Husqvarna 562xp vs Stihl MS 462 – What’s The Better Chainsaw?

For those of you who need professional-grade power from their chainsaws, we offer up the Husqvarna 562xp and the Stihl MS462.

If you are in the market for a powerful chainsaw then you may have already come across both of these machines.

But you may be scratching your head as to which one would really be the most beneficial for you. After all, they are in the same class in terms of power and engine size. So let’s take a closer look at both of them so you can make the best choice for your needs.

Husqvarna 562xp Vs Stihl MS462 Overview

After testing both of these chainsaws, it’s very clear that they would both be suited to commercial and professional forestry use. We were very impressed overall with the cutting capability of both of these chainsaws.

Once in a log, both of these chainsaws will take care of the rest. It’s the features that really set them apart so in the end, it will come down to the features that you prefer.

Quick Facts

	Husqvarna 562xp	Stihl MS462
Weight	13.4lbs	13.2lbs
Power	5.9 HP	4.7 HP
RPM’s	9,600	NA
Blade Length	28” max recommended	25” max recommended

Key Differences Between the Husqvarna 562xp and the Stihl MS462

You can probably get the general idea of the differences between the Husqvarna 562xp and the Stihl MS462 from the chart above.

1.2 extra HP may not seem like a lot on paper; but in the field it can make a big difference.

Without getting into too much detail, one of the major practical differences between these two chainsaws is the ease with which they cut through hardwoods.

As you can imagine, the 5.9 HP Husqvarna 562xp gave us a smoother and easier cut through oak than the Stihl MS462.

Husqvarna 562xp Key Features

Magnesium Crankcase – The Husqvarna 562xp has a very sturdy crankcase that won’t buckle under high RPMs.
Air Injection – Centrifugal air force helps keep large debris out of the air filter for optimum engine performance.
Choke/Stop Control – This feature will prevent flooding and make it easier to start up in all conditions.
Air Purge – The air purge feature allows the operator to easily remove air from the fuel system.

Stihl MS462 Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cuts through hardwood like butter
Great power to weight ratio
Minimal carburetor adjustments needed
Good with high elevations
Doesn’t flood easily

Cons:

Diagnostic tool isn’t available outside the dealership network
Expensive carburetor replacements

Stihl MS462 Key Features

Bumper Spike – The bumper spike design does a good job of cutting through dense wood smoothly.
Quickstop – The quickstop feature stops the rotation of the chain if the saw kicks back too hard or if it senses a certain amount of inertia.
Carburetor Shutter – This is essentially a cover for the carburetor so it doesn’t freeze up in cold temperatures.
Master Control Lever – With the master control lever, you can operate the choke, control the on/off switch and throttle lock.

Stihl MS462 Pros & Cons

Pros:

Fast trigger response
Good for small milling
Can be used for felling too
Good weight/power ratio
Durably built

Cons:

More expensive
Diagnostic tool only available through dealer network

Price Comparison

The Husqvarna 562xp costs $820 through the manufacturer website. At most retailers, you will find that the STihl MS462 goes for about $900-$1000.

Weight & Handling Comparison

We gotta say that we were mighty impressed with the weight/power ratio of both of these saws.

They are both light at just over 13 pounds but in terms of handling, we had an easier time with the Husqvarna 562xp.

It has an angled handle that’s more comfortable and allows for more leverage – not that you need it with the power it provides.

Power Comparison

The Husqvarna 562xp has a 5.9 HP engine while the Stihl MS462 comes with a 4.7 HP engine. Both of these chainsaws are gas-powered.

Attachments?

You can fit varying lengths of bars on both the Husqvarna 562xp and the Stihl MS462.

Efficiency Comparison

The Husqvarna 562xp consumes about 3.8 pounds of fuel per hour which makes it the more fuel-efficient chainsaw.

How Big A Bar Can You Put on the Husqvarna 562xp?

The recommended max bar length for the Husqvarna 562xp is 28”.

How Big A Bar Can You Put on the Stihl MS462?

You can put a 25” bar on the Stihl MS462 but there have been consumers who say that they use a 32” bar on this machine with no problem.

Husqvarna 562xp Common Problems

There have been some consumers who have claimed that dust can get through the filter and into the cylinder.

Stihl MS462 Common Problems

Some of the most common problems with the Stihl MS462 is that it dies in the middle of cutting which can be caused by a clogged air filter and that the engine gradually loses power.

Who Should Buy Each One?

The Husqvarna 562xp is the obvious choice if you cut through a lot of hardwoods. The Stihl saw would be a good choice for lighter woods or lower altitudes.

What Are They Best for?

We can see the Husqvarna 562xp being used for serious forestry and millwork. The Stihl MS462 is best for processing softer woods.

Other Chainsaws to Consider

Echo CS-310-16 30.5 cc Chainsaw

Our first impression of the Echo CS-310-16 30.5 cc Chainsaw was that it was going to be underpowered.

But the 30.5cc engine certainly packs a punch. It would be great for residential wood-processing and storm cleanup.

Pros:

Not too expensive
Lightweight

Cons:

Not for commercial use

Overall Score: 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Echo CS-355T

The Echo CS-355T comes with a 16” bar and weighs only 8.2 pounds. The top bar handle makes it very easy to operate; but be aware that it struggles quite a bit with dense wood like oak.

Pros:

Comfortable to operate
Great for cutting tree limbs

Cons:

A bit difficult to start

Overall Score: 92/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

NEO-TEC NS872 Gas Chainsaw

The NEO-TEC NS872 Gas Chainsaw features a 72cc, 4.9 HP motor and comes with a 28” bar. This is a very powerful saw that features a comfortable top bar and specs similar to the Stihl MS462.

Pros:

Great for field work
Offset top handle

Cons:

Chain drive issues

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Final Assessment

While not everyone will need the power and capability that the Husqvarna 562xp provides, we like having the option to do it all.

That coupled with the fact that it works consistently in all conditions makes it our favorite out of these two.

The Stihl MS462 offers comparable power; but it struggles in higher elevations and it’s more expensive. So if you have the option, we would definitely recommend picking up the Husqvarna 562xp.