I'm a Husky owner as of today...

[wanoyee]

I'm now the owner of a brand spankin' new Husky 545. Walked into my Husqvarna dealer today and picked up my 545 (after dealer couldn't get 2 of them started earlier this week). It was close between a Dolmar 5105 but I decided to go Husky for the autotune, better weight and balance. The Dolmar has more torque and is very smooth, but the 545 seems just as smooth if not smoother.

I know no one believes me unless there are pics... :msp_smile:

View attachment 300524

Today, dealer started it up in 3 pulls. Shut it off, then restarted it twice with a single pull each time. So I feel confident it's set up right and will start for me when I get home... At home, it took a few pulls to start then it would sputter and die when I hit the throttle... uh-oh. Finally, it remained idling so I let it warm up for about 20 secs then pull the throttle and vvrrooomm... all is good! That's when I make the vid below. These are first cuts w/ 545. I'm not quite used to it as you'll see... wood is oak that has been sitting for 1 1/2 yrs.

[video=youtube;zD_cRlHHyus]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD_cRlHHyus[/video]

I have a question about the chain... It is a Stihl! Dealer only sells Stihl chains, puts one on my Husky. I pretty sure it is a full chisel RAPID™ Super (RS). Cuts nicely but seems to be just the tiniest bit grabby unlike what I had used before. Is that part of cutting with a full chisel? I like it though. Cuts fast.

Another question... 545 has a spark arrestor screen on it i.e. restriction. Would I get any meaningful performance increase if I were to take it off? Would autotune adjust for it? Would I set the forest on fire if I do?

Thanks!
To all the people who answered my questions and gave me great advice, Thanks! This is a great site and I love the help I have received from all of you. Your advice and experience guided me to a happy purchase, which is all I could ask for. I've spent hours reading and learning all about chainsaws. I've learned a lot in the last few weeks. Hopefully, I'm better prepared to take care of my new toy than I was before I discovered this site. Now I need to get a nice sharpener... Does it ever end?

 

[fearofpavement]

Congrats on the new saw. Hope it works out well for you. Don't remove the spark arresting screen. They are intended to prevent fires. Not sure a fire would start without it but depending where you cut, there could be trouble if you operate a saw without it. (that would primarily apply to state or federal lands, not your back yard)

 

[rburg]

I use the stihl rs chain on several saws, husky and stihl, and like it a lot. I have had some that seemed grabby, but they cut well. Enjoy the new saw.

 

[Ronaldo]

Nice new saw, quite certain you will be satisfied with your purchase. My brother has a 555 and a buddy has a 550, they are runners, for sure!:msp_thumbup:

Ron

 

[Philip Wheelock]

...I have a question about the chain... It is a Stihl! Dealer only sells Stihl chains, puts one on my Husky. I pretty sure it is a full chisel RAPID™ Super (RS). Cuts nicely but seems to be just the tiniest bit grabby unlike what I had used before. Is that part of cutting with a full chisel? I like it though. Cuts fast.

Another question... 545 has a spark arrestor screen on it i.e. restriction. Would I get any meaningful performance increase if I were to take it off? Would autotune adjust for it? Would I set the forest on fire if I do?...

Once you sharpen the chain a few times you can adjust the depth gauges to get the right balance of smoothness and cutting speed. I'd keep the spark arrestor screen as a fire safety issue and to keep the saw absolutely stock while it's under warranty.

 

[Joe Kidd]

That's cool. Filled up that right sock with chips I bet! :msp_thumbsup:

 

[walexa07]

Nice saw, congrats - looks like the chain may be just a tad too tight?

Waylan

 

[sunfish]

Congrats on a Fine saw!

I use Stihl RM (semi chisel) chain, works mo better for me. Stays sharp a lot longer than RS.

 

[Joe Kidd]

Nice saw, congrats - looks like the chain may be just a tad too tight?

Waylan

The Stihl chains drag a little on the Husky NK bar on the 545/550. Stihl runs about .010-.015 wider across the rivets. Pull the bar and look at the aluminum cover plate. A Pro-Lite bar will correct that. Or run Husky/Oregon chain on the oem bar.

 

[old 040]

better be careful, once you own one husky, they tend to multiply!!...........................

 

[SawTroll]

Congrats on the new saw. Hope it works out well for you. Don't remove the spark arresting screen. They are intended to prevent fires. Not sure a fire would start without it but depending where you cut, there could be trouble if you operate a saw without it. (that would primarily apply to state or federal lands, not your back yard)

By all means remove it - unless they are mandatory where you are cutting, or there is a real fire hazard.

 

[wanoyee]

Nice saw, congrats - looks like the chain may be just a tad too tight?

Waylan

Saw was set up by dealer. How tight/loose should it be? How much play should be on a cold chain?

 

[SawTroll]

Saw was set up by dealer. How tight/loose should it be? How much play should be on a cold chain?

No sag, no drag.

 

[cheeves]

By all means remove it - unless they are mandatory where you are cutting, or there is a real fire hazard.

I always do!! And by the way these are no toys!!
Nice purchase!! It's Granddaddy the venerable 44 is one of my favorite all time saws.

 

[SawTroll]

The spark arrestors are know to block about 20% of the exaust outlet, that usually is well on the small side even without them.
That is when they are clean, it gets much worse when they are clogged up! :bang::bang:

 

[wanoyee]

The spark arrestors are know to block about 20% of the exaust outlet, that usually is well on the small side even without them.
That is when they are clean, it gets much worse when they are clogged up! :bang::bang:

Would the autotune adjust for the different airflow? Otherwise, would I be looking at a lean burn without an adjustment?

 

[Joe Kidd]

yep. the autotune will take care of it. Even a muff mod or port job.

 

[spike60]

What bar is on this saw? You will run into some issues if you have a standard kerf chain on a narrow kerf bar on the 545/550. If you try to run 20LP oregon the chain won't even move once the bar nuts are tightened down. Stihl chain may not be quite as wide, but I think this explains the drag you feel. And it wil likely lead to some unecessary heat build up which may effect the oil pump/drive gear.

This is something that is catching a lot of dealers by surprise because it was usually not an issue with the 346. (But it was on the 242XP/246 saws) Husky has always said that you should not mix the narrow kerf bars with standard kerf chains, but most people ignor it because it works on many saws.

I also wonder what this dealer does with the cahins that come wth the saws, since all Huskys come with a bar and chain from the factory.

 

[SawTroll]

Would the autotune adjust for the different airflow? Otherwise, would I be looking at a lean burn without an adjustment?

That isn't the problem, loss of power is!!

 

[wanoyee]

Just need to clarify... I don't really think the chain is grabbing on the bar, the chain is grabby in the wood... sorry if my post has created misunderstandings. It's a standard Husky bar... whatever comes with the 545, I'm guessing. Was strange to see a Stihl chain on a Husky saw new from the dealer.

I think it is my lack of experience with a new saw and chain. Went from an Oregon semi to a Stihl full chisel. My technique probably has something to do with it also. It's what the dealer set up for me... I like it, just need to adjust for all the newness.