Husqvarna 545 mark II

[spasm3]

Considering this saw as a replacement for my echo cs-450 that is pretty worn out.

Would be a medium size saw to fit my line up between the 2511t and the husky 390xp.

Anyone with experience with this saw?

 

[drfeelgood]

I have 2 of them and actually did some cutting with one today. They are nice saws, quite powerful, and cut great. I also have a 550 Mk 2, and it is a slightly more powerful, upgraded and a true pro saw. One major reason I have 2 is the fact that you could find these being sold on FB Marketplace for $400-450 new, which was too good a deal to pass up. Mine have 20 in bars and pull them fine, but I think an 18 in would be perfect.

 

[spasm3]

I have 2 of them and actually did some cutting with one today. They are nice saws, quite powerful, and cut great. I also have a 550 Mk 2, and it is a slightly more powerful, upgraded and a true pro saw. One major reason I have 2 is the fact that you could find these being sold on FB Marketplace for $400-450 new, which was too good a deal to pass up. Mine have 20 in bars and pull them fine, but I think an 18 in would be perfect.

Thanks! I have not ruled out the 550 at all! They are close in weight the 545 being a touch lighter hence my interest.

 

[Fordiesel69]

I have a 2023 model 545 mark 2 and also a 2021 555 and prefer the forgotten 5 series as they do not use crank stuffers. Husky has had issues with crank bearings and while nobody knows for sure what the exact cause is, the crank stuffers do get in the way and do to an extent block the fuel mix from reaching the bearings. Also the series ending in 5 in my personal opinion have a more usable, wider torque curve, instead of the real screamer peak torque curve of the xp saws.

With the 545 mark 2 and the 550xp mark 2 having the small bar mount, there is zero reason to chose the more expensive 550xp unles the extra peak rpm I'd something you would need. Or if having a screamer is something you would desire. Both saws are amazingly powerful!

If you do end up with one of these auto tune saws there is one small adaptation you will learn with the cold and hot start procedure. When cold you will arm the choke and pull until the engine pops once, then cancel choke but do not bump the throttle lever as it will keep the high idle mode. Then when you pull again the engine will start in high idle mode. It is very important to keep the engine running in high idle to warm the cylinder for 15 seconds and then you can blip the throttle and let it idle low. The autotune will always adapt and you will really be amazed. If you cancel high idle too quick the autotune will not be fast enough and it will stall. This is very common when the outdoor temp have changed since you last ran it.

For hot starts always arm the choke and then cancel it so a hot start will be high idle. They will start EVERY TIME effortlessly.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Also the forgotten fives are built identical quality and are not cheapened up versions. They are just as good as the xp series. 545, 555, 565, 585, and the legendary 395.

If you start to get interested in the 550xp, for the price, consider the 555. I use my 555 with a 24in bar to save on my back. And use my 545 mark 2 with an 18inch bar and honestly they are both awsome in every way. If you asked me to pick only one as much as I like my 545 mark 2, I'd have to pick the 555 as it just does everythinh so well.

 

[Fordiesel69]

So did you decide yet?

 

[spasm3]

So did you decide yet?

Not yet. Probably buy one or the other after Christmas.

I am leaning toward the 545.

 

[johnD2]

I'd get the 550 xp mark ii, w/18" bar. It will last you the rest of your life.

 

[spasm3]

I'd get the 550 xp mark ii, w/18" bar. It will last you the rest of your life.

What do you like about the 550, over the 545?

I'm looking at both. They are both listed as pro level saws.

 

[jake wells]

Run 40:1 the 5 series tend to eat bearings.

 

[Vexorg]

What do you like about the 550, over the 545?

I'm looking at both. They are both listed as pro level saws.

The 550XP is Husky's highest revving saw, redline at 10,200. and has more HP at 4.0 vs. 3.6 for the 545. Either one would be a great saw. I have the 550XP and it is actually fun to use. When a friend of mine heard it rip for the first time he thought his old Poulan had given up, sounded like he was only doing 3000 RPM lol.

 

[johnD2]

What do you like about the 550, over the 545?

I'm looking at both. They are both listed as pro level saws.

Like Vex said, stronger saw. More widely used.

 

[JRHAWK9]

The 550XP is Husky's highest revving saw, redline at 10,200.

That's not it's redline! They do that easily in the cut! Maybe that's their peak torque RPM or something.

I have a ported 550XP MKII, ported 346XP and a ported 390XP. Also have a little T435 that I opened the muffler up on and advanced the ignition timing on.

This is my 550XP. He did a video after it put it back together and before he sent it to me.

 

[spasm3]

The 550XP is Husky's highest revving saw, redline at 10,200. and has more HP at 4.0 vs. 3.6 for the 545. Either one would be a great saw. I have the 550XP and it is actually fun to use. When a friend of mine heard it rip for the first time he thought his old Poulan had given up, sounded like he was only doing 3000 RPM lol.

