There are a bunch of Husqvarna Chainsaw models that have been discontinued for sale in the USA and other “Western” markets like Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, but which are still being manufactured and sold in other countries.
Most, if not all of these chainsaws, were sold in the US at one time or another, but generally because of emissions regulations, they were replaced with more “environmentally-friendly” models. The following saws can still be bought in countries like Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, India, Malaysia, and so on.
1. Husqvarna 281 XP
- 80.7cc, 4.2 kW
- 7.6 kg / 16.7 lbs
- 50, 60, 70 cm / 20, 24, 28″ bar
- Husqvarna 281 XP Brazil listing
- Husqvarna 585 USA alternative
The Husqvarna 281 XP was manufactured from 1986 to 2001 for the US, so it’s pretty incredible that it’s still being produced 25+ years later.
It’s a popular model, with some users saying things like “The only saw that is better is the 288xp”.
One of our FB followers, Ademar, also said:
This machine is a top seller here in Brazil, both for farmers and logging companies in the Amazon; it’s simply fantastic.
2. Husqvarna 288 XP
- 87cc, 4.5 kW
- 7.6 kg / 16.7 lbs
- 50, 60, 70 cm / 20, 24, 28″ bar
- Husqvarna 288 XP Brazil listing
- Husqvarna 592 XP USA alternative
The Husqvarna 288 XP is the bigger brother to the 281, and it was produced 1988 – 2001 for the English-speaking Western nations (I’m not sure how else to describe the USA, CA, UK, AU, and NZ?).
Typical comments:
- David said, “I have had several, very dependable and fast, I have many saws and nothing runs like a 288.”
- Laverne said, “I wore out 6 of them in my prime… cried when i couldnt get a new one.”
- Randy said, “That saw and a 28″ bar is a slayer, even by todays standards.”
3. Husqvarna 272 XP
- 72.2cc, 3.6 kW
- 6.3 kg / 13.8 lbs
- 45, 60 cm / 18, 24″ bar
- Husqvarna 272 XP South Africa listing
- Husqvarna 372 XP X-TORQ USA alternative
Like all of these models, the Husqvarna 272 XP is another model that was extremely popular and which is still missed by many in the US today. It was sold in the West from 1993/1994 to 1997.
- Ray said, “Fantastic saw, had many of them! Could be hot rodded to fight way above their weight!”
- John said, “The second Husky I ever owned. Still have it. Seems angry at wood.”
- Kelly said, “One of the best balanced saws on the market.! Loved running them and loved working on them. 👍🏻”
4. Husqvarna 372 XP (non X-Torq)
- 70.7cc, 3.9 kW
- 6.3 kg / 13.8 lbs
- 45, 60 cm / 18, 24″ bar
- Husqvarna 372 XP South Africa listing
- Husqvarna 372 XP X-TORQ USA alternative
The original Husqvarna 372 XP (2009 – 2011) was non-X-TORQ, while the current 372 sold in the USA is an X-TORQ.
Here’s a comment from our 372 XP review:
The 372xp. Over 20 years of production. They tried to replace it with the 575, which failed. As well as the 576, which also failed.
Such a reliable, powerful, and rugged saw that in 2011-12, they completely redesigned it into the X-Torq version to keep it EPA compatible.
The 572xp replaces it today, but I honestly don’t think that Husqvarna will ever build another 70cc class saw that will hold up to the amount of abuse that the 365/372 can take.
These saws are just flat out reliable in all aspects and any cutting situation. From firewood to logging.
5. Husqvarna 560 XP
- 59.8cc, 3.5 kW
- 5.8 kg / 12.7 lbs
- 38, 45 cm / 15, 18″ bar
- Husqvarna 560 XP UK listing
- Husqvarna 562 XP USA alternative
The 560 XP and 562 XP are essentially two versions of the same 59.8 cc professional 60cc family, but the 560 XP Mark II is positioned in the UK as the more compact setup for 15–18 inch bars and either .325″ or 3/8″ cutting gear, while the 562 XP Mark II is positioned in the U.S. as the longer-bar version, with a large bar mount and support for bars up to 28 inches.
