The Husqvarna X-CUT® saw chain SP33G is a low-vibration pixel saw chain that cuts a narrow kerf and requires less power from the saw than standard cutting systems.
Made for professional use
The design of the cutters, the materials used and the manufacturing processes have all been refined to give X-CUT® chain an outstanding sharpness straight out of the box, and which lasts considerably longer before filing is needed.
Kiah Martin has been in the arboriculture industry for over two decades. She has a handful of Australian and world tree-climbing titles and, while heavily involved in training and educating these days, specialises in conservation arboriculture.
Kiah knows what makes a good chainsaw chain and there are a few features she points out about X-CUT® which make it ideal for professional use.
“There’s no need to spend time sharpening new X-CUT® chains to prepare for work,” said Kiah, “and the sharpness lasts longer before you have to file for the first time.
“Typically,” explained Kiah, “you fit a new chain, start work, and, as the chain heats up it stretches. Within about 30 minutes you need to re-tension. X-CUT®, unlike other chains I’ve used, is prestretched at the factory. That means you can work for longer, especially climbing arborists who have to send a saw down for re-tensioning. That wastes time.
“X-CUT® is definitely more efficient.”
sharpness straight out of the box,
and the edge lasts considerably
longer before filing is needed.
Incredibly durable
X-CUT® saw chain is made to cut faster and smoother than comparable products. Less human effort (feed force) is needed, and Husqvarna has focused on finding the optimum angle for an efficiency that lasts. The microstructure of the steel – not too hard, not too soft – and the chrome layer – not too thick, not too thin – have both been exactly defined on a molecular level to ensure a high cutting capacity and a lasting sharpness, and that’s backed up with small, arrow-shaped channels in the links which help transport oil to the saw chain, ensuring superior lubrication.
Kiah has noticed the ease-of-use with X-CUT® chain.
“If the saw and chain are working to their optimum capacity,” observed Kiah, “the operator needs to exert less effort. That means the equipment is more enjoyable to work with and there’s less fatigue for the operator.
“If I marry together X-CUT® chain with a good guide bar and a 500-series Huaqvarna chainsaw – particularly the 550XP, a chainsaw I use regularly – I definitely notice there’s less fatigue at the end of the day.”
for over two decades and specialises in conservation
arboriculture. Kiah knows what makes a good chainsaw
chain and she’s a fan of X-CUT® for professional use.
Real world
“I’ve used different X-CUT® chains over the years,” related Kiah, “and I guess the first thing about X-CUT® is it’s made by Husqvarna for Husqvarna products and optimised for performance as a unit. “In arboriculture we’re not just dealing with cutting wood in the tree canopy. We’re also cutting wood at ground level, and often in very dirty circumstances with lots of soil and abrasive substances embedded in the job. Obviously that will dull a chain very quickly.
“Because it stays sharper for longer, you’re able to cut more and work longer before changing out the chain.
“If the saw and chain are working to their optimum capacity, the operator needs to exert less effort. That means the equipment is more enjoyable to work with and there’s less fatigue for the operator.”
On the mark
Simon Gilligan, Associate Product Manager Husqvarna Australia, confirmed Kiah’s impressions of the X-CUT® range.
“Everything Kiah has covered there is more or less in line with the design parameters for that chain,” said Simon. “X-CUT® chain was designed with professional users in mind, but also to be accessible for everyone. It focusses on efficiency, ease of handling, manoeuvrability, ease of maintenance, reliability…all the features professional arborists and landowners would look for.
“Feedback on this product has been excellent. It’s a very smooth-cutting chain, it’s very efficient, and it’s been designed with self-feeding geometry in mind. The chain will, in essence, want to pull itself forward. The benefit there is you can use every ounce of performance the saw has available. That means smoother cutting, better power under load, less kickback…things like that.
“If you’re working in a hot Australian Summer, saws and chains heat up rapidly and stay hot for longer,” Kiah explained. “Once you stop work there’s the cooling effect as well. Obviously heat in steel is an issue, and you can break chains. The chainsaw and the chain need to be designed and manufactured to cope with those conditions. Having something that’s optimised to deal with rapid heating and cooling.”
“X-CUT® also has a very precise chrome-coating process to give that extra edge retention and make the chains extremely durable,” Simon pointed out with a quiet smile.
in mind. It focusses on efficiency, ease of handling,
manoeuvrability, ease of maintenance and reliability.
Built for purpose
Kiah had a last interesting observation to round out the overview on X-CUT® chain. “There’s a specific X-CUT® file guide,” she said. “If you’re using X-CUT® chain and the file-guide system, the saws will perform as they did out of the box. “It’s an optimised cutting system.”
For more information on the X-CUT® chain and other Husqvarna arbor products, learn more at husqvarna.com.