The Husqvarna 266 XP, SE, SG are all basically the same chainsaw model, with minor differences beyond the tag and production years.
There is no material difference between a Husqvarna 266 XP and a 266 SE/SG in terms of basic engine design and power output — they’re essentially the same saw, but the name change reflects a production/marketing shift rather than a performance upgrade.
Here are a bunch of pictures shared by our FB followers in 266 XP and SE threads.
Husqvarna 266 XP, SE, SG pics
First up is this 266 XP shared by Tamás.
Here’s a 266 XP with a Eliminator top cover, shared by Chris W.
He said:
Eliminator top cover. It’s a wicked rare part to find nowadays it took me nearly 2 years to find.
Only made them for the 266s and 288s way back in the day.
Here’s a Tomos made 266 SE, shared by Timotej.
Another 266 SE, shared by Ron.
A 266 XP 300th Anniversary version (produced in 1989), shared by Skip R.
Here’s a 266 SG, which is the version with heated handles, shared by Freddy.
This is the same 266 SG, alongside the Husqvarna 444 SG.
And perhaps the coolest version of the 266: the military or army version.
Specifications
| Specification | 266 SE / SG | 266 XP |
|---|---|---|
| Years Produced | Introduced 1981 | 1981–1990 |
| Manufacturer | Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB, Sweden | Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB, Sweden |
| Engine Displacement | 67 cc (4.0 cu in) | 67 cc (4.1 cu in) |
| Cylinder Bore | 50 mm (1.97 in) | 50 mm (1.97 in) |
| Stroke | 34 mm (1.34 in) | 34 mm (1.34 in) |
| Cylinder Type | Aluminum, chrome-plated bore | Aluminum, chrome-plated bore |
| Intake Method | Piston ported | Piston ported |
| Power Output (advertised) | Not advertised | 3.3 kW (4.5 hp) |
| Idle Speed | 2,500 rpm | 2,500 rpm |
| Max RPM (under load) | 8,500 rpm | 9,300 rpm |
| Max RPM (free) | 12,500 rpm | 12,500 rpm |
| Ignition System | Electronic (two-piece) | Electronic |
| Ignition Timing | Fixed | Fixed |
| Flywheel Air Gap | 0.3–0.35 mm (0.012–0.014 in) | 0.3 mm (0.012 in) |
| Spark Plug | Bosch WS7F | Bosch WS7F / Champion CJ7Y |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.5 mm (0.020 in) | 0.5 mm (0.020 in) |
| Carburetor | Tillotson HS-163A / 224C series | Tillotson HS-224C series |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 0.75 L (25.3 fl oz) | 0.75 L (1.59 US pt) |
| Fuel Mix Ratio | 50:1 | 40:1 |
| Oil Pump | Automatic, worm-gear driven | Automatic, adjustable |
| Chain Brake | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Handle System | Anti-vibration | Anti-vibration |
| Clutch | Centrifugal | Centrifugal |
| Drive Type | Direct | Direct |
| Chain Pitch | 3/8 in | 3/8 in |
| Chain Type | Oregon 73LG | Oregon 73LG |
| Bar Mount Pattern | 17 | 17 |
| Shortest Bar Supplied | 32 cm (13 in) | 40 cm (16 in) |
| Longest Bar Supplied | 66 cm (26 in) | 81 cm (32 in) |
| Weight (with bar & chain) | 7.3 kg (15.8 lb) | 7.1 kg (15.7 lb)* |
| Construction | Die-cast magnesium & polymer | Die-cast magnesium & polymer |
What the SE vs XP Labels Mean
SE and XP are just model designations used at different times in the 266’s production life. Husqvarna transitioned from SE to XP labeling as part of broader branding changes.
In most cases, a 266 SE and a 266 XP have the same specs (engine size, power, weight, etc.) — and owners report swapping parts back and forth without compatibility issues.
The XP tag historically stood for “Extra Power” on Husqvarna chainsaws in general, indicating professional-grade saws, but with the 266 the difference was nominal at best — many XP-branded ones perform no differently than SE-branded ones of the same era.
Key differences summary:
- XP version produces higher operating RPM under load (9,300 vs 8,500)
- Fuel mix ratio differs (SE/SG 50:1 vs XP 40:1)
- XP generally supported longer maximum bar lengths
- SE/SG models included heated-handle (SG) variants
Carburetor changes: Early 266s (often SE) used a smaller carburetor (eg. Tillotson HS-163), and later ones (commonly XP) used a larger HS-224 carb — which could give a slight performance bump.
Minor hardware evolution: Over its production life the saw saw changes like plastic fuel tanks replacing metal ones, different clutch threads, etc. — but these changes were incremental and not specifically tied to the SE → XP renaming.
Husqvarna 266 XP advertising
This is a 1986 brochure for the 238, 254, and 266 XP.
266 XP
A powerful saw of compact size
Large-diameter trees demand a lot of the chain saw, above all strength and ruggedness. As in the Husqvarna 266XP.
Hidden under the skin of the Husqvarna 266 XP is a veritable gold nugget — an engine designed down to the smallest detail for getting to grips with really large-dimension trees. For example, the crankshaft is extra carefully balanced to minimise vibration and give the saw a longer useful life. And, like several other Husqvarna chain saws, the 266 XP is equipped with a Power-Flow piston.
Although the 266XP is a powerful saw it is still compact in size and handy to use. Owing to its slender saw body with well-designed and correctly-positioned handles, the Husqvarna 266XP does not feel heavy — indeed, it feels almost lighter than it actually does weigh. Anyone who has worked a few weekends in the forest will readily appreciate the advantages of that.
It will surely come as no surprise to learn that production of the Husqvarna 266 XP is proceeding at full steam ahead. Such a good saw cannot help but be highly popular and in great demand.
Technical data – Husqvarna 266 XP
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Cylinder capacity | 4.1 cu.in / 66.7 cc |
| Engine speed at max power | 8,500 rpm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 1.6 pint / 0.75 litres |
| Oil tank capacity | 0.9 pint / 0.45 litres |
| Guide bar standard | 13″ – 32 cm15″ – 37 cm18″ – 46 cm20″ – 50 cm22″ – 56 cm26″ – 66 cm |
| Chain pitch | 3/8″ |
| Weight, power head dry incl. chain brake (SE) | 13.3 lbs / 6.0 kg |
| Weight, power head dry incl. chain brake (SG) | 14.0 lbs / 6.4 kg |
| Weight, empty incl. guide bar, chain and chain brake (SE)* | 15.2 lbs / 6.9 kg |
| Weight, empty incl. guide bar, chain and chain brake (SG)* | 16.0 lbs / 7.3 kg |
Top: It is also noticeable in the factory that the Husqvarna 266 XP is immensely popular. 266 XP after 266 XP after 266 XP after …
Bottom left: So powerful and yet so servile. With the Husqvarna 266 XP you get right up close to both stem and body.
Bottom right: When it’s a case of high performance in forests of large-dimension trees, the right saw is a Husqvarna 266 XP.
