I am looking at a 181 SE. I was wondering if anyone has anything good or bad to review on the saw. The price is right and the saw does run. It is missing a couple cosmetic parts that my local dealer can get. Is it a good saw? I know its an older model, I believe mid 80's, but its just a firewood saw for some big trees we have.
Husqvarna 181 SE
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romeo
Addicted to ArboristSite
Its a very good saw, coveted by racers for the 5 cube classes. when you are looking for parts, 281 and 288 parts will fit. Its tough to find a good one these days, most were killed in the log woods years ago.
I have done alot of searching online but can't find any good information on them. Thanks for your help.
romeo
Addicted to ArboristSite
Here is a parts list
http://weborder.husqvarna.com/order_static/doc/HIPL/HIPL1985/HIPL1985_I8500004.pdf
Here is some info from Miks Acres site
http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf/ed1d619968136da688256af40002b8f7/365801b9b6112c6788256b52001b3340?OpenDocument
http://weborder.husqvarna.com/order_static/doc/HIPL/HIPL1985/HIPL1985_I8500004.pdf
Here is some info from Miks Acres site
http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf/ed1d619968136da688256af40002b8f7/365801b9b6112c6788256b52001b3340?OpenDocument
andrewspens
ArboristSite Operative
I like mine
Mine works fine, plenty of power for a firewood saw. My only gripe is mine loses its prime if it sits for a week or so. I have a small spray bottle full of mix to use as a starter fluid. Seems to work great. If I could find a new top cover, I would be thrilled, mine got crunched before I bought it. Maybe one of these days I will try the JB weld and fine window screen to fix it.
I see you are back east, so you will be needing a bar. Baileys had some 14 or 15 inchers that fit on clearance a while back. If you were out here on the west coast, I would say to grab a 24 or 28 with some square ground.
Anybody know where to find an outer dog to fit?
Mine works fine, plenty of power for a firewood saw. My only gripe is mine loses its prime if it sits for a week or so. I have a small spray bottle full of mix to use as a starter fluid. Seems to work great. If I could find a new top cover, I would be thrilled, mine got crunched before I bought it. Maybe one of these days I will try the JB weld and fine window screen to fix it.
I see you are back east, so you will be needing a bar. Baileys had some 14 or 15 inchers that fit on clearance a while back. If you were out here on the west coast, I would say to grab a 24 or 28 with some square ground.
Anybody know where to find an outer dog to fit?
That was my next question.
14" or 15" what do you think we cut out here, saplings?
andrewspens
ArboristSite Operative
Just doing my part
Trying to further the understanding between east and west coast.
Don't forget to get some full wrap bars for it, if it doesn't have them already.
BTW, I saw a set of both spikes for a 288 on fleabay last week, I think they went for around 10-15 bucks. Keep your eyes open, they show up from time to time.
Trying to further the understanding between east and west coast.
Don't forget to get some full wrap bars for it, if it doesn't have them already.
BTW, I saw a set of both spikes for a 288 on fleabay last week, I think they went for around 10-15 bucks. Keep your eyes open, they show up from time to time.
Oh no, I didn't mean anything negative by that comment I was just joking around. Sorry about the confusion. We are working on a clear cut right now and most of the trees I am fine with my 18" bar but we are going to be hitting some trees in the next few weeks that my current saw just cant handle. It doesn't have the full wrap but I will try to get one for it and I definately want a second set of spikes for it. Thanks for your help.
andrethegiant70
Addicted to ArboristSite
It would be interesting to know what changed between the 181 and the 281/288. Many of the parts interchange and I'm told they have similar performance. They are some of the best saws of their time.
One of the things I would try to determine (and I don't know what the answer is) is whether the jug and piston from a 281/288 would bolt on. Its very rare to see a 181 jug/piston and therefore parts might hold you back. I have a feeling they don't but someone else (GARY?) might know better.
One of the things I would try to determine (and I don't know what the answer is) is whether the jug and piston from a 281/288 would bolt on. Its very rare to see a 181 jug/piston and therefore parts might hold you back. I have a feeling they don't but someone else (GARY?) might know better.
romeo
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yes, the jug/piton swap is a bolt on. The 181 used thin ring pistons and is preferable to the racers. They changed the AV mounts later on, and the newer ones had blue coils in them. Most everything will swap.
SawTroll
Information Collector
On paper the 281 has .2kW more max power than the 181, and the 288 .5kW more (4.0, 4,2 and 4.5).
Last edited:
Chris J.
Addicted to ArboristSite
Something that I saw on eBay might be of interest...
http://cgi.ebay.com/281-Husqvarna-N...ryZ79666QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/281-Husqvarna-N...ryZ79666QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
stevethekiwi
Addicted to ArboristSite
hmmm... how did you get access to weborder??? lol
romeo
Addicted to ArboristSite
Lol, I didn't. If you go on the UK husqvarna website, it will let you pull up IPL's and manuals for every saw husky ever had.
The USA website $ucks, but I think husqvarna is tired of selling saws in the US anyway (unless it is a homeowner model a Lowes), every thing they have done lately proves it.
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