new husqvarna 550xp

[Peasgood]

I was told use good fuel and Husky green oil (XP?) and work it properly for 20 minutes. I did cut rings with it for 20 minutes plus and haven't had any problems with it at all. Starts easy hot or cold and runs well.

[Plodalong]

Pump petrol and husky xp 2 stroke oil, run all of my saws/strimmers etc on it without issue.

[David Dobedoe]

I have come across a lot of problems with xp saws.

 

My conclusion is

• Use good, fully synthetic two stroke oil, XP seems to be best for these saws.  50:1 mix is recommend so be really fussy about how you mix it and use fresh petrol.
• Keep the saw clean so that cooling happens as its designed to. Air vents and cooling fins covered in spruce sap and sawdust seems to be a significant factor. I know someone who at last count had blown up fourteen 560's ( probably more). and it seems not keeping clean enough is a factor. This is much easier to manage when working with hardwoods.
• I think Aspen would be fine, I seem to remember  husqvarna recommending it.
• Saws don't last forever.

Great little saw the 550....    wish i still had one.  Will buy another in the future

[outinthewood]

Mr D you have managed to capture all the major points to running and care of a chainsaw and in particular with regards to the 550 ( and it's bigger brothers !). I travel around the whole country working and make a point of calling in to the "local" Husqvarna dealer and have found that oil and lack of cleaning is the 550/560 biggest problem so as much as there are 5s out there with problems much of them are "operator error" 

I look at replacing any small saw like the 550 after a year of forest work although my last couple of 550s have done more than that with no problems. Very good post Mr D !