18"-20" $350-$400 Decision?

[Flatlander]

I have used lots of smaller saws over the years. I currently have two 14" saws - a 25 year old Homelite and a 10 year old Stihl (I forget the model). I love the Stihl. It always starts and runs well.

I have a bunch of mature pines to take down and am looking for a well-built, strong saw in the 18" - 20" range. I will also use it for hardwoods in the future. I prefer to keep the price about $400 +/-.

I have read a lot of the posts here and was thinking about the following based on what I have read: MS260, MS290, MS310, Husky 455, Husky 346xp and a few others...

Weight is an issue. I'm small and not all that strong. I won't be climbing with this saw - I'll use my smaller Stihl for that.

What's your suggestion? Power, at least 18", weight, durability, all for $400 or less?

Also - suggestions for online purchase? Not a lot of dealers around here.

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[stump doctor]

MS260 2.97 cu. in. - 48.7cc 16" or 18" - 3.5 hp(16-24") $429.95

Or you can get an Echo for about $300 on eBay brand new.

http://www.echo.ca/main/echowebsite/PRODUCTS/chain_saws/chainsaws_pages/chainsawCS520.html

 

[xring]

check Baileys Lots of info there. Husky 353 looks like it fill your bill. I have a Stihl 025 now a 250 it is light and powerful enough for me but not a pro saw.

 

[davefr]

Dolmar PS5100 is an option.

 

[KRB]

I just bought a Stihl MS290 20" $349.
If your going online then a husky would be be your best bet.Stihl is dealer only.

 

[CaseyForrest]

I bought an MS310 with a 18" pro bar and chisel chain, case, and files for $400. Also got some bar oil and two cycle oil in the price. At first I was a little concerned about the power, but after a few tanks of gas it woke up a bit. I can bury the bar with no problem now in just about anything, White Oak, Red Oak, and some Maple. I also recently replaced my 36cc Husky with a MS180, 14" bar and chisel chain for limbing and when Im climbing on a pile of downed logs. So far...Stihl hasnt let me down. The 310 was an inpulse decision, I know I needed, or wanted around 60cc's. The 180 I researched quite a bit.

 

[keith c raymond]

Husky 455 Rancher would do,also 5100 Dolmar if you are looking at the mail order route.Echo is an option but their power to weight is not up the standard of others but the reliability is very good.Be careful of saws on ebay ,this site is full of stories of problem saws purchased there.You should ask around this site if you are looking for a used saw as there are plenty of good people here that might have something you could want.

 

[Flatlander]

20: bar on 346xp?

Has anyone run a 20" bar on the Husky 346xp? Does it have enough power?

Charlie

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Has anyone run a 20" bar on the Husky 346xp? Does it have enough power?

Charlie

Never ran a 20" bar on a 346! I have a modded 346 that I recently switched over to 3/8" pitch chain. I think a 20" bar would hamper the performance too much! A 16" seems perfect to me!

 

[computeruser]

If your goal is to spend a fair amount of time actually using the fullness of an 18" or 20" bar, then I would think that the Husqvarna 359 might be a good choice. The 290/310 Stihls are a bit bloated for their power output, and the Husqvarna 346 and Stihl 260 are a bit down on displacement to be pulling a 20" bar on a regular basis.

Considering your trackrecord for keeping saws around for a long time, no sense in cutting corners too much.

 

[Flatlander]

If your goal is to spend a fair amount of time actually using the fullness of an 18" or 20" bar, then I would think that the Husqvarna 359 might be a good choice. The 290/310 Stihls are a bit bloated for their power output, and the Husqvarna 346 and Stihl 260 are a bit down on displacement to be pulling a 20" bar on a regular basis.

Considering your trackrecord for keeping saws around for a long time, no sense in cutting corners too much.

Thanks for the thoughts. I'll look into the 359. I was looking at a 353 as well. My only concern with the 359 is the increasing weight. I'll just tell my bride I'll do multiple reps with the new saw instead of going to gym! (Not that I ever went a gym, mind you.....)

I like the idea of having a saw capable of the 20" bar or better.

Charlie

 

[skwerl]

For a 20" bar I'd be looking more toward the 60cc range. All the saws you've listed are better suited with 16"-18" bars.
Of the ones you've listed, the MS260, the Husky 55 Rancher and the 346XP are all great saws matched up with a 16"-18" bar. None of them will handle a 20" bar with any sort of authority.

