Stihl 201tcm or husqvarna 540xp 2?

[joekuchs]

I've been looking at both these saws, but getting a lot of conflicting views on each. Basically feeling in the dark about which one to go for. Heading to the store tomorrow to check them both out. Has anyone got experience using both and give me the pros and cons of each? Nice one guys!

 

J

[MattyF]

I'd take the 540 any day of the week can't stand the 201, I've only used ours about 6 times but it's gutless and has no ability to chase cuts and last time I did use it the trigger handle snapped off!

[joekuchs]

Ahhh that sucks man. Thanks for the info mate. I'm looking at FR Jones and they have the version 2 of the 540xp, what's changed since the first version?

[htb]

Tends not to snap in half

[joekuchs]

Snap in half!! Haha! So, the general consensus between the first version of the 540xp and the 2nd version is?.........

 

Basically, I would like to try husqvarna out, I've pretty much always used Stihl, but have heard good things. I need a reliable climbing saw that will start quickly and cut quickly. That's the dream I know. But which way to go? Thanks again for your time everyone. J

[MattyF]

Version two of the 540 has a rear stronger spring that was prone to breaking or bending if you dropped it on the strop hard or got the bar stuck in falling wood , if it went too far it virtually pulled the saw in half , can't say I had a major problem with it my self on the mk1 as I kept spare springs and replaced if it looked sketchy but had the mk2 spring retro fitted on my mk 1 well over a year back to trial it and it's been fine since also the mk2 I have also has a restrictor wire to stop it from pulling too far I don't know if that went on the production run though.. different soft ware as well on the auto tune I'm told. I've certainly not suffered it been broken in half and I've dropped it hard a few times! I like them but I'm not a die hard Stihl fan and was getting extremely annoyed with the carb reliability on the 200ts and bad anti vibes so was long awaiting the 540 as I felt the 201 was such a let down.

[Steve Bullman]

Don't rule out the echo, it's a real contender by all accounts. I'm looking forward to trying one myself

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Stubby]

Crucially the spring mount on the grey belly pan has been beefed up .

 

Sent from my E8QP using Arbtalk mobile app

[Johny Walker]

Version two of the 540 has a rear stronger spring that was prone to breaking or bending if you dropped it on the strop hard or got the bar stuck in falling wood , if it went too far it virtually pulled the saw in half , can't say I had a major problem with it my self on the mk1 as I kept spare springs and replaced if it looked sketchy but had the mk2 spring retro fitted on my mk 1 well over a year back to trial it and it's been fine since also the mk2 I have also has a restrictor wire to stop it from pulling too far I don't know if that went on the production run though.. different soft ware as well on the auto tune I'm told. I've certainly not suffered it been broken in half and I've dropped it hard a few times! I like them but I'm not a die hard Stihl fan and was getting extremely annoyed with the carb reliability on the 200ts and bad anti vibes so was long awaiting the 540 as I felt the 201 was such a let down.

 

are on about the ms201tcm ??

[MattyF]

are on about the ms201tcm ??

 

 

No mate. Different saw im told but I did do the retro fit ignition and fly wheel on the 201 and seemed not much different.