My Experience with the Husqvarna 545 Mark II Chainsaw
Hey folks! Well I picked up a new chainsaw, the Husqvarna 545 Mark II and wanted to share why I chose it and my first impressions. What better way to get a feel for the new chainsaw than to head to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and take down a few trees for firewood.
Why I Chose the Husqvarna 545 Mark II
For about ten years, I’ve been using a Stihl MS170. It was great for general maintenance around our city property. Heck, it’s even held it’s own for some of the smaller work around the acreage. However, with some larger trees needing to come down around the property and the need for firewood it was time for an upgrade. Maybe upgrade isn’t the right word- something with more power. I needed something that could handle the workload of cutting three to five cords of firewood each year, plus the tree removal around the property. After doing a bit of research and weighing my options, I settled on the Husqvarna 545 Mark II.
Price and features
One of the main reasons I went for this model was the price. I managed to snag it on Boxing Day for about 25% off retail, which definitely swayed my decision. I liked the feel in hand, power to weight ratio, and bar size that was offered. It came with a 20″ bar which may be slightly larger than ideal after some reading online, but I am going to roll with it for now and see how it runs. The extra warranty was a great bonus. If you buy a gallon of Husqvarna’s premixed fuel, you can extend the warranty from two to five years. That’s a nice little perk!
Another feature that caught my attention was AutoTune- Husqvarna’s name for carburettor system. The idea is to give the optimal engine performance by automatically adjusting the air fuel ratio to compensate for different altitude, humidity, temperature, or fuels. I am decent with a wrench, but the simplicity is definitely attractive- time will tell how it all works.
Registering for warranty
Don’t forget, if you do get this saw, make sure to register it on the Husqvarna website. It’s super simple: just find your model, enter your details, and you’re good to go with the full warranty! I believe this step is crucial to actually qualify for the warranty. In addition, the saw and pre-mixed fuel MUST be on the same receipt.
Unboxing and initial impressions
When I unboxed the Husqvarna, I found the usual goodies: a small bottle of oil for mixing fuel, a scrench (that’s a wrench and screwdriver combo), and an extra air filter. The air filter is interesting because it has different meshes depending on the environment you’re cutting in. I definitely to do more digging on this front. This saw also has quick-release access points, which is a huge plus for maintenance. I can easily access the engine compartment without needing tools. This means checking the air filter or spark plug is a breeze! Husqvarna calls Snap-Lock technology, and it definitely snaps and locks.
Build quality of Husqvarna 545 mark 2
Let me reiterate – I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL. This is just a random joe-shmoe’s take. One of the reasons I was drawn to this chainsaw was its construction. It features a magnesium crankcase, which should make it more durable than your typical homeowner classification of saw. In addition, you have a three-piece crankshaft I’m not taking down massive trees, but I want something that’ll last and can handle the occasional tough job. I liked the all metal handle with wrap- the piece of mind of this over something plastic is a nice feeling.
Some other notable features that caught my eye were the quick release air filter, retained bar nuts and starter screws (no more keeping track if you need to drop a cover), and side mounted chain tensioner.
Last but not least, the 545 mark II also has an adjustable oil pump. Not something I am ready to play around with quite yet- but I’ll never say never.
Performance features
As I mentioned above, this chainsaw comes with AutoTune in its carburetor system. The saw adjusts itself to different conditions, like elevation and temperature, to optimize performance. This is great for me since I often work in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I really appreciate not having to fiddle with the carburetor every time I switch locations.
Husqvarna also notes this saw has the X-TORQ engine to deliver great power and torque. At the end of the day, I chalk this up to marketing lingo. Who knows if it really makes a difference.
Handling and usability
After using it for a while, I can say that the overall design is compact and lightweight, making it easy to maneuver while cutting. It feels like a much smaller saw than it is. Not that 50cc is big, but I was worried it might feel that way after coming from the Stihl MS170.
Filling the saw is super easy with its flip-up caps. No more struggling with tight lids like on my old Stihl! Plus, there’s a fuel indicator at the back that lets me keep track of how much gas I have left. It’s these little conveniences that really make a difference when you’re out working.
Final thoughts
After spending a couple of hours with the Husqvarna 545 Mark II, I’m really pleased. It starts easily, runs smoothly, and is comfortable to use. It’s not significantly larger than my old MS170, yet it’s a much more powerful tool. For my needs—cutting firewood and cleaning up around the property—this saw appears to be a fantastic fit.