On 25th February 2019, I woke up early in the morning to order a Husky 3120 XP from their website. It was going to be a gift for a friend who is an avid chainsaw enthusiast.
Much to my surprise, the product no longer appeared on the site. I searched endlessly, but the saw was nowhere to be found. How can this be?
The Husqvarna 3120 XP was discontinued in February 2019 for high emissions, lack of AutoTune, and poor chain brakes.
In the article, I explain all of the reasons in greater detail. I will also let you know if the 3120 will be returning anytime soon.
Let’s get going!
Key Features of Husqvarna 3120XP
Before ceasing to exist, the Husky 3120 dominated the market with some noteworthy features. Here are a few of them.
- Performance
The Husqvarna 3120XP was known for its exceptional performance, thanks to its robust engine. It had a maximum power output of 8.4 horsepower, ranking it among the most powerful chainsaws.
Aside from that, there was plenty of torque due to the engine’s 118.8 cc displacement.
The combination of its power and engine size made the product an excellent choice for heavy-duty cutting tasks, such as chopping firewood, clearing land, or removing storm damage.
- High Speed
One of the highlights of the 3120 was its ability to run at high speeds. It had a maximum rotation speed of 9,000 RPM, the fastest of its kind.
The high speed improved efficiency, as it could complete cutting jobs in less time without sacrificing power or precision. It also facilitated more extended periods of work with no fatigue.
- Bar Length
My favorite aspect of the chainsaw is perhaps the variety of long bar lengths available. It ranged from 24 inches to 72 inches, making it versatile.
The long length of the bar helped users to tackle larger trees with ease. Having an extended bar length also gives the operator more reach and stability, which is crucial for cutting large trees and reaching high branches safely.
Why Was the Husqvarna 3120XP Discontinued?
Although numerous speculations surrounded the discontinuation, no official confirmation was ever made. However, most people believe the Husqvarna 3120XP was discontinued because it produced high emissions, lacked AutoTune, and had unreliable chain brakes.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
- Excessive Emissions
While the saw delivered unbeatable power, I noticed it emitted a lot of fumes. And apparently, the high emissions were one of the reasons why the 3120 was discontinued.
But it was releasing gasses from the beginning, right? Then why did Husqvarna decide to discontinue at such short notice? Here is the reason.
A few years ago, the EPA and EEA revised their emissions regulations and made them more stringent. They aimed to reduce harmful emissions from outdoor power equipment, including chainsaws.
Due to these rules, it became more and more difficult for the manufacturer to continue selling the products legally.
Some people will argue that Husqvarna could use technologies to lower emissions in existing chainsaws. But this is not feasible. In order to comply with EPA guidelines, these saws must be built from scratch.
- AutoTune
The Husky 3120XP is missing one vital feature known as AutoTune. In case you didn’t know, it is a technology for automatically adjusting fuel and air mixtures, providing optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
AutoTune has gained popularity in recent years and is now considered a standard feature on most chainsaws.
The lack of this function in the 3120 XP was a significant problem since it made it harder to adjust the air and fuel mixture manually. As a result, some units suffered from severe performance issues.
AutoTune’s absence also made the 3120 consume more fuel and emit more pollution. Both of these harmed the engine.
- Plastic Chain Break
Many loggers believe its plastic chain brake was the reason for its discontinuation. Let me tell you how this item works.
The brake is a safety feature of a chainsaw, designed to stop the chain in the event of a kickback. These kickbacks occur when the tip of the chain hits an object, causing the saw to suddenly jump back toward the operator.
Using a plastic brake in the 3120XP was problematic, as it was more prone to breaking or cracking than a metal chain break. This could compromise the user’s safety as the chain would no longer be properly secured.
In contrast, the majority of newer chainsaws incorporate a metal chain brake to increase durability and reliability. It is less likely to break or crack and minimizes kickback risks by providing a more secure hold.
Related: Husqvarna 372XP Discontinued: Uncovering the Reasons
The Impact of Discontinuation on Users and the Market
Many users learned about the discontinuation when Husqvarna took the product off their website. It was not well received by anyone, to be honest.
Existing users of the saw were left wondering whether it would be legal to use it.
Let’s see some more user reactions and disappointments from different forums.
