Husqvarna 372XP vs 572XP

Husqvarna 372XP vs 572XP at a glance

The Husqvarna 372XP vs 572XP question comes up on almost every removal crew. Both are 70cc-class professional saws meant for felling, bucking and big limb work, and both run bars in the 18 to 28 inch range for most tree work. The difference is age and technology: the 372XP is a classic design with a conventional carburetor that crews have run for decades, while the 572XP is Husqvarna's newer saw in the same size class with AutoTune electronic fuel management.

If you want the short answer: the 572XP is the more modern and slightly more powerful saw, with AutoTune that adjusts the fuel mixture as conditions change. The 372XP is simpler, easy to work on and loved by people who know how to tune a carburetor. Availability of the 372XP varies by market, since emissions rules have pushed it out in some places.

The rest of this guide covers what that means on a real job, and how to pick. For model details, see our Husqvarna 372XP and Husqvarna 572XP pages.

Power and cutting feel

Both saws sit at about 70cc. Husqvarna rates the 572XP at a bit more power than the 372XP, and on the job it feels a little stronger in big wood, especially with a longer bar buried in a cut. The 372XP has a reputation for snappy throttle response and plenty of torque for its size, which is part of why it has such a following.

In practice, a sharp chain and a well-matched bar make more difference to cutting speed than the gap between these two saws. Either one will handle typical removals, storm cleanup and firewood-sized bucking. The 572XP pulls ahead when you run longer bars or cut dense hardwood all day.

If you are coming from a 50cc or 60cc saw, either one will feel like a big step up in how fast it pulls through a 20-inch log. If you already run a 90cc saw for the big stuff, a 70cc saw becomes the everyday removal saw that you reach for first because it is lighter to carry around the yard and easier to handle when you are blocking down a spar.

AutoTune vs a carburetor

This is the biggest real difference. The 372XP uses a conventional carburetor that you adjust with high and low speed screws. That works well and is easy to understand, but the saw runs best when someone tunes it for the fuel, altitude and temperature of the day, and many newer saws ship with limiter caps that restrict the range of adjustment.

The 572XP uses AutoTune, which senses running conditions and adjusts the fuel mixture on its own. That keeps the saw running consistently as you move from morning cold to afternoon heat, change fuel, or swap from a short to a long bar. For crews where several people share saws, AutoTune removes a lot of guesswork.

The trade-off is that AutoTune saws rely on electronics and are usually diagnosed with dealer tools when something goes wrong. Many old-school saw hands prefer the 372XP for that reason. Either way, run fresh fuel at the ratio in the operator's manual and keep the air filter clean.

Weight, handling and ergonomics

The two saws are close in weight, and both are rear-handle saws meant for ground work, not climbing. The 572XP has a more modern layout with easy access to the air filter and spark plug, and its vibration damping is designed to be easy on your hands over a long day.

The 372XP's handling is familiar to anyone who learned on older Husqvarnas, and plenty of climbers still lower one on a line for big wood in the tree. If you do that, follow your crew's procedures, and remember that rear-handle saws should be run with two hands on the handles every time.

For ground work, think about how the saw balances with the bar you plan to run most. A 70cc saw with a 20-inch bar feels nimble for limbing and bucking, while the same saw with a 28-inch bar is front-heavy and better suited to felling and big rounds. Many crews keep two bars for one powerhead and swap based on the job. Whatever you run, check that the bar and chain combination is approved in the operator's manual, and keep the chain brake, chain catcher and throttle lockout in working order.

Maintenance, parts and long-term ownership

The 372XP has been around for a long time, so parts, bars, chain and know-how are easy to find. It is a saw a lot of people service themselves. The 572XP is newer, and its routine maintenance is just as simple: air filter, spark plug, fuel filter, bar and chain. More advanced troubleshooting may need a dealer.

Both saws need the same basics to last: clean air filter, sharp chain, correct fuel mix, a flipped and dressed bar, and a fresh spark plug when the old one is worn. Check the operator's manual for the correct plug and gap for your exact model, and see our chainsaw spark plug guide for how to read a plug.

Buying used is common in this size class, especially for the 372XP. Look for good compression, a clean cylinder if you can see the exhaust port, a smooth idle, a chain brake that stops the chain crisply, and no air leaks. Ask how it has been fueled and stored. A cheap saw that needs a top end is not a bargain.

• Clean or replace the air filter often, especially in dusty or dry conditions
• Sharpen chain before it starts making dust instead of chips
• Flip the bar and dress the rails regularly
• Use fresh fuel at the ratio in the manual
• Replace the spark plug and fuel filter on a regular schedule

Which one should you buy?

Pick the 572XP if you want the newer platform, AutoTune consistency, slightly more power and a saw that several people can share without retuning. It is the better fit for crews that run longer bars or cut hard wood all day, and for buyers who want a saw that will be supported for years.

Pick the 372XP if you find one available, know how to tune a carburetor, and value a simple saw with a huge parts and knowledge base. It remains a great removal and bucking saw.

Whichever you choose, wear chainsaw protective pants or chaps, a helmet with eye and hearing protection, gloves and boots, and get proper felling and chainsaw training. Our chainsaws section has more saw options if neither fits your work.

One more point for crews: standardizing matters. If the rest of your saws are newer AutoTune models, the 572XP fits your parts bin, fuel habits and service routine. If your shop is full of older carbureted Husqvarnas and a mechanic who tunes them by ear, a 372XP slots right in. Think about the bars and chain you already stock too, since matching sprocket, pitch and gauge across saws saves money and confusion on the truck.

Common questions

Is the 572XP better than the 372XP?

The 572XP is newer, has AutoTune and is rated for a bit more power. The 372XP is simpler and easy to work on. For most removal crews the 572XP is the more modern choice, but both are strong 70cc saws.

What bar length suits a 372XP or 572XP?

Both commonly run bars from about 18 to 28 inches. Check the operator's manual for the bar and chain combinations approved for your model.

Can I adjust the carburetor on a 572XP?

The 572XP uses AutoTune, which manages the fuel mixture automatically. It does not need manual high and low speed tuning the way the 372XP does.

Is the 372XP still available?

It depends on the market. Emissions rules have limited sales in some areas, so availability varies.