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I have a 550XP. I won't buy anything other than a pro model saw. The price difference is worth it with better power to weight ratio's and ergonomics. I did a muffler modification on mine and it has great power. I just cut a cord of oak on Friday and I smiled the whole time.

The only thing I don't like about the 550XP is that it's a miser on bar oil. That seems to be the case with all new saws as they try to make them as environmentally friendly as possible. I cut mainly standing dead-dry oak and typically use a 16" bar on my 550XP. Even with the short bar and the oiler turned to it's highest setting, there's barely enough oil to keep the bar from turning color from getting too hot. I only use Husky bar oil too.

I bought mine on-line.

Last edited by gsganzer; 11/12/17.

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Can you drill out the oil passage to get more on the bar?


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Originally Posted by dennisinaz
Can you drill out the oil passage to get more on the bar?

That doesn't change the volume as you are still bottle necked by the pumps output. On certain saws you can put a higher out put oiler o them or the oiler off a larger saw. I can't see the need as you must guys wont even approach burning up a bar up from lack of oil. It would be better to fixate on keeping your chain sharp. Dull chains are very hard on bars, chains and just about every other part of the saw.

Last edited by BWalker; 11/13/17.
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I have had a XP at least 18 years, its still running, I cut 4-6 good sized trees up per year, the rancher is a POS I tried to use one at as part of a clean up crew earlier this year, the chain would not stay tight, brand new saw. I have one stihl and it stihl don't run right.


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Originally Posted by gsganzer
I have a 550XP. I won't buy anything other than a pro model saw. The price difference is worth it with better power to weight ratio's and ergonomics. I did a muffler modification on mine and it has great power. I just cut a cord of oak on Friday and I smiled the whole time.

The only thing I don't like about the 550XP is that it's a miser on bar oil. That seems to be the case with all new saws as they try to make them as environmentally friendly as possible. I cut mainly standing dead-dry oak and typically use a 16" bar on my 550XP. Even with the short bar and the oiler turned to it's highest setting, there's barely enough oil to keep the bar from turning color from getting too hot. I only use Husky bar oil too.

I bought mine on-line.


One other thing I'll add. Make sure you follow the exact starting procedure (shown on a little graphic on the saw handle) for a cold and hot saw. These new saws are a little more finicky with starting and require a very precise sequence otherwise you'll be tugging the cord and cursing.

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Thank all you guys for the good advice.

I just got off the phone with Baileys and have a 550XP(20") on order, should be here next week.

Here's the best part.

$500 shipped.

Hell, that's only $50 more than a 455 Rancher.

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Originally Posted by SamOlson
Thank all you guys for the good advice.

I just got off the phone with Baileys and have a 550XP(20") on order, should be here next week.

Here's the best part.

$500 shipped.

Hell, that's only $50 more than a 455 Rancher.


What pitch and gauge chain did you get?

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G, narrow kerf bar and chain?

Chain pitch/Gauge/Drive Link: .325"/ .050"/80DL (H30-80)

Chainsaw Bar: 20" Pixel Bar (HLN-250-80) EMAB

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You get the rebate?

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Need to e-mail in it.

IC B3

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Huskies rock, and still like my older stihls

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Nice!

We're gonna need a video after the third tank of fuel.

$500 shipped plus another rebate?


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Kings, I just looked at the e-mailed invoice and it shows that $50 was already discounted so I'm not exactly sure.

Guy on the phone said that I could send in the rebate later so maybe they have a $50 store discount as well?

$499.94 was charged to my card and I'm good with that, another $50 off would be icing on the cake.




As for the weak bar oil I read a review on Baileys and a guy was having similar issues with a 562.

Wonderful saw (5 Star) Perhaps over 400 hrs. on it. A number of times chain/bar stopped getting oil, got dry, hot and would jump off bar. I always keep oil reservoir full. Long story short the oil cap has a plastic Y and short string that keeps it from getting lost when opened. At times the oil pick up ball gets hung up on the plastic Y when locked down not allowing the ball to follow oil level, Thus no oil to Bar/chain. Easy fix: Remove Y from tank, Cut off string from cap and discard. No more oil problems.

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I just bought a 550xp and love it. I'm in the same boat as you, a chord or two of firewood per year to keep the woodstove in the a garage fed.

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the other rebate is online at husky, a $50 visa card

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Elkchsr, glad to hear you like it! I certainly don't need a 'pro' saw but figured why not? More HP in a lighter package, sounds good!



Blanket, that makes sense, I might be into this one for around $450. Seems like a bargain....



Wish I could have bought local but whatever.

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I was all set to get a 562, went to the local shop and the dealer sold me on the 550 as for my use the lighter weight of the 550 is worth is over the added power of the 562. I'll have to order one from Baileys as the local shop was over $600 for the 550. If you look up muffler mods for the 550 it really wakes up the saw, timed cuts are 30% faster. The only bummer with the 550 is I'm set up with 3/8" chains and husky large stud bars. Not a big deal to change out the clutch to take 3/8" chains.

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Originally Posted by 458 Lott
I was all set to get a 562, went to the local shop and the dealer sold me on the 550 as for my use the lighter weight of the 550 is worth is over the added power of the 562. I'll have to order one from Baileys as the local shop was over $600 for the 550. If you look up muffler mods for the 550 it really wakes up the saw, timed cuts are 30% faster. The only bummer with the 550 is I'm set up with 3/8" chains and husky large stud bars. Not a big deal to change out the clutch to take 3/8" chains.

Changing a sprocket takes less than a minute with the only tool needed being your Scrench.

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Originally Posted by SamOlson
Elkchsr, glad to hear you like it! I certainly don't need a 'pro' saw but figured why not? More HP in a lighter package, sounds good!



Blanket, that makes sense, I might be into this one for around $450. Seems like a bargain....



Wish I could have bought local but whatever.

That 550 will feel like a light saber compared to your 455. Muffler mod it, wait for the break in program to time out and hang on.

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UPS just left......chit is about to get real........grin

Town and Country.

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I was actually reading about the muff mods and the power gains sound great but also rarely wear earplugs. Leave the baffles intact and drill another exit hole/lift the exit up a little?


I'm gonna leave as is for now and see how it works.

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