50cc saw recommendations

[Farmboy]

It's been awhile, guys...probably a decade or more since my last post. I'm looking for a 50cc saw for jobs that don't require the grunt of my 044 or Husky 262xp. Back before I dropped out of sight, the 346xp or Dolmar's 50cc saw - can't remember the model were the go-to saws in this size. I'm sure things have changed a bit since then, please bring me up to date.

 

[Dean-O]

Husqvarna 550

 

[Fatherwheels]

Makita / Dolmar are stopping production of gas saws in 2022, so think about
how that fits into your plan.

The obvious Two are the Stihl MS261 and the Husqvarna 550XP mk2.

Both very good saws, they have the electronic gadgetery on the carbs,
so if you don’t like that, get an older saw.
Someone may know if your 262 bar will also fit a 550xp, that would be nice
in a pinch.
Price, getting the cheapest / best deal could swing the decision,
there is very little between the two saws regarding ability, the Stihl
is One lb lighter.

 

[North by Northwest]

Dolkita 5105 H , Husky 550 , Stihl MS 261 , Jonsered 2260. P.S. 346 xp are still available , as will NOS of the Dolkitas & Jonsereds !

 

[Fatherwheels]

Echo make good saws, the CS501 is their pro line 50cc offering,
its very light in hand, but it doesn’t have the grunt of the MS261
or the Husky 550xp mk2, the Ml 1 550Xp is a completely different
saw, take the Mk2 if you go Husky.
There is nothing wrong with the Echo being less powerful, as long
as you know it will still do your work, it has a straight manual carb.

 

[Husky Man]

If you find a Good condition 346XP, they are still excellent contenders, as are the Husky 353, one of Husqvarna's Best kept Secrets.

I have been Very Happy with my Later version 550XP OE, I haven't tried the 550XP MKII yet, so can't comment on those, but they seem to be well received


Doug

 

[North by Northwest]

Echo make good saws, the CS501 is their pro line 50cc offering,
its very light in hand, but it doesn’t have the grunt of the MS261
or the Husky 550xp mk2, the Ml 1 550Xp is a completely different
saw, take the Mk2 if you go Husky.
There is nothing wrong with the Echo being less powerful, as long
as you know it will still do your work, it has a straight manual carb.

Not a fan of auto tune , like to tune to my oil and usage !

 

[North by Northwest]

If you find a Good condition 346XP, they are still excellent contenders, as are the Husky 353, one of Husqvarna's Best kept Secrets.

I have been Very Happy with my Later version 550XP OE, I haven't tried the 550XP MKII yet, so can't comment on those, but they seem to be well received


Doug

Keep forgetting about the 353 , very capable saw , also liked the less bulky Mk I 550 xp later production saws , prior to the bulkier MKII offering , just my preference !

 

[Lionsfan]

550mkii is a damn nice saw. Have yet to hear of any failures or design flaws which plagued some of the earlier 5 series saws. On-line black Friday (and I'm certain some in house dealer) pricing will put them on your doorstep for under $500 with an 18" bar and chain.

 

[r black]

The husqvarna 550xp mII and the stihl ms 261c are the top dogs in this catagory........ expensive but both are worth the investment

 

[North by Northwest]

550mkii is a damn nice saw. Have yet to hear of any failures or design flaws which plagued some of the earlier 5 series saws. On-line black Friday (and I'm certain some in house dealer) pricing will put them on your doorstep for under $500 with an 18" bar and chain.

Mostly overheating and air filter sealibility issues on the early production runs of the MkI that were quickly resolved . Sweet saw with as you say a very attractive price point on the MkII saws !

 

[Lionsfan]

The husqvarna 550xp mII and the stihl ms 261c are the top dogs in this catagory........ expensive but both are worth the investment
[/QUOTE]
I think $500 is a hell of a deal for a top of the line 50cc saw. When I got into the firewood game back in 1997 254 xp's were over $500.

 

[Tigwelder83]

Run a 550 xp mk1, love it. If you wanted to spend less, go echo.

 

[Fatherwheels]

Not a fan of auto tune , like to tune to my oil and usage !

The AT MT systems are getting there, any tear down I have seen of an AT
had me impressed regarding piston and cylinder condition.
I have a suspicion they are running cleaner than Stihls.
Seen an image somewhere of the MS400 piston well blackened on the sides,
I think Stihl are using some exhaust gas as part of their strato charge instead of clean air.

 

[North by Northwest]

The husqvarna 550xp mII and the stihl ms 261c are the top dogs in this catagory........ expensive but both are worth the investment

I think $500 is a hell of a deal for a top of the line 50cc saw. When I got into the firewood game back in 1997 254 xp's were over $500.
[/QUOTE]

The AT MT systems are getting there, any tear down I have seen of an AT
had me impressed regarding piston and cylinder condition.
I have a suspicion they are running cleaner than Stihls.
Seen an image somewhere of the MS400 piston well blackened on the sides,
I think Stihl are using some exhaust gas as part of their strato charge instead of clean air.

Yeah the 2nd & 3rd generation units seem to have the glitches out. Seemed in the beginning quite a few saws were being sent back to the dealers to reflash them . Then numerous apps became available for consumer usage .

 

[Fatherwheels]

I think $500 is a hell of a deal for a top of the line 50cc saw. When I got into the firewood game back in 1997 254 xp's were over $500.

Yeah the 2nd & 3rd generation units seem to have the glitches out. Seemed in the beginning quite a few saws were being sent back to the dealers to reflash them . Then numerous apps became available for consumer usage .
[/QUOTE]
Not too many Stihl apps out in the wild, they seem to be keeping it withing their dealerships.
I think the AT on the recent saws will save more saws from burning up than people
ever burned up with their own screwing, or in most cases not screwing, the average person
neither knows they are running lean, or how to stop it, AT will serve them well.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Just buy a 550mk2, easy starting, one pull warm starting, nice power, not that heavy, will pull a 20" bar. Run mine with an 18", never really cared for 50cc class or kept a 346, do not care for them. To each his own, run them all and buy what you like.

 

[North by Northwest]

Yeah the 2nd & 3rd generation units seem to have the glitches out. Seemed in the beginning quite a few saws were being sent back to the dealers to reflash them . Then numerous apps became available for consumer usage .

Not too many Stihl apps out in the wild, they seem to be keeping it withing their dealerships.
I think the AT on the recent saws will save more saws from burning up than people
ever burned up with their own screwing, or in most cases not screwing, the average person
neither knows they are running lean, or how to stop it, AT will serve them well.
[/QUOTE]
Perhaps not Stihl , they have been very proprietary for sometime , however Husquarna auto tune progràms have been available for some time to the rank & file !

 

[NvrDwn]

If you want a great running saw and save a little $$ but still have a pro saw, then get the husqvarna 545 mk-2. I used mine some today and love it, genuinely excited to have this saw.

 

[North by Northwest]

Yeah the 2nd & 3rd generation units seem to have the glitches out. Seemed in the beginning quite a few saws were being sent back to the dealers to reflash them . Then numerous apps became available for consumer usage .

Not too many Stihl apps out in the wild, they seem to be keeping it withing their dealerships.
I think the AT on the recent saws will save more saws from burning up than people
ever burned up with their own screwing, or in most cases not screwing, the average person
neither knows they are running lean, or how to stop it, AT will serve them well.
[/QUOTE]
I think most people who refrain from the Bushmill,s Black , should be able to tune their own saws properly !