For me the Homelite 410 & 540 were their last gasp at the pro market. Using the brand name to leverage into places not typical like John Deere dealers and the typical big corporate view of the world with a focus on channels vs. product. There was little chance of it being a success as by the time it was released saws from Husqvarna , Jonsered Stihl had way out paced the Homelites in technology , reliability, and serviceability. These 540's had to compete with the 200 series from Husqvarna like the 288's .... a no brainer. 
Figure Husqvarna ditched the design where the gas & bar oil was in the handle's and moved to saws like the 181 in that 80 - 90cc class in 1982. The 281 introduced in 1986 , the 288 in 1988. Same year Homelite introduced this 540. AND by then the 281-288 was a mature & established design.
Figure Husqvarna ditched the design where the gas & bar oil was in the handle's and moved to saws like the 181 in that 80 - 90cc class in 1982. The 281 introduced in 1986 , the 288 in 1988. Same year Homelite introduced this 540. AND by then the 281-288 was a mature & established design.
