Upgrading Husky 550 to 7/32 chain; good idea or bad?

[Jstpssng]

I am thinking about a new saw and prefer the larger chain for felling bigger trees- by my standards, you westerners would call them saplings.

Any thoughts on this? I know that it will void the warranty so probably would wait until that ran out. My neighbor has done the same and likes the setup. However, a former colleague did the same to a saw several decades ago and had the crankshaft shear off at the crankcase bearing

 

[John_Mc]

I assume you are talking about the regular, full-size 7/32" chain (not the 7/32 low profile stuff). In my opinion, that is too much chain for that saw. I know a number of people that do it, but if you really want to get the best performance with 7/32" chain and are looking at Husky saws, I'd look at the 555 or the 562XP Mark II. (The mark II has several improvements over earlier versions of this model and is almost half a pound lighter than the earlier models.)

If you do go with the 550XP, I'd look for the Mark II model of that as well.

 

[ericm979]

The narrower .325 chain will cut faster than 3/8 chain. .325 is the normal size on 50cc class saws.

That said I don't see why changing the chain, bar and sprocket would void the warranty.

 

[xyz123]

I always ran my 50cc saws with balls with 3/8. Was always faster bucking with 3/8 back then with 346, 5000, Gen1 550 545.

325 is smoother and use it on 50cc for limbing etc and bucking now days too.

325 chains has got better now and caught up with 3/8 stock for stock if running the stihl RS pro narrowr kerf