550 XP Husky

That 365 and a 550 would make a very good firewood combo.

 

You could if you wanted.

 

I love my 550xp. I bought it 2 years ago as my 1 saw plan, but soon realized it was just a tad small for that task. So I got a Makita and upgraded it to 80cc which I think makes a PERFECT pair with the 550xp. The Makita is a fun saw to use as it throws chips buried in a log, but the Husqvarna is such a pleasure to run you almost forget how nice it is until you run something else. It handles and revs like a 600cc sportbike. It absolutely OWNS limbing a tree, but will hold it's own when buried in a log too. But you can tell it much prefers to be making quick cuts in smaller limbs. I'm currently running an 18" bar which it pulls great, but I'm starting to realize that a bar that long really hinders the saw when it comes to the way it handles, so I'll probably be getting a 13" bar soon.

 

I tested my 550 with 20" and 3/8. I even used a new loop of oregon 76 chain to hopefully help it. Not the set up IMO. I like 16" 3/8 for bucking with 50cc saws with balls.
Maybe it would work with ,325 and 20". But I dont do .325. Unless saw cant pull 3/8.

 

I only run .325. On the 550 and 545. But i have no reasoning behind it ! Just how things ended up. I am running 16 inch bars on both saws... Which seem perfect for both IMO. It sounds like the 550 will pull 3/8 just fine. But will the 545 stock ?? Id hate to waste the money just to maybe see. But if im missing out on chips.... I would switch

 

The 545 went straight to 3/8 new. 1st tank. Pulls it just like the 550. Bucking give it a try.

Now if doing alot of limbing type stuff 325 is smoother.

 

Thanks
Have 8 new chisel chains (3/8 x .050 x 20" )
At $20 per loop, got to be in my formula.
Just not sure if the saw can throw that size well,
Saw shop told me once, that you need a 60cc for a full chisel 3/8 x 20".

New saws seem to develop more power per cc, but lighter weight & more power,
to me, means a little weaker internal parts. (Yes ? No? )
Would the bigger chain cause excessive stress & wear on the saw, &
In the long run, shorten saw life ?

CAD creeping in. No real need for a new saw
The 359 is doing just what I need.
Replacing it is a "want" not a "need"

You guys get me fired up for a "NEW Saw"
The 562xp or ms362 are my dream list saws
"Need "gets thrown out the window when CAD is involved

 

That's more of less the trend with all newer gasoline motors. Dirt bikes, sport bikes, cars, trucks, lawn mowers, they're all making more power with less displacement. A lot is because of better fueling technology and less friction. But the newer engines also rev like crazy so that extra hp all comes in the top end. Engines rarely have that low RPM grunt of a tractor anymore, you need to spin them to get some power. The lighter weight comes with that with lighter moving parts to keep vibrations and inertia from tearing an engine apart from it's own speed, so you could argue that the light weight can contribute to better internal parts. New casting and machining technology also allows weight to be lighter as well as more use of aluminum, magnesium, and sadly, often plastic.

So no, I don't think lighter weight always means weaker.

 

Too funny.. Went to the Husky dealer who sells mostly Honda equipment and they have 3 saws left for sale and are getting out of selling chainsaws? They did have one of these but i didnt know anything about them.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/455-rancher/

Am looking into these right now also.

http://www.echo.ca/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-590

http://www.echo.ca/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-550P

There is gonna be a new saw here by the weekend just not sure which kind?

Both the guys REALLY pushed me about NOT using regular gas in 2 strokes as the Ethanol ruins the engine which was pointed out to me about my ruined 290 Stihl.

The ‘Acute Effects’ of Higher Ethanol on Outdoor Power Equipment
November 8, 2013 By FillUpOnFacts
Author: Mark Green
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing more than 84 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, is closely watching public discussion of the Renewable Fuel Standard’s ethanol mandates and the push for wider use of E15 fuel. That’s because the small engines its members build and supply aren’t designed for higher ethanol blends. A look at E15 from OPEI and others in the small-engine sector:
Leading engine manufacturers … are warning users of all gasoline-powered lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment to be vigilant when fueling their equipment. Gasoline blends containing more than 10-percent ethanol — such as E15 and E85 –should not be used. These blends, which are already available in several states, can cause permanent and irreversible damage that is not covered under warranty. – OPEI
“Our interest is to protect the consumer; we’re trying to prevent the harm from happening in the first place. … EPA has acknowledged there will be mis-fueling with E15; there will be engine and product failure.This is the reason the outdoor power equipment, boating, UTV, snowmobile, auto, and motorcycle industries, as well as the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Coast Guard, oppose this higher ethanol fuel. Our interest is in protecting our customers.” – OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser
Will this damage my lawnmower, boat, jet ski, snowmobile, or four-wheeler? It sure will if you don’t pay attention. Generally, small engines are not designed to deal with the more corrosive E15 blend. And, as we mentioned in 2010, ethanol forms a brown goo when left in a fuel tank too long, which can clog fuel-system components. Two-stroke engines run hotter with an ethanol blend, which accelerates the potential damage. And ethanol can wreak havoc on fiberglass fuel tanks in older boats. Groups like the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute have issued strong warnings to consumers to pay attention to their fuels or risk severe engine damage. Use a fuel stabilizer if the engine will sit for more than a few weeks without use; this will reduce the ethanol–water separation and potential gumming issues. Be careful to avoid using E15 in uncertified engines like these, at least until the subject is studied more thoroughly, and the engineering catches up to the fuel. – Popular Mechanics

 

I always mixed 5 gallons at a time and thats gonna stop MM.

 

Oh man. One gallon at a time is the only way. Its a pain to remix so often... But totally worth it if you like your 2 stroke motors

 

I got two 1 gallon jugs
When one is emptied,
I put the oil in it & next time by a gas station, fill it.
(one has a regular pour spout, swap to the active use tank, less spillage over the spill proof one)
That way I have fresh gas & fill the PU ,
I run 40:1 with regular.(87 octane I think)

If I had ethanol, (eats plastic & rubber) I'd surly mix 40:1
If not gonna run for a while, I'd empty the saw, run it dry , leave the gas tank open

 

I do my gas in 1 gallon mixes. I've heard 93 octane shell Vpower doesn't have ethanol, so I run that. I have no idea if that's true though

 

My saws would run hotter on alcohol gas & after burning up a few I no longer do this.

 

If you are near a big city you are probably getting alcohol gas. Check your station with pure gas dot org.

 

The awesome ms362 is HEAVIER then the saw it replaced

(Same displacement)

 

Yeah, Stihl seems on a trend of making their new models heavier. I'm really curious as to why.

 

If you haven't done it yet, muffler mod. Then pull the cylinder and grind out the restrictions under the transfer cover. The 359 is one of the easiest saws to get good gains out of.