Husqvarna 550xp - changing from .325 to 3/8 chain - #17 

I appreciate the experiment. It confirms sticking with what I have already. .325" for under 60 cc & 3/8" for 60+ cc.

Thanks for showing this. I never knew you could do change the chain size.

Was surprised to come across this post, have now subscribed, last month i bought a 550 xp mark two , am in the process of changing it to 3/8 pitch to keep in line with the other saws i have, am retaining the 18'' bar but with a suga hara bar, aussie down under here.

Hey Dick, this was a good informative video! Thanks for putting this together it was interesting to see the both chains compare! Andrew from NB :)

Another great video, thanks for sharing your experience. Terry

Id keep the 3/8 sprocket to use all the chains you've accumulated!!! Great video. Have a Safe Day

Thanks for the comparison. I was thinking of doing this for the same reason as you, but after watching your video I have decided not to. One size may "fit all" but not give the best results. Thanks for your content. I have subscribed!

Great video! Been thinking about doing this to my 545xp, now I know how and if I should!

Great video Dick it's definitely nice to have everything uniform and one chai I got so many different sizes of chains and saws sometimes it's ridiculous. I also run a tree service so it's a little bit different I got everything from smaller 12" chains all the way up to 60" bars and chains.

I have an 029 stihl. Only .325 saw i had. Did the same and converted to 3/8 to match the rest of my saws . I had simmular results . I tried an oregon 72 lpx chain . It helped my 029 , felt like some of my power is back. I Did not time it . But that puts me kinda back to not using all the same type of chain for all my saws. But guess still better as i can still use my other chains on it also, so still using 3/8 on it. . Good Video.

Many thanks for such a great video. I have a small processor and run a 550xp and both are 18" on .325 so I agree keeping the chains the same is a great idea. I run the same make of bars as you do too.. My larger 592XP is a 3/8 but the 550 does 95﹪of the work. All the best..

So I got an older ms 310 I’m debating putting a 24/25 inch bar on and going down to .325 from 3/8. 20 inch. Old bar is getting old and I wouldn’t mind a little more reach but don’t really want to lose and cutting speed/power. Glad I found your video. Kinda goes along with my thinking on it.

The kerf width will affect how much wood you are removing and in theory how long it takes to make a cut. The finer pitched chain will generally be narrower which means faster cutting for a given horsepower and less man glitter that goes onto the ground. The larger pitch chain has more metal to wear down. It would actually be nice to see a comparison of cutting a cord of wood with the 2 types of chain to compare the time taken, the amount of fuel used and potentially the sharpens required.

Nice footage always keep stepping and fetching 💪 💪💪💪💪💪

New subscriber here.....living in France, thanks for the video .suprised that over a 3 second difference between them ..very interesting

For the life of me I don't understand why people want to convert the 550xp to regular 3/8 saw chain. Is a much bigger kerf and takes a lot more power to pull it through the wood. Next try 3/8LP saw chain on it. That should really fly through the wood. Personally I'd keep the .325 saw chain on it as it is a lot less stress on the plastic caged bearings that are in that saw.

Had 3 saws with 3/8 chain, and acquired a new stihl 290. I have several 3/8 chains and even a carbide to cut stumps at ground. Thought about switching to 3/8 on the 280 but decided not to. Bought a 20" carbide in 325. I got used to having two size chains, just keep them separate. Biggest plus got oregon grinder with cbn wheels and diamond wheel for the carbide. The .325 takes different size wheel to sharpen, but the 290 with a sharp .325 cuts surprisingly well. No longer want to go to 3/8

Interesting results.

Thanks for making the Conversion process understandable. For me it isn't about Speed but Bar size. I'm on a very tight budget and only cut for heat. problem is every now and then I'm given some nice wood that is just to big for my 20" 62cc(off brand) saw and .325P .O58Ga. severely limits my length options. I can find 3/8p .050 Chains and bars without issue and the saw is capable of pulling a 22" or even 24" chain through wood, as long as you aren't Forcing matters.(Use the weight of the saw) I'm Cutting 32" Poplar with an 18" 3/8 on a 49cc without issue as long as I don't keep burying the tip so I don't see why the bigger saw(63cc) can't handle the longer bar.

Your right on your words .

Keep up the great videos! You're friends here in Piqua Ohio.

Well made "How to". Thanks!

550xp is a great bucking saw. Keep up the good work OGF. 😊 I personally like an 18" bar on mine, but I’m only 5’8" so I can still almost buck standing up with it. 😅

Thanks Dick, another great video!

Good fair comparison. I’m a Stihl man, but the one Husky I have is my best friend! For chains, I run both. What I know is that with the same-tooth sprocket, yeah you’re throwing the same amount of teeth per revolution, but in 3/8, you’re throwing a bigger tooth about 15% faster (4.55 inches of chain per rev in .325 vs 5.25 inches of chain in 3/8) so you are trading out some torque and a smoother cut for fewer and bigger teeth to have to sharpen. Now if that sprocket were originally a .325-8 and you put on a 7 in 3/8… Or from a .325-7 to a 6 for 3/8, then you’d be running the same chain speed. Nice place you have. I lived in Wilmington and in Charlotte many years… I’m not a “damn yankee” anymore because I did eventually move home!

