XP or XPG 550 or 560 Husqvarna?

[Peter]

Just get one of these.

 

[Brushcutter]

Been out felling today (well i've been mainly processing) two guys were using MS261s with 18" bars. It didn't help that their saw skills were poor but the poor saw were struggling in the hardwoods with 18" bars. I do mainly forestry like Chris and it seems we have similar set ups.

 

My saw set up is:

346 xpg (this will be replaced with a 550xpg)

576 xpg auto tune.

MS 660

 

I'd have a 550 with a 13" bar on it and you'd be amazed at what you can tackle with it. Have a 15" bar for when you need a bit of extra reach.

 

The 576 will do a 24" mine has an 18" on it and it's lovely. Have used a 24" on it in hardwood and it performed very well. Pics are of the 576.

[Chris Sheppard]

Thanks for the advice Chris. Do you know if the 550 is the newer one or did they both come out at the same time. Cant see myself needing anything bigger than a 24 for a long time. Perhaps a 550 and then a 372 would be the way to go.

 

560 came out first, by a few weeks I think.

[WoodMouse]

Thanks Matty, planning on working the saw pretty hard so don't want to be grappling a monster all day. but having one as a back up and when the job demands it has to be done considering i cant rely on one saw. 360 seems good.

[Brushcutter]

Just get one of these.

 

 

When get that when you can by 500 550xpgs.

[WoodMouse]

Thanks for all the reply's guys. Much appreciated.

[Chris Sheppard]

 

I'd have a 550 with a 13" bar on it and you'd be amazed at what you can tackle with it. Have a 15" bar for when you need a bit of extra reach.

 

 

I agree - last big job my 550 was out on was some sycamore thinnings. Mainly 12-15" but an odd few 16-18" Ordinarily I'd have been dragging the 357 round but stuck a 15" on the 550 and was really quite impressed.

 

Likewise, the 560 when we had it was tackling stuff I'd usually chuck the 372 at.

[MattyF]

My ideal set up would be 560.576.395.. I'm tempted to say 390 but my 395 replaced my 288xp that was a very good saw but the 395 just feels stronger... And the 390 was supposed to be the new 288!

[Charlieh]

560xpg is the one to go for, the 550 is not much lighter in real terms the extra speed and power of the 560 would be noticable on an 18" bar and you can still drop to a 13" bar for thinnings etc, my 560 gets used now for most stuff the 346 and 372 used to come out to deal with

[MattyF]

If you are of a light frame stay with the 550 if not IMO the 560 is the way forward .. I really rate that saw!