550xp vs 555AT

I don't have a snow bank to toss unwanted ones in down here.

 

I'm going to give one a shot. It will be here probably end of the week or first of next week.

 

Yep. They will pull a 20" won't they?

 

When I tried to order my 362CM the dealer told me I didn't want it and that I should buy a 391. Whatever.

 

Saw evolution has made the 50 cc saw near as strong as the older 60 cc saws.
Old rule of thumb was you need 60 cc to throw a full chisel 20".
50 cc saws now should do OK with 20",

The light weight is a big plus as we get older features & saws get newer features !
2 lbs lighter is a lot of weight when out in the woods all day !

My concern would be longevity: smaller moving parts having the same stresses as the older bigger saws.
Maybe material & engineering evolution will make them
last forever like some older saws. many 20 & 30 year old saws still out there throwing chips

 

I'm hoping it will handle a 20" or at least an 18" 3/8" setup. If it won't it will be gone pretty quick. 16" is just too much reaching to me. I'm used to a 24-28".

 

It should. Ecsaws did one for a guy over on AS, that absolutely hauled arse. In all fairness though, he has a 346 that would most likely stomp a 372 in 20" wood. Crazyness I tell ya.
Just be open minded with the saw mike, its going to take a little while to break in and a little while to warm up on you. I think if you give it time you are going to take a liking to it.

 

I got it from Ktoom. I think it was muffler modded and had some run time on it. I have a 20" bar here or I can go pick up a 18" from the dealer close by.

 

I'll try to remember to use it for that. I'll usually knock a tree down and go until the big saw is out of fuel with it. I like to walk the log and limb if it's not a huge canopy. I'm hoping the saw will do good on some 10-12" trees to process the whole thing.

 

Got the 555 yesterday after day dreaming about it for to long. Unfortuanately the place I ordered it from forgot to ship me the bar and chain. I was all pumped up to get out this weekend and try it out . I had to talk myself out of just going to the store and buying another bar to hold me over. Oh we'll just have to wait until early next week I guess

 

Here she sits just a waitn.

 

I would like to pick up another 20 in. Chain for the new saw. Any recommendations on what would be the best all around chain ? I use the file for sharpening.

 

+1
one of the best & fast cutting.

Oregon full chisel is 72LGX-72 also a decent fast cutting chain,

Won't find them at the box stores,
Stihl dealer for RS or saw shop for the Oregon 72LGX & 72LPX

Stihl RS file size 13/64 & 30° angle
Husqy & Oregon file size 7/32 & 25° angle


Some 3/8 x .050 chain brands & part numbers

 

Thanks for the info guys. After poking around here for a while I did notice the RS chains come up a lot on here. I'm gonna give one a try. Thanks again