Husqvarna 288XP thoughts

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Where does the 288xp rank in comparison to other 87cc saws?
Ranks high, other saw would be Mcculloch 850. The 288 is less bulky than many other saws that are in cc range and has good pull. Decent amount of factory and aftermarket parts available. If you cut firewood and run into stuff over 20" or cut hardwood.....keep it. Its handy to run a big cc saw through rounds with huge knots.....time saver.
 
I like the 288 better than the 394/395 the only problem was parts availability.... Thanks to all the new chi-com parts getting stuff for them is now not cost prohibitive. Coils, isolator/buffers, plastics, recoils, brake/covers stuff like that.. Even the top ends and crank/bearings are getting better although OEM is still best. I'm a bit sad that I got rid of all my 272/288's Great saws. I picked up a jred 625 on the site here recently just so I could play with on old husky for a bit :) Just needed small stuff that I had everything already except the buffers.. Was nice paying under 10 shipped to the house instead of 60 from Madsens.. I did have to buy an OEM fuel line though.. Don't quite trust Chi rubber yet. Although was 13 bucks for a little piece of hose :(
 
I have two of these. Also ran one at the fair speed cutting, it was my buddy’s saw. The 188/288 is a tad bigger size wise over the 266/268/172/272. The 288 I ran in the woods(demo) was a little beast too. The only difference I can see between them all is when they get into the longer length bars this is when the bigger cc’s kick in. There’s no replacement for displacement. I like to take the larger power head and put on a 16” or 18” bar and just destroy standing timber into firewood.

Watch out where the huskys go don’t you eat the yellow snow lol
 
Hey guys, first time posting.. I have a 288XP that I picked up for $300. I got it running but it needs some TLC.. I saw a lot of people swearing by them on here, but really don't have the time right now to invest into getting it up to speed. Is this something I should hold on to, or part ways? If I were to sell it, what would be a fair price?

I’m not sure where you are in ct but there’s a Husqvarna gold dealer in southbury,ct. it’s chainsaws unlimited. If you need parts he’s the guy to see.
 
i gave both my sons Husqvarna 570’s recently. They can be found affordable. Pricewise there’s room to do crankbearings and seals too. Nothing cuts like a razor sharp chain too. Keep it sharp.

I run a 7/32” file first to open up the gullet. This gives the exiting chips clearance to get out. Then I use the file n guide with a 7/32” file to sharpen the upper cutting edge of the chain. Once the gullet is opened up you only use the file n guide for a few sharpening.
 
In the past I took the max weight of lift to be 50% of what the lift can actually hold. If it’s rated for 10,000 pounds then it should hold 20,000 pounds that’s safely 10,000 pounds.
Be careful with those, you could spend a little more and get a good one.


Being a welder, fabricator, I was taught that the strength is in the vertical plates. That lift seems to have more width on the horizontal plates.
 
I really appreciate all the feedback.. I am going to keep the saw, I have a 441 with a 20inch bar that I do most of my cutting with now. This has a 25" that I will most likely leave on after its up and running.. Cant wait to be able to post a video of it doing more then just getting berated.. any mods worth doing?
 
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