Looking at pro saws (Dolmar 6100 being a small mount/6400 being a largemount or Husky 362 xp at) and researching some opinions. (Upgrading from a 450 rancher 20") Pretty equal saws on paper and you tube vids. My question as a rookie not good at adjusting carbs, is an auto tune the way to go? Yes they are more $ but adding in carb tunes after possible light mods every so often it can add up right? Will the autotune compensate for light modding? I like the Dolmar price point but carb adjustment is my hold back. I realize my 450 is a carb saw and have never had it adjusted but don't see it as as big of a deal on a consumer saw. Found a 562 xpg 20" .058 for $670 (18% off) online with oil for an extra year warranty. $699 with canned fuel for extra 2 yr warrany. 1) Will the heated handle get too warm/hot for spring/fall cutting or cause damage? 2) Is .058 chain harder to find than .050? Or is it something not to worry about. For the price I can add a 24" .050 bar and come up the same prive as a non heated already set up with the 24" .050. And have 2 bar lengths to choose from. 3) Is the added .5 lbs gonna matter at the end of the day? Sorry for the lengthy post but want all the pros/cons and opinions before "pulling the trigger" on the saw I will probably own for the rest of my life!
The more you tune a saw the easier it will become. You do have to be careful if its rev limited that can make things trickier. You can always get a tach to help if your unsure. Be aware that carbs on new saws will have limiters on the adjustment screws and might need a special tool to adjust. But there are ways around that. AT/MT systems handle mods fine. You'll just need to reset the system. 1: I thought they had an on/off switch. 2: It depends on your local. I have to order in .058 here. 3: No.
^^^^^^^ what he said. Tuning becomes easier the more you do it. It also does not require a special program or shop fees to do anything with it. For me to get an at/Mt saw I would have to have an awesome trustworthy dealer that handles them. Chain will also depend on your local dealers. However online ordering of bars and chains is not to big of deal.
well i go for the simplest system figuring down the road there's less to go wrong. i'm not an old pro but have used chainsaws on and off for a long time and carb tuning is not that complicated and can be learned here and on net videos. the better framed question, for me anyway, is what downsides do you have with autotune systems. if there is near perfect user history then there is nothing to worry about. when they went to electronic ignition in cars it was a smooth transition and the best thing that had ever happened. i do not believe that there haven't been problems with these systems and would like those more knowledgeable to chime in.
The AT will handle extreme mods. Look at the saw builders..mastermind can really make those auto tunes into an animal. Heated handles have an on/off switch. And why dont you just get .050 chain if your worried about availability? If thats what's available to you easier? On a 70cc saw you probably won't notice 8 ozs
The MT / AT carb works around the world without big problems , but is personal what everyone like or not the heated handles is just a bull......... just for companies sale more for the chains you can find everything you want in the dealers or internet or other shops so no headache here and for you last questions if the .5 lbs matter Make your saw depend for what you need it
The xpg with 20" bar .058 was 20% off. Its on its way here VIA fedex!!! I added the 3 cans of husky premix fuel and if I add in the price of a future 24" b&c to it I came within a few bucks of the standard xp 24" .050 alone! Kinda a no brainer in my eyes! I now see that the .058 is fairly accessible online if I can't find it at a local dealer.
Yea that makes sense. And Yea you can buy out all day long online. And usually cheaper than at the dealer anyway shipped to the house. You can always get a forester bar or some other AM bar and save some money. And they still run perfectly fine for firewood duty.
The best part about an AT/MT saw is that it runs the same in 9 degree weather as it does in 90 deg weather. There is no re-tune for temp or elevation changes. I take mine out, pull the rope and cut friggin' wood. I like a tool that simple. Both of my MT's are modified beyond "minor" too. Heated handles should have an on/off switch. There's been a few times that I wish I had them. .058 is out there, it's not rare, especially at a dealer that carries Husqvarna as a primary line. Having 3 different gauges for .325 and 3/8" chain is ridiculous. It would be nice if the industry standardized a bit more. 3/8"LP in .050, .325 .058 and 3/8" .063 would be just fine with me.
my old Jonesred, (johnny) had heated handles and I loved them! I also cut a lot in winter (read 0 or colder) Really 2 feet of wet heavy snow breaks trees and I have large enough hands hard to find gloves that work with a saw. So heated handle might depend on your climate. I guarantee my next big saw will have them.. During ice or snow storm I would take that (Johnny) 70 cc 14 lb monster to cut 8 inch wood and leave 260 pro in trunk! he was 1987 model and had on off switch for handle heater.. Since you got them so think of it like 4 wheel drive. You only need it once in a while but sure nice to have when you do!
I just ran my new-to-me M-tronic MS 261, and I gotta say that I'm impressed. Took six pulls to get it started, since it was shipped dry. First pull after that, whether it was hot or sat for two hours. I'm pretty sure AT and MT will become like everything else. After it's out there long enough, anything you will need to know or buy to fix any performance problems will be available on the internet. I was at my local Husky dealer today looking for a chain for my 7900. They had tons of .058" in stock, no .050" at all. I had to have them spin me up a loop of full comp for my 28" bar. Not looking forward to sharpening all those cutters , but we'll see how she runs.
I have a pro logger customer he change carb once a year , he just say, order 5 from ebay for 15 each , i will have carbs for the next 10 years with the price of one oem , after 10 years i dont know if i live ................. who care for the saw
On my new saws I have yet to adjust the tune. They are pro saws - I don't think that matters though. I'm sure I'm leaving a little performance on the table but I have cutting to do. Likewise I wouldn't hesitate to buy an autotune either, as long as the interweb reviews indicate it's a solid saw. .050 vs. .058 will depend on where you get your chain. If you go to a local shop for chain, then consider which width they regularly stock. If you have another saw with the same chain size (3/8") then match the width if interchangeability will be helpful. If you'll be buying chain loops online it won't matter much. I thought the heated handles have an on/off switch? David
Last fall I got a deal on a 576 AT. Wasn't too keen on the idea at first. Now I love it. Personal opinion, great saw if you know how to maintain a saw. If you are the 'mix lawn boy in a can @ 24:1 with 87 oxy and let it set in the shed all year' you will have problems and they will be expensive...
