Best small rear handle limbing saw???

[windthrown]

OK, after my post asking about the best top handle saw out there, the Stihl 200T seems to get top awards and is now on my Christmas list, and the Husky 338 seems to come in a close second. Now I have to ask what is the best rear handle equivalent 'on the ground' limbing saw?

For some reason, in all my sawering I have always had a top handle mini Mac, Echo or Homelite to do all of the small stuff with in the trees and on the ground. Currently our smallest rear handle saw here is the MS290 with a 20 inch bar. Not exactly the easiest or lightest saw to get around a felled Doug fir to trim the boughs off with. So I am using an Echo TH for that stuff...

 

[sawinredneck]

Well, what do ou want to spend? Not much, get a 170-180. Ain't skeered to spend it, get the ms200. Something in between, get a Husky 350 or 353.
Andy

 

[clearance]

Currently our smallest rear handle saw here is the MS290 with a 20 inch bar. Not exactly the easiest or lightest saw to get around a felled Doug fir to trim the boughs off with. So I am using an Echo TH for that stuff...

My advice would be to eat more if you think one of those toys is heavy. Where I work women use 365 Huskies to limb and buck all day, I use my 371 when I help them. Seriously now Buddy, step up a little, sometimes you buck as well, no? No replacement for displacement, time is money...........

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Agreed. If we're talking timber here, a "limbing" saw is still about 60cc or more. Around here, the 036, 361 with a 28" and even 440 are used for limbing.

Now if we're talking about residential stuff, limbing one or two trees a day in somone's yard, you don't need to walk the spar and cut as you go. A 200 or 260 or something along those lines will work.

Don't confuse a limbing saw with necessarily being small.

 

[Four Paws]

Pruning or limbing?

My vote would go to a Shindaiwa 377 if you are pruning around the house or small piece of property (1-5 acres). Light as can be, they run really well, good power and good balance. Definitely well built machines. I think you would be very happy with this saw in pine for limbs 4" or less.

If you are limbing firewood and cutting a decent ammount of wood, the 346XP is highly regarded as a limb saw - fast and light.

The 5100S Dolmar would be an excellent choice with a 13" bar. The best anti-vibe around, nice and light, and gobs of power. Heck, this might be the perfect jack-of-all-trades saw - light enough to limb with, powerful enough to fall and buck with.

Uh oh...hope this isn't turning into another Dolmar 5100S thread. I guess we can only wait and see opcorn:

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Uh oh...hope this isn't turning into another Dolmar 5100S thread. I guess we can only wait and see opcorn:

Has Freak read this yet?

 

[Just Mow]

Buy the MS200 to compliment your 200T

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Buy the 339 to complement your 338

 

[drmiller100]

i was watching some pros the other day.

One guy prefers his 046, the other the 066, both with 32 inch bars. They said it is a lot easier on their backs, and they certainly seemed fast with them.

 

[Lakeside53]

I sold my 200T (I try not to climb)... and got a 200... Amazing small saw...

 

[peter399]

I would definatly buy a 346XP or something similar. With a relatively short bar. Max 16 inch. I use 13 inch on my 026 and 353 which is perfect for limbing. Doesn't steal power from the engine, no extra weight to carry, faster sharpening and cheaper chains. You will get a light saw with unbeatable acceleration which is what you want. It also has a lot more power than the 338 or MS200 so you could also use if for some bucking if you need to.

/Peter

 

[GASoline71]

Limbing Doug fir with a 290/029 should be no problem. You could run a 24" bar on it for limbin' no sweat. Try luggin' an 044 or an 046 with a 28" or longer bar for limbin'. However they make the job much easier.

I have run a 24" bar on my little 028 just for walkin' Doug Fir logs and limbin'. Even tried it with a 28" bar once. It did the job... but I wouldn't do it again with the 28" bar. The longer bar makes it easier on the back... less bendin' over.

Gary

 

[stckciv]

I would go see what feels most comfortable in your hands. Size and weight play a big part in your final decision.

I hope you are not buying these saws with out getting any hands on time with them!