Help needed to decide.

[Enduras1]

Greetings from Athens Greece!

 

I am glad I found this forum and have read a lot of interesting topics.

I originate from the island of Chios and Crete were we cultivate mastic (Chios) and olive trees.

 

 

I already have two arborist chainsaws the Husky 334T and its big brother the 338XPT witch are absolutely perfect in their duty pruning the mastic trees in Chios and also the olive oil trees.

 

 

Moreover the 338XPT is powerful enough to carry a 16” bar and cut firewood.

But don’t want to use it that way so I am seriously thinking of buing a new bigger chainsaw for that job.

 

 

It will be used for dropping olive trees and pine trees aprox 25” at their largest and cutting dead dry mastic trees which are very hard and solid.

At first I was planning on buying a 346XP after all the excellent reviews I ve read but it is not anymore available here.

Found only one for 690 euros.

So the decision now is among the 550XP (650 euros)and the 560XP (720euros).

I have read similar threads but still want to ask which is more suitable for my needs from some people who are using both and in my country aren’t many.

I am 170cm tall and 80kgs heavy so the lighter the better I think, but also I like power....

Also being used in having light and agile saws I find the 560 a bit heavy but it has 1 BHP more and from the videos I ve seen is a realy "bad" guy.

Forgive my long post.

[Dan Earp]

How about the stihl 440 or 660? I run a 440 with a 25'' bar and chain and runs through anything or the husky versions to these saws

[Steve Bullman]

660 for cutting 25" trees?? I don't think its quite what he's asking for

 

I think either of those 2 saws would be ideal. If the wood is as hard to cut as you say(ever cut it myself), i'd be inclined to go with the larger of the 2, although the smaller will manage easily enough.

[Le Sanglier]

I recently agonised over buying a 560 and didn't. Now I wish I had spent the extra for more power.

[Eddy_t]

550xp is in the same size range as the 346xp, but I would go for the 560 personally. I want one of those guide bar covers with the flames

[Enduras1]

Thank you for your replies!

Today I went to a dealer nearby and spend sometime talking and weighing the saws without the bar attached and the weight difference between them is noticeable!

Of course if the bar was on the difference would be less I suppose so on Monday I am planning on visiting the central importer's exhibition were they have all the models.

 

Let me tell you that the saw wont be used on a daily basis and probably a 450Rancher could do the job but I would like to own a top of the line.

 

Also the swedish orange stuff is my favorite brand and I would rather not go for a stihl.

[Acg128]

Quality bar sheath! Not sure it would replace my stihl ones tho !

[Enduras1]

455rancher I wanted to say above....

The 450 lacks power for the job.

 

550xp is in the same size range as the 346xp, but I would go for the 560 personally. I want one of those guide bar covers with the flames

 

Eddy thank you.

It is from Jonshered.

The 346 would be my first choice but isnt sold anymore here and the one I ve found at a dealer costs more than a new 550!!!

 

[Stubby]

I can recommend the 560XP . Its the best 60cc saw I have ever owned .

[Enduras1]

What about the little problems the new Auto tune Huskys had?

I found out that the carbs were replaced.

So both of the XP's will now use a Zama EL46 carb instead of the original EL44.