Husqvarna differences

[jr in va]

First off, I've owned mostly Stihl for the last 20 plus years. Had one Husqvarna that would really cut but had trouble starting it warm. Found out later the fault was probably operator not the 359.
I was almost set to buy an MS261 to go with my MS362 and MS 250 but Husqvarna put a lot of their saws on sale and got me thinking.
I've got several options but what I'd like to end up with is a saw I can put on the truck or tractor carrier and go cut a mixed load of dead wood.
Would someone explain the real world differences in the 562 and 365? From the hp and torque ratings it would seem I wouldn't get much more saw in a 365 than buying a 562XP. About 1 lb of weight heavier but no electronic carb to have to replace. Dealers' over an hour away.
Thought about a 555 which would be the present 359 but the 550xp is around the same hp and 130 less. Somewhat more torque,though.
372 is also an option.
I plan on running a 20" bar unless I'd get a 365/372. Probably use 24" on that.Most of what I cut is under 16" but my back doesn't bend as well now.
I'd welcome some real world experiences.
Thanks!

 

[dangerousatom]

From what you have said you basically know what the difference is between the saws. Its mostly auto-tune or not. HP and Weight are the differences in factory numbers, but its in how the saw runs if your an experienced saw user. witch is sounds like you are

I have both manual and "compy-tune" saws. Auto-tune is not a bad thing as it runs at maximum performance when there are no issues. With the second and 3rd gen Husky auto tune out now there is not many issues unless there's a clog, vac leak or bad fuel. Most of the carbs are diaphragm and seal rebuildable and you can swap over the little electronic bits without issue. IMO once an auto tune saw is up n running its great and they respond very well to easy mods like a muffler porting and cleaning/smoothing up the air passage castings and a cylinder gasket delete.

If your looking for a good all around Husky the 572xp or 565xp witch is the same but tuned down a little are hard working fast cutting but on the heavier side IMO. The 562xp is an all around saw, excellent for firewood logging and felling. All 3 of them will pull a 24"" bar with no issues.

 

[dangerousatom]

To continue.....
The 550xp is an excellent saw as well. I have a 572 565 550, the 550 after a muffler gutting, gasket delete and hand porting it has IMO the best power to weight ratio saw of the bunch. If your looking for a dedicated saw to be strapped to the tractor of in the back of the work truck the 550 is it. I have a 20" bar on it with a #8 drive sprocket ( comes with a #7 ) and it haul's through anything even old dry oak that's longer then the bar.
One thing I will say from my experience Autotunes, at least Huskys witch are all I own are finicky when there are sudden drastic temp and altitude/pressure changes in the outside environment . Meaning, you use it on a 45 degree rainy morning and put it away and then start it up on a 95 degree day at 1500ft higher altitude and sometimes it will be cranky until it sorts itself out. It will take a min or 2 idling on the ground and maybe a min in the cut. Once the saw has figured things out its off to the races again.

Cooling for these saws does seem to be a little more difficult to deal with. I believe its heat bleeding over into the carbonator chamber and throws off the intake temp reading. I put extra vent holes in my covers and always try and find a better breathing filter.