How did you like your first mtronic or autotune saw????

khntr85 · February 22, 2024, 12:25:45 PM

Hey guys just wondering what your experience with your first auto tune or mtronic saw, things you liked, things you maybe didn't like and everything in between???

I got a ms261c and it's my first mtronic saw....i have to admit I went in open minded and I so far really like the saw!!!

It starts right up and cuts great, it's still not fully broke in maybe 5-6 tanks ran threw it so far....

Hilltop366 · February 22, 2024, 12:48:39 PM

Same saw, same results.

lxskllr · February 22, 2024, 01:43:16 PM

My first pro saw was a 362cm, and I later got a 661cm. Both are flawless. I pull the cord and they Just Work™

beenthere · February 22, 2024, 02:39:57 PM

Have the MS261c and really do like it, and it has always performed very well. Summer and winter, when I need it, it starts and runs well. Also the same with my MS362c.

caveman · February 22, 2024, 02:48:34 PM

We have a couple of Husqvarna 545's and 572's. The 545's sometimes run a little goofy for the first few minutes until they figure it out. The 545's are about 10 years old and with a sharp chain, they are a joy to use. I suppose they adjust to humidity, temperature and maybe a few other parameters. The 572's seem to get right to it.

Our older 3 series saws sometimes need a little tuning between summer and winter.

We don't have any Stihl saws.

khntr85 · February 22, 2024, 02:59:06 PM

Quote from: Hilltop366 on February 22, 2024, 12:48:39 PMSame saw, same results.

Definitely some differences...

doc henderson · February 22, 2024, 04:54:14 PM

I did not and took it back for an 880. It was a 661. my 261 is great but the dealer fixed the solenoid even though it tested normal and no further problems for about 3 years. hope the bugs are all worked out.

Hammerheadc4 · February 22, 2024, 05:32:51 PM

I got my 572xp in 2019, it's been great.
I just got a 550xp this week and so far so good.

I did want a ms261c, but both of my local dealers were out of them.
Since Husqvarna was having the 20% off sale on pro saws, I picked up the 550xp M2.

My other saws need a small adjustment every once in awhile, but it's no big deal.

trapper · February 22, 2024, 08:48:01 PM

241 is a great saw' 261 is temperamental When it starts it is a good saw normally takes about 10 pulls to get it started. Two dealers say nothing wrong with it. With decompression on 241 seems to have more compression when starting

barbender · February 22, 2024, 08:52:07 PM

I have a Stihl ms261cm, it has been flawless. I've had it about 6 years, but it doesn't get used a lot. Which is really more of a testament to the fact that the saw self tunes well. I might use it in the summer at 80° and high humidity, and the next time I start it it might be 5°. It starts after 3 pulls and goes to work.

My Husky 562 has been bogging a little bit as of late, but I haven't even bothered changing a fuel filter or anything. I'm just waiting to see if it tunes itself or if I have something else going on.

Last but not least I picked up a Stihl 500i. I really haven't even run that saw enough to have an opinion on it.

WLzM1A · February 22, 2024, 09:58:10 PM

Agreed

khntr85 · February 22, 2024, 10:05:07 PM

Quote from: trapper on February 22, 2024, 08:48:01 PM241 is a great saw' 261 is temperamental When it starts it is a good saw normally takes about 10 pulls to get it started. Two dealers say nothing wrong with it. With decompression on 241 seems to have more compression when starting

10-pulls, ya there is a problem.....I wonder if that "reset would help your situation???

doc henderson · February 23, 2024, 08:50:09 AM

trapper take it back and tell them you know of others that the solenoid tested fine, but a replacement fixed it. that is what my dealer did cause after being told it was fine x 2, and taken back the third time, he believed me more than the test they do. it fixed it. The dealers are hearing of this as well. he got reimbursed from his rep.

barbender · February 23, 2024, 11:26:29 AM

Yep Trapper, that's what I'd do too. I know how frustrating it can be to deal with a dealer that doesn't "get it". Tell him if it doesn't start from cold in 3 pulls, it ain't fixed. If they won't take care of it, write Stihl.

mudfarmer · February 24, 2024, 08:05:33 AM

572 has been a very nice saw, but only have had it for a bit over a year. I would buy another one tomorrow with no concerns

It has only cut something like 11mbf of saw logs and 30 cord of firewood logs. I do use a smaller saw for limbing, the 572 gets used for felling and bucking logs as well as firewood rounds. It starts and runs very well no matter the conditions so far from below zero to above 80.

I like your comment about going in open minded, that's the way to go.

