Starting to look for saw replacement

I have a 460 with a 20" and 24" bar. Needless to say, it is a cutting machine and runs great. I also have a 290 farm boss which I have had for 10 years or so.

Whenever I use the 290 I always feel less than impressed with it. I am starting to consider picking up another saw. What is a good pro series saw that would be good for smaller stuff? Stihl has been good to me but I am open to Husqvarna or other saws out there.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

How small are you talking? I have a Jonsered CS2139t with a 12" bar (39cc) that I like which cuts well & the California version of it's brother - Husqvarna 338XPT (45cc) with a Holmen Tree styled muffler mod. I really like this saw. I haven't done a muffler mod on the Jonsered so I would have a "quiet" saw. 7.7 lb power heads.

 

The specs on the 550 look good. The 261 doesn't look far off from the 290 in numbers but I know that isn't the whole story. I was checking the 376XP till you pointed out the 550.

 

Christmas is getting close.
550xp, be a good choice
Probably leave the 24 on the 460.
You'd be running the 550
90% of the time.

 

Dolmar 510 or 5105 or the Makita equivalent.

 

As you have the MS460 ,and want a lighter companion saw ,how about a 562xp with a 20" tech lite bar ?
The 20" bar will give you a decent amount of reach to save your back . And the weight and balance make it a very nice combination to use for limbing and firewood work .

 

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I would like a lighter saw with more power than the 290. I like the specs on the 550XP but the 562 sounds nice. Maybe I could deal with more weight of the 562 for the trade off of the speed of the cut.

Dolmar dealers around my area are basically small engine repair shops that seem overloaded with work and focus on repairs of lawn mowers over chainsaws. The nearest husqvarna dealer isn't overly impressive but there are others further away that I need to check out.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

Ok
We got it now
You want to buy a new saw
Diagnosis
CAD , no cure.

Been fighting it for years, now you have me looking at the 562

 

If you already have a 460 I'd go smaller than 60cc class...hopped up 260 with a 16" bar...or something along those lines. Plenty of snot and light enough to use all day.

 

The 550 is a heck of a saw to be certain . But, I've cut in some pretty small stuff ,and I just don't think that the 550 is faster . Having said that , in all fairness ,it wasn't done side by side . It was on different days . That, and I'm old ,and have intermittent CRS !

 

I picked up a 550xp last week, all I can say is it sucks I have twice the chips to sweep up per hour of cutting
this saw screams is light and balanced sweet idle and starts every time on one pull

 

and looks good

 

Well crap, I stopped by 3 dealers and nobody has a 550 to try on for size. There was a 562xp at one dealer but I wanted to check out the 550 as far as weight goes.

 

Called three more dealers, one went out of business, the second stop dealing in saws and the third does have a 550xp but has a personality of a rock. Maybe he was just having an off day. I can order the saw online but I have little customer support around me.

There is a chain of tractor stores near me that carry Husqvarna but didn't have a 550. They will be moving into a vacant auto dealer building soon. They will be my best bet for service.

The search continues...