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Lots of problems with Husky 562XP

Started by MNBobcat, December 14, 2016, 09:17:28 AM

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MNBobcat

I've had to replace the plastic chain break twice even though I've never tripped the break when cutting.  I've had to replace the plastic rewind twice and the dogs (once) that engage the rewind.  The muffler bolts fell out causing exhaust gas to escape and burning a hole through the plastic cover and requiring a new heat shield and new bolts.  I had to disassemble and clean the chain oiling system when it stopped oiling.

I have always owned Stihl saws in the past and I have never had these sorts of issues.  I've only replaced chains and bars on Stihl saws.  I moved from Stihl to husky when Stihl came out with those stupid fuel/oil caps and also partly because I wanted to try a husky.

I'm now considering selling the husky and getting a Johnsered or Dolmar.   Just wondering if other people have had a lot of odd mechanical problems with the Husky saws?  Also, what are your opinions on Johnsered and Dolmar saws?  Local dealer support isn't a concern of mine.  I never take a saw to a dealer. 

ladylake

 
A Johnsered,  and Husky should be about the same saws, too bad all of the big name companys are cheapening up their products just to make more money right now.  Give a Dolmar  6100 or a Echo CS620 a try.   Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

DeerMeadowFarm

If you've had good luck with Stihl why change?

I've personally always had good luck with Husqvarna. I have a 346XP and two 372 XP's. My brother-in-law has 3 Husky saws and had Husky all his life as well. He just bought a brand new Dolmar because he wanted to "upgrade to something new". That saw has been in the shop twice for starting issues so now he has a brand new saw that stays in the truck all day while he runs the Huskys.

My point to both him and you is fix something that isn't broken?

thecfarm

I have a 372,might be 10 years old. Last year I spent some money on it. Had a couple air leaks. They had to remove the jug to fix one of them. But that is all the problems I had with it. And I use it alot too. I cut wood all summer long with it. I am happy with it.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

HuckFin

As far as the Stihl oil/fuel flip caps are concerned, I have never had a problem with the ones on my 362C, makes me wonder if they changed the design on these newer saws.

David-L

I have  had good luck with my 2260 Jonsered so far, and my 2172 and 2188 have been great. I am on my third 2172. I have also had good luck with 7900 dolmars and the 6100 for the price was good to. Someone stole those on me though.
In two days from now, tomorrow will be yesterday.

nitehawk55

Sometimes problems with a saw aren't the fault of the saw .
I AM NOT BRAND LOYAL !

MNBobcat

I used the saw tonight and noticed the chain break handle is broken again.  That makes 3 now.  Its going up for sale.  Not sure if I'll sell it now or next summer. 

Not sure if I'll go back to Stihl or try a Dolmar.  I've been doing some reading on the Dolmar 6100.  Seems to be really well designed.

cbla

I have had no issues so far with my  562xp. knock on wood

LeeB

I've had no problems with mine either but I don't use it every day. It gets a good workout every now and then but not daily.
'98 LT40HDD/Lombardini, Case 580L, Cat D4C, JD 3032 tractor, JD 5410 tractor, Husky 346, 372 and 562XP's. Stihl MS180 and MS361, 1998 and 2006 3/4 Ton 5.9 Cummins 4x4's, 1989 Dodge D100 w/ 318, and a 1966 Chevy C60 w/ dump bed.

HolmenTree

Three broken chain brake levers?
I suggest run a small radius guard tip bar  and a green chain.....don't put a new chain brake lever on. :D
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

weimedog

I like getting those "problem" 562's, especially the toasted ones; for cheap.....bust them down to bits and pieces & build them up my way. A hobby of mine....:) So far, knock on wood!; no problems with any of them..:). Would you take $100 bucks??
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

MNBobcat

Quote from: HolmenTree on December 15, 2016, 08:53:01 AM
Three broken chain brake levers?
I suggest run a small radius guard tip bar  and a green chain.....don't put a new chain brake lever on. :D


LOL!  I've never tripped the brake while using the saw.  I've never had a kickback happen as I'm careful with the saw tip.  So the real question is...how the hell are they breaking?  I've had the saw fall off a log but a 12" fall should not break a brake handle.  I think they are just built cheaply and poorly.

My saw was one of the very first available when they came out.  They've made a lot of design changes since then and I'm wondering if the newer versions of the saw doesn't fix some of the issues.  Though the brake handle hasn't seen a change.

HolmenTree

Here's a pic of my 562XP. One of the first ones manufactured  with well over 1500 hours on it.
The only thing I broke on it was a rear anti vibe spring mount when cutting a few winters ago with a 40 below windchill.
Never had a problem with the plastic chain brake lever .


