best 35-40cc saw

[tolman_paul]

echo cs-355t ought to be in the running.

 

[Wood Doctor]

echo cs-355t ought to be in the running.

Don't forget its predecessor: the Echo CS 3000 top-handle. I just restored one today. It's really a beauty if you want a truly great-running little saw. Cuts like a bandit. But remember, these are only 30 cc saws, not 35. :biggrinbounce2:

 

[tolman_paul]

Speaking of the CS-3000 I bought one a couple years back to bounce along on the back of my snowmobile and be there to trim trees blocking the trails. It has more than impressed me, but misses the 35cc cutoff, but I supose the CS-3400 could be mentioned and is close enough.

My saw will never be considered a thing of beauty, but I'm more than happy for what I got for $70! Well not including the $5 for the baileys sale bar and a couple bucks for a new primer bulb.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Speaking of the CS-3000 I bought one a couple years back to bounce along on the back of my snowmobile and be there to trim trees blocking the trails. It has more than impressed me, but misses the 35cc cutoff, but I supose the CS-3400 could be mentioned and is close enough.

My saw will never be considered a thing of beauty, but I'm more than happy for what I got for $70! Well not including the $5 for the baileys sale bar and a couple bucks for a new primer bulb.

The primer bulb is about the only thing that gives up on the Echo CS 3000. Six bucks and small-nose pliers usually fixes it. That old cracked primer also robs the engine of power with air leaks.

Hey, we did it again. We added a little 30 cc saw to the list. :msp_sneaky:

 

[CTYank]

The GZ4000 is a great little saw, light, nimble and powerful, like a 40CC should be. I agree, the Dolmar 420/421 is a nice saw, but it's too heavy for the class.

Yes. Got one 9 months back, and it's now my #1 for firewooding. Once the carb became adjustable- don't ask me how, dunno. Handles an 18" in oak. Strato engine sips fuel & is easy on your lungs.

Harvesting a tree-top, I cut everything from 2-3" up. Lots of maneuvering- GZ4000 very well suited.

Side-by-side to Stihl 250 was a laugher. (Yes, the 250 was adjusted & sharp.)

I run other saws just to wear them out, not so the GZ4000. Comparable saws, tack on $200.

 

[andydodgegeek]

I bought a really clean looking Husky 345 with a scortched piston/cylinder for $40. A friend gave me a piston/cylinder he had lying around, then I opened up the intake and exhaust with the dremel and opened up the muffler on it. It will run quite strong with its 16" bar burried in red oak. Easy saw to work on, and I don't consider myself a saw mechanic by any means. Its 45cc but its nice and light and it was CHEAP. I like it cause I don't care if it rolls around the back of the dump truck, it just doesn't matter to me.

 

[dboyd351]

Yes. Got one 9 months back, and it's now my #1 for firewooding. Once the carb became adjustable- don't ask me how, dunno. Handles an 18" in oak. Strato engine sips fuel & is easy on your lungs.

Harvesting a tree-top, I cut everything from 2-3" up. Lots of maneuvering- GZ4000 very well suited.

Side-by-side to Stihl 250 was a laugher. (Yes, the 250 was adjusted & sharp.)

I run other saws just to wear them out, not so the GZ4000. Comparable saws, tack on $200.

I agree with CTYank and the others that vote for the Redmax GZ4000. The Redmax GZ400 and the Ryobi 10532 are essentially the same saw, as is a yellow Craftsman 40CC "Professional".
These strato saws really run great, weigh 9.1 or 9.2 pounds, rev quick and put out very good power for such a small saw.
Definitely my favorite saw for limbing and Bailey's has run a special for a nice 16 inch bar and chain that fits it and cuts well for $13!! The saw runs better with a 16 inch bar anyway.

 

[B Harrison]

Although I value your opinion, your knowledge is far superior to mine when it comes to logging and saws but what I intend to do with this saw is cut down 10" or less trees and brush. Lightweight and a small frame are better.

Not sure about logging, but yes!


I agree, although I want a modded 40 cc saw, it has nothing to do with need, there is no real gap between a 35 cc top handle and a 50 cc.

 

[2lumbarleft]

435 weight?

Husky 435 is 9.2 lbs. -you can swing it around all day. Great limbing saw. IMO

I am glad you brought this point up. I have two Husqvarna 435s. One is slightly older with no bucking spikes, but has the 40.9 cc motor. The newer unit has the bucking spikes. I have weighed both saw heads on a spring scale, that was first check weighted against a 10 pound check weight. The older unit weighed in at 9 9/16th pounds, while the newer saw weighed in at 9 11/16 pounds. The scale is fairly accurate, and the saw heads were completely empty of all fluids. I think Husqvarna might be fibbing on the weight of the 435, but this might relate to the fact that some 435 saws had 38 cc engines before the change over. Does anyone else have the opportunity to weigh their 435s minus the bar and chain. I am curious if anyone else shares my findings.

 

[Lark-o]

Thanks for the wealth of knowledge guys. Im going to keep my eye out for a good deal I think on an echo or a 435 those seemed to be the most talked about. in the mean time I picked up a another poulan identical to the one I had at a garage sale, I had to come back on last day to get it for the $10 I offered but I got it. Looks to be hardly used but wont start, Soon as I get a free night i'll tear into it.

 

[DOLMARLUVER]

Absolut best buy is a Dolmar 421. 42cc saw that doesn't know it only has so little and it behaves like a 50cc. Built like a pro saw on a homeowner price. There are enough threads on here to read about this saw. So don't believe what I say just invest a little time.

7

+1. Added one of these to my collection. My nephew was always bragging about how great his Husky 435 is. He wouldn't prove it until I told him 2 cuts to one through 10" ash. He was like :jawdrop: Has displaced my 115i and 6400 as my new favorite!

 

[griffonks]

Prolly fuel line and gummy carb....

 

[Termite]

At one time I had a Dolmar401 and Dolmar420 and Redmax3800. I kept the Redmax and sold the others. The 3800 was lighter than the 420 and more powerful than the 401.
I just spent about 3 hours up in trees cutting limbs and am very glad I didn't have to use my J-red 2153.
May be it was just my saw but the Dolmar420 would not rev up very high. Plenty of power though.

I ordered a loop of Stihl PS3 for the Redmax last Friday. Going to give it a try.

 

[krushing73]

The ms 180 is a little smaller. 32 cc. I like the fact that you can get parts off eBay. I always look for parts before I buy a saw because I do my own work. . I have a. 50 gauge bar and full Chisel chain in mine. It cuts like a bigger saw.