Husqvarna: 181 SE V 281 Xp

[Boskaerm]

Whats the difference between these two saws? and what years where they made?

 

[srcarr52]

Not much is different. All parts are interchangeable. Some things to note are the 181 may have a non governed carb and the cylinder is a little higher quality and not made by Mahle. It starts with a G but I can't attempt to spell it correctly without looking at one.

The 281 had a option of a high top HD air filter setup, but you can put the parts on the 181.

 

[pioneerguy600]

" Gilardoni,"...

 

[srcarr52]

" Gilardoni,"...

That's it. I was trying to spell it correctly with no luck so I just punted to the next AS member with a better memory.

I swapped a 288 cylinder onto a 181 a while back and when I took off the 181 cylinder I almost put it back on because it was that much better quality. 2 ring piston, ports are clean with no casting marks, more cooling fins. I'll keep it for when I toast the 288 top end.

 

[belgian]

I have rebuilt a few 181's recently and also have quite some parts from a 281.
That doesn't make me an expert though but the differences I have noticed are :

- 181 has thin ring piston, the 281 has the classic 1 ring piston
- 181 has old style chain brake, the 281 new style
- 281 has spring mounted spike, the 181 doesn't. The fuel tank is therefor slightly different at the front end (allows for spring plate fixation)
- different spikes
- different thottle linkage and carb lever.

But they are basically the same saw, all the other parts do interchange.

The 288 is the same saw as the 281, only it has a bigger P/C (54mm instead of 52 mm piston).

 

[srcarr52]

I have rebuilt a few 181's recently and also have quite some parts from a 281.
That doesn't make me an expert though but the differences I have noticed are :

- 181 has thin ring piston, the 281 has the classic 1 ring piston
- 181 has old style chain brake, the 281 new style
- 281 has spring mounted spike, the 181 doesn't. The fuel tank is therefor slightly different at the front end (allows for spring plate fixation)
- different spikes

But they are basically the same saw, all the other parts do interchange.

The 288 is the same saw as the 281, only it has a bigger P/C (54mm instead of 52 mm piston).

I've mounted the front AV spring of a 281/288 on a 181 tank. You just have to take a little off the mounting plate to fit into the slot on the tank.

Also something to note, the aftermarket chain brakes don't fit very well on the 181 case. There is a little rubbing on the brake band so you have to take a dremel and clearance that area to allow the brake band to move further away from the clutch.

181 carb has a metal linkage to the throttle trigger where the 281/288 use a arm contacting a roller setup. It's the same carb style so you can swap the throttle shafts.

There is also a difference in the muffler deflector/cover setup. The 181 has a complete muffler cover on the front where the 281/288 has the just the tie strap setup with the case.

Hey Belgian... I'll be in Leuven for the first part of either week 12 or 13. How far are you from there?

 

[belgian]

Hey Belgian... I'll be in Leuven for the first part of either week 12 or 13. How far are you from there?

Leuven is about 80 miles from my place, so not very close. It's a student town with lots of nice bars and home to Inbev head office, the producer of Stella beer.

I am located in the east of Belgium, very near the dutch and german border. I'll be travelling in Turkey for business in week 12, and in week 13, I have a few appointments in Germany, so it's quite a busy period. check your pm.

 

[SawTroll]

In addition to other differences, there is a difference in the power output specs, favouring the 281xp.

Any comments on that?

 

[srcarr52]

In addition to other differences, there is a difference in the power output specs, favouring the 281xp.

Any comments on that?

Having seen both there is nothing obvious to give more power. My guess is that it was a small change in port timing along with the supplier.

With any of the three you have a great 80+ cc saw that are about as tough as they come.

 

[SawTroll]

Having seen both there is nothing obvious to give more power. My guess is that it was a small change in port timing along with the supplier.

With any of the three you have a great 80+ cc saw that are about as tough as they come.

That makes sence, if the cylinders are not the same.

I guess "nicer" doesn't always translate into better performance.......

 

[J.Walker]

This is the 181se piston that was put into my 281xp saw.

.

 

[Boskaerm]

The thing is, here in DK, there is a 281 xp, and a 181 SE for sale! The 281 is 3200 dkr and the 181 is 1100 dkr including shipping. Both have a 20" bar.
Just for comparison: A new 576 XP with 15" is 9500 dkr here in DK!

Don´t need a 80 cc saw, but could be fun to have a saw is big as my first dirt bike

BTW: Gilardoni, isn´t it the same that makes the 353 cylinder?

 

[Boskaerm]

Some things to note are the 181 may have a non governed carb

What does this mean?

 

[srcarr52]

What does this mean?

281/288's have a carbs have a dump valve that opens with vaccume and let's more fuel in the limit the RPMs of the saw. Sometimes the spring gets weak in these and causes issues but they are easily bypassed.

 

[Boskaerm]

281/288's have a carbs have a dump valve that opens with vaccume and let's more fuel in the limit the RPMs of the saw. Sometimes the spring gets weak in these and causes issues but they are easily bypassed.

will see if i get the 181, then I´ll take some pics of the carb, to tell what it is!

 

[SawTroll]

.....

BTW: Gilardoni, isn´t it the same that makes the 353 cylinder?

Yes, as far as I know.

 

[Boskaerm]

Yes, as far as I know.

thought so

 

[srcarr52]

will see if i get the 181, then I´ll take some pics of the carb, to tell what it is!

Limited carbs will have a large brass threaded plug on the left side of the carb in-between the throttle and choke shafts.

 

[Boskaerm]

Limited carbs will have a large brass threaded plug on the left side of the carb in-between the throttle and choke shafts.

thanks

 

[Boskaerm]

What kind of bar mount does the 181 SE use? Same as the 365?