New 545/550xp saws

[Willard]

I agree with you.
Calling it 552XP would have been the better choice than just 550 XP Mark II.

I think there was alot of hastened marketing confusion in the last few years between the 2 big companies.

I truly believe the MS462 was originally intended to be a MS442.

 

[Tor R]

IPL's for 545 & 550 mark II
Uploaded the latest 550 mark I IPL as well so people can compare

 

[Tor R]

Main bearings # 525 43 42 03, ie 550 PTO bearing on both sides, excellent choice!!

550 mark II vs 545 mark II:
550 has stuffers, 545 not.
AT 16 vs AT 15
Different jug, same slug
Different coil 550 vs 545

That was a fast overview!

I'm mostly interested to see the new 545 & 550 mark I IPL in around 3-4 months from now

 

[dustinwilt68]

Also appears the Mark I and Mark II DO NOT share the same piston and cylinder.

 

[Tor R]

Also appears the Mark I and Mark II DO NOT share the same piston and cylinder.

90% of the mark II has new parts, very little parts they have in common with mark I, 550 mark II has a new top end, but the 550 mark II use the same piston as 545 mark II use. Would think the transfer covers are different between them.

Its first when the new IpL for mark I arrive is where we will get a clue if and how many mark II parts we can use on the mark I

 

[dustinwilt68]

Anyone know if redmax will have there own version?

 

[Derf]

With the 550 mk ii being the obvious upgrade to the 550xp, do you think
A) resale prices on used 550xp mk I will drop?
B) less people will want a OG 550xp mk I?
C) is it worth keeping/buying a 550xp mk I, or would you rather the 550 mk ii? (Worthwhile?)
D) is it worth keeping/buying a 550xp mk I or would you want a 545 mk ii?
E) if you already have a 550, would you try to "upgrade" your 550xp mk I with MK II parts once they become more prevalent, or keep it original?

 

[Willard]

I think a Wood Boss or Rancher decal should be stuck on the Mk 1 top covers and of course lower the price by $150.

 

[taplinhill]

With the 550 mk ii being the obvious upgrade to the 550xp, do you think
A) resale prices on used 550xp mk I will drop?
B) less people will want a OG 550xp mk I?
C) is it worth keeping/buying a 550xp mk I, or would you rather the 550 mk ii? (Worthwhile?)
D) is it worth keeping/buying a 550xp mk I or would you want a 545 mk ii?
E) if you already have a 550, would you try to "upgrade" your 550xp mk I with MK II parts once they become more prevalent, or keep it original?

a. No, most people don't follow this stuff like us and won't know there's a new one or that it's actually different.
b. No, see above.
c. Keep a mk1, yes. Buy a new one? No, go for the mkII.
d. Keep a mk1, yes. Buy a 545 mkII? No, with the price difference spike60 is estimating, go for the 55oxp mkII.
e. Keep it original. It's not like the 550xp mk1 is a bad saw, plus it doesn't sound like there's going to be a lot of interchangeability.

As for me, I'm going to stick it out with my two 2149's, 2153, 2252, 2050, and 026pro.

 

[Spike60]

I don't think too many of the parts will interchange. Certainly not the internal stuff. External parts like the starter and side cover maybe? Like Tor says, have to study the IPL's. Which I can now thanks to him! They are still not available on the US dealer site.

Then you have to look at some costs here. Even if the newer parts will fit, they will start to add up quick. And changing one part, may require additional changes. Want the new air filter? Going to need the new filter holder, as well as the top cover cause the new filter won't fit under the old cover. Really it's more of an all new saw than updates to the original. And this is why 552XP would have been a better idea: I need a blah, blah, blah for a Husky 550. Which one? I Don't know.

Red Max won't be getting any of these new saw models until they show some signs of selling what they already have in the catalog. And that's not happening by any stretch.

 

[Spike60]

Even without IPL's these part numbers are in the system. Took na quick look at top cover, fuel tank, top handle, starter, all different. This is a new saw.

 

[Benjo]

I don't think too many of the parts will interchange. Certainly not the internal stuff. External parts like the starter and side cover maybe? Like Tor says, have to study the IPL's. Which I can now thanks to him! They are still not available on the US dealer site.

Then you have to look at some costs here. Even if the newer parts will fit, they will start to add up quick. And changing one part, may require additional changes. Want the new air filter? Going to need the new filter holder, as well as the top cover cause the new filter won't fit under the old cover. Really it's more of an all new saw than updates to the original. And this is why 552XP would have been a better idea: I need a blah, blah, blah for a Husky 550. Which one? I Don't know.

Red Max won't be getting any of these new saw models until they show some signs of selling what they already have in the catalog. And that's not happening by any stretch.

A new name would really make sense for users, but even more so for shops.

Looking at Husky's history they're all over the place, 371->372 was just small case reinforcement and tensioner essentially. 154se->early 254 has no actual changes in the several I've owned. 372->372xt changes a bunch, but lots of compatibility still. 346oe->346ne changed several things too, but retained a lot of compatibility. You never know! Stihl's not unblemished either recently with the 261oe/ne.

Would it be a 552xp or a 551xp? The 351 skipped to 353, but the 371 went to 372...

Jonsered would've called it the 2254 I'd guess.

 

[dustinwilt68]

Husky version it will be then, love the red and black though

 

[Derf]

Husky version it will be then, love the red and black though

Everything is changeable. Spray paint the case red and RIT dye the plastics black if you like.

 

[ferris]

And this is why 552XP would have been a better idea: I need a blah, blah, blah for a Husky 550. Which one? I Don't know.

I think all dealers around the world will get this Problem.
All those guys how only use the saw as a Tool only know that they have a 550.

 

[MarcS]

So basically Husqvarna has a sharp engineering team but they hand over their work to a bunch of *a-hole bean counters who cheapen up the design without any background in engineering, a manufacturing division that can’t assemble them correctly, and a marketing department that drops the ball on everything related to selling them

 

[dustinwilt68]

So basically Husqvarna has a sharp engineering team but they hand over their work to a bunch of *a-hole bean counters who cheapen up the design without any background in engineering, a manufacturing division that can’t assemble them correctly, and a marketing department that drops the ball on everything related to selling them.

Yet they still out sell every other brand

 

[dustinwilt68]

Already told my dealer to go ahead and put me down for a 550 mark II XPG

 

[CR888]

Already told my dealer to go ahead and put me down for a 550 mark II XPG

mmm...not a bad decision there at all Dustin. Husky engineers are earning their pay designing these new saws, they have really lifted the bar. I'd get the 'G' too just because... & I live in AU!

 

[Willard]

I'm really interested in the 562XP Mark II.
Lady moderator over at Chainsaws Forestry Forum started a "New 562XP" thread a few weeks back but the chief moderator took it down and locked it out.
Everyone I'm sure was wondering what that was about.
BTW CR888 some members over there were concerned about you. They were mentioning you haven't posted in a long time.