 
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

HolmenTree

Quote from: weimedog on December 15, 2016, 11:09:30 AM
So far, knock on wood!; no problems with any of them..:). Would you take $100 bucks??
:D :)
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

DelawhereJoe

Is your saw just running loose in the back of your truck, as you fly down the back county roads at break neck speeds ? That could easily  break the plastic guard if it was cold.
WD-40, DUCT TAPE, 024, 026, 362c-m, 041, homelite xl, JD 2510

MNBobcat

Quote from: DelawhereJoe on December 15, 2016, 12:42:55 PM
Is your saw just running loose in the back of your truck, as you fly down the back county roads at break neck speeds ? That could easily  break the plastic guard if it was cold.

No.  It doesn't go out in the woods.  I don't have time to go out in the woods and cut these days so I buy 20 cord each year in 8 foot logs.  (I still save $2,000 in heating costs after buying the wood)

I pick up a pile of logs with the skid steer and carry them over in front of the wood boiler building and cut them right there.  The saw travels about 20 feet between the skid and the boiler building when I carry it back and forth.  I do recall it falling off a log the other day but like I said a 12" fall shouldn't break a brake handle.  But apparently it did.

My frustration is less about the brake handle breaking again as it is the fact that I've had so many obscure problems with the saw.  When the muffler bolts fell out, it burned a hole through the orange plastic cover that sits above the muffler.  I had to drive 40 miles to get a new heat shield and then the dealer didn't know what bolts to give me because they didn't use a consistent bolt size on that saw.  They had different bolts depending on what muffler was stuck on it from the factory.  So I had to run to the hardware store.  I lost about a half day dealing with that issue.  Luckily, my wife was able to run 40 miles to pick up a new rewind pulley when that broke the first time.  I ran the 40 miles to get the new dogs when I replaced the pulley the second time.

I've had 2 stihls which only got new bars and chains and a cleaning now and then.  Never had so many problems with a saw.  I believe I had a bolt on the handle fall out one time too.  Why they don't use a little blue loctite on assembly I don't know.  When the husky runs its a great saw to cut with.

I'm considering ordering a Dolmar 6100 to use as my primary saw and keeping the husky as a backup.

thumper

the 2260/562xp family of saws aren't nearly as tough as the 2172/372  357xp or any older saw.  I have a 2260 that I used every day logging. same problems as mentioned. every time you look at the saw it has something broken. ive replaced the brake handle 4 times, not user fault and now the mounting ear on the right crankcase came right off with the 4th broken handle.  it is now on the basement floor needing crankcases for one lil ear. useless junk.  oh yea after 6 mos the piston pin came loose and ruined the top end.. (waranteed) thankfully.  back to the old faithful 2156
Jonsered 2150 2152 2156 2165  Husqvarna 262xps Worn 1970 JD440a 06 GMC 3500 DURAMAX

DeerMeadowFarm

Quote from: MNBobcat on December 15, 2016, 12:58:02 PM
I've had 2 stihls which only got new bars and chains and a cleaning now and then.
I'm considering ordering a Dolmar 6100 .

These two sentences in the same paragraph make no sense to me. Why buy something other than what has always worked for you in the past? And what happened to the Stihls where you need to replace them anyway?

MNBobcat

The first Stihl I had was one that my dad gave me and it was too small.  The second Stihl didn't break, but the design totally sucked.  I had an MS361 that had those stupid flippy caps and it also had the tool-less chain adjuster.  The saw annoyed me enough that I got rid of it.

I know I could buy another Stihl but they still use those stupid flippy caps.  I hate it when engineers fix things that aren't broken. 

I don't like the outboard clutch on the Husky's either.  Its never been a problem its just a bad design to run an open clutch that gets full of crap from cutting. 

I know there is no perfect saw out there.  But the Dolmar has normal caps, an enclosed clutch and a very nice design on how the chips exit the case. It also has a really great design on the air filter.  The only real drawback I see with the saw is the carb used on the saw.   I don't care about if its a half pound or a pound heavier than some other saw.  I just want something that works and is reliable and that cuts like a banshee.

I'm open to suggestions for other saws to consider.  I wouldn't go smaller than a 60cc saw.  I like to run a 20" bar.
 

Quote from: DeerMeadowFarm on December 15, 2016, 03:55:24 PM
Quote from: MNBobcat on December 15, 2016, 12:58:02 PM
I've had 2 stihls which only got new bars and chains and a cleaning now and then.
I'm considering ordering a Dolmar 6100 .

