Lots of problems with Husky 562XP

[pineywoods]

Flippy caps...I have both flip and screw types. There was a problem with the early flippys..The rubber gasket would swell so bad, you couldn't tighten them..Alcohol gas..Still switched to a different material for the gaskets, that solved the problem...

[Jeff]

MNBobcat, 

Would you mind letting us know a little about you, for example, your age?

Also to everyone that this statement may apply, this conversation seems to have a very un-Forestry Forum like tone to it.  Be careful on how you proceed....

[weimedog]

There have been many changes since they first were introduced....to include the following I know of:
1) The actual case screws
2) Pull Starts
3) Cases.....from five to six case screws.
4) Carb/Ignition combos. I've seen el44,46,and 48's
5) Top Covers
6) Pistons....
There are others. The first ones had some issues. The 5 screw cases like to leak bar oil under the muffler. A solvable issue. Several changes to the Ignition/Carburetor & software, I've actually had good luck with the el48's. AND interestingly enough one saw with a 46 runs really well.

There are some that appeared to have "heat soak" issues where the gas in the carb would boil making restarting on a hot day after a hard pull interesting. Seemed to be a saw specific thing. Most don't have that issue. Some very high profile cases did and set an online tone. I have literally tried to replicate that on my saws and have yet to have that issue. BUT recognize there are those who did. One got another saw and we are patiently waiting to see how that turned out! (You know who you are)

But the thing is, as with all things mechanical; its a statistical game. I was a "562" skeptic. Actually posted to that effect I think last year. Holmantree, without his knowing it; shamed me into giving them a try. Of course with me...thats really emersing into the vat  vs. being a rational human. Put my 372's in the retirement home.

But back to statistics. Every saw has statistical issues. that's why there are service bulletins and upgrades. Also why manufacturers have warrantee plans. Some saw have more than others....Spike60 points out the much raved on 262's had more than the 562's....But why the major brands like Makita, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna etc. are the best choice for 90 percent of the folks out there.

562's had a rough start where I am in the states, but have now turned into a popular saw. Same as the 576's did after the initial 575 didn't fly well. Other brands have similar issue with new designs.....and very few have as successful a saw intro as say..Husqvarna with the 371/372 OE or Stihl with the 046/MS460's..saws like that just set such a high bar, anything less is considered an issue. Both Stihl and Husqvarna also have to put "bleeding" edge technology on the market and both are where they are in the market place because of how they deal with the product evolution.

Hopefully posting/threads like this help those who are using a particular saw get a heads up and a head start on solving issues to increase the chance of success with their chosen saw. Really hoping we end up there with this thread.

At this point? I really appreciate the ones I'm using. Great saws. I have a couple, one built out of the lesser desired junker parts and one built on a 2014 model. Both serve me well and have extended my useful saw life because of the combination of ease of starting, weight, vibration, power, and fuel usage.... Just a humble opinion......

[MNBobcat]

removed

[barbender]

MN, it looks and sounds like you're a busy guy. What area of the state are you located in?

[Jeff]

Thank you MNBobcat for the info. Very interesting and much appreciated

I'm not really a moderator. I'm the Forestry Forum inventor ;)

[Corley5]

I assume being from Minnesota you're growing U Of Minn releases like Marquette, Frontenac variants etc?  We've got a 6,000 vine vineyard over here consisting of those varieties and some older Swensons along with a more recent Plocher release.  Your vineyard looks nice.  A winery is looming in our future as well.

[MNBobcat]

Hi Corley,

Small world!  We have Marquette, Frontenac, Frontenac blanc, Frontenac Gris, Brianna, St Pepin and a few somerset seedless.  We're planting 800 Itasca in the spring.

Have you started planning for the winery yet?

I assume being from Minnesota you're growing U Of Minn releases like Marquette, Frontenac variants etc?  We've got a 6,000 vine vineyard over here consisting of those varieties and some older Swensons along with a more recent Plocher release.  Your vineyard looks nice.  A winery is looming in our future as well.

[HolmenTree]

MNBobcat, I hope you have better luck with your future  winery then you do with your 562XP.   :D

[George Zarifis]

I've had the stihl MS 261 C-M for 1.5 years right now and I've had zero problems with it. I've heavily abused it, made it stall many times by pressing too  hard, I've even dropped it from a tree onto asphalt and nothing broke (actually it kept idling on the ground!). Granted its a bit smaller than the husky 562 but I assume that the bigger stihls will be just as good. Personally, I would go with a stihl any day of the week. And I don't see what the problem is with the new oil/gas caps. Personally I really like them and as far as I know the provide a good seal. I've never had any problems with them...

[killamplanes]

I run 2 new 661 don't care for flip lids Almay liked the screw caps on 660. Just me, when u over fill and put this flip cap on u get oil or gas on gloves, so u were it rest of day. The older screw cabs I used the bar wrench screwdriver, to put them on and my gloves stayed clean. When u go thru 2 gallons of fuel a day and gallon of oil ur gloves are pretty much a mess.