A 550XP is a heck of a saw for a guy using like you do!
Husqvarna 545 mark II
- Thread starter spasm3
- Start date
A 550XP is a heck of a saw for a guy using like you do!
Ya.
The deal was too good to pass up, the 545 I had my eye on was almost 150 more than I got the 550XP for.
Ahh, I see you are in Canada. That explains the prices. I paid $570 for my 550XP MKII (power head only) almost exactly 2 years ago from today.
I bought an 8 pin sprocket for my 390xp. I have not installed it yet.
To keep the thread back to the original owner. 545mark ii for longevity. 550mark ii for absoulte bragging rights and peak speed minus just a touch of longevity due to cranks seals and bearings from the crank stuffers.
I bought the 550xp today. Probably wont' have time to fire it up until Monday. 18 inch bar.
Oh man..... That is going to be a screamer with the 18in. 325 Guage. You will be blown away at the power.
I am shocked the price is so close now in 2026 between the 545 mark 2 and the 550xp mark 2. It's a no brainer now. Back when I got my 545 mark 2 slightly used they were 100 difference.
I am shocked the price is so close now in 2026 between the 545 mark 2 and the 550xp mark 2. It's a no brainer now. Back when I got my 545 mark 2 slightly used they were 100 difference.
$50 difference now.
We will see about the power.
I do have a husky 390xp. So I am used to a strong running saw. I need to order an unlimited coil for the 390xp it so I can properly tune the carb.
Looking at ported mufflers for both saws.
Going mix some 32:1 to break it in tomorrow.
I think i have an LGX full chisel chain on the shelf, if so that will go on it.
I think i have an LGX full chisel chain on the shelf, if so that will go on it.
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Saw runs great. It starts really easy. Pulls a full house chain no problem.
First tank is 32:1. Cranked it and let it run a couple of minutes then shut it off to let the heat soak in for 5 minutes. Cranked it up and started cutting, loading it up.
It's way more powerful than the echo cs-450 it replaces. Not quite as fast as the 390xp, but its going to be great as the mid size saw for my use!
First tank is 32:1. Cranked it and let it run a couple of minutes then shut it off to let the heat soak in for 5 minutes. Cranked it up and started cutting, loading it up.
It's way more powerful than the echo cs-450 it replaces. Not quite as fast as the 390xp, but its going to be great as the mid size saw for my use!
You will really enjoy that saw. My 550 is set up with an 18 inch bar also. It really rips.
It will loosen up and rip soon enough. Just wait........
It should scream and rip in a different way than the 390.
It should scream and rip in a different way than the 390.
Your quote "Not quite as fast as the 390xp, but its going to be great as the mid size saw for my use!
I got to thinking.........your 550XP should literally scream with an 18" bar x .325 in comparison to how your 390XP feels with a 32" x 3/8.
Was wondering if your 550XP is running this type of raker below? This makes it cut slow and I have had to set these very low and flat to get equiv performance out of them.
I got to thinking.........your 550XP should literally scream with an 18" bar x .325 in comparison to how your 390XP feels with a 32" x 3/8.
Was wondering if your 550XP is running this type of raker below? This makes it cut slow and I have had to set these very low and flat to get equiv performance out of them.
Your quote "Not quite as fast as the 390xp, but its going to be great as the mid size saw for my use!
I got to thinking.........your 550XP should literally scream with an 18" bar x .325 in comparison to how your 390XP feels with a 32" x 3/8.
Was wondering if your 550XP is running this type of raker below? This makes it cut slow and I have had to set these very low and flat to get equiv performance out of them.
View attachment 319749
No I usually run LGX full chisel chain.
I think the difference is the 390 has the horsepower to pull the full chisel chain, with the rakers filed down for more bite.
Here are some pics. The 390 chain is going in to the shop to be machine sharpened as it hit a nail some where , too much to bother filing by hand.
550xp chain;
390 chain damaged, rakers filed;
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I also have a 8 pin sprocket to go on the 390, that will also bump up the chain speed!
Wow...you ain't kidding that chain took a hit. Good news is, if they sharpen it right and open up the gullet as buckin Billy Ray calls it, that chain will cut awsome.
In terms of the 390xp and 550xp, we both have the opposite issue I think...... My 390xp only has 1.5 gal of fuel thru it, so it is most likely slow, my 545 is broke in fully and is a screamer. On the flipside your 390xp is most likely fully broke in and properly adjusted so it is the screamer, and your 550xp is still tight and new.
Your LGX chain looks almost identical to my new EXL except the laser markings on the cutters. My EXL chains for sure need the rakers lowered slightly.
In terms of the 390xp and 550xp, we both have the opposite issue I think...... My 390xp only has 1.5 gal of fuel thru it, so it is most likely slow, my 545 is broke in fully and is a screamer. On the flipside your 390xp is most likely fully broke in and properly adjusted so it is the screamer, and your 550xp is still tight and new.
Your LGX chain looks almost identical to my new EXL except the laser markings on the cutters. My EXL chains for sure need the rakers lowered slightly.
The Husqvarna 390xp is rated at 6.5 hp. The Husqvarna 550xp is rated at 4hp.
Both are powerful, but 2.5 hp is hard to overcome.
If I put the 20 inch bar on the Husqvarna 390xp it really rips.
I'll see what the 8 pin sprocket does. Probably won't change it until I swap chains.