Husqvarna 135 Mark II chainsaw

Husqvarna 135 Mark II chainsaw

The Husqvarna 135 Mark II chainsaw (also referred to as the Husqvarna 135 II) is a powerful yet lightweight tool designed for homeowners and landowners who need a reliable chainsaw for everyday cutting, pruning, and firewood preparation. Equipped with a 38 cc X-Torq® 2-stroke engine producing about 2.1 horsepower, this model delivers excellent cutting power while maintaining fuel efficiency and low emissions. It supports bar lengths from 14 to 16 inches, making it versatile for small to medium-sized trees, storm cleanup, trimming branches, or cutting firewood logs. The Air Injection™ system uses centrifugal air cleaning to remove larger dust particles before they reach the air filter, helping extend engine life and minimize maintenance. Husqvarna’s LowVib® anti-vibration technology reduces fatigue during longer sessions, and the SmartStart® feature makes starting easier by minimizing resistance in the starter cord. The side-mounted chain tensioner allows quick adjustments without disassembling the housing, while the ergonomic handle and balanced weight (about 10 pounds) make it easy to maneuver for precision cutting.

When it comes to troubleshooting, most common issues are simple to fix. If the saw doesn’t start, first ensure you’re using freshly mixed 50:1 fuel (2.6 oz of 2-stroke oil per 1 gallon of gas) and check that the spark plug gap is 0.5 mm (0.02 in). Clean or replace the air filter if it’s clogged, as restricted airflow often causes poor starting or stalling. A flooded engine can be cleared by removing the plug and letting the cylinder dry. If the chain won’t move or cuts poorly, inspect the chain tension, confirm that the oil reservoir is full and feeding properly, and sharpen or replace the chain if it’s dull. Overheating or loss of power usually results from dirty cooling fins, a clogged fuel filter, or a dull chain that strains the motor. For vibration issues, check the anti-vibration mounts and ensure the chain and bar are balanced and evenly worn. The chain brake should always be tested before use to ensure it engages instantly in case of kickback, maintaining safety in all cutting conditions.

To achieve best efficiency, always warm up the saw for 30–60 seconds before heavy cutting so oil circulates, and parts reach operating temperature. Keep the chain sharp this dramatically reduces fuel use, cutting time, and strain on the engine. Always cut at full throttle and let the saw’s weight do the work rather than forcing it. A properly tensioned, lubricated, and sharpened chain ensures smooth, efficient cutting. Clean debris from the housing, clutch area, and air intake after every use to maintain airflow and prevent overheating. Flip the bar regularly to promote even wear and replace the fuel filter and spark plug periodically to maintain consistent performance. Use only Husqvarna-approved bar and chain oil for lubrication and never store the saw with fuel inside for long periods drain it or run it dry before storage to prevent carburetor gumming. With these steps, the Husqvarna 135 Mark II provides years of dependable service, excellent fuel economy, and consistent cutting power for residential and light land-management use, combining durability, easy maintenance, and user comfort in a compact yet capable package.

Capabilities

This model is geared toward homeowners or light-duty cutting tasks (firewood cutting, storm cleanup, felling small-to-medium trees) rather than heavy professional logging.

Key Specs

• Engine displacement: 38 cm³ (≈ 2.3 cu in)
• Output power: ~ 2.1 hp (1.6 kW)
• Recommended guide bar length: 14–16 inches (min ~14 in / max ~16 in
• Weight excluding cutting equipment: ~ 10.36 lb. (≈4.7 kg)
• Chain type: S93G, 3/8″ mini pitch, gauge .050″
• Key features:
  • Husqvarna “X-Torq®” engine design (for reduced fuel consumption and emissions)
  • “Air Injection™” filter/cleaning system: centrifugal removal of large dust/debris before air filter.
  • LowVib® anti-vibration system to reduce fatigue.
  • SmartStart® / easy starting features (fuel pump, combined choke/stop, etc.)
  • Side-mounted chain tensioning for convenience. What this means in practice
• It’s light enough for one person to handle comfortably, even for a while, thanks to the low weight and LowVib system.
• With a 14–16″ bar, it’s large enough for small trees, firewood logs, and general yard cleanup — but not ideal for heavy logging or very large diameter trees.
• The features built in (easy start, anti-vibration, air filtration) all help make it more user-friendly and lower maintenance compared to entry-level models.
• Because of its moderate displacement and power, you’ll want to match tasks accordingly: avoid pushing it into very heavy-duty cutting for long durations.

Easy Troubleshooting Tips

Here are common issues, and how to quickly address them.

