New saw or Mod????

[HuskyHead]

First all I am still a newb here in the site, so I’ll apologize if this in the wrong section. So I currently have a 550XP Mk 2 that is 1yr old(maybe 2-can’t remember COVID messed my recent memory up). Originally when I bought this saw I thought “Yup this will do all I need”. Fast forward after purchase, 10acres of land has been brush cleared, I am heating with firewood and have large oaks to cut. I recently felled a dozen trees with my brother-in-law who ran his 385Xp and 24” bar to fell most of the trees(2 required dancing to cut). Which now has me thinking I need a bigger saw/bar(can’t stand to borrow someone else’s stuff or rely on someone to do something I can myself). I had talked with several guys on here in regards to porting my 550 after seeing Fullskip on YouTube, but after getting a couple of quotes I though for a couple hundred more dollars I could buy a new saw. My Husky dealer said he would take my 550 on trade towards a 562xp(60cc saw size seems ideal) but idk if I would actually see any gain there really? Should I sell the 550 outright and purchase something in the 70cc range? Mod the 550? Is the 60cc saw size ideal for 20-24” bars for someone felling and bucking multiple times a year for heating and making rough sawn lumber? Saws I am looking at if purchasing is 562xp 2020 or 362C.. 462C, not a fan of the 572xp feels chunky for some reason. Thanks and now I am tired from typing….

 

[Sagebrush33]

70cc will do all your asking with some authority behind a 24'' bar.
60cc will also handle a 24'' bar but will be working harder.
I wouldn't suggest either for milling. That's a whole different torture for saws. 90cc and up here for an Alaskan mill.

 

[Canadian farm boy]

Of the saws you mentioned I’d have to say go with the 462.
On a side note you may wanna consider keeping your 550 for the smaller stuff.

 

[HuskyHead]

70cc will do all your asking with some authority behind a 24'' bar.
60cc will also handle a 24'' bar but will be working harder.
I wouldn't suggest either for milling. That's a whole different torture for saws. 90cc and up here for an Alaskan mill.

Sorry I didn’t clarify that part well. It’s a standalone sawmill. Ole VW power

 

[HuskyHead]

Of the saws you mentioned I’d have to say go with the 462.
On a side note you may wanna consider keeping your 550 for the smaller stuff.

I got a little 35cc Husky that my dad left me

 

[Wolverine]

If a 572 feels clunky, I vote get the 550 ported and keep it. How much will he give you on trade? And what size trees will you be cutting on a regular basis?

 

[HuskyHead]

If a 572 feels clunky, I vote get the 550 ported and keep it. How much will he give you on trade? And what size trees will you be cutting on a regular basis?

~$350 is what he said and everything that I would cut now based on dead standing would be a 20” bar at least and a couple might still require a dance around the tree to get a complete cut. Haven’t really looked since I am still working up the last pile

 

[Czed]

First all I am still a newb here in the site, so I’ll apologize if this in the wrong section. So I currently have a 550XP Mk 2 that is 1yr old(maybe 2-can’t remember COVID messed my recent memory up). Originally when I bought this saw I thought “Yup this will do all I need”. Fast forward after purchase, 10acres of land has been brush cleared, I am heating with firewood and have large oaks to cut. I recently felled a dozen trees with my brother-in-law who ran his 385Xp and 24” bar to fell most of the trees(2 required dancing to cut). Which now has me thinking I need a bigger saw/bar(can’t stand to borrow someone else’s stuff or rely on someone to do something I can myself). I had talked with several guys on here in regards to porting my 550 after seeing Fullskip on YouTube, but after getting a couple of quotes I though for a couple hundred more dollars I could buy a new saw. My Husky dealer said he would take my 550 on trade towards a 562xp(60cc saw size seems ideal) but idk if I would actually see any gain there really? Should I sell the 550 outright and purchase something in the 70cc range? Mod the 550? Is the 60cc saw size ideal for 20-24” bars for someone felling and bucking multiple times a year for heating and making rough sawn lumber? Saws I am looking at if purchasing is 562xp 2020 or 362C.. 462C, not a fan of the 572xp feels chunky for some reason. Thanks and now I am tired from typing….

You're better off having more than one saw
You never know if you'll get pinched
Or have mechanical issue's.
The 550 and any good 70cc saw
Used one's pop up often for sale
Even if it's a stihl 70cc
Would be a good combo.
I run a 70cc 24" for most everything
Personally.

 

[HuskyHead]

You're better off having more than one saw
You never know if you'll get pinched
Or have mechanical issue's.
The 550 and any good 70cc saw
Used one's pop up often for sale
Even if it's a stihl 70cc
Would be a good combo.
I run a 70cc 24" for most everything
Personally.

Good points.

 

[jakethesnake]

A 50cc saw is hard to replace. I use a 50 more often than any of my stuff. I have 45cc to 88 cc.

my personal use I carry a 50 and a 70 if it’s a clearing job.

I’d personally hunt for a cheaper 70 cc saw. If you could swing it a used 272 is a very reliable and easy to work on saw. I have two. They’re very good runners. I keep a 32” bar on one and a 20” on the other.

Short answer keep the 50. See if you can find a good used 70cc saw. I use those two sizes personally I don’t have much time for the 60cc class. 70 doesn’t weigh a lot more but the 20cc jump from 50 to 70 is a lot

 

[ElevatorGuy]

I’m not a husky fan but I would keep the 550 and buy a ms462. The power of a 70 vs a 50 is a lot and the 462 is pretty darn light!

 

[USMC615]

Keep the 550, hunt a 70cc saw. You can clean up the 35cc saw your dad left you and shelf it...keep it around if any up and coming kiddos wanna learn to cut and pass it along that way.

Where you at in GA?

 

[pwheel]

Keep the 550, hunt a 70cc saw...

This, for many reasons. Also, figure out the best repair shop near you and buy (new or used) what they can fix. If torque is important to you, think Husky 572 or 565 instead of the ms462, which is an over-square design.

 

[Czed]

The echo 7310 is well liked
And more affordable than
Other brands
I have no experience with them
But I had echo 590s for 7 year's
Fine saws.
A lot of guy's like the
Makita/dolmar 7900

 

[HuskyHead]

Keep the 550, hunt a 70cc saw. You can clean up the 35cc saw your dad left you and shelf it...keep it around so any up and coming kiddos wanna learn to cut and pass it along that way.

Where you at in GA?

NE GA. Came across a used MS440 Mag last night trying to meet with the guy today

 

[HuskyHead]

View attachment 299263 The echo 7310 is well liked
And more affordable than
Other brands
I have no experience with them
But I had echo 590s for 7 year's
Fine saws.
A lot of guy's like the
Makita/dolmar 7900

Makita dealer support is next to nil in my area

 

[farminkarman]

I will second what others have already said about keeping the 50cc saw and hunting down a 70cc to add to the lineup. If you are set on having just one saw, it sounds like you would be just fine with a 60cc saw…or perhaps one of those new ms400’s.

 

[Czed]

NE GA. Came across a used MS440 Mag last night trying to meet with the guy today

That'll work

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Makita dealer support is next to nil in my area

I never even heard of them prior to joining here and A/S. Nil is an understatement lol.

 

[jakethesnake]

NE GA. Came across a used MS440 Mag last night trying to meet with the guy today

I’m a husky guy myself. But I’d own the 440 in a heartbeat. I secretly have a couple stihl. I like em. But shhh don’t tell the boys here.