Chainsaws are often associated with rugged lumberjack-types who cut down trees and leap from trunk to trunk as they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia (the larch, the pine, the giant redwood tree, the sequoia, the little whopping rule tree, etc.). However, most chainsaws simply can’t handle proper felling work, so to stand a fighting chance against the most gargantuan trees you need a saw like Husqvarna’s superb 390XP. Perfect for challenging jobs which require longer cutting equipment, the 390XP is a high performance commercial grade felling saw designed specifically for professional users.

Available as standard with a 50cm (20”), 60cm (24”) or 71cm (28”) guide bar and a 3/8” pitch chain, a maximum chain speed of 21.4m/s and reliably high torque performance allows the 390XP to power through even tough material with ease. As such, felling and bucking larger trees is made significantly simpler, while a compact, well-balanced design helps make the 390XP easy to handle despite its impressive heft. An adjustable oil pump, moreover, allows you to regulate chain lubrication according to the cutting conditions at hand, while an easy-access side-mounted chain tensioner provides a convenient method of keeping the chain properly tightened during the working day. Both of these features ensure consistently exceptional cutting performance, and an effective inertia-activated chain brake is included to provide vital protection against hazardous kickback events.

Power, meanwhile, is supplied via a magnificently potent 87.9cc two-stroke petrol engine. Starting is made pleasingly hassle-free by the inclusion of a clever Smart Start^® system (which decreases starter cord resistance by up to 40%), with a high capacity 0.9 litre fuel tank included to increase run time and thus reduce effort expended on refuelling. As such, the 390XP is not only very good at cutting things, but also remarkably user-friendly. A centrifugal air cleaning system, a snap-lock cylinder cover and a quick-release air filter, moreover, all help to facilitate routine maintenance and ensure exceptional reliability.

As the 390XP is expressly designed for demanding cutting work, Husqvarna’s engineers have also included a couple of neat features which help make life easier when the going gets tough. The ergonomically designed front handle, for example, is angled to provide a better grip and greater control, while the brilliant LowVib^® anti-vibration system isolates the operator’s hands and arms from engine vibration to increase comfort and prevent strain over prolonged periods of use. Equally important when taking on heavy duty felling jobs is that your saw can withstand the rigorous demands of such work, but the 390XP is a sturdy beast so you won’t have to worry unduly on that count. In fact, with its forged three-piece crankshaft and tough magnesium crankcase there aren’t too many saws around better equipped to weather the knocks, bumps, scrapes and general wear and tear incurred during day-to-day use, so any serious forestry professional would do well to consider investing in the enduring performance offered by this outstanding saw.

*Make sure you are using your chainsaw safely and read our free advice article when you have a spare moment.