DHansen · February 24, 2024, 09:03:14 AM

A few years back I was worrying needlessly about the auto tunes. With advice from this forum, I purchased a 550XP and have not had any Auto tune issues. Since the 550XP I have also added a 572XP and a 592Xp. I have been very happy with all three and can see the benefits of the auto tune. I did learn my lesson on running the 550XP out of fuel while I left it idling on the ground. As the saw was running out of fuel the auto tune corrected the fuel ratio. Caused a hard start and poor idle. A quick reset and all was back to normal.

khntr85 · February 24, 2024, 10:30:11 AM

Quote from: mudfarmer on February 24, 2024, 08:05:33 AM572 has been a very nice saw, but only have had it for a bit over a year. I would buy another one tomorrow with no concerns It has only cut something like 11mbf of saw logs and 30 cord of firewood logs. I do use a smaller saw for limbing, the 572 gets used for felling and bucking logs as well as firewood rounds. It starts and runs very well no matter the conditions so far from below zero to above 80.

I like your comment about going in open minded, that's the way to go.

Yes sir, no reason to not give it a chance sometimes change is good!!!

khntr85 · February 24, 2024, 10:31:54 AM

Quote from: DHansen on February 24, 2024, 09:03:14 AMA few years back I was worrying needlessly about the auto tunes. With advice from this forum, I purchased a 550XP and have not had any Auto tune issues. Since the 550XP I have also added a 572XP and a 592Xp. I have been very happy with all three and can see the benefits of the auto tune. I did learn my lesson on running the 550XP out of fuel while I left it idling on the ground. As the saw was running out of fuel the auto tune corrected the fuel ratio. Caused a hard start and poor idle. A quick reset and all was back to normal.

That's a good way to put it "needlessly worrying" basically what I did for a few years....at this point in my life a $600 saw won't break me so as they say it is what it is....im ahead from rebuilding saws and sharpening chains, so it all comes out in the wash!!!!

hedgerow · February 26, 2024, 04:32:19 PM

I have had a MS261C for a few years now and really like it. The two guys that help me do my wood cutting have learned not to run it out of mix. It's a bear to get started if you run it out of mix. If you fuel up before its out starts right back up. Like most things there is a learning curve.

Fishnuts2 · February 26, 2024, 07:12:27 PM

My experience with my new 2253 at the time was informative because it showed me what a proper tune sounds like and how much better it ran than my fat tuning! I've got a couple more autotunes now but never had a Stihl with it.

teakwood · February 27, 2024, 07:12:03 AM

My one year old 500i is a beast and i works flawlessly, i'm impressed and don't look back to regulate carburetors. pump the prime bulb and 3-4 pulls and your working, when warm it's 1 pull.

I have heard the horror stories of people run out of fuel and not being able to restart the saw, i tried to avoid that but eventually it happens. happened twice and i had no problem to restart the saw

khntr85 · February 27, 2024, 09:40:17 AM

Quote from: Fishnuts2 on February 26, 2024, 07:12:27 PMMy experience with my new 2253 at the time was informative because it showed me what a proper tune sounds like and how much better it ran than my fat tuning! I've got a couple more autotunes now but never had a Stihl with it.

Funny you say that you can really hear the difference, especially if you run 2-saws in the same day...

khntr85 · February 27, 2024, 09:41:19 AM

Quote from: teakwood on February 27, 2024, 07:12:03 AMMy one year old 500i is a beast and i works flawlessly, i'm impressed and don't look back to regulate carburetors. pump the prime bulb and 3-4 pulls and your working, when warm it's 1 pull.

I have heard the horror stories of people run out of fuel and not being able to restart the saw, i tried to avoid that but eventually it happens. happened twice and i had no problem to restart the saw

Ya I have heard a few guys say that, I will try to not run her dry, but you know how it goes!!

NE Woodburner · February 27, 2024, 03:03:17 PM

Quote from: Hammerheadc4 on February 22, 2024, 05:32:51 PMI got my 572xp in 2019, it's been great.
I just got a 550xp this week

I am running the same two saws. My 572 is about as old as yours and just picked up the 550 last fall. I really like the 550 for small stuff and limbing - a lot easier on my shoulders now that I'm getting just a little older. I take out the 572 for felling and bigger stuff. I really don't need anything bigger than the 572 often enough to justify another saw.

I've always owned Husky saws starting back in the 80's running a 266. Nothing against Stihl at all - we have a couple at work and they are nice saws. I've been using the same chain and file type for so long now I don't want to change.

Greenhighlander · February 28, 2024, 05:19:53 PM

So as someone who has never owned one of these saws , I feel the need to play devil's advocate.
This is not in the slightest intended as any type of dig or insult to any of you who have had great experience's.
Technology is great when it works. When it doesn't you are completely and totally at the mercy of those tech " gods " . Where I live the dealer support is pathetic at best , in regards to the pre auto tune saws. I feel even less confident when it comes to running the software required , for these new saws. Seeing as how he is well above my age and not even slightly computer savy.

This is a long winded way of me saying I believe this is just another way important knowledge on how to do things for oneself , is being lost and becoming more reliant on the system .

I get the benefits of auto tune and the technology , I guess I just also see the downfalls of it as well. One more tiny notch in us becoming completely reliant on someone or something else.

At 43 most people my age have no idea how to even use a chainsaw , let alone tune one . Hell even I can barely do either of those two......