Stihl MS-261CM or Husky 550XP?

Luke'sScreenName · Oct 22, 2015

Do you have to change sprockets to go from a 16 to 20" bar on a 550xp?

Sawyer Rob · Oct 22, 2015

lukestafford said:
Do you have to change sprockets to go from a 16 to 20" bar on a 550xp?

IF you also change the chain pitch, then yes... IF you don't, then NO...

I wanted 3/8's chain, so I changed out the stock sprocket, to a sprocket for 3/8's chain ...

That's the same thing you would have to do with any brand of chainsaw...

SR

gsganzer · Oct 23, 2015

Sawyer,
Luke might be asking about the size sprocket, not the pitch. Way back in my logging days when we ran 266XP's, I believe we changed to a different size sprocket so you'd still have torque when running a longer bar. I'm not sure if that's still possible.

I have a 550XP with both a 16" bar and a 20" bar. I stay with the same sprocket and don't get as aggressive when using the 20" bar. The 16" bar is well suited for the available engine torque and a 55cc saw. An 18" might be just fine too. I bought the 20" for the occasional stump flushing and don't use it often.

Sawyer Rob · Oct 23, 2015

On my 550xp, I went from a 20" bar, .325" chain to a 16" bar, 3/8's" chain, both with 7 pin sprockets. I HATE .325" chain, so for me, I see going to 3/8's as a HUGE improvement and I like the way my saw saw works MUCH better now.

SR

94BULLITT · Oct 23, 2015

IMO 3/8LP is best on a saw this size or smaller.

Sawyer Rob · Oct 23, 2015

94BULLITT said:
IMO 3/8LP is best on a saw this size or smaller.

If you haven't tried 3/8's on a 550xp, don't knock it! This saw runs full 3/8's with ease!!

I sawed out and cleaned up some logs with it today, and it just screamed right through them!

SR

TomSeller · Oct 23, 2015

Big fan of my MS261. Can't fault it at all.

94BULLITT · Oct 23, 2015

Sawyer Rob said:
If you haven't tried 3/8's on a 550xp, don't knock it! This saw runs full 3/8's with ease!!

I sawed out and cleaned up some logs with it today, and it just screamed right through them!

SR

I don't have a 550XP and I'm not knocking 3/8. 3/8 would be my second choice. Lo Pro is faster on a smaller saw.

TomSeller · Oct 24, 2015

Sawyer Rob said:
If you haven't tried 3/8's on a 550xp, don't knock it! This saw runs full 3/8's with ease!!

I sawed out and cleaned up some logs with it today, and it just screamed right through them!

SR

Nice looking saw!

Luke'sScreenName · Oct 24, 2015

What saws should I look at in the 60cc range?

Will_C · Oct 24, 2015

My brother has a Stihl 362 that I like a lot. Having said that (and I'm a Stihl head) I'd take a good look at the Husky 562 if I was considering a 60 cc saw.

Will

Luke'sScreenName · Oct 24, 2015

Any trouble running a 28" bar?

Sawyer Rob · Oct 24, 2015

Will_C said:
I'd take a good look at the Husky 562 if I was considering a 60 cc saw.

Will

A big +1

SR

94BULLITT · Oct 25, 2015

lukestafford said:
Any trouble running a 28" bar?

If you want to run a 28'' bar you need to be looking at saws 70cc and larger.

Bluegill2 · Oct 25, 2015

lukestafford said:
What saws should I look at in the 60cc range?

Husky 555 or 562xp.

dwhite · Oct 25, 2015

I like my 555. Starts every time. Plenty of power. I looked at the 562xp but more expensive and higher vibrations. I have wrist problems so didn't need that.

Luke'sScreenName · Oct 25, 2015

24" is all I really want and rarely neen. I have a 346xp with 18" bar that I'd like to run at 16". I'd like to have a 16" and 24" saw. Early in my college day I had a small firewood operation to make ends meet. I had a 70 something cc stihl. I don't think i can still handle that much saw.

Bluegill2 · Oct 25, 2015

lukestafford said:
24" is all I really want and rarely neen. I have a 346xp with 18" bar that I'd like to run at 16". I'd like to have a 16" and 24" saw. Early in my college day I had a small firewood operation to make ends meet. I had a 70 something cc stihl. I don't think i can still handle that much saw.

562xp will handle a 24" just fine.

Luke'sScreenName · Oct 25, 2015

Bluegill2 said:
562xp will handle a 24" just fine.

Good to know. What kind of chain do you run on your 346xp's?

94BULLITT · Oct 25, 2015

lukestafford said:
24" is all I really want and rarely neen. I have a 346xp with 18" bar that I'd like to run at 16". I'd like to have a 16" and 24" saw. Early in my college day I had a small firewood operation to make ends meet. I had a 70 something cc stihl. I don't think i can still handle that much saw.

Use a 70cc to lay the tree down. Then limb it and cut all the small stuff with the 346XP, then use the 70cc for the big stuff.