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Makita EA5000 and Husqvarna 550xp Questions

Started by Greenerpastures, June 12, 2018, 02:53:12 PM

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Greenerpastures

Hi everyone
Does anyone know if a Makita EA5000 chainsaw has an oiler like in
the 6100 Makita, on the 6100 the oiler I believe is located behind
the clutch and is easy enough to get at, I think I have seen somewhere
that the oil pump on the EA5000 saw is on the opposite side and is a real
pain to get at, may be if someone has an EA5000 they could also comment
on the oil adjuster, is it a steel one with three click stops like on the 6100
or a plastic oiler adjuster like on the 7900 that seems to have no set stop
points. Also is the clutch inboard or outboard on the EA5000.
Would I be better off looking for a Makita EA5105, they are scarce in my area.

I want to buy a 50cc saw and this brings me on to my Husqvqrna question.
is the 550xp Autotune a good saw, and is it really 3.8kw of power, seeing as
the Stihl MS261 is only 3kw and the Makita EA500 is even less at 2.8kw.

I hear good and bad about the 550xp, so am looking for info from users,
has the auto-tune problems been resolved or did they move on to the 562
and leave the 550 to fend for its self.

Any info greatly appreciated, thanks.

DelawhereJoe

I only see the 550xp at 3.75hp from their website, where did you see it listed at 3.8kw ? It could have just been a typo.
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DelawhereJoe

Also HolmenTree did a test of both side to side in his tree service.
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Greenerpastures

Quote from: DelawhereJoe on June 12, 2018, 08:08:46 PM
I only see the 550xp at 3.75hp from their website, where did you see it listed at 3.8kw ? It could have just been a typo.
Thanks DelawareJoe
This dealer has the 550xp listed as 3.8kw, wish it were so but I had my doubts.
550xp.
Husqvarna 550XP Chainsaw | Robert Kee Donegal.
Am looking more at the Makita, but cant find a 5150 locally, they are a little
newer, the place I bought my 7900 has only two saws now, the 6100 and the
5000, am worried they are going out of them and getting warranty support
will be difficult, parts will probably be ok for a while, but in the event of a 
genuine failure and the dealer gone, I would rather not take a chance.
I found me a 6400 Dolmar that is too big, annoying as last year i could not
find one and got the 6100 which is a nice saw, but I liked the 6400 and not a lot
heavier but all the parts would carry over to my 7900 thus redundancy.

Greenerpastures

Quote from: DelawhereJoe on June 12, 2018, 08:11:13 PM
Also HolmenTree did a test of both side to side in his tree service.
I read some of his experience with them, was leaning towards the 550xp,
but I have no way of knowing the software is up to date until the problems
would start to surface, so have made up my mind to avoid AT.
Its either the Makita 50cc or Shindaiwa / Echo, the Makita being slightly more
powerful of the two.
I just do not know if the oiler on the Makita is the three position type adjuster
or if it is like the one on the 7900 which is plastic and rotates on its own from 
time to time.

ButchC

I have no experience with the Makita line but the 550 did have some teething problems. As far as I know they have been worked out for quite some time.  I have a very early production 550 and the only issues I had with it were caused by the operator,me. It's never even had the recommended programming upgrades.  It easily out performs our 346 which is a real good 50CC saw in its own right. 
Peterson JP swing mill
Morbark chipper
Shop built firewood processor
Case W11B
Many chainsaws, axes, hatchets,mauls,
Antique tractors and engines, machine shop,wife, dog,,,,,that's about it.

Greenerpastures

Thanks for commenting ButchC
Pleased to hear your 550 is trouble free.
I don't know that my local dealer would be happy to see me
coming in with a problematic 550xp, we got off to a bad start 
when he sold me a new 372xp with a 13 inch micky mose bar,
and refused to change it when I called in to collect the saw 
which I already had a deposit paid on, other wise I would try
one.

hank_612

The 550 xp with a 16 inch bar is a bad  and you don't have to worry about keeping it tune. I love my 346xp but would not hesitate to replace it with a 550 if something happened to it. My 562 with Autotune and a muffler mod made a believer out of me.
Husky 562XP   346XP    326P5X
Johnson Energy J9000     Lennox Monticito Estate
JD 3720       40 ton log splitter

747mopar

Just bought a 562XP, awesome saw so far. My understanding is the Auto tune has long since been sorted out and has been proving to be reliable. We'll see.

OldJack

I have a 5105 and it looks like the Makita 5000 has the same 3 position oiler. See page 24 of the Canadian manual. 
Makita Canada Inc
https://www.makita.ca/data/upload/owners_manuals/EA5000P%20-%20EN%20FR.PDF

Actually it looks like the 5000 is a rebadged 5105 without the catalytic muffler, which would account for the 0.2 lb weight reduction. That thing weighs 6 ounces.

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