Buying a new saw what to get?

[tla100]

I only have stihls myself

Heh, I guess I am a saw whore........but I like it........

 

[StihlKicking]

remember this,,on this fourm,,if you own anything other than a stihl..you are considered to be a low life..............................and the owners of stihls are high class.............................

Yep, it's science

 

[StihlKicking]

Once I have a tree on the ground any part of it under 16" gets taken apart with a ms180.

 

[Bigcountry8530]

Like others have said ... 40 cc saws - MS 241, Dolmar 421 and Echo 400 are well liked.
50cc Husky (550xp or 545) will outrun all the above at same weight or a few ounces more.

Every time I get close to buying a pricey 241, and I've been trying, all I have to do is run my 346xp and I just can't justify a lesser powered and pricey saw that weighs almost the same as my 346xp.

Imho, Husky 45cc (346xpOE) and Husky 50cc class (346xpNE, 545, 550xp) own the power to weight advantage.

If you really must have just a slightly *feeling* lighter saw and don't mind coughing up the significant cash, then the 241 may be the ticket. (the CDN Stihl site says it's also 10.8 lbs so any weight savings *may *be in Rev 2 or in the bar and chain only)

If you want lower cost - Echo 400 (10.1 lbs) or Dolmar 421 (10.8 lbs), but I don't think any of them really offer much if any weight savings over the Husky 50cc (10.8 lbs) saws.
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Stihl 241 - http://en.stihl.ca/STIHL-Products/C...n-saws-for-forestry/21936-130/MS-241-C-M.aspx

Echo 400 - http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-400

Dolmar 421 - http://www.dolmarpowerproducts.com/productcatalog/chain_saws_gasoline/ps-421/

Husky 545 - http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/forest/products/powerful-robust-saws/545/
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That said, low weight in a 50cc saw might suggest less robust build, but from my view, these Husky 50cc saws will keep on kicking for years and take a pretty good beating.
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Thank you

 

[Stihl working hard]

Heh, I guess I am a saw whore........but I like it........

 

[Full Chisel]

A small fuel sipping 40cc saw is great for small wood, sometimes a hot 50cc saw is to aggressive, loud and not fit for the purpose. I use my Japanese 23cc top handle much more than my hot german MS200t for this reason.

Completely agree. That is the biggest reason I have hung onto the CS400, it is a pleasure to run for smaller branches on the ground or cutting around the yard. The ported 350s are just too much sometimes!

 

[CoreyB]

Small , easy starting, cost effective saws are great. For me I always grab my small "cheaper " saw to throw on the wheeler, or when I go help friends or family.

 

[goosegunner]

Had a Dolmar 420 with a muffler mod. Sold it and bought a Husky 550xp.

The 550xp is almost as light as the 420. The 550xp has a longer space between the rear grip and the front handle.

550xp has more power.

Dolmar 420/421 are the easiest starting saws you could ever imagine. They run smooth, I can't say either about the 550xp.

gg

 

[TMFARM 2009]

i used to clear fencerows and log off and on. employed up to 5 guys at one point in time.
when i switched to echo i had no complaints with the saws at all.
sold 8 saws on ebay after i quit cutting.
i currently have a cs370 14" love it.
i also have a cs450p with both 16" and 20" bars, its my go to saw for firewood.
if you ever want a cost efficient bigger saw that can carry 16"up to a 28" bar a cs590 timberwolf is awesome for the money.