Like Vex said, stronger saw. More widely used.

That's not it's redline! They do that in the cut! Maybe that's their peak torque RPM or something.

I have a ported 550XP MKII, ported 346XP and a ported 390XP. Also have a little T435 that I opened the muffler up on and advanced the ignition timing on.

Thanks!

 

[Vexorg]

That's not it's redline! They do that easily in the cut! Maybe that's their peak torque RPM or something.

I have a ported 550XP MKII, ported 346XP and a ported 390XP. Also have a little T435 that I opened the muffler up on and advanced the ignition timing on.

This is my 550XP. He did a video after it put it back together and before he sent it to me.

Right from the Husqvarna site. Looks like all of the 5 series can hit 10,200.

 

[Vexorg]

Thanks!

Another thing to note, my saw came with the .325 / .050 20" bar and chain. Some do not like the .325 but for what I ever use a saw for it work fine. Your may come with a different setup, and you can convert to a 3/8 chain by changing the sprocket and bar.

 

[JRHAWK9]

Right from the Husqvarna site. Looks like all of the 5 series can hit 10,200.


View attachment 315694

OK, those are max power and max torque rpms and NOT "redline". Again, these saws turn in excess of 14K, no load. The "rev limiter" on chainsaws is done by keeping them properly tuned. Too lean and they will rev too high. Some have limiting coils which limit the rpms regardless of the state of tune. Google how to tune a chainsaw and "4 stroking". Mine are modified and will hold higher rpm's in the cut than they would stock due to intake/exhaust port timing/duration being changed to help increase torque. Increasing torque helps keep the rpm's higher under load (in the cut), resulting in faster chain speed and therefore faster cutting times. With that increased torque both my 346 and 550 have 8 pin (vs 7 stock) sprockets on them to increase chain speed even more.

I have tachs on mine and I know what no-load RPM's I want them tuned to. The 346XP I want to keep tuned to ~14,400. My 390XP to right around that 14K area.

My 550XP is Autotune, so that I can't self tune. Guaranteed it's in excess of 14K.

 

[JRHAWK9]

Another thing to note, my saw came with the .325 / .050 20" bar and chain. Some do not like the .325 but for what I ever use a saw for it work fine. Your may come with a different setup, and you can convert to a 3/8 chain by changing the sprocket and bar.

On smaller saws I prefer the 0.325 setup, it has a narrower kerf which can result in faster cuts, as the cutters are thinner and therefore not removing as much wood. I tried going to a 3/8 setup on my 346XP, and I didn't care for it.

 

[Vexorg]

OK, those are max power and max torque rpms and NOT "redline". Again, these saws turn in excess of 14K, no load. The "rev limiter" on chainsaws is done by keeping them properly tuned. Too lean and they will rev too high. Some have limiting coils which limit the rpms regardless of the state of tune. Google how to tune a chainsaw and "4 stroking". Mine are modified and will hold higher rpm's in the cut than they would stock due to intake/exhaust port timing/duration being changed to help increase torque. Increasing torque helps keep the rpm's higher under load (in the cut), resulting in faster chain speed and therefore faster cutting times. With that increased torque both my 346 and 550 have 8 pin (vs 7 stock) sprockets on them to increase chain speed even more.

I have tachs on mine and I know what no-load RPM's I want them tuned to. The 346XP I want to keep tuned to ~14,400. My 390XP to right around that 14K area.

My 550XP is Autotune, so that I can't self tune. Guaranteed it's in excess of 14K.

Good to know.
What do you do that the increased cut speed is important? Do you sell / process firewood?
For me, I run out of tree quite quickly as I am only making firewood for a week's worth of camping not making a living from it so stock saws work just fine for me. I was going to get a 545, but a deal came up at work for the 550XP MK2 ($700) so I jumped on it.

 

[JRHAWK9]

Good to know.
What do you do that the increased cut speed is important? Do you sell / process firewood?
For me, I run out of tree quite quickly as I am only making firewood for a week's worth of camping not making a living from it so stock saws work just fine for me. I was going to get a 545, but a deal came up at work for the 550XP MK2 ($700) so I jumped on it.

I just like cutting and we do heat our home with wood. It gives me something to do in the winter and is good exercise. I typically do most all of my cutting in December and January. I split in March/April and am out of the woods before the trees bud (and bugs come out). It's just my personality to want to get the most out of everything.

I currently have 85+ full cords split and stacked and am currently burning 9 year old seasoned wood to heat our home. I only burn ~4-5 cords a winter, so I'll be burning older and older wood as time goes by.

This is what I had for wood supply at the end of March 2024. Ignore the commentary, as I did the video to explain things to someone.


This is what I added to it last winter. 23+ full cords