Is the Husqvarna 560 XP a good chainsaw?
It is a 59.8 cc professional level saw that first came out in 2011.
It’s not for sale in many countries like the United States, Australia, or New Zealand, but it’s still being produced and can be bought in the UK and many European countries.
It’s very similar to the 562 XP and 550 XP so we’ve included a good comparison of the three.
Husqvarna 560 XP Versions
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There are only two versions of the Husqvarna 560 XP; the base model and the 560 XP G.
The ‘G’ designates heated handles, a nice feature to have in most parts of Europe.
The price between the two isn’t that great. At the time of writing the 560 XP is listed for £1,089.00 while the 560 XP G will cost £1,159.00.
Either way, it’s a bit of money for a 60cc saw, but it’s certainly on another level from Husqvarna’s homeowner-level 60cc saw, the 460 Rancher.
Husqvarna’s product description goes like this:
Husqvarna 560 XP® is developed for professional loggers and skilled land owners.
The saw has a ground breaking design and is loaded with innovative solutions for efficient, convenient operation.
Our unique X-Torq® engine technology provide more power where you need it, up to 20% less fuel consumption and 75% less exhaust emission.
It has a lot of great features which we’ll get into next.
Husqvarna 560 XP Features
Husqvarna’s promo videos are a bit dramatic (especially 11 years ago) but it gives you a look at the saw in action.
They are promoting it as a forestry/logging limbing saw, and it is pretty awesome for that.
The 560 XP, and all new Husqvarna XP chainsaws, have these great features:
- X-Torq engine – more efficient than older engines
- Air injection – means less filter cleans
- Quick-release air filter – easy access for cleaning
- Flip-up fuel caps – much easier to open than the screw style
- Adjustable oil pump – good for working in different seasons
- LowVibe – anti-vibration system
- Magnesium crankcase – tough and durable, especially compared to plastic
- Snap lock air filter cover and cylinder cover – makes it easier to work on
- Slim design – making it easier to handle and use
- Fuel indicator – lets you see how much fuel is left without opening up
And that’s not all; there are other things like Smart Start, inertia-activated chain brake, air purge, and retained bar nuts, all of which make the saw easier and safer to use.
One feature that some people DO NOT like about the 560 XP is the auto-tune carburetor.
This is supposed to save you time as you don’t need to tune it yourself and the saw will compensate for “different fuels, altitude, humidity, temperature, and a clogged air filter” itself.
However, some have had problems with the auto-tune and wish they could just do it themselves. For those who like to have control over these aspects, it’s not a favorite feature.
One comment I saw said:
Auto tune can be very hit and miss.
I have a 572 that has been worked hard for 2 years with no problems.
Also have a 550 that has been nothing but trouble. Many visits to the saw shop and still not resolved.
They might be better off finding an old saw like the Husqvarna 262 XP.
Husqvarna 560 XP Specs
Tecnical specs of the 560 XP and XPG are:
- 59.8 ccm (3.65 cu. in.)
- 3.5 kW
- 5.9 kgs (13 lbs)
- 2800 rpm idle, 9600 rpm max
- NGK CMR6H spark plug
- 0.65 L fuel tank
- 0.33 L oil tank
- Adjustable oiler
Husqvarna recommends running it with a 33 – 50 cm (15 – 18-inch) bar, but 20″ will also be fine.
Here are some comments on the best bar for a 562 XP:
- Very occasionally I put a 24″ in mine but it’s only when I really need to keep the weight down and relatively soft wood. 560 ideally suited to an 18inch bar.
- I would say 20 inch, it will be dead by 600 work hours in my experience and I definitely wouldn’t use it for milling. For that you need a saw with a lot more grunt.
- The 560 XP is a small mount. I wouldn’t go over a 24”. And it would probably be better with a .325 pitch. Also wouldn’t use that saw for milling unless you’re milling very small logs.
They were in response to someone wanting to use the 560 for milling.
Another response to this was:
Milling takes a lot of saw. If you are going to do much milling step up to a bigger saw. My smallest milling saw is a 576 XP and I only keep a 24″ bar on it.
