Best Stihl for running 20" Bar

[Philip Wheelock]

I don't have anything against Husky so I'd consider it. ... What's the Husky 555, never heard of it?

HUSQVARNA 555 - Professional chainsaws

I did however run a 372 once but it was very brief only cutting a couple cookies. While I do know a couple people that say the 372 is the Holy Grail of saws, it's a little out of my price range. I'm trying to stay around the $600 mark.

If you know a dealer you can trust to do good work at a fair price, you might consider a used Husky 372xp or Stihl MS 440 for a proven 70cc class saw. Worked out for me.

 

[stihl sawing]

The 460 will make a 20 inch chain "ZING"

 

[bigbluram]

So will my 660, just puts a smile on your face that won't go away

 

[procarbine2k1]

You have a lot of good options out there. If you are going to be cutting 20" wood on a regular basis, the 555 or 562 may be a better option for you than the 50cc offerings. You cant go wrong with a Stihl MS261 or Husqvarna 545 or 550 if you decide to go that route either.

 

[Woody912]

I believe he was asking about the best, not about cheaply made "homeowner" saws? :msp_confused:

If those saws are the options, he likely would be much better off with a Husky 555, that isn't an overly large and heavy lump of plastic..

Believe he stipulated Stihl in his question

 

[TreePointer]

trl91, if you haven't already done so, get to your local dealers and put your hands on a few models. You may have a maximum weight that you desire to use, so that will eliminate some of the heavier models.

For example, the Makita 6401 (Dolmar 6400) that some have mentioned is a great saw--especially when you install a 79cc or 84cc top end on one; however, it's too bulky to use as an everyday firewood saw when you have a lot of limbing to do before you buck the trunk. I have one and it's too hevy for limbing hardwood treetops form timber harvests, but that's where my 346XP excels.

If you think you'll eventually get two saws, then consider a good 50cc saw for now and then add a nice 70cc+ saw when the need/opportunity arises. The nimble 50cc saw would handle the limbing and smaller bucking, and the 70cc saw would handle the large diameter bucking, noodling, and stump making.

 

[SawTroll]

I don't have anything against Husky so I'd consider it. Was leaning in the direction of Stihl because I ran a buddy's 361 before and was a little more familiar with them. Most people around me run Stihl so I was also thinking down the road if I ever had a problem they could help. What's the Husky 555, never heard of it? I did however run a 372 once but it was very brief only cutting a couple cookies. While I do know a couple people that say the 372 is the Holy Grail of saws, it's a little out of my price range. I'm trying to stay around the $600 mark.

If you are not considering the Huskys, that is your problem, and not mine! :msp_wink:

The 555 weights like the MS361, which is substantially less than the MS362 or 290, not to speak of the 311 and 391, that is another major "jump" in weight.

 

[deye223]

The 460 will make a 20 inch chain "ZING"

i only say ms460 coz out here thats what you need in our hardwood

i run a 25" on my 460 because i got randy to port it and woohoo it cuts

 

[trl91]

If you are not considering the Huskys, that is your problem, and not mine! :msp_wink:

The 555 weights like the MS361, which is substantially less than the MS362 or 290, not to speak of the 311 and 391, that is another major "jump" in weight.

What are pros and cons to the 555? In your opinion, would you say it's better then a stihl its the same power class? If so, what makes it better?

 

[trl91]

Thanks for all the help and info guys. Really appreciated!

 

[SawTroll]

Or makita 6421, best value in pro class saws of this size range . On sale under $600 at baileys last time I looked

No, that one weights about the same as the 311/391, so I would forget it, even though it is a much better saw than those Stihl saws.
They all just are too heavy and bulky for 60cc class saws. :msp_wink:

The 60cc class is totally dominated by Husky at the moment, with the 560xp, 562xp and the 555 - there is no competition really!

 

[sawfun9]

A good 044/440 balances perfect with a 20" bar and can pull it all day without breaking a sweat. The powerhead weighs just under 14 lbs so it's not far off of a 290 series in weight and external size. But it has way more power and you will get less tired sawing since you'll spend way less time in a cut compared to 50cc and 60cc saws. You can decent ones on Craigslist for aroud $300-$350 often.

 

[timberland ts]

I dont understant why everyone wines about a saw being to heavy. Let it do the work! a little more weight and power will have you less wore out at the end of the day.

 

[trl91]

No, that one weights about the same as the 311/391, so I would forget it, even though it is a much better saw than those Stihl saws.
They all just are too heavy and bulky for 60cc class saws. :msp_wink:

The 60cc class is totally dominated by Husky at the moment, with the 560xp, 562xp and the 555 - there is no competition really!

Of these 3, which do you prefer?

 

[SawTroll]

A good 044/440 balances perfect with a 20" bar and can pull it all day without breaking a sweat. The powerhead weighs just under 14 lbs so it's not far off of a 290 series in weight and external size. But it has way more power and you will get less tired sawing since you'll spend way less time in a cut compared to 50cc and 60cc saws. You can decent ones on Craigslist for aroud $300-$350 often.

Since Stihl isn't making any really good 60 to 70cc saws at the moment, the real options only are the MS361 or the 044/MS440, like it was nearly a decade ago...:msp_wink:

 

[TreePointer]

60cc and money no object? I'd get a 562XP (20" 3/8 .050).

 

[Aussie Dave]

Of these 3, which do you prefer?

Just remember Sawtroll is very biased towards Husky,and granted they make great saws.But i think it is getting to the stage Stihl could make a 2 pound saw 33ccs with the power of 90cc,a chain that never needs sharpening and will run all day on one tank of fuel and he would still hate it!

 

[SawTroll]

Just remember Sawtroll is very biased towards Husky,and granted they make great saws.But i think it is getting to the stage Stihl could make a 2 pound saw 33ccs with the power of 90cc,a chain that never needs sharpening and will run all day on one tank of fuel and he would still hate it!

I am not really brand biased, I just have observed what has happened to the different brands the last decade or so. :msp_wink:
Stihl just doesn't perform well in that perspective, as the MS362 and MS261 basically are duds, and the MS441 really is outdated....

 

[H 2 H]

Just remember Sawtroll is very biased towards Husky,and granted they make great saws.But i think it is getting to the stage Stihl could make a 2 pound saw 33ccs with the power of 90cc,a chain that never needs sharpening and will run all day on one tank of fuel and he would still hate it!

:taped:

 

[SawTroll]

:taped:

:monkey: