555/562xp 565/572xp

[huskyhank]

550 mk2 all the way. With a 20” bar you will be able to take care of the kind of work you describe. Sharp .325 chains, buy three and never look back. Amazing saw.

 

[pavel408]

The 555 is 562 with a small mount bar pattern.

More precisely said, 555 is detuned 560xp (N/A in US). And 562xp is big mount version of 560xp (adjusted for longer bars - different crank, better filter, stronger springs).

EDIT: Hm, not sure about the AV difference.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

Sorry but can you expand on this? In most states in the US there is a 3 day right to return on most things in most instances. There is also what we call a lemon law on things like cars but you have to be able to prove the product failed in XYZ ways and it's only applicable to specific products. I see your down under and the OP is up yonder. What's the background behind your statement? purely to appease my curiosity if you don't mind.

CR is in Australia but I'm guessing they have a similar law to us here in NZ by his comment.
Our law is called the Consumer Guarantees Act, and focuses on a good being 'fit for purpose' . In this case: A chainsaw that can't cut wood because it will not start entitles the purchaser to a full refund.

 

[dquest]

Just for something different, There is a new orange and white , I'll call them distributor as they are carrying the line but in a garden store. They have a 362 C on display. I am assuming they got old stock to start with. The kids in the store had no idea of price etc.
As this seems to be the non AT version, what are your thoughts?
Consider it as its old school or forget it?
There is a dealer close by that services so not that big of a deal that they only carry the line.

 

[Stevetheboatguy]

Just for something different, There is a new orange and white , I'll call them distributor as they are carrying the line but in a garden store. They have a 362 C on display. I am assuming they got old stock to start with. The kids in the store had no idea of price etc.
As this seems to be the non AT version, what are your thoughts?
Consider it as its old school or forget it?
There is a dealer close by that services so not that big of a deal that they only carry the line.

362's are stone cold reliable, but they are down on hp for their size and the air filter sucks to clean. The latest greatest filter is supposed to be better but I haven't seen one yet.

Personally I'd go husky 550,555. If you want a stihl I'd say 461, 462. Echo a cs620. Makita 6100.


Steven

 

[CR888]

Sorry but can you expand on this? In most states in the US there is a 3 day right to return on most things in most instances. There is also what we call a lemon law on things like cars but you have to be able to prove the product failed in XYZ ways and it's only applicable to specific products. I see your down under and the OP is up yonder. What's the background behind your statement? purely to appease my curiosity if you don't mind.

Contract law. Any product sold new where a contract has taken place must meet 3 basic criteria. It must of merchantable quality and it must also be fit for purpose. If you buy a new saw that does not function properly it fails those two criteria and means your entitled to a refund.

 

[Nutball]

I'd take an Echo 590 over a 362c, but the echo won't adjust it's tune any over extreme changes in weather (summer vs winter). The 590 has more torque and ends up cutting as fast or faster in hardwood if you lean on it a little.

 

[dquest]

362's are stone cold reliable, but they are down on hp for their size and the air filter sucks to clean. The latest greatest filter is supposed to be better but I haven't seen one yet.

Personally I'd go husky 550,555. If you want a stihl I'd say 461, 462. Echo a cs620. Makita 6100.


Steven

Thanks for the info . The 362 is showing 5hp on the stihl site. the 550xp is 3.75 and the 555 is 4.3.
Could you explain what you mean by down on hp. They seem to be close in weight as well except for the 550xp

 

[Stevetheboatguy]

Thanks for the info . The 362 is showing 5hp on the stihl site. the 550xp is 3.75 and the 555 is 4.3.
Could you explain what you mean by down on hp. They seem to be close in weight as well except for the 550xp

For their size they don't have the snort they should. They are good saws don't get me wrong. The other saws have a better hp to weight ratio.

I still have one 362 I believe it was the last gen (2016-17) before the 10mm plug and redesign. It runs well enough but I would always grab my 600p/620 echo before it.

The latest redesign is better but that doesn't sound like the saw they have on hand. If it were a new 2020 production saw it would be a better option. The early ones were kinda porky for the hp.

The 362 I run with a 20" bar feels alot heavier and doesn't cut as well as a 555 with a 18". So myself personally I'd run the ligher saw with the slightly shorter bar. It cuts faster and you will get less fatigued. But again this is just my personal preference. The 362 is a good saw, just not my favorite.

If you are cutting mostly soft wood it might be the cats meow. But I'm in elm and hickory county. Hard woods are less forgiving. The guys down under can vouch for this.


Steven

 

[Nutball]

I was also not too impressed with the 362. I was a bit surprised how well an Echo 590 could hang with it, and if you get a 3/8 chain set up right on a 550mkII it will come close enough in performance to justify the weight savings for <20" wood. Mod the muffler, and it gets a couple seconds faster.

This is the stock 550mkII with normal 3/8 full chisel work chain that has been tweaked some to let the saw self feed under its own weight loading the engine around it's max power rpm. Theoretically using Stihl 3/8LP yellow chain should be even faster, but that's a bit much power for such chain, and it may be hard to find 20" bars or longer that takes low profile chain.

 

[dquest]

For their size they don't have the snort they should. They are good saws don't get me wrong. The other saws have a better hp to weight ratio.

I still have one 362 I believe it was the last gen (2016-17) before the 10mm plug and redesign. It runs well enough but I would always grab my 600p/620 echo before it.

The latest redesign is better but that doesn't sound like the saw they have on hand. If it were a new 2020 production saw it would be a better option. The early ones were kinda porky for the hp.

