3 saw plan "in progress", kind of?

[lt1nut]

My saw uses, pruning through firewood for our home. Not used even weekly but I can afford to purchase chain saw(s) based on them having a 30+ year life span. Besides, the wife likes tools to!!! Dealer carries Husky, Stihl, and Solo. I have 36+ Black Walnut trees/weeds, about 1/3 of them need to be dropped due to being too close to eachother (I need to ask Paul to come over and take a look). Have access to plenty of wood from local tree service(s) whenever I want. I would consider anything over 24" DBH/diameter as being too large for me to handle reasonably.

Please take a look at my sig below and let me know what you think...

Would a 575 be serious over-kill?

Am I right thinking that the 346 would be a nice replacement for the Poulan 295 Pro (46 cc)? My current excuse for getting something larger is the Poulan sticks too easily, would love to turn it into a limber with a 14" bar; make sense?

Is it even reasonable to put the smallest bar I can find on the Homelite, 12" I believe, to be used for pruning and limbing tops?

I've had two spinal fusions so weight is a factor and the main reason I haven't committed to getting a 575. I have to take a 10 minute break between tanks when using the Poulan now ! Great time for the smoke, file and cofee/water break though.

Whatcha'll think???

THANKS in advance! Been lurking and searching here for at least a few months now, hope it kind of shows...

 

[hornett22]

i'd see if he has any 372xps left over.

before i bought a 575xp.i wasn't too impressed.i bet with your condition a 357xp would be perfect.if worse comes to worse you could settle for an ms361 but you will suffer a loss in power but it is a nice saw.

 

[lt1nut]

Thanks.

Bailey's still lists them for about the same price I can get the 575 from my dealer, From what I've read it seems like the 575 has more power than the 372, right? Is the 372 really 1.5 pounds lighter when it comes to using it? From searching it seems like lately the 575 has been a welcome replacement of the venerable 372, am I understanding those posts correctly? If they are even-up I'd rather support my local guy, kind of funny that way...

BUT, I have not discounted the 372 and value your input, thanks. (It's in my nature to over-think the worst and then decide.)

 

[rupedoggy]

I may be the cruel one here but I suggest if you want to run chain saws with top efficiency then you should give up the cigarettes. Unless your "smoke break" was just a generic terminology.
Another thing that caught my eye was the fact that one of your saws was getting pinched or stuck, or whatever phrase you used. Why is this? If you are cutting and having the log fall and pinch your work then a cut from bottom to top should cure the problem. If it is something else, then a check of the equipment or techniques should be in order. I know you want another saw but are you getting proper use from the ones you have?
Notwithstanding the above, a 346 is one fine saw. Mike

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

If weight is a concern, I wouldnt go past the 60cc range.

If its not hauling the mail like you think it should, I'd send it off for a woodsport.

I don't doubt the 575 would work, but at the cost of some extra pounds... you wont get the thing warm before you need to shut it down for a break...


Get a 357xp, slap a 20" or 18" bar on it and start cuttin!

 

[musch]

In any three saw lineup, Id say get a Dolmar 7900 for the high end.
It doesnt weigh as much as the 575, and is MUCH more powerful.

And to answer your other question, I think there is a noticable difference between the 346 and the 357. I think it is like a full HP or more.

The 346 can be used for quite a lot, but it really shines limbing.

I use the 357 a lot for bucking trees, still light, powerful.

Then over 20", the 7900 comes in very handy.

All of my comments refer to hardwood. I never cut softwoods at all. :monkey:

 

[SWE#Kipp]

I felled a 32" diameter Birch tree a couple of weeks ago, I used my 357xpg with an 18" bar and chain and it handled it just fine, the 357/361 is both good and versatile saws that can handle allot of trees and situations were a 372/440 would have been a better choice but if your not a production feller I think they work fine