If I were dead set on a 20" bar, I'd be looking at a Stihl MS360 or Husky 357XP and not much else.

 

[CaseyForrest]

the 310 is 59 cc, pretty sure Stihls website says it can pull a 20". I have a 18" on mine and dont see why it couldnt handle another 2".

 

[Flatlander]

For a 20" bar I'd be looking more toward the 60cc range. All the saws you've listed are better suited with 16"-18" bars.
Of the ones you've listed, the MS260, the Husky 455 Rancher and the 346XP are all great saws matched up with a 16"-18" bar. None of them will handle a 20" bar with any sort of authority.

If I were dead set on a 20" bar, I'd be looking at a Stihl MS360 or Husky 357XP and not much else.

The 359 is 59.0 cc 3.9 hp 12.1 lbs
The 359 is 57.0cc 4.4 hp 12.1 lbs

Interesting how they get more power out of a smaller displacement and same wieght.

The 357xp must be a heavier-duty machine? It costs about 35% more and is getting farther from my $400 budget!

I can see it now.... "Honey... we'll just amortize the extra $150 over the next 15 years - that's less than a $1/month."

Seriously - I'm guessing both the 359 and 357xp will last many, many years.

Charlie

 

[infomet]

I just got an 029 used for $150, good as new. That's a bit unusual, but they are around in the $200 range a lot, if you have a little time.
Wilson

 

[16gauge]

Why not a WildThing with 18 in bar?

I just got an 029 used for $150, good as new. That's a bit unusual, but they are around in the $200 range a lot, if you have a little time.
Wilson

Let's bring this discussion down a notch ...I just bought a used Wild Thing for $69. It probly won't last 25 years but it starts and runs perfect...even cold, around 20F it idles after choke, 2-3 pulls. another to high idle and bump the trigger to low idle.

Whats up with that? They are sposed to be cr@p saws. We once got a Pioneer that everyone said was the best...when it ran it was pretty fast. Most unreliable and hardest starting saw we ever had.

The point here is that you should get the saw that fits your needs...that comes with the best dealer support it your area. This is not just an opinion it is a hard learned lesson.

Good luck with your new saw and I'm not suggesting you buy a Poulan...that was just a tease.

 

[Blowdown1]

359 vs 357

Flatlander, I have a 359 and it has been a great saw and it would do well for what you are looking for. It has good power to weight and is more saw for the money than the Stihl 290/310 saws.

The weight issue would make me suggest the 353 as well, but I don't know just how heavy is heavy for you. There are times when I wish I had a smaller saw for lighter weight, but as an all-around saw the 359 is hard to beat in my opinion.

As for the 357, it is a peakier saw and probably not as forgiving of non-pro users. Besides, a lot of guys here claim you can get a 359 to run even w/ the 357 w/ mods for less or equal money to a stock 357. Most guys say to save your $$ and go 359 (over the 357).

The 455 is one of Husky's new bloated line of saws. If weight is an issue I would certainly suggest not getting it. And the 359 is essentially the same class and is a proven design.

 

[jokers]

For a 20" bar I'd be looking more toward the 60cc range. All the saws you've listed are better suited with 16"-18" bars.
Of the ones you've listed, the MS260, the Husky 55 Rancher and the 346XP are all great saws matched up with a 16"-18" bar. None of them will handle a 20" bar with any sort of authority.

If I were dead set on a 20" bar, I'd be looking at a Stihl MS360 or Husky 357XP and not much else.

Hey Brian! Welcome back!

Good post of course.

Russ

 

[SawTroll]

The 359 is 59.0 cc 3.9 hp 12.1 lbs
The 359 is 57.0cc 4.4 hp 12.1 lbs (I'm sure you meant 357xp).......
Charlie

If weight is an issue, be warned that Husky are very optimistic regarding adverticed weight of their saws, and the 357xp and 359 are among the worst cases.

In your case i would suggest the Dolmar PS5100S, even though I have never seen one in real life, because of the power/weight issue.
Consider using a 16" bar normally, and keep a 20" one for the occations when you really need it.

 

[pinus]

In the case of so small load for the saw (some trees) you not need big saw and pro saw. But if you like pro saw and 18" bar you should go with no less than 50 cm3 saw. I have not used 290/310/390 series, but these saws are with rather obsolete construction. Big heavy plastic body and bad antivibe.
So, Stihls, MS260-270-280 or equivalent Huskies which I dont know very well