Finally fired up the Husqvarna 580BTS MK3 for the first time.

Unfortunately we will never know if it would have started 1st pull because I had the choke off for the first 3 or 4 pulls... uhh.

[@redhawkvalley]

I've read that this is the same machine, besides plastics, as the redmax 8500. Can anybody confirm or deny this?

[@spinb]

I think it's the same as the 8560, with some minor differences. The reasons I bought the 580 (mark II) instead of the Redmax 8550 are the straps are more padded and the chest strap, which makes the Husqvarna much more comfortable to use for long periods of time.

[@redhawkvalley]

@@spinb thanks for the information!