Stihl MS241C-M vs Husqvarna 543XP

[ArcticOverland]

Zenoah engines are VERY nice, and possibly strongest in class. However, the saw chassis they put them in are much more "plasticky" than a Husky XP or Stihl.

In fact, the chassis is excellent. The top cover, choke lever and tiny kill switch are the things that betray its origins. Even the clutch cover is of at least the same standard used on some earlier XP saws. I see no colour mismatching. I'd dare say that if the top cover and switchgear were more familiar, fewer would have the criticisms they have of the 543. That's the only real issue I'd have with the saw if pushed on it. Price IS ridiculous really, but then again, my 576XPG runs around the $1450-1500 price point here for another comparison!

 

[Chris-PA]

Zenoah engines are VERY nice, and possibly strongest in class. However, the saw chassis they put them in are much more "plasticky" than a Husky XP or Stihl.

There is more plastic in the chassis of some of their designs, but to me plastic is just another material with particular properties that make it more or less suitable for various purposes. I think the Zenoah designers got it right in their design of the GZ400/4000/4500, and put the plastic and the mag materials in the right places. The result is plenty strong and very light. The 543XP has more mag and less plastic than the GZ4500, but it weighs more, and about the only strength advantage would be the dual support brake handle.

 

[Franny K]

If the saw is to compliment a 362 and the only reason for it is delimbing and lighter weight, I'd skip both the 241 and the 543xp.

Your user name is trail trimmer and it doesn't seem you are thinking along that line of service?

I think you are right, skip them both. Wait for the next version if new "pro" is what you want.

 

[blsnelling]

There is more plastic in the chassis of some of their designs, but to me plastic is just another material with particular properties that make it more or less suitable for various purposes. I think the Zenoah designers got it right in their design of the GZ400/4000/4500, and put the plastic and the mag materials in the right places. The result is plenty strong and very light. The 543XP has more mag and less plastic than the GZ4500, but it weighs more, and about the only strength advantage would be the dual support brake handle.

Light weight is definitely their calling card, along with the great engine.

 

[Brushwacker]

The inboard clutch of the Stihl and Dolmar, doesn't make sense either, for well known reasons.

Whats that ? Think I heard something about balance but I personally find the handling and weight configuration of small rear handled Huskies tend to ache my body when working chainsaws upward to 1/2 hour or so. Then when I set them down they fall over and I have to bend over farther to pick them up which doesn't do any thing to make the job easier and less painful. I much prefer inboard for ease of changing sprockets or servicing the clutch area. No special tools or impact needed, its a breeze in the woods or home with a screwdriver and pair of pliers or can do it with 1 or the other. I would go inboard over outboard any day if it came to that to decide which saw to buy.

 

[Big_Wood]

That alone is by far the best buy out there!!! Loose the cat and the weight difference is minor.

That alone is the main problem I see here. A bunch of freaks repeating what someone else before them stated with out any longer first hand experience. For me an actual highly experienced user like "mweba" stating his like for the saw has far more impact.

I donot have a 543, but I have some japanese saws (also a few from Zenoah = Red Max) and like them alot! Many comments come around by people critisising "it doesn't feel like A or B", simply because that is all they know. Well got some news for you it isn't A or B! But it runs real mean and can hold it's own compared to any other brand, irrespective of "feel". And that is the moment I often really enjoy, seeing how people beginn to comprehend that a lot in their world is prejudice and that the world out there might truely have something else to offer.

And we are seeing other examples for example like Dolmar, quite unkonwn, but for many who give the brand a chance don't want to be without one anymore!

7

well, that is my opinion and i didn't just repeat what i heard. IIRC i stated that opinion here on AS in another thread just a few days after the 543 came out on my phone while standing in front of a 543 at the dealer LOL. i don't care if it's a redmax. really don't at all. my gripe is the earthquake (redmax) feel to them. i really like the running shoe 550 and wish they had made the 543 similar but smaller. at what point does weight not matter though? if i'm running a rear handle i'll run a 550 and skip the smaller rear handles going right to a top handle. a 372 feels light to me LOL.

