Motodeficient
ArboristSite Guru
I was looking for saws in the same price range as you are this spring. I found a lightly used MS361 at my dealer for $325. I love it!
Best Saw for $400-$500?
- Thread starter klr
- Start date
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Well, I went to my local dealer today to look at the Dolmars and Huskys. I really liked the 359 so I brought it home with me. I figured that it would be a lot heavier and bulkier than it is, but if feels quite manageable. BTW, I stayed under my $500 limit by a nickel.
I felled and cut up a 12" ash in no time at all. Big difference from the 36, and I think I'm going to have to treat this saw with a little more respect.
Thanks to all for the help.
I felled and cut up a 12" ash in no time at all. Big difference from the 36, and I think I'm going to have to treat this saw with a little more respect.
Thanks to all for the help.
trax
ArboristSite Operative
I was suprised that it only makes 3.9 hp @ 59cc
359
Cylinder displacement 59 cc
Power output 3.9 hp(I)
Idling speed 2700 rpm
Maximum power speed 9000 rpm
Weight (excl. cutting equipment) 12.1 lbs
5100
Cylinder displacement 50 cc
Power output 4 hp (I have seen this listed as 3.9)
Maximum speed 14500 rpm
Weight (powerhead only) 11.8 lbs
361
DISPLACEMENT 59.0 cc
ENGINE POWER 4.4 hp
WEIGHT (powerhead only) 12.3 lbs
Max Speed ?
359
Cylinder displacement 59 cc
Power output 3.9 hp(I)
Idling speed 2700 rpm
Maximum power speed 9000 rpm
Weight (excl. cutting equipment) 12.1 lbs
5100
Cylinder displacement 50 cc
Power output 4 hp (I have seen this listed as 3.9)
Maximum speed 14500 rpm
Weight (powerhead only) 11.8 lbs
361
DISPLACEMENT 59.0 cc
ENGINE POWER 4.4 hp
WEIGHT (powerhead only) 12.3 lbs
Max Speed ?
Motodeficient
ArboristSite Guru
It should have a lot more torque than something like a 5100 or 346xp so it will hold its RPM in bigger wood
great choice, im glad you decided on the 359. they are very good all around saw and arent by any means heavy or bulky. the handle great and cut fast.
they easily drag a 24" bar through wood like this. i feel and bucked this tree with just the 359.
it wasnt ported wheni did this tree.
they easily drag a 24" bar through wood like this. i feel and bucked this tree with just the 359.
it wasnt ported wheni did this tree.
Smokerr
ArboristSite Operative
Congratulations on the new saw and I hope it works for you.
I am disappointed in the question as phrased that started the thread. I would not have spent any time on it.
You asked for the best saw between 400-$500.
You did not ask for the biggest saw you could get for that price range.
The best saw in that size is the MS361. Its not the least expensive.
My take at this point is that what you should have (or maybe even meant) was, What’s the biggest and best quality chainsaw I can get for between $400-500? That of course eliminates the higher quality saws such as Jonesred, Dolmar and Stihl and puts you in the Husqavarna saws (maybe some others that sell through the big box stores).
12 inch tress is not remotely a challenge for a saw that size. Its not a challenge for a MS270 (which can be had for under $400).
Mud23609
ArboristSite Operative
Excellent choice! The 359 is really a do it all saw. For the wood that I cut if I could only have one saw it would be the my 359 hands down. Light enough to use all day if you have to, strong enough to pull a buried 20 inch bar, and built well enough to last for years!
I bought mine after asking a local logger which saw I should buy. He has been using a 359 daily for almost four years. Said he likes it better than his 044 for the poplar trees that he spends most of his time cutting.
I bought mine after asking a local logger which saw I should buy. He has been using a 359 daily for almost four years. Said he likes it better than his 044 for the poplar trees that he spends most of his time cutting.
SawTroll
Information Collector
The weight spec on the 359 is very optimistic - the truth is more like 12.8lbs.
Dolmar has always been playing games with the power rating of the 5100S, but it no doubt has a lot of power for its cc size.
I prefere kW to hp for comparing power, as there are different "kinds" of hp out there.
Going by kW the max output for the 5100 is 2.8/10000rpm, the 359 is 2.9/9000rpm and the US 361 is 3.3 (3.4 elsewhere)/9500rpm - but that is just a snapshot from the power curve anyway............
.
SawTroll
Information Collector
I never weighted a single saw myself - I refer to the official and independent test results by DLG/KWF in Germany, that state that the 359 weights .3kg more than advertised, and its "brothers" (357xp, 2159 and 2156) .4kg more - and that is for non-cat versions.
I know that they had to beef up the case at an early stage, without changing the specs - but I don't think that explains it all.....
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SawTroll
Information Collector
Sure - if you can feel the difference - bars will soon make a bigger difference anyway....:biggrinbounce2:
....but the power difference would be hard to not feel.....
I'll second that!:chainsawguy:
mowoodchopper
Polar Bear
Great choice on the saw !! I think you will be really happy with it, even though its not a 361 and it is a hair heavier than the specs say !
Who cares anyway its your saw not the critics!!!
Who cares anyway its your saw not the critics!!!davebell18
ArboristSite Lurker
I would suggest the husky 353. I just bought one with a 20" bar on it and it screams. I was going to go with stihl but decided not to because i heard of problems with the carb. I did not hear any negatives about the husky 353. Im only cutting around 10 cords a year and works wonderful. Good Luck and have fun shopping!
gr8scott72
Addicted to ArboristSite
From who? The Husky dealer? :monkey:
davebell18
ArboristSite Lurker
No people on this forum. Sorry i didnt see he already bought one.