The test we all wanted, thank You Sir. I would love to see comparison with narrowkerf (husqy pixel chain 325 0.5)

New subscriber thanks I'm sticking with the .325 also. Dam I was close to buying a new bar and chain lol

The downfall from going to 3/8 is the sprocket is now trying to turn the chain a few percent faster. These little chainsaws rely on hi reves were they make their power and by increasing the chains speed you are also depleting its top end power. You can go to a low profile 3/8, but they are suited for under 40 cc..325 seems to be the sweet spot with 45 to 55cc for most manufacturers.

Most interesting, Good Video!

Myself when I'm in the woodyard I don't time how fast each cut is. I just want to change all that runs good all day. All my 20-in bars run 3/8.050 72 link. I run the yellow Stihl chain. My 24-in bars run the 3/8.050 84 link yellow Stihl chain. I do have a 32-in bar. That's its own beast in its own. It's on a CS 800 p Echo chainsaw.

Thanks, interesting results guess Research and Development at Husqvarna had it right.

First thing I did to my new stihl 261 was convert it to 3/8 sprocket and chain. Now my 261 , 362 ,and 400 m tronic all use the same bars and chains.

Good info.. I am looking st getting another Sthil 461 next year and will keep this detail in mind..

very interesting video...subscribed !!....thumbs up

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I use 3/8 chain on my saws. Keep things simple. I use Oregon chain.

.325 is the only chain i use. Smaller kerf and i only cut hardwood do it's faster. I can't find the benefit to a wider kerf unless it stays sharp longer but i imagine it heats up faster due to friction do no benefit. It's just more friction on the saw. Same for my table saw, i run a thinner kerf so the speed stays up and the cut is smoother and faster. Never heard a positive argument for a wider kerf blade on a table saw or band saw for that matter. The depth of cut should be considered as well.

Great video! Thought about doing the same thing. I still might. The 550 has more hp than my 257 and the 257 came with 3/8. So did my old 026 pro but the 261 come with .325. If a 550 with 3/8 cuts faster than a 257 it’s worth it to me

I think the 3/8 chain stays sharper a lot longer than .325 , so if you figure sharpening time then 3/8 is faster. Or more work done before you have to stop and sharpen chain.

I have used both and like I a 3/8. I am running a 3/8 skip tooth now and it seems to be faster

How you liking the saw still? Getting new saw next week and debating between 550xp and 555 for firewood. Had 2 562xp’s and were to problematic.

Great video.. where did you get your bar, im looking for a 24" light bar for the 550Xp M2. Cant seem to find one that fits the 550xp M2. Thanks

Hello Dick, Hot and High Humidity here in Northern Virginia also, Take Care and Stay Safe 🚜🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

I got Poulan Pro 295 20 bar. I'm going to go to 16 bar, 3/8 .050 chain & bar plus Rim Sprocket. I got to find what Rim Sprocket will fit.

It would be interesting to see how the .325 chain works on the 572

Rest and have a cup of tea ,I do good video

I have a husky 55 rancher with a 18in and 10 in bar that run 3/8. I also have husky 350 with a 18in bar that runs the.325 chain. I was considering this because I was considering putting a 14in bar on it for felling limbs and thought to have all 3/8 chain would be nice, so only one grinding wheel for the sharpener. But I've got 6 old 18in .325 chains and 3 brand new ones so I'm just gonna leave well enough alone. I liked you side by side but was wondering if the saw was cold for the second go around.

If you will switch to an 18" bar that will help it out a lot.

I’m not sure why but my 550 xp mk 2 seems to cut way faster than the first couple cuts. Maybe it’s cause mine is newer? I don’t know but mine seems like it is running more than 4hp

I hate hand filing .325 chain. 3/8 is perfect and I run skip chains on all my long bar saws. Less teeth to sharpen… Well good to know I’ll just never buy a small saw again

It's always faster for me. You just need to get used to it. Let the saw do the work..

Nice video Guy I have a husky 572 xp but I can't get it started for some reason its brand new do you have any ideas.

How about using 3/8 pitch on everything but use the picco on the 50cc instead of 325?

You keep saying "3/8". Did you mean 3/8, or 3/8lp?

Not sure that was fair. Should've used a factory new chain. It's possible you filed too much raker and she was boggin out. Redo

Unless it's just me I see more saw dust than chips.

If I could change one thing about my 550,it would have an outboard sprocket.

Echt Ami- Reden,reden und wieder Reden

If you have other saws using 3/8 , keep the .325 as it is and you'll have the best of both worlds. You can use the .325 and make up your mind later

Good one ! Size really does matter 😏 🪵⛓🪚👍👏🇺🇸 Rick