550xpg or 562xpg

[brushwacker]

Looking for a heated handle saw. Aiming to pull the trigger on 1 of these unless I can find a better deal on something used that fits my purposes well. If it wasn't for the heated handle I wouldn't be looking as I have a lot of $ in saws already.
I prefer the premium 60cc power, but i am past the peak of what i wanted to spend so would it be worth it going another $100?
I would like to hear of experiences using these models. How well do they start in cold weather? Any other weaknesses?

 

[PA Dan]

Looking for a heated handle saw. Aiming to pull the trigger on 1 of these unless I can find a better deal on something used that fits my purposes well. If it wasn't for the heated handle I wouldn't be looking as I have a lot of $ in saws already.
I prefer the premium 60cc power, but i am past the peak of what i wanted to spend so would it be worth it going another $100?
I would like to hear of experiences using these models. How well do they start in cold weather? Any other weaknesses?

@chipper1

 

[Ryan Browne]

Some more info about what you want to do with it would be helpful. But maybe @bradb123 can share his experience.

 

[bradb123]

Both the 550xpg and 562xpg are nice saws . I own three 550s and three 562s . They start well in cold weather . The heated handles are nice . The 562 would be a better choice if you plan on running 3/8 chain .

 

[Ronie]

I own both, if you can do most of your cutting with a 16" bar I'd chose the 550 and if your going to need a 20" bar I'd go for the 562. If you need a 24" bar in hardwood I'd chose something else or have the 562 ported, they will pull a 24" bar but not well in my opinion.

 

[Duce]

+1

I own both, if you can do most of your cutting with a 16" bar I'd chose the 550 and if your going to need a 20" bar I'd go for the 562. If you need a 24" bar in hardwood I'd chose something else or have the 562 ported, they will pull a 24" bar but not well in my opinion.

 

[FederalQ]

550xpg 18” bar .325 nk xcut chain. Nice saw. Weight wise it’s about the same as my ms361 with 20” bar 3/8. Starts fine in cold weather.

 

[srcarr52]

You won't be able to beat the price from Bruce at HLS.

https://opeforum.com/threads/20-off-husqvarna-chainsaws-one-day-sale.25852/

 

[bradb123]

I own both, if you can do most of your cutting with a 16" bar I'd chose the 550 and if your going to need a 20" bar I'd go for the 562. If you need a 24" bar in hardwood I'd chose something else or have the 562 ported, they will pull a 24" bar but not well in my opinion.

Two of my 550s wear a 18'' 325 bar with 8t rim . The other 550 has a 18'' 3/8 bar . All my 562s run 20 '' 3/8 bars . I also agree with the 24'' bar , I'd grab a bigger saw . All my saws are ported but , 562s are very fast stock !

 

[brushwacker]

Think I will pull the trigger on the 550xpg. I have run the 562, that particular 1 floods easy on cold starts. But price and weight I expect easiar on my older body and wallet with the 550xpg.

 

[MG2186]

One thing to keep in mind is the Mach2 is heavier than the old ones. I’m not sure on the weight difference but you might to want to check into that before deciding on a 550 or 562. If you are just looking for a one saw plan I’d pick the 562 myself. I have the red versions in 550 1st edition and a 2260 which is a small bar mount 562. Just my perspective

 

[brushwacker]

One thing to keep in mind is the Mach2 is heavier than the old ones. I’m not sure on the weight difference but you might to want to check into that before deciding on a 550 or 562. If you are just looking for a one saw plan I’d pick the 562 myself. I have the red versions in 550 1st edition and a 2260 which is a small bar mount 562. Just my perspective

1 saw plan
Mine is closer to a saw for every purpose.
Lot of my firewood cutting is a 10 minute drive, little more or less from my house. In this winter cold weather my trucks steering wheel stays ice cold about 15 -20 minutes even with a good heater so my hands often are cold before i get out of the truck and by the time i get my saws out of the metal toolbox and started my hands are starting to freeze. Sometimes i don't realize how bad it is until it comes to warming up some extremely cold hands, can get quite painful. About a week or so ago I had a brain fart, they make chainsaws with heated handles. Thus my quest for another. I expect once my hands warm up rotating my other saws will not be a problem keeping them warm. If this saw starts good and is reliable I should be a happy wood cutter hopefully by the end of the week. Ordered 550xpg from Gentlemen in the chainsaw ads. Mk or not, I will take it as long as it is a heated handle xp , runs and works like it should.

 

[bradb123]

1 saw plan
Mine is closer to a saw for every purpose.
Lot of my firewood cutting is a 10 minute drive, little more or less from my house. In this winter cold weather my trucks steering wheel stays ice cold about 15 -20 minutes even with a good heater so my hands often are cold before i get out of the truck and by the time i get my saws out of the metal toolbox and started my hands are starting to freeze. Sometimes i don't realize how bad it is until it comes to warming up some extremely cold hands, can get quite painful. About a week or so ago I had a brain fart, they make chainsaws with heated handles. Thus my quest for another. I expect once my hands warm up rotating my other saws will not be a problem keeping them warm. If this saw starts good and is reliable I should be a happy wood cutter hopefully by the end of the week. Ordered 550xpg from Gentlemen in the chainsaw ads. Mk or not, I will take it as long as it is a heated handle xp , runs and works like it should.

If starting the saw is a concern you should know the 550 mkll don't have a decomp valve .

 

[qurotro]

How about a 555? But I dont know the price in your area though.

 

[brushwacker]

If starting the saw is a concern you should know the 550 mkll don't have a decomp valve .

If i can pull it as well as my 064 and it takes no more then 5 to 10 pulls cold and a couple warm i should be alright

 

[brushwacker]

How about a 555? But I dont know the price in your area though.

550xpg is on the way☺

 

[Tom51]

One thing to keep in mind is the Mach2 is heavier than the old ones. I’m not sure on the weight difference but you might to want to check into that before deciding on a 550 or 562. If you are just looking for a one saw plan I’d pick the 562 myself. I have the red versions in 550 1st edition and a 2260 which is a small bar mount 562. Just my perspective

A copy/paste from a text file where I keep some notes, not positive how accurate but it's from this forum or similar places.

550XP mk1 11lb 2.7oz ucwt 179406
550XP mk2 11lb 13.3oz 550t 328395
555 12lb 7.7oz "
555 12lb 14oz 6 bolt guess
562XP 12lb 12.8oz " 5 bolt?
562XP 13lb 3.0oz 6 bolt? /562xp-weight.20768/page-3

 

[Kerfed]

If starting the saw is a concern you should know the 550 mkll don't have a decomp valve .

Good! Decomp on 50cc seems crazy. Mine popped out of my mk1 a month ago after two years of no loosening, it was a first for both of us at work.

 

[bryanr2]

How about a 555? But I dont know the price in your area though.

I didn’t think they offered a triple5 with heated handles?

 

[MG2186]

I didn’t think they offered a triple5 with heated handles?

They don’t