2 saw plan for hardwood property

[dirtysock]

Hey all,

Been reading and learning a lot here recently. I have some heavily wooded acreage that I like to thin out when I can and need advice on a 2 saw plan. Mostly cedar elm, live oak, pecan and mesquite. Burned up a ms 250 (my mistake) that I had for 17 years. I plan to fall 6-12" trees, occasionally up to 24". Most of the work would be limbing and bucking heavy stuff. I like the idea so far of ms 261 cm and possibly ms 462 cm. Dealer close by I think handles both stihl and husqvarna. I want to run as short of bars as possible. I am 5'10", 170 lbs. I think the 16" on the 261 would be good, no idea on the 462. I am open to suggestions on other brands. Reliability is key followed by performance. Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Both are awesome and light weight! Both have excellent reviews and the 462 is an animal for a 13lb saw. Will handle a long bar well.

 

[dirtysock]

Both are awesome and light weight! Both have excellent reviews and the 462 is an animal for a 13lb saw. Will handle a long bar well.

Thanks! Any recommendation on b/c for the 462?

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Thanks! Any recommendation on b/c for the 462?

I like mine with a 25" but im think a 28" would almost be perfect also, save your lower back and also handle the bigger stuff easier. But im not cutting hardwoods in my area but green fir can be difficult as well at times.

 

[dirtysock]

I like mine with a 25" but im think a 28" would almost be perfect also, save your lower back and also handle the bigger stuff easier. But im not cutting hardwoods in my area but green fir can be difficult as well at times.

Sounds good. Any opinion on 3/8", .050 vs .063 chain?

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Sounds good. Any opinion on 3/8", .050 vs .063 chain?

I have only used 3/8 .050 and .058 the stihl light bars i have are .050, even the 32"

I feel like 050 is a much easier chain to find locally and online.

 

[dirtysock]

I have only used 3/8 .050 and .058 the stihl light bars i have are .050, even the 32"

I feel like 050 is a much easier chain to find locally and onlin

Appreciate the advice. A couple of questions that may open up a can of worms: I plan to start with the motomix which is 50:1, extends the warranty. After that I plan to mix my own fuel. I always added stabil 360 to everything, but I plan to find ethanol free fuel at 89 or above octane and use something like red armor that is available to me.

Is it a good idea to still add stabilizer to fuel mix?
I've read that a slightly richer mix is advised. Should I stick with 50:1 or go closer to 40:1?

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I don't have much experience with different fuels.. I have always used red armor with at least ethanol free 91 or higher and the internals look great. But yes you can go down a rabbit hole very quickly with a fuel discussion here .

You'll get tons of opinions and advise and lots will be excellent!! However I think the take away will to always use good ethanol free fuel.

I ha e read that the Stihl a d husky mixes are very very dirty. But I can't speak to that myself.

 

[dirtysock]

I don't have much experience with different fuels.. I have always used red armor with at least ethenol free 91 or higher and the internals look great. But yes you can go down a rabbit hole very quickly with a fuel discussion here .

You'll get tons of options and advise and lots will be excellent!! However I think the take away will to always use good ethenol free fuel.

I ha e read that the Stihl a d husky mixes are very very dirty. But I can't speak to that myself.

10-4. I'm thinking to keep everything running I will get ethanol free gas and mix with something like red armor. No stabilizer and only store for 6 months, empty tanks on saws if they sit more than a month. Or maybe just go start them every now and then if they sit for awhile.

 

[Steve Garrett]

I work 40 acres of oak, poplar and hickory, and own a variety of saws...My go-to's always end up being a Stihl MS461 with a 20" or 25" bar for the larger stuff, and an MS261 with an 18" or 20" for the limbing and smaller stuff...They have never let me down...

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

The 261/462 combo is pretty great. I ran that for quite a while before I got the 500i. I still haven't sold the 462 like I thought I would...it's nice to have a back up big saw...

I personally like an 18" bar on the 261 and a 25" bar on the 462. It will handle a 28, but IMO that's pretty much it's limit in hardwood. The 500i would run a 28" bar better with not much weight penalty.

If 24" wood or even 30" wood is your max, a 25" bar will work just fine.

 

[REJ2]

The Echo Powerblend I’ve used for years already has a fuel stabilizer in it. Red Armor has a fuel stabilizer in it as well.

 

[dirtysock]

I work 40 acres of oak, poplar and hickory, and own a variety of saws...My go-to's always end up being a Stihl MS461 with a 20" or 25" bar for the larger stuff, and an MS261 with an 18" or 20" for the limbing and smaller stuff...They have never let me down...

Thanks, good to hear. Some of the live oak that has been on the ground almost seems petrified. Tough stuff. The chain that stihl lists for the 25 bar is the RS3 (safety). They don't list a rapid. Wondering if that RS3 will cut good.

 

[dirtysock]

The 261/462 combo is pretty great. I ran that for quite a while before I got the 500i. I still haven't sold the 462 like I thought I would...it's nice to have a back up big saw...

I personally like an 18" bar on the 261 and a 25" bar on the 462. It will handle a 28, but IMO that's pretty much it's limit in hardwood. The 500i would run a 28" bar better with not much weight penalty.

If 24" wood or even 30" wood is your max, a 25" bar will work just fine.

Thanks. I know some people seem to like a 16" bar on the 261 for weight and maneuverability, maybe it even cuts faster, I don't know.

 

[user 122190]

Get two bars for the 461. A 24/25 will be your primary bar, and a 32 for the larger stuff that you'll come across.

 

[bulletpruf]

Lots of good info here. Your plan on fuel is fine. You're also on track with a great 2 saw plan -- 261 and a 462 would be mighty fine. 16" is fine on 261 and two bars for the 462 (24" and 28"?) would work, too.

3/8 .050 for the 462. I generally only run 3/8 .063 on longer bars (28" +). You can run .325 or 3/8 on the 261.

 

[user 122190]

Lots of good info here. Your plan on fuel is fine. You're also on track with a great 2 saw plan -- 261 and a 462 would be mighty fine. 16" is fine on 261 and two bars for the 462 (24" and 28"?) would work, too.

3/8 .050 for the 462. I generally only run 3/8 .063 on longer bars (28" +). You can run .325 or 3/8 on the 261.

I'm running 0.050 3/8 on all my saws (261, 400, 500i) so all my chains are interchangeable. Unless there is something about the wood the OP will be cutting, the 0.050 works fine for the 32" B&C also.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I'm running 0.050 3/8 on all my saws (261, 400, 500i) so all my chains are interchangeable. Unless there is something about the wood the OP will be cutting, the 0.050 works fine for the 32" B&C also.

Agree.

 

[user 122190]

I will mention, but not recommend, the 261 will even drive a 32" B&C.

Again not recommended. Even the guy in the video said it was for a test, not something he does regularly.

 

[dirtysock]

I appreciate all of the replies. I started off here reading about which saw to get to replace my ms 250. I don't mind paying extra for the quality of the 261. I really was just going to get one do it all saw and didn't know what bar size to get. Now, thanks to y'all I am planning to get 2 saws, multiple bars and chains, I'm researching which oils and fuel mixtures, whether or not to modify, get more land, build more shops, etc. Thanks a lot.