These two sentences in the same paragraph make no sense to me. Why buy something other than what has always worked for you in the past? And what happened to the Stihls where you need to replace them anyway?

bill m

So, the only thing keeping you from buying another Stihl is the "stupid flippy caps" ? What is it that you don't like?
NH tc55da Metavic 4x4 trailer Stihl and Husky saws

Enderslbz

I bought an MS 290 in 2000 that had the flip caps on it. I still own the saw today and they have yet to leak a drop of oil or gas. BUT my brother has an MS 361 he bought a few years after and the flip cap on his fuel tank leak ALL THE TIME. I was so confused the first time it happened, having never had that problem on mine, but his really do suck. You have to be super careful when re-installing the cap that you have it just right. I have no idea why, but mine are idiot-proof and his definitely are NOT. SO, I assume he hates them for this reason, if not then I don't understand. I like them. And that tool-less chain tensioner was garbage, so that I get.
Stihl 056AV MagnumII
Stihl MS 361
Stihl 261 C-M
Homelite XL2
Homelite Super 2

MNBobcat

A number of times I would be cutting and one of the caps would fall out, dumping fuel or bar oil and then I'd have to go fill the tank back up and reinstall the cap.

I mean...they aren't the end of the world...a person can certainly deal with that sort of thing...but it was annoying.

Its like the new spouts on gas cans these days....show me one person that likes them.  Yes...you can live with them if you have no other choice...but I doubt anyone will claim to like them.

HolmenTree

Quote from: MNBobcat on December 14, 2016, 09:17:28 AM
I've had to replace the plastic chain break twice even though I've never tripped the break when cutting.  I've had to replace the plastic rewind twice and the dogs (once) that engage the rewind.  The muffler bolts fell out causing exhaust gas to escape and burning a hole through the plastic cover and requiring a new heat shield and new bolts.
MnBobcat, I'm trying to make sense of why you're breaking the plastic brake levers.

I see you mention about muffler bolts and heat shield issues.
I think you still may not have that problem fixed and the exhaust is heating up the brake lever causing them to break.

I'll tell you a story from back in the early 1980's.
Steve Meriam a Stihl rep who is now at the top of the totem pole with Stihl USA paid me a visit with a  038 Magnum with a dual exhaust outlet muffler to try out. He said the factory sent this saw out for testing.
First thing I noticed was the extra exhaust outlet on the rewind housing side was melting the chain brake lever.
Steve said "Dang the Germans over engineered this saw". :D

Anyway's don't blame yourself or your dealer. Even the big guys have a bad day.  :D
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

MNBobcat

Ha...yeah sometimes the engineers seem to like to make some simple things way over complicated!

I remember as about a 12 year old kid going to a radio controlled airplane meeting.  This guy had built this gorgeous plane.  I don't recall any more, but I think it was a replica WWII fighter.  The engine was enclosed with a shroud.  All the adults were admiring the plane and commenting on the build quality.  I asked him, "how do you connect the battery to the glow plug on the engine to start it?"  He got this really perplexed look followed by a slightly embarrassed look and then said he hadn't really thought about it!  That led to some good natured laughter.

When I fixed the muffler, I installed new bolts and a new heat shield and I verified that the bolts did not bottom out before tightening to the muffler.  The heat shield could only go on one way so I'm sure I got that right.  But even so, I will check the muffler when I tear the saw apart to replace the brake handle.   I ordered a new brake handle today and should receive it by Monday or Tuesday.  I'm going to check the parts diagram before I assemble it.  I think one side of the brake handle is bushed where it pivots and the other side isn't.  That's what I recall, anyway.  But I want to verify against the parts diagram and make sure that I'm not missing a part that may have fallen out the first time it broke.  Something is not right, for sure.

The local saw dealer said the rewind pulley will break if you drop start the saw.  I'm skeptical.  I've drop started saws for almost 40 years and never had a rewind break.  I do not pull to the end of the rope, either.   After it broke the second time, I did start using the compression release to take some strain off the pulley.  I haven't had any problems with it since I started using the compression release.  When I say "broke" I mean that the dogs that engage the pulley would slip.  I replaced both the dogs and the pulley last time.  Sure wish they would make those pulleys out of metal instead of plastic.  I don't know if that is delrin, or what.


Quote from: HolmenTree on December 15, 2016, 06:30:10 PM
Quote from: MNBobcat on December 14, 2016, 09:17:28 AM
I've had to replace the plastic chain break twice even though I've never tripped the break when cutting.  I've had to replace the plastic rewind twice and the dogs (once) that engage the rewind.  The muffler bolts fell out causing exhaust gas to escape and burning a hole through the plastic cover and requiring a new heat shield and new bolts.
MnBobcat, I'm trying to make sense of why you're breaking the plastic brake levers.

I see you mention about muffler bolts and heat shield issues.
I think you still may not have that problem fixed and the exhaust is heating up the brake lever causing them to break.

I'll tell you a story from back in the early 1980's.
Steve Meriam a Stihl rep who is now at the top of the totem pole with Stihl USA paid me a visit with a  038 Magnum with a dual exhaust outlet muffler to try out. He said the factory sent this saw out for testing.
First thing I noticed was the extra exhaust outlet on the rewind housing side was melting the chain brake lever.
Steve said "Dang the Germans over engineered this saw". :D

Anyway's don't blame yourself or your dealer. Even the big guys have a bad day.  :D

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