Husqvarna UK currently sells the 560 XP Mark II, while Husqvarna U.S. currently sells the 562 XP Mark II and its U.S. pro lineup page does not list a 560 XP model. Husqvarna does not publish an explicit reason saying “the 560 isn’t sold in the U.S. because of X,” so the safest conclusion is that this is a regional product-line decision. In North America, Husqvarna appears to have standardized on the 562-spec version because it covers the broader U.S. demand for longer bars and heavier-duty forestry/tree-care use.
6. Husqvarna 365 Special
- 65.1cc, 3.4 kW
- 6.4 kg / 14.1 lbs
- 38, 45, 60 cm / 15, 18, 28″ bar
- Husqvarna 365 Special South Africa listing
- Husqvarna 365 X-Torq USA alternative
The South African 365 Special is basically the older, classic 65cc-version: Husqvarna ZA lists it at 65.1 cm³, 3.4 kW, and 15/18/24 inch bar options, while the U.S. 365 X-Torq is a newer, bigger, updated version at 70.7 cm³, 4.9 hp, with 20/24/28 inch options.
Husqvarna highlights its X-TORQ engine for lower emissions and lower fuel consumption. In other words, the U.S. saw is not just a renamed 365; it is the modernized, higher-output 71cc version.
7. Husqvarna 353
- 51.7cc, 2.4 kW
- 5 kg / 11 lbs
- 33, 45, 50 cm / 16, 18, 20″ bar
- Husqvarna 353 South Africa listing
- Husqvarna 555 USA alternative
The Husqvarna 353 is a 53cc homeowner-level chainsaw that was produced from 1998 – 2007, but is still in production for other markets to this day.
About this saw, Teemu said:
I’ve got a 353 with a 346 top end and Meteor piston, and I’ve also got another 353 with an OEM cylinder that runs at lower RPMs than the 346 top end – great saws!
8. Husqvarna 61
- 61.5cc, 2.9 kW
- 6.2 kg / 13.6 lbs
- 33, 45, 50 cm / 16, 18, 20″ bar
- Husqvarna 61 Malaysia listing
- Husqvarna 460 Rancher USA alternative
The Husqvarna 61 is perhaps the model with the longest production run of everything else on this list. It was first introduced in 1980!
The current production model which is still sold in many countries today is certainly a modern version of the saw with a few extra bells and whistles, but it’s essentially the same much loved classic saw from way back.
Illegal Husqvarna Saws
Lastly, there are a few other small homeowner models that have different varients in different countries:
- 435 II / 435 e-series II
- 440 II / 440 e-series II
- 445 II / 445 e-series II
- 450 II / 450 II e-series
Those have current product or current-support pages in markets like NZ, UK, IE, AU, KE, ZA, and IN, while the current U.S. residential lineup is showing 435, 440, 445S, and 450S Rancher instead.
So are these Husqvarna chainsaw models illegal to buy and sell in the USA?
In the U.S., gasoline chainsaw engines fall under EPA rules for new small nonroad spark-ignition engines (40 CFR Part 1054), and those rules require applicable engines to meet emission standards and be covered by EPA certification before they are sold or imported for sale here. EPA also says it works with Customs against illegally imported uncertified equipment containing small gasoline engines, including chainsaws.
A couple of important limits: this is mainly about manufacturing, importing, offering for sale, or selling new noncompliant equipment into U.S. commerce. It is not the same thing as saying every old or used non-EPA-era chainsaw is automatically illegal to own or resell privately. There are also some narrow exemptions, including a personal-use import provision for a small number of previously used or certain small engines under specific conditions, but those are limited and not a general loophole for commercial sales.
So the practical answer is: selling a new chainsaw in the U.S. that should meet EPA standards but doesn’t is generally illegal; owning or privately trading an older used saw is a different question.
