550xp Bar size?

[wyk]

where i OR was that.....I cut up there years ago now mainly south of the Mason Dixon but still venture to WA and NCA lol

 

I think that was outside of Grand Ronde, near the Yamhill river. That was mostly ranch work. And to be honest, I thought my 046 mag made better work of that tree, but the vibes are quite a bit worse for all day use. Here is it in similar wood with a 28" and Oregon CJ chain.

 

[Craobh]

Cool I worked round Vernonia bout 15yrs ago last time we were up that way was bout 7 yrs ago just after the flood......and that was something to see if you know what I mean.

 

 

I still like the 372 but as with everything it personal pref. I take on board what ya say tho.

[wyk]

Vernonia is real logging territory. I've only done landing work and ranch work. I prefer the 372 for falling because it ports rather well and has great anti vibe. But the 046mag was a beast stock. It pulled 200 psi last time I checked.

 

To try and stay with the topic, I honestly mean it when I say it all depends on the wood and the chain. But few jobs in the UK and Ireland are all conifer jobs like clear falling doug fir. Hard to ask folks hereabouts to commit to CJ or CK chain when there's really no industry for conifer. Not many in these parts really builds much with wood aside from furniture and pubs And the only big douglas firs I see are legacy trees up near avoca...

[Craobh]

Vernonia is real logging territory. I've only done landing work and ranch work. I prefer the 372 for falling because it ports rather well and has great anti vibe. But the 046mag was a beast stock. It pulled 200 psi last time I checked.

 

To try and stay with the topic, I honestly mean it when I say it all depends on the wood and the chain. But few jobs in the UK and Ireland are all conifer jobs like clear falling doug fir. Hard to ask folks hereabouts to commit to CJ or CK chain when there's really no industry for conifer. Not many in these parts really builds much with wood aside from furniture and pubs And the only big douglas firs I see are legacy trees up near avoca...

 

I agree it what your in and what your running.

 

I use my 372 mostly when I'm falling unless it really big then it the old 2101 lol (I got a 3120 but think the old girl pulls better with the big bar and skip tooth.

 

 

Lol you call it Doug Fir cool....I was confused when I was back here and some one said OR pine. I think they thought I was lying when I Looked at them blankly and said never heard of it lol

 

 

I guess what I'm saying is choose the saw for the job but don't stick small wiggle sticks on the big girls it doesn't do any good and well can be unsafe for many reasons.

[treedweller]

I have a 550xp with a 18" bar and its spot on!! The fact that the 550xp cut and runs unlike any 50cc saw ive ever seen. The auto tune does the trick I think. I would throw the husqvarna chain away though because its gash!!

[WeeDee]

I run a 550XP with a 15" bar, but sometimes I use the same saw on a 18" bar.

The 18" isn't as balanced or quick but it's far from a disaster story.

Just not as close to perfect - that's all.

[SawTroll]

1.I hear that you should not use a 18inch bar on the 550xp?

 

2. If the 550xp is not suited mechanically to a 18inch bar, why would Husqvarna specify that you can use a 18inch bar on the 550xp?

 

3.Has any one got any reasons why you would not want to run an 18inch bar on a 550xp? If there are any reasons for not using an 18 inch bar, what evidence or testing is there to back these reasons/theories ?

 

Thanks

 

Tom

 

An 18" bar (and even a 20" one) is just fine, but it does of course have some negative effect on the balanse and handling of the saw - not so much on performance as some seem to believe.

 

I would use those bars only when they are strictly needed though, as balance and handling is part of the point with a 50cc saw!

Edited January 1, 2014 by SawTroll

[jeanesy]

I've got a 550xp that i run on a 15" bar. My mate has one that he runs on an 18" and while i wouldnt want to run it solely on an 18" IMO the 18" is brilliant for up in the tree. Its really useful for getting through awkwardly large bits of timber and its much nicer to have hanging off the harness than a 441 or 460.

[Proe]

Hi sorry to bring up an old thread just in the process of buying a saw and trying to get clued up with everything.

 

On the husky site they say you can run a 550 on a 20inch bar which i know someone all ready said its possible but not worth it. I know this isn't ideal but if you had a 550 with 20inch bar could you run a .325 skip tooth? If so what would the outcome be?

 

Im just trying to get a feel for this, i know you wouldn't usually use skip tooth on a small bar but with an "underpowered" saw or big bar for the saw, which ever way you want to put it, would this make any sense.

[Brushcutter]

Hi sorry to bring up an old thread just in the process of buying a saw and trying to get clued up with everything.

 

On the husky site they say you can run a 550 on a 20inch bar which i know someone all ready said its possible but not worth it. I know this isn't ideal but if you had a 550 with 20inch bar could you run a .325 skip tooth? If so what would the outcome be?

 

Im just trying to get a feel for this, i know you wouldn't usually use skip tooth on a small bar but with an "underpowered" saw or big bar for the saw, which ever way you want to put it, would this make any sense.

 

Hi i think skip tooth .325 only comes in narrow kerf. Also no CE mark on the skip chain so it could be a pain if you ever have an accident with one.

 

It would work i guess it would be like using an 18" bar cutting wise running the skip tooth. Would be very nose heavy with a 20" on there.

 

Personally 15" max for a 550 13" is the ideal and a 18" on the 560.