As for breaking the saw in, just don’t hold it wide open and unloaded for too long for the first tank or so, and she’ll be right.
All 500 series saws need premium two-stroke oil rather than cheap or budget stuff. The best option would be premixed Aspen or Husqvarna XP fuel.
Husqvarna 560 Review
The 560 XP is a good chainsaw that is highly recommended by many.
It’s not a full-time logging chainsaw for dropping trees, but as you can see in the video above, it does make for a good limbing and bucking saw. It’s also a good firewood saw for homeowners – not everyone wants a cheap 440 at the end of the day!
Here are some comments that might help you to decide whether or not it’s what you need:
- I’ve got a 560xp, a great saw. Hammers through everything.
- 560 OK if buying new but I wouldn’t touch a used one.
- The 560 with an 18-inch bar is my favorite back handle saw. Perfect power to weight and good balance.
- I’ve been running my 560 for 6 or 7 years now. Always starts without fail and keeps me happy.
Simon said:
Good points: it goes well, got the pace of a smaller saw but with the extra power when required.
Bad points: as a result of the good points you tend to abuse it cutting bigger and bigger trees with longer bars. I’ve had 4 so far, most have lasted 2 years but not much more, changed to a 562 as I now run 3/8 chain.
The main problem people have with the 560 XP, other than the auto-tune issue I mentioned above, is the small mount bar and .325 pitch chain.
Most other saws, particularly those over 50cc, use 3/8. Guys looking at buying 560s usually have multiple saws and want to keep them all on the same pitch chains, which is why they’ll choose a 562 XP instead.
Those in the US, or those outside of Europe and the UK, don’t have a choice. Only the 562 XP is available.
Overall, the 560 XP is a good chainsaw if you don’t mind those couple of features that turn some people off. The saw is known to run well and when used appropriately it should serve you for years.
560 Vs 562 Vs 550
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One question that comes up often is ‘what’s the difference between the 560 and the 562?’
Here they are:
- The 560 is a .325 pitch and the 562 is a 3/8
- 560 is a small mount bar (k095 ) and the 562 has a large mount bar (d009)
- The 562 has a bigger oil pump flow and higher cover and air filter
Otherwise, they are basically the same chainsaw.
The 560 is the same as the 562, but it has a small bar mount like the 550.
560xp and 562xp have the same 59.8 cc engine, but the 562xp has a bigger air filter.
Ben shared the main differences between 325 and 3/8 chains:
325 is a lighter chain, narrower kerf, and slower chain speed than 3/8. All these factors will help a smaller saw maintain rpm in the cut.
3/8 is essentially the opposite, higher chain speed, wider kerf, and more durable. If you have power to spare, 3/8 is usually the better choice. But can come down to availability and convenience too.
If you have other saws running either pitch, might be worth it to keep things simple and run the same chain. Perhaps in some places, cost is a factor, isn’t for me personally.
And some general comments on the three saws:
- The 550 XP is a beast with a 20” bar. It’s light and it will cut. The 562xp is about two pounds heavier and I like how versatile it is. 18” bar up to a 24” bar but again it’s heavier. Depends on your needs.
- The 550XP and the 560XP are good saws, one backs up the other and is light enough to use all day. The 560XP is better than the 550XP.
- I prefer the 562 over the 560. It just seems to have more power.
- The 562 is a large bar mount hence the “wider” spacing for the clutch cover felling spike… It has more chip clearance due to this which is handy.
- On paper the 560 and 562 have the same specs, but I own and run both and am sure the 562 is a stronger runner. The 562 is listed to run a 24″ so stands to reason it’s “chip” is a little stronger.
People love all three saws, but most would recommend the 562 XP as the best.
That’s because it’s a good chunk more powerful than the 550 and it has the 3/8 chain over .325.
Husqvarna 560XP
That’s that 562 XP but let us know if you have any comments or questions in the comment section below.
Other alternatives include the 357 XP, the 372 XP, or even the new 592 XP (though this is a good bit more powerful than the 560).
All pro-level Husky saws are good whether or not they’re still being produced. It’s just always going to depend on the type of work you’re doing and how often you’ll use it.