The 362 I run with a 20" bar feels alot heavier and doesn't cut as well as a 555 with a 18". So myself personally I'd run the ligher saw with the slightly shorter bar. It cuts faster and you will get less fatigued. But again this is just my personal preference. The 362 is a good saw, just not my favorite.

If you are cutting mostly soft wood it might be the cats meow. But I'm in elm and hickory county. Hard woods are less forgiving. The guys down under can vouch for this.


Steven

Appreciate that Thank You. I have mostly Elm and Maple up to 24". I just asked the dealer to swap the 562xp for the 565 as they are comparable in price so we will see what he says. I'll keep you posted.

 

[srcarr52]

Appreciate that Thank You. I have mostly Elm and Maple up to 24". I just asked the dealer to swap the 562xp for the 565 as they are comparable in price so we will see what he says. I'll keep you posted.

Sounds like you really just need a newer 562 without issues.

 

[dquest]

Sounds like you really just need a newer 562 without issues.

I will fully admit I'm gun shy with the 562. As others have said 2nd gen AT with the 565/572 so that's where I'm headed. I really just need a reliable saw that I can use when needed and not spend all sorts of time / energy trying to figure out what needs/can be done to make it better.

I have to say the old ms250 gave me zero problems for 10yrs but isn't enough saw anymore. Plus I have way too much to do on the farm to keep going back to the shop.

 

[kneedeepinsaws]

I found running 3/8 with my 550 didnt work well at all. Chip ejection was poor, the side cover and case were designed for a smaller low pro chain like 3/8 lo pro or .325 narrow kerf. Saw also struggled full comp and 20”, with poor oiling as well.

point being i was cutting faster with narrow kerf .325 and sharpening less.
Just my two cents, not trying to start a fight or nothin

 

[srcarr52]

I found running 3/8 with my 550 didnt work well at all. Chip ejection was poor, the side cover and case were designed for a smaller low pro chain like 3/8 lo pro or .325 narrow kerf. Saw also struggled full comp and 20”, with poor oiling as well.

point being i was cutting faster with narrow kerf .325 and sharpening less.
Just my two cents, not trying to start a fight or nothin

I haven’t had a problem with a ported 550 running 3/8 full comp square ground on an 18-20”.

 

[Nutball]

I found running 3/8 with my 550 didnt work well at all. Chip ejection was poor, the side cover and case were designed for a smaller low pro chain like 3/8 lo pro or .325 narrow kerf. Saw also struggled full comp and 20”, with poor oiling as well.

point being i was cutting faster with narrow kerf .325 and sharpening less.
Just my two cents, not trying to start a fight or nothin

I'll agree that it doesn't put out much oil, but you saw my gif, that was stock, running aggressivized 3/8 full comp *not buried to the tip* but still dryish 18" Ash. The husqvarna .325 chain is excellent cutting stuff too. I wouldn't hesitate to run a 8t with it stock, but figure 3/8 is better for chip clearing. I've been tempted to run 24" full skip if I knew it would oil well. I have the bar, just haven't had a good reason to get my nice new 550 dirty with work especially since I have a junky old 026 pro with 20% teeth left, and it cuts pretty smooth and at a decent pace for stock, all credit going to the small tooth chain.

 

[kneedeepinsaws]

I haven’t had a problem with a ported 550 running 3/8 full comp square ground on an 18-20”.

mine struggled its stock, slowing down quite a bit in the cut.
Just my experience is all.
I never did get that saw to run right tho, its my least favorite of the bunch so i guess that makes me biased.

 

[kneedeepinsaws]

I'll agree that it doesn't put out much oil, but you saw my gif, that was stock, running aggressivized 3/8 full comp *not buried to the tip* but still dryish 18" Ash. The husqvarna .325 chain is excellent cutting stuff too. I wouldn't hesitate to run a 8t with it stock, but figure 3/8 is better for chip clearing. I've been tempted to run 24" full skip if I knew it would oil well. I have the bar, just haven't had a good reason to get my nice new 550 dirty with work especially since I have a junky old 026 pro with 20% teeth left, and it cuts pretty smooth and at a decent pace for stock, all credit going to the small tooth chain.

I myself have been eyeballing the mark 2... Im still trying to get my original edition to work properly. I want a light edging saw, also a light saw for limbing thats why i bought it. Didnt pan out, i tried so many things to get it to run right.. the secret screw, muffler mod, airbox mods to let the heat out, decomp plug etc...

just now after a year of shelving it am i pulling it out and trying for round 3 in the past week...

funny the saw was made in sweden, loads of problems and QC issues
Got a 372 xtorq, sweden again and problems

395 out of brazil, best damn saw i have ever run, never a hiccup, not once. Its got many hours on it.
3120 sweden, so far shes holding up, havent put it to the real test yet tho

 

[lehman live edge slab]

A

Just for something different, There is a new orange and white , I'll call them distributor as they are carrying the line but in a garden store. They have a 362 C on display. I am assuming they got old stock to start with. The kids in the store had no idea of price etc.
As this seems to be the non AT version, what are your thoughts?
Consider it as its old school or forget it?
There is a dealer close by that services so not that big of a deal that they only carry the line.

a ms 362 c is an mtronic saw, and the newer lighter version has the smaller clutch cover. And after opening up the muffler and advancing the timing a 362 cuts pretty well plus takes a beating and comes back for more.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Newer 362’s have a chain cover like this