Husqvarna 562 XP® Mark II

Husqvarna calls the 562 XP® Mark II a high-performance 60cc gas chainsaw built for professional hardwood forestry and tree care. The company describes it as a ground-up redesign of the original 562 XP. Changes include a new engine design, AutoTune™ 3.0, better cooling and air filtration, lower weight and upgraded internal parts. The goal is the cutting power of a larger saw in a slim, agile body. The saw works best with a 20-inch bar, but its large bar mount and reinforced crankcase let it carry bars up to 28 inches. That covers bigger felling jobs that would usually call for a 70cc saw. Husqvarna says it developed the Mark II alongside professional users, using the same design approach as its 50, 70 and 90cc pro saws. A heated-handle version, the 562 XP® G Mark II, is also available.

• Big-saw reach in a 60cc body. The saw takes bars up to 28 inches, so it can handle felling jobs that often need a 70cc saw. It does that without the weight and bulk of a larger powerhead.
• Easy starting with AutoTune 3.0. Simple Start does away with the manual choke. AutoTune keeps the engine tuned as conditions change, so you don't have to adjust the carburetor yourself.
• Strong power for its weight. It makes 4.7 hp and 3.44 Nm of torque, and the powerhead weighs about 13 pounds without bar and chain.
• Built to keep dust out. Air Injection spins out about 98 percent of incoming dust before it reaches the air filter. A magnetic filter adds more protection for the engine.
• Slim and agile. The narrow saw body and redesigned layout aim for nimble handling, whether you're limbing, felling or cutting firewood.
• Pro details that save time. Retained bar nuts, retained starter screws, a flip-up fuel cap, a durable felling sight and low-vibration handles make daily work and field service easier.
• A cold-weather version is available. If you cut through New England winters, the 562 XP G Mark II adds heated handles.

The 562 XP Mark II competes most directly with other professional 60cc-class saws, especially Stihl's MS 362 C-M and MS 400 C-M. Both are well-respected saws. Here is where the Husqvarna stands out:

• Stihl MS 362 C-M: Husqvarna rates the 562 XP Mark II for bars up to 28 inches. Buyers comparing the two have pointed out that Stihl's recommended maximum for the MS 362 C-M is shorter, at 25 inches. If you sometimes drop bigger trees, the extra bar length gives you more reach.
• Stihl MS 400 C-M: One owner ran both saws side by side and found the 562 XP Mark II had more torque and low-end power, even though it was brand new and not yet broken in. That pulling power helps keep the chain moving in hardwood.

Husqvarna also highlights a few features of its own: AutoTune 3.0 with no manual choke, Air Injection dust separation, a magnetic filter, and a factory heated-handle version.

Owners and reviewers often bring up the smooth, steady way the 562 XP Mark II delivers its power. One arborist on an equipment forum said that after his first climb with it, the saw felt like a smaller version of Husqvarna's 572 XP. He found it very maneuverable in the tree and said it let him cut accurately close to his climbing lines. He also found the ergonomics better than the previous version.

Equipment review sites point to its power-to-weight ratio, comfortable handling, and the convenience of AutoTune 3.0. They also like that it can run longer bars than many saws in its class, which they see as a sign of versatility. Users comparing it with other 60cc saws mention its torque and low-end pull. Many describe it as a dependable choice for forestry, tree care and serious firewood cutting.