Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II and Husqvarna 545 Mark II – Cutting Capacity

Our tests show that Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II has a higher cutting capacity than a Stihl MS 261 C-M.

Illustration Use for Cutting Capacity on .com

The time and engine speed measurement is done electronically ten times per second.
When the chainsaw passes the first point the measurements starts automatically, when it passes the second it stops.
These points are placed so that the measuring is only done in the second log.

Best-in-class cutting performance

During 2018, Husqvarna performed extensive testing of the new 550 XP® Mark II professional chainsaw, comparing it to a Stihl MS 261 C-M. The tests have been performed in a controlled environment and the results are conclusive.

What is cutting capacity?

Cutting capacity is used to describe how well a chainsaw performs its main task - cutting fast through the wood.

This result directly relates to the capacity of work an operator can get done. The higher the cutting capacity, the higher the work efficiency. In effect, you’ll be able to get more done in less time which, in turn, equals more profits for the contractor or company.

How do you measure cutting capacity?

Cutting capacity is typically measured in cm²/s, which is the cross-cutting areas per time unit, or how many seconds it takes to cut through a log. You simply measure the time it takes to cut through a piece of wood at the maximum rated speed, typically comparing the measurements between different models.

How was this particular test performed?

For maximum accuracy, this test was performed in a mechanical rig with brand-new chainsaws and out-of-the-box cutting equipment. Both saws have cut through three squared logs, 20x20 cm, without bark.

Measuring is performed at maximum rated speed rpm. The chainsaw is run at full throttle and the cutting rpm is adjusted by the force which is used to push the saw through the log, a higher force equals lower rpm.

Three logs on top of each other are used for the test and it is in the middle log that the cutting speed is measured. The test is optimized so that the correct speed is reached at the second log. Three cuts are made per chainsaw model and are used to calculate the difference in cutting capacity between the models.

What cutting equipment was used?

The Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II and 545 Mark II were equipped with a 15” Husqvarna X-Force pixel guide bar and the Husqvarna X-Cut SP33G chain. The Stihl MS 261 C-M was equipped with a 15” Stihl Rollomatic-e guidebar and the Stihl RM3 chain.

The result

In all tests, the Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II performed with a higher cutting capacity than the Stihl MS 261 C-M, cutting through the logs in a shorter amount of time.

*Claim applies to 550 XP® Mark II model tested by Husqvarna in a controlled environment