1. The saw won’t start or it’s hard to start

• Make sure you’re using the correct fuel mix: Husqvarna recommends 2-stroke oil mix (often 50:1) with fresh unleaded gasoline. The spec sheet says “Husqvarna 2 cycle or equivalent at 50:1” for the lubricant type.
• Check the spark plug: Remove it, check electrode gap (spec is ~0.022″ according to spec)
• Check air filter: If it’s clogged, the engine may have trouble starting or run poorly.
• Ensure you’ve primed (if applicable) and used the correct choke/stop control. The model has a combined choke/stop control to simplify starting and reduce flooding.
• If the engine is flooded: Remove plug, allow cylinder to clear/fuel to evaporate, then reinstall and try again.

2. Chain does not move, or chain is cutting poorly

• Check chain tension: If it’s too loose, the chain might sag or derail; if too tight, it can drag and wear the bar. With this model the side chain tensioning makes this easier.
• Check that chain oil reservoir is filled — if the chain and bar are under-oiled, you’ll get more wear, worse cutting, perhaps smoke.
• Check chain sharpness: A dull chain makes the engine work harder, produces more vibration, produces fine dust instead of chips.
• Ensure the bar is in good condition: No burs or excessive wear on the edges and flip it occasionally to even wear.

3. Loss of power / engine bogs under load

• A dirty air filter or clogged cooling fins will reduce performance. Clean them regularly.
• Low chain speed due to a dull chain or wrong chain gauge/pitch.
• Fuel filter clogged, or fuel mixing issues (old fuel, improper ratio).
• If the saw overheats, the Air Injection system might be struggling if lots of debris entering air system; clean the housing.
• Carburetor may need adjustment (but for homeowners this is less frequent).

4. Excessive vibration or fatigue

• The LowVib® anti-vibration system helps, but if mounting rubber/buffers are worn or broken, you’ll feel more vibration.
• A poorly balanced chain/bar (heavy side wear) may cause more vibration; keep bar and chain in good condition.
• If the chain is loose or dragging, more vibration will result.

5. Kickback / safety concerns

• This model includes inertia-activated chain brake (to reduce risk of injury from kickbacks).
• Always ensure bar tip is clear of objects, use proper stance and grip, don’t overreach.
• Keep chain sharp, use proper bar length for task, avoid cutting with the top of the bar tip.

How to Use It for Best Efficiency

To get the most out of your 135 Mark II in terms of performance, fuel economy, lifespan and safety, follow these best practices.

Preparation

• Always start with fresh fuel, properly mixed (2-stroke oil as specified). Stale fuel will reduce performance and may clog carburetor.
• Ensure the chain oil reservoir is filled with a proper bar & chain oil (not just generic motor oil) for effective lubrication.
• Warm up the engine: let it idle for a short time (30-60 seconds) so oil circulates and components reach operating temperature.
• Inspect chain tension, bar condition, sharpness of chain — a sharp, properly tensioned chain means less effort and faster cutting.
• Use the correct bar length for your task; since the recommended max is 16″, if you go longer, you’ll reduce efficiency and increase wear.

During Use

• Always cut at full throttle (unless doing light trimming or limbing) under-throttling means the engine and chain spend more time in inefficient modes.
• Let the saw do the work: don’t force it. A sharp chain will cut smoothly. Forcing slows you down, consumes extra fuel, increases wear, and risks damage.
• Use the lower part of the bar (near the bumper spikes) for safer, controlled cutting when possible. Avoid cutting with the tip (to reduce kickback risk).
• Clear debris from air intake, cooling fins, and chain/bar after each session so the air injection and cooling systems remain effective.
• If cutting a lot of similar diameter logs, flip the bar periodically to equalize wear and maintain better performance.

Maintenance for Efficiency

• Sharpen chain regularly. Even if it “kind of works”, a dull chain wastes time and fuel.
• Clean the air filter frequently. A partially blocked filter increases fuel consumption and heat.
• Check fuel and chain oil quality. Don’t leave fuel sitting in the tank for long periods (especially over winter) it can gum up the carburetor.
• Store it properly when not in use: drain fuel (or add stabilizer), run the engine until it stops, clean the bar/chain and lightly oil the chain.
• If possible, service at season intervals: inspect spark plug, fuel filter, muffler/spark arrestor, anti-vibration mounts.
• Always use genuine or high-quality chains, bars, and oil to avoid performance loss and premature wear.

Efficiency Tips

• Matching cutting task to equipment: If you’re felling large trees frequently, this saw may become a bottleneck (you’d have to prolong cuts or make multiple passes). For medium logs and firewood, this saw will be efficient.
• Keep chain sharp: One small investment in sharpening file or service saves lots of fuel/time in the long run.
• Use the automatic chain oiler and keep oil reservoir topped up a well-lubed chain/bar cuts faster and with less heat.
• Keep an eye on chain speed: The spec says chain speed at max power is ~55 ft/s (16.8 m/s) for this model. If cutting slows noticeably, chain wellicht needs attention.
• Frequent small maintenance beats “let it go until it breaks”. For example, cleaning the dust buildup prevents overheating which can reduce lifespan and increase running costs.