- Reactions to the Discontinuation
A forum member named Rocco was surprised that the 3120 saw wasn’t available on the website. It did not take him long to accept the decision and say he hoped for an improved model soon.
Another member was happy to have already purchased the chainsaw.
According to a forum member named Rob, the 3120 XP will continue to be available until the last stock is gone. It implies that there were no legal problems for existing chainsaw users to operate the machine.
- Disappointment from Regular Users
The 395XP was shown as the 3120’s replacement by Husqvarna, which left one user disappointed. He said it was a substantial drop from 118.7cc to 93.7cc.
He also added that it was terrible news for CSM enthusiasts.
Another member of the forum was shocked by the decision. It was just a mistake; he wanted to believe. He later said he had no other option but to pick another up.
Someone from the forum even contacted Husky customer support, and it was confirmed that the 3120 is indeed no longer available.
Possibility of a New and Improved Model
Many people are unaware that Husky’s 3120 model has been its most powerful saw for more than 30 years. No wonder it lacked so many modern features like AutoTune and M-Tronic that other Husqvarna and Stihl chainsaws have.
As for the release date of the improved model, there is no clear answer. From some reliable sources, I’ve found that it could be a couple of years before we see a new and improved 3120XP.
However, in my opinion, it may take over five years for a new unit to arrive. Why is that? Let me explain.
The reduction of emissions, implementation of AutoTune, and addition of fuel injection are all labor-intensive procedures. Husqvarna has to start with a drawing board and then move on to production.
All of these tasks aren’t achievable in a short timeframe, which is why I think it will take five years for a replacement to emerge.
The Possibility of the Model being Brought Back
The Husqvarna 3120 XP is unlikely to return to the market since it does not meet EPA and EEA requirements. Fortunately, you can still buy one from a local retailer in your area.
I recall my local Husky dealer discounted it by 30% during the discontinuation period. I inquired with the seller about the discount.
He explained that it was due to the emission deadline. A 90 cc model would be released as a replacement, according to him.
Alternative Options for Users Who Still Want a 3120 XP
Here is a list of alternative chainsaws similar to the Husqvarna 3120XP, along with a comparison of their features:
The Husky 395 offers a powerful 93.6 cc engine with 7.1 horsepower, fairly close to the 3120. It also boasts a number of modern features, including an Inertia chain brake, Smart Start, and LowVib.
All of them contribute to the saw’s modern appeal compared to the 3120 unit.
- Husqvarna 572 XP
Another chainsaw that I consider an alternative is the Husqvarna 572. I know that with only 70.6 cc displacement, it doesn’t match the 3120’s power, but there are some other impressive specs.
For instance, the 572 XP is backed by the highly regarded X-Torq engine. It boosts fuel efficiency by up to 20% while cutting emissions by up to 60%.
Therefore, the 572 has fewer emissions than the 3120 XP and burns less fuel.
- Stihl MS 881 MAGNUM
If you want a better alternative to the 3120 and wish to move away from Husqvarna, Stihl’s 880 or its improved version 881 is the way to go. It is way more potent due to its 121.6 cc engine that generates up to 8.6 horsepower.
Summary of Key Points
Here is a brief summary of the article’s key points.
- Husqvarna discontinued the 3120 at the beginning of 2019.
- No official announcement was made, so most people learned about it from the website.
- Despite the fact that the reasons for discontinuation are not clear, most people believe the high emissions are to blame.
- Chainsaw enthusiasts were shocked and disappointed by the news since it was one of the most powerful saws in the industry.
- According to reports, a new model is in production, but its arrival is expected to take some time due to environmental laws.
- 3120 XP chainsaws are still available at many local dealers and are even discounted.
- There are several alternatives to the 3120, such as the Stihl MS 881.
Final Thoughts on the Future of the Chainsaw Market
Hopefully, I covered all the information regarding the discontinuation of the Husky 3120. It has surely let down those who preferred its performance and CSM capabilities.
Nevertheless, new and improved models are constantly being introduced by different brands to the market.
And there is also a chance that the 3120 will make a comeback with its amazing power while meeting the latest environmental standards. For now, all you can do is wait and see.
Last but not least, even though the Husqvarna 3120 XP is not available, there are plenty of alternatives, such as the ones I mentioned earlier.
