Quick verdict
A 38cc X-Torq two-stroke rated at 2 horsepower with a 16-inch bar, an inertia chain brake, a primer bulb and LowVib handles, from a brand with dealers in every county. It suits a homeowner with a wooded lot who cuts storm damage, prunes and keeps a modest firewood pile. The caveat is the 16-inch bar ceiling and the patience a 38cc saw needs in big seasoned hardwood.
Strengths
- 2 hp from 38cc, a touch more than the 120 Mark III
- Inertia-activated chain brake and combined choke/stop control
- LowVib anti-vibration handles
- Air Injection pre-cleaner keeps the filter cleaner for longer
- Dealer parts and service nationwide
Weaknesses
- Recommended bar tops out at 16 inches
- Chain tensioning needs the scrench
- Weight, tank capacity and warranty not stated in the listing
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Who this saw is for
The Husqvarna 130 sits one rung above the 120 Mark III: the same 38cc X-Torq engine, rated here at 2 horsepower, with a 16-inch bar and a recommended bar range of 14 to 16 inches. Husqvarna lists it as a homeowner saw for yard maintenance and pruning, and that is accurate. It is for the owner with a wooded lot who cuts up storm damage, drops the odd dead tree under a foot across, and wants a saw from a brand whose parts and dealers are everywhere.
This review is based on the maker’s published specifications and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run this product ourselves.
What you get
The listing covers the saw with a 16-inch bar and chain. Key stated features are the 38cc two-stroke X-Torq engine at 2 horsepower, an automatic chain oiler, a fuel pump (primer bulb) with a combined choke and stop control, an inertia-activated chain brake, Air Injection centrifugal air filtration and LowVib anti-vibration handles. Weight, fuel capacity and chain pitch are not stated in the listing; the class norm is around 10 to 11 pounds for the powerhead and a 3/8 low-profile .050 chain, and the manual is the place to confirm before buying spares.
Cutting power
Two horsepower from 38cc is a respectable figure for a homeowner saw and a touch more than Husqvarna rates the 120 Mark III. In practice that means a 16-inch bar that pulls confidently through limbs and green logs up to about 12 inches, and a slower, steadier pace in seasoned hardwood where chain sharpness decides everything. Husqvarna points out that X-Torq keeps torque up at lower rpm, and owners report the saw does not stall easily when the bar is buried, which is a real advantage over cheaper saws that need to be revved hard. Husqvarna caps the recommended bar at 16 inches on the 130, a sensible limit; a longer bar on 38cc only slows the chain.
Starting and the engine
The starting system is the same proven layout as the rest of the Husqvarna consumer line: press the primer bulb a few times, set the combined choke and stop lever, pull until the engine coughs, push the choke to run and pull again. The recurring owner comment is a reliable cold start in a handful of pulls and a one-pull warm start. Air Injection spins larger debris out before it reaches the filter, which keeps the engine breathing cleanly through a dusty afternoon and stretches filter cleaning intervals. Fuel economy is generally described as good for a two-stroke of this size.
Build, handling and ergonomics
LowVib dampeners between the engine and the handles are the comfort feature that separates this saw from the budget imports; owners describe a saw they can run for an hour without tingling fingers. The inertia chain brake trips on kickback without the operator touching the guard, and the combined choke and stop lever means one control to learn. Chain tension is adjusted with the scrench through the side cover, not tool-free. The saw is light enough to feel nimble when limbing on the ground, and Husqvarna, like every maker, says to keep a two-handed grip at all times.
Living with it
Use fresh premixed fuel at the ratio in the manual, typically 50:1 for Husqvarna two-strokes, and empty the tank before storing for more than a month. Keep the bar oil topped up and check that the automatic oiler is throwing a line of oil when the chain is run at speed over a light surface. Sharpen the chain often; a 38cc saw depends on a sharp chain more than a big one does. Warranty terms are not stated in the listing; check the Husqvarna product page for current consumer coverage.
Alternatives to Consider
The Husqvarna 120 Mark III is the same engine at a lower rated output, allows an 18-inch bar and often sells for less; pick it if the price gap is wide. The Husqvarna 135 Mark II is the close sibling with a slightly higher rated output for more frequent use. The Stihl MS 180 is the dealer rival at 32cc. For an owner who mainly prunes and cuts limbs under 8 inches, the Husqvarna 120i battery saw removes fuel from the equation.
Verdict
Buy the Husqvarna 130 if you want a light, easy-starting homeowner gas saw with low vibration, a dependable chain brake and dealer support, for storm cleanup, pruning and a modest firewood pile. Skip it if you regularly buck logs over a foot or cut several cords a year; move up to a 50cc saw such as the 455 Rancher, which is heavier but built for that work.
Full specifications
Husqvarna 130 16-Inch 38cc 2-HP X-Torq Gas Chainsaw with Automatic Oiler FAQs
Both are 38cc X-Torq saws with the same starting, chain brake and anti-vibration systems. The 130 is rated at 2 horsepower against 1.8, and Husqvarna recommends bars from 14 to 16 inches on the 130 against 14 to 18 on the 120.
No. Husqvarna recommends 14 to 16 inch bars. A longer bar on 38cc only slows the chain and raises kickback risk.
Press the primer bulb a few times, set the combined choke and stop lever, pull until the engine coughs, push the choke to run and pull again. Owners report a cold start in a handful of pulls and a one-pull warm start.
A gasoline and two-stroke oil mix at the ratio in the manual, typically 50:1 for Husqvarna saws. Use fresh fuel and drain the tank before a long layoff.