 

[Brushwacker]

The 025 is compact and a very easy saw to work with and they are fairly snappy for what they are. I wouldn't get in a hurry to sell it. I keep 1 in my line up because it makes it makes life easier in a lot of my situations and easy and inexpensive to have along .

 

[wyk]

Further I see nothing wrong with Zenoah / Red Max. It is true that it isn't typical Husqvarna character, but I still have never heard of any defects here or in european forums. So I truely doubt you could go truely wrong with either. And if I understand correctly from mweba the japanese saw needs quite some time to run in.

7

True, but if I were gonna get the Husky - I would get the Zenoah version for another 150 or so less. Then it becomes quite a savings over both the Husky and the Stihl, and starts to look very nice.

 

[7sleeper]

True, but if I were gonna get the Husky - I would get the Zenoah version for another 150 or so less. Then it becomes quite a savings over both the Husky and the Stihl, and starts to look very nice.

If only one new where?

7

 

[Cope1024]

If only one new where?

7

Saw one on eBay, and there are several dealers near me. Jack's has it pretty cheap online. (GZ4500)

 

[7sleeper]

But the gz4500 is not the exact copy. There is a japanese thread where they have the identical japanese model in side by side view. If I recall corectly it is the GZ4300.

Just found the pics.

Already mentioned here in this thread.
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/just-ordered-me-some-543xps.243429/page-3

7

 

[HuskStihl]

Cope, I didn't want to say this in front of the boys, and I had hoped you were just kidding with the whole thing, but you're a Texan! You got no business shopping for some sort of teensy weedeater with a chainsaw attachment. Your limbing saw should be at least 85cc's, and go up from there!

Let those darn foreigners have their 16cc saws with 5 inch bars

 

[M&Rtree]

How bout a Husqvarna 545? I've seen them from $389 to $430 new. With a 14 or 16" its a very lite saw.

 

[Cope1024]

But the gz4500 is not the exact copy. There is a japanese thread where they have the identical japanese model in side by side view. If I recall corectly it is the GZ4300.

Just found the pics.

Already mentioned here in this thread.
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/just-ordered-me-some-543xps.243429/page-3

7

RedMax USA doesn't show a HGZ4300, just the 4500. Specs are awfully close to the 543.

 

[Cope1024]

How bout a Husqvarna 545? I've seen them from $389 to $430 new. With a 14 or 16" its a very lite saw.

It's a 50cc saw, I'm looking for something in the 40cc range. If I wanted a 50cc I would just get an MS261. Remember I have an MS362C already.

 

[Cope1024]

Cope, I didn't want to say this in front of the boys, and I had hoped you were just kidding with the whole thing, but you're a Texan! You got no business shopping for some sort of teensy weedeater with a chainsaw attachment. Your limbing saw should be at least 85cc's, and go up from there!

Let those darn foreigners have their 16cc saws with 5 inch bars

I'm 67 going on 70 . The MS362C is the largest I want, but I can always use the 25" bar to limb if necessary.

 

[M&Rtree]

It's a 50cc saw, I'm looking for something in the 40cc range. If I wanted a 50cc I would just get an MS261. Remember I have an MS362C already.

I can barely tell the difference in weight between my 550 with a 16" and my 543 with a 16. Dang sure can tell the difference in power though.

 

[M&Rtree]

Way lighter than a 362 also.

 

[blsnelling]

I bought a 241 for myself at Christmas. I sold it. There just wasn't enough difference in weight of a 50cc saw, yet a marked difference in power. That is where the Redmax has an advantage the others do not.

 

[David Young]

i only picked up a 543 and 545. i could not tell a difference in the weight but I liked the way the 545 felt better. I was impressed by the 545 when I ran one at work, nice smooth saw.
i know nothing about the 241 but honestly other than a lighter wallet what is the point of upgrading the 025 for a trim and limb saw. I know others will disagree but they light, have enough power and have been around for ever so parts are easy to find.

I think it was a good call to get rid of the 290