle cracked which did give a heads up as to the brittleness of the handle.

Rich

[mitchmaine]

hey rich,
I run a 357 and a 359. good saws. but I drug a couple old 262’s out of the shop and rebuilt them. rings, bearings carbs, filters and so on. and the run like they did when I first bot them. screamers. if we cut some wood together this winter, you can try them out. they were running when I set them aside in there, or else I would have just junked them. did you try out that arch yet?

[Steven Q]

Have been cutting with a 576XP for 3+years, no issues. Replaced muffler as the bolts worked loose. And did have some cracking in the plastic, no fault of the saw, cutting partner dropped a tree on it. Would buy another one when needed.

[Hopewell Farm]

I don’t think I have ever started mine with the compression release, even when cold. It seems to always start within the first few pulls.

John

[Carl Russell]

So funny, I always use the compression release, and never have a problem starting my saws, Husky or Jonny.

I have yet to lay hands on an auto-tune.

As an old schooler who has been hand tuning and tearing saws apart for 30+ years this transition has been hard and slow. I used to be more miserly. Spend $5-750 on a saw, and I would keep that thing around for ever, squeezing every GD cent out of it……. but I’ll admit that I am slowly succumbing to the steady decline in workmanship, and foolish technological advancements.

Carl

[Brad Johnson]

I have similar concerns over lack of craftsmanship and new features…the guys at Windy Ridge, where is bought the Husky, said that the cracking handles are “just something we have to put up with in these new saws.” Seems like a $800 saw should be built better, but what do I know right?
-Brad

[Jeroen]

Alltough I do agree on the lack of craftmanship when you look at the sturdiness of the modern machines (read plastic instead of metal for less weight,) the modern machines and fuels are a big improvement for your health and the environment. Better suspension for your wrists and hands, less weight, heating, better chains, etc. Most important are the exhaust gasses, your chainsaw is by far the most polluting tool you have on your farm and you are next to it inhaling all day when in the woods… Nowadays you should not make your own mix anymore, when you know the amount of toxic additives they put in modern fuel. That’s why I use the Aspen or even better the Motomix.
Normally I like old school, but in this case… 😉

[Carl Russell]

Jereon, I don’t argue with any of that…. lord knows that I would much rather run the new saws instead of the Mac 35 I learned on….. in 1971….. but you know, I still have that saw, and if I cleaned up the points, I bet I could still start it up…

My beef is that with all the improvements to make these saws better machines, they still skrimp on quality around the edges. I know that their markets are shrinking, and that most people don’t do what we do with saws, and they want to keep the prices down so the saws will sell, but I say sell us a saw for the cost of building something that is worth the investment.

I am just a small fish in a huge pond wishing that a really big fish would care what I think, but I am resigned to spending money on what I get, and trying to work with it. The really sad thing is that I cannot even count on continuity from one model change to the next. Once I make accommodations for some weakness that I have grown accustomed to, there will be a whole new set of inadequacies in the next saw I buy. Time was when you could buy something to replace what you have that would be the same or similar, so that the features you liked would still exist…… not so anymore.

Carl

[Jeroen]

Carl you are absolutely right and it’s not only chainsaws! All powertools, cars, etc.

In fact I stopped taking a chainsaw with me on the forecart because the plastic in the saws can’t handle the vibrations. Once I suddenly was leaking fuel. Rather strange when you are on a horse driven vehicle…

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