Husqvarna 562XP Mark II Chainsaw

The Husqvarna 562XP Mark II is a professional 59.8 cc chainsaw that sits at the heart of many tree crews' saw lineups. It is light for its power, runs AutoTune to adjust itself to conditions, and handles felling, bucking, and storm cleanup with a bar in the 18 to 24 in range.

Why crews run the 562XP

Most tree crews end up with three saws: a top-handle for the climber, a 50 cc saw for limbing, and a 60 cc saw for felling and bucking. The Husqvarna 562XP has been a favorite in that last slot because it is powerful enough for real wood and light enough to carry all day. The 562 XP Husqvarna Mark II update keeps the same idea with improvements to durability and handling.

It is the saw you grab to drop a spar, buck the trunk into rounds for the loader, and clear storm wood on a long day.

Engine, AutoTune, and bars

The 59.8 cc X-Torq engine is built for lower emissions and fuel use than older designs. AutoTune adjusts the carburetor for fuel, altitude, temperature, and air filter condition, so the saw keeps running right without a tune-up screwdriver.

Most users run an 18 or 20 in bar for all-round work and go to 24 in for larger trees. Husqvarna lists a range of approved bar and chain combinations; stick to those. A .325 pitch setup gives smooth, fast cutting on shorter bars, while 3/8 in pitch handles longer bars and bigger wood. Pair it with fresh 3/8 in chain or SP33G .325 chain to match your bar.

Mark II updates focused on making the saw more durable and easier to service, which matters for crews that run a saw every working day and want it to stay reliable. If you already run the original 562XP, the Mark II will feel familiar in your hands.

Who it suits

The 562XP is a professional saw. It suits arborists, loggers, and serious firewood cutters who run a saw most days. If you only cut a few times a year, a smaller saw is easier to handle and maintain. If you regularly fell large hardwoods, consider a 70 cc-class saw alongside it.

Expect a learning curve if you come from homeowner saws: it revs faster and has more chain speed, so good technique matters.

The saw is light for its class, which pays off when you carry it across a property, up a slope, or on long storm-cleanup days. Good balance with an 18 to 20 in bar makes it comfortable for both felling and limbing.

Upkeep and safety

Use fresh fuel mixed at 50:1 with quality 2-stroke oil, or a pre-mixed fuel. Clean the air filter and check the spark plug regularly, and keep the cooling fins clear of sawdust. Sharpen the chain often and keep the bar dressed.

Wear chainsaw-rated chaps or pants, a helmet with face and hearing protection, gloves, and cut-resistant boots. Plan felling cuts and escape routes, and follow ANSI Z133 and your training.

Have the saw serviced by a qualified dealer when it needs more than routine care. Inspect the chain brake, chain catcher, and throttle lockout before every use, and do not run the saw if any of them is damaged.