550xp or ms 311

[Jaret Dominicus]

Hi I'm new to this forum and I I'm looking into a firewood saw and use for heating. So I'm stuck in choosing between a 550 or a 311 any suggestions?

 

[svk]

You are stuck in choosing between only those two? Or those are two you've identified as possibilities.

311 is a larger heavier saw with about a half horsepower more. More comparable with a 359 or 562 Husqvarna.

550 is a light, yet quite powerful high revving saw.

If most of what you cut is under 20" I'd go with the 550. If you are cutting good amounts of larger hardwoods go with the Stihl. If you must choose between only those two.

How much wood are you planning on cutting each year, what species and sizes? If you are able to keep your options open you might be able to get into a suitable saw for less than the two listed would cost.

 

[Jaret Dominicus]

Ill be cutting oak and pine and they are around 20in or so and I chose between these 2 because I'm looking to spend 600 or so. I cut mainly in the fall and winter about 3 or 4 days a week

 

[sld961]

I'm a Stihl guy, but between those two, I'd go with the 550. I'm not a fan of clamshell saws. If you're going to go with the weight of the 311, might as well get a 391. With a budget of 600 bucks, I'd be looking for a nice used 036/360/361 or a nice used 044/440.

 

[HuskStihl]

555. There's a NIB 359 in the trading post for 500. Used 362

 

[sunfish]

550xp no question between those two! The 545 is virtually the same saw as the 550xp for $100 less.

But the 555 is probably the best firewood saw on the market right now. Smaller/lighter than all other 60cc saws & metal case, pro quality without the XP price.

 

[flotek]

I would get a husky xp saw hands down . The stihl is a budget minded heavy saw ..yeah it has a bigger engine with more power on paper but it's cumbersome and not designed for professional use it's a farmers saw rated for occasional use it has a clamshell that's not really rebuild able and not a saw worthy of handing down to the next generation .with the stihl your not going to get the revs ,the ergonomics , the agility or the highly advanced auto carburation like the husky offers .personally I'd add 100 bucks to that price and get the 562xp . This 562 is absolutely bad to the bone light fast and out cuts everything in it's class .a true pro quality saw worthy of endorsement

 

[sunfish]

555. There's a NIB 359 in the trading post for 500. Used 362

If I needed a firewood saw and didn't already have too many saws, I'd buy that 359 in a heart beat!!!

Actually I just bought a 359 there yesterday and another one 2-3 months ago.
I really need to stay away from the Tradin' Post.

 

[HuskStihl]

A closer comparison to the 311 would be the 460, in the clamshell (not all that bad a thing) class

 

[Husqavarna Guy]

Just get the 555 it's a beast of a saw and will handle everything you throw at it.

 

[Jaret Dominicus]

How much is the 555?

 

[srb08]

How much is the 555?

MSRP= $629

 

[Jaret Dominicus]

I have two dealers where I live but the one is closer to me but idk what he wants but all I know is that he wants 750 for the 562 with a 24in bar and the other wants 654 for it and 574 for the 555 so do you guys think that he will price match it

 

[Jaret Dominicus]

I might get a 24in instead of a 20

 

[Cheesecutter]

I would go with the 562xp myself, especially if you are only talking $60-$100 more. I seriously doubt you would be disappointed with any saw in the 60cc range.

 

[porsche965]

On a 562xp get a 28 with skip chain and a 20" for everything else. You probably won't buy another saw for a very long time....unless you stop in this site regularly lol.

 

[flotek]

A 562 is the~ saw ..5 hp and 12 pounds of wood shredding 2 stroke power . Do a muffler mod and run a 18" bar with a full chisel chain and nothing will touch it. It's probably the only medium saw on the market that can pull a 28" bar with authority in stock form . The size and weight of a 50 cc saw ..with the raw power of a 70cc saw

 

[XSKIER]

That is over exaggerated.

 

[Ironworker]

With your budget, I would get a 555. I bought a 28" bar once and found it to be a waste, I don't need anything bigger than 20".

 

[WoodTick007]

Hi I'm new to this forum and I I'm looking into a firewood saw and use for heating. So I'm stuck in choosing between a 550 or a 311 any suggestions?

As much as I hate to say it.....buy the Husky. They make excellent performing saws with just a muffler mod. . . the lower end Stihl saws are just that "lower end". I mean really. . .how can they make plastic weigh 13-16lbs?