Next new saw or mod saw?

I’ve gotten the itch to add a saw to my small collection, was thinking of going bigger than my 372xp, which is my main saw. I use the 550xp for trail cleaning, limbing, and smaller firewood cutting. The 540Ixp has basically been taken by my wife to ride in the woods jeep for her to cleanup trails as she needs to. It’s a fun little saw, great for her, but not really my thing.

I cut a lot of 24” DBH and larger red oak, ash, pine, poplar, and hemlock on the property. Some pushing closer to 36” DBH, mostly storm damage, thinning, or removing all the poplar I can.

Part of my thoughts is to get a 592xp with a 28” or 32” bar, the other part of me says buy another 372xp or similar and have it ported. I’m a little worried that it’s a rabbit hole that won’t go well, and within a short time every saw I own will be ported/modded. Right now they are all stock. I also don’t know anyone who does saw work semi-locally, they are probably out there I just don’t know of them.

I will be that guy who sticks to Husqvarna, been running them my whole life, not about to change brands now. What are you’re thoughts, recommendations, and how would you approach adding a saw to the small collection??

 

If we get to spend your money I'd say get a ported 592.

 

Id go bigger saw.

FHC has been after me to port some of my saws but its fun to change things up when prepping for a cutting excursion. Recently I've been cutting PT for another wood seller and have rotated my four 67cc+ Stihls when there. I seldom run more than two tanks of mix at a cut and honestly cant justify spending $400 for a port job, plus I'm cheap.

Ive considered a Stihl 661 (equal to a Husky 592) for my fleet but don't often cut big logs so unless a sreaming deal shows up my 79cc 500i will be my biggest saw.

huskihl is a renowned saw modifier here on FHC. Im sure with a little research you maybe able to find one if you don't want to ship to him. My findings are porting prices are the same regardless of where you live.

Once you get a couple more saws then you can port them all!

 

I'd say a 395 and then start porting them when the itch comes around again. Gotta get the full spread to start.

 

There is the 585 it’s lighter than the 395
But then you could find a used 395 or 592 used and save some money
I have one ported saw and I use my saws for what they where made for and I really don’t see any real point in porting

 

I’d recommend sending your current 372 (if it’s in decent condition) to Kevin for porting. That will be cheaper than the buy in on a larger saw (by a lot) and you will be amazed at how much more power you get from it. The 365sp that he did for me will handle a 28” bar with no issues at all. And it’ll tear up whatever you’re putting it in. I mostly run a 24” on it with a finely tuned chain and it impresses me every time I run it.

 

I wouldn’t be opposed to going this route. Might try one stock first just to be able to see the difference of porting.

I’ve kept an eye out for a 395 for a while, but haven’t seen any in decent condition.

 

It really depends on the day and where on the property I am cutting determines the saw I use. The further back I go, the bigger the trees get.

I probably have a different approach to saws than most, I try to keep a select few to do what I need, don’t really need duplicates just for having them.

Going down the modded saw rabbit hole is concerning to me as I have a history of modding sleds, cars, etc.

 

Was thinking they were still available new, somewhere. Maybe Brazil?

 

my 372 is in great shape, I love the saw and don’t really want to mod it as it was my dads. That’s why I mentioned getting another one to mod. I run a 24” bar on it all the time. I did get a 20” bar for it, but it’s still in the packaging. Thanks for the info, it’s helpful! Power is fun, and addictive.

 

I’ve looked at the 585 and compared it to the 592, if going new might as well spend $80 more and get the 592. What saw did you have ported, and why don’t you see the point of it?

 

I saw one new listed online for $1,200 or so, no bar or chain. Might be imported, not really sure. It was listed at a saw shop in Canada.

 

Very carefully,

because if you add to a small collection, pretty soon it’s not so small. Ask me how I know.

 

Well, you already know the fun and advantages to modding and engine.
Here's an idea...contact huskihl ...he can probably get the saw you want at a good price from a dealer near him, have the XS treatment done and then shipped to you. Save shipping one way.
BTW we only had 2 stock saws before joining FHC, up to 7 we have bought, with 5 wearing the XS sticker....

 

I definitely prefer running a smaller, lighter saw with the power of a larger, heavier one. And I use mine as intended as well. No lumberjack saw racing for me.

 

50cc, 70cc and 90cc is what i use for firewood detail, 550xpg sees the most use, 572xp gets used for felling, and 592xp I really really enjoy using it for bucking.

550 wears an 18 inch bar and the bigger saws wear 28 inch husky lightweight bars.

I just got the 592 a few weeks ago so I really havent used it much, its only in its 2nd tank of gas, but damm its a beast that will make next years firewood retrieval that much more better, wish I would have gotten a 90cc saw sooner

 

I bought a used 385xp ported and it’s powerful it could probably pull a big bar like my 395 or 592.
Know This is how I look at it smaller saws have lighter duty parts and yes you can mod the saw but engine parts clutches and so on you are not changing
It’s the same with diesel’s factory diesel will run 500 thousand miles with minor maintenance tune the same engine for max output and you wont get 50 thousand without a major failure
I keep a 24” bar on the 385
I feel if you want to run a big bar buy a bigger saw

 

Thanks, it seems you and I think a like. My 550xp wears a 18” bar as well, and I’m looking at doing the 50cc, 70cc, and 90cc setup.

I’ve been on the fence for a while about getting a bigger saw, or hod rod saw, maybe one in the same now as someone suggested.

 

Im sure it will stay a small collection, might trade up saws as time goes on, but I’ve got way too many other hobbies than to start collecting a lot of saws. Lately it’s been tractor implements, all useful and needed but they take up a ton of space.

 

Thanks, I will reach out to him on the XS treatment done. Ive seen him mentioned a few times and also Masterminds saws mentioned as well. I’ve had 2 saws for quite a while now, but it’s a tempting rabbit hole to go down to have all modded saws in the lineup.

To give you an idea of my modding past, I snow checked a Polaris Assault 800 back in 2012. Before it arrived I had a big bore kit, boondocker turbo setup, clutch setup, custom exhaust, tube running boards, and tube bumpers. Had all of it on the machine before we had any snow. Took a cut off wheel to the tunnel and cut the factory running boards off a brand new sled. Took some time to work out the gremlins, but got a radar run on Sebago Lake doing 118 mph. I got offered a stupid amount of money for it the next winter and let it go.