Thinking about my next saw...

Not in any particular rush but I seem to find myself scrounging 24” + DBH trees as well as expect to have to clear some larger ash and oak from my property soon thanks to the EAB and gypsy moths.

I currently have a 550xp that I LOVE. That thing is comfortable to use, good power, rips through the wood with a full 18in bar, sips fuel. Has served me well, even tackling much larger trees than it should.

Starting to think about my next saw. I’m 100% Husqvarna and trying to decide the 70,80,90 class saws. I’m leaning towards a 70 or 80 as a 90 seems overkill, especially for occasionally use. Thinking a 28” bar would make sense and not sure if the 372xp is the right fit or should go a little bigger to create a bigger step between the two. Have nothing against the auto tune saws, mine runs great.

Mostly dreaming haha. Happy to hear opinions from this fine crew.

 

A 372 would work. Since you already love the 5 series, why not consider the 572? If cost is the issue, I’d be looking for a used 394/395. I’ve run the 385 and 390. Just not a fan of either. Their power to weight suck IMO. If you’re going to go big, go big.

If those big saws don’t appeal to you, get that 372 and send it to a reputable saw builder for port work. I think even a ported 562 or 555 would fit the bill.

 

395 period. You won’t be sorry.

I got a U Suck deal on mine. Some guy pawned it in N Carolina. Got it off eBay for $252.57

Outbid a guy by 7 cents. Had it 15 years. Man what a beast.

 

Yep, you suck!!

 

Holy crap that’s a deal

 

I agree with Jason if you already love the 550, I'd take a very hard look at the 572. For a 2 saw plan, I think you'll like what it brings to the table over a 372. 550/572 is a bomber combo.

Now if you wanted to go 3 saw plan I'd say get a 372 and hang a 24" arm on it. Then go out and get yourself a 395 for everything else.

 

And it was brand new! All paint still on the bar. It arrived at work full of fuel and oil. I had a pallet party out back at lunch.

 

That is the 2-saw plan I am going with.

Just got the 550xp. Selling my 555 and ms271 then get the 572. I love my 555 but just want a little more saw so I can mill some from time to time.

 

As a new guy to this forum I am glad to hear others have the same thoughts on saws that I have. I bought a 372XP with a 24" bar 15 months or so ago at the local Husqvarna shop, it was on sale and waiting for a 562 wasn't going to work for me. This fall I also bought a 550XP with an 18" bar for limbing a working up firewood. Its a great combo for the work I am doing in my woods, thinning trees and making firewood.

 

If you want to use a 28” bar I’d go with at least an 80cc or 90cc saw. Not sure how much that moves you up in weight vs. a 70cc saw in the Husqvarna line up? For the most part if your using it to buck and fell I don’t think you’ll notice a couple extra pounds.
If I could only keep 2 saws it would definitely be my 50cc and 90cc saws.

 

CtRider judging by the size of those rounds in the back of your truck looks like you will have plenty of work for a bigger saw. Those must have given your 550xp a real good workout!

good luck with your decision, and of course post picks!

 

I’m a fan of the 3:1 ratio max, cc’s : bar length. At 28”, round up to 90cc or more.

I’d love a 572.

 

Haha. Yeah, I’m finding those to be more common that I thought. Lots of scores available to guys that will tackle the big stuff. I’d love a 572 or bigger...Here’s my biggest. 550xp with 18” on top for scale. I worked from smallest to largest for days after work and one day it was gone. Homeowner came out to tell me someone grabbed the big trunk seen below with a big truck/crane

 

394/5 wood tear that up! Even turn it into lumber of you wish.

 

I should point out since the 372 has been mentioned a couple times that they are no longer making them. They will get harder and harder to find new as the dealers sell through existing stock.

 

Normally I agree with the moar power is gooder mentality, but the 572 has a fair bit more useable torque than a 372. It will pull and oil a 28" b&c very well.

 

70 cc would probably be fine. My bigger saws are Stihl so I'm not perfect for comparison, but my 76 cc MS461 is plenty of saw for 20-30" rounds, even when it was stock. TBH, I'm spoiled with plenty of saws, so prefer to use my 60 cc MS361 (ported), up to 24". But, as The Wood Wolverine says, a Husq 395 is a terrific saw, too.

 

372's will get a lot done. 24 inch bar is about all the longer I'd want.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

Seems like a good deal...No???

Husqvarna Chainsaw Model 395XP Commercial Grade 20" (Brand New)

 

On occasion you can find a used one for 5-600ish. Couple months ago I saw one for 300 but I’m guessing it needed some love.

If you can find a decent used 372 for a bargain, an additional 250(ish) will get it ported and it’ll pull a 28 no problem. Most reputable builders can achieve a 30-40% increase in performance (cut times). Once you run a ported saw it becomes difficult to settle for stock. It’s like adding a supercharger or NOS to a car engine.