HUSQVARNA 540 XP® Mark III vs Stihl 194T

[donlelel]

Hi,

I saw many comparisons in-between 540XP and MS201 or t435 and MS194T but I wonder about these two, given that the price diff from 194T to 540XP is just around $100. Probably yes, I'd prefer the MS201 but it's so much more expensive.

Would you rather buy 540 XP® Mark III or Stihl 194T for in-tree trimming/cutting?

Thanks,

 

[Wood Doctor]

I suggest that you try the 540 XP Mark III. The Stihl MS 201 is a very good saw but way overpriced. Stihl must think that climbers are over paid. Just MHO.

 

[donlelel]

Right, I agree, but I was asking 540 XP Mark III or Stihl 194T, please. I'm tempted to get the Husky, more power, bc it's just about $100 more expensive.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

T540 MkIII is a good running saw but not in the same league as a 201 (IMO) but certainly better than the 194. Few issues I’ve seen with the 540 is the chain adjuster is very coarse feeling. I’ve consistently found tensioning the chain to be a bit difficult. I’ve also repaired a few broken rear lower AV mounts due to the saw being dropped.

 

[Tobystihl]

T540 MkIII is a good running saw but not in the same league as a 201 (IMO) but certainly better than the 194. Few issues I’ve seen with the 540 is the chain adjuster is very coarse feeling. I’ve consistently found tensioning the chain to be a bit difficult. I’ve also repaired a few broken rear lower AV mounts due to the saw being dropped.
View attachment 1215803

Mk3 has a strap to reinforce this weak point.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Mk3 has a strap to reinforce this weak point.

Since when? The pic I posted is of a new saw in my showroom. T540 XP MkIII.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Here’s another one new in box. No strap on REAR lower AV mount.

 

[HumBurner]

Mk3 has a strap to reinforce this weak point.

You don't mean the standard fabric strap on the 5-series av mounts, do you? Seems Iike a separate "strap" external to-or in-line with the mount/case would do far more for absorbing shock/preventing damage. I've never really understood the fabric strap, when compared to the 3-series, except maybe it has.something to do with the mount-shape difference between series.


I haven't seen any new iterations of the MK3, just the first ones that hit the stores.

 

[AlotL1keVegas]

After seeing the running problems guilty of treeson has with his t540, I'd never buy one. His saw runs like a raped ape, but it doesn't idle worth a crap. He's always fumbling with it trying to start it. I dont know if it's because he had it ported. But it's enough to make me shy away from one. My 194t has been a great saw.

 

[Tobystihl]

You don't mean the standard fabric strap on the 5-series av mounts, do you? Seems Iike a separate "strap" external to-or in-line with the mount/case would do far more for absorbing shock/preventing damage. I've never really understood the fabric strap, when compared to the 3-series, except maybe it has.something to do with the mount-shape difference between series.


I

Here’s another one new in box. No strap on REAR lower AV mount.
View attachment 1215818

I stand corrected! (I was getting mixed up with the later mk2's) Looks like it has been updated with a travel restriction pin (lower left in bottom pic, near fuel filler)

 

[Franny K]

After seeing the running problems guilty of treeson has with his t540, I'd never buy one. His saw runs like a raped ape, but it doesn't idle worth a crap. He's always fumbling with it trying to start it. I dont know if it's because he had it ported. But it's enough to make me shy away from one. My 194t has been a great saw.

Well, that is interesting, I recently watched his video about the battery 542 and near the end he brings out the gas saw says it really goes good but nothing about it being ported. It went like twice as fast as the battery saw. He still says it for him is preferable to 201t any variant, the gas 540. don't recall which mk 540.