Chainsaw selection help, best saw for "me"

[Big Block]

I am sure they're very nice saws. My problem is dealer support. I have stihl dealers near my house my work and at my family's remote farm in rural southern Ohio.

We had problems getting parts for an old johnserd and its sitting in s pile of parts right now over a bad carb...


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I think he is voting for the 461 bud

 

[Big Block]

I like that jred

@hseII

 

[rwoods]

I'd say 362. Simply because it'll outdo your 290 over and over again. Then, sell the 290, which at least around me, seem to still fetch 250-350 used hard. If you can get 250-350 for it, Use that to "snellerize", or save it until you find a good used 461. Put it towards it.

Agree with selling the 290. No need for it and a 362. Assuming similar specs to a 291 then there is only 1/2 pound difference and almost 125% more hp by moving to a 362. My 362s both exhibit great torque.

As to the 441, I note it is no longer on Stihl's website. That would make me a little gun shy. The price seems right and I would probably risk $750 on it over paying $750 for a new 362 if that is the going price for a 362 - but that is just my bias for more bang for your buck speaking.

Speaking of bias, you have to factor in the bigger is better bias that is prevalent around here. Your profile lists you as female which would generally indicate lighter is better (362). It also lists your age at 38 which generally means an extra 2# is not going to kill you (461). Nonetheless, it remains my advice that you look for a lightly used 362 or its predecessors. Save your coins for the bigger saw if and when you really need it or really want one. Same goes for porting. I own one ported saw - a 361. I love it and it will handily eat the lunch of my stock 036Pro and 362s. But the 036 and the 362s are great firewood saws for the type wood you described.

In my observations, any way you cut the deck, day in and day out most cutters will reach for the lightest saw that will do the job, more often than reach for a more powerful heavier saw.

Ron

 

[Firemoore98]

Ron,

Great post I appreciate the input. Unfortunately or fortunately for my wife I am a man and a pretty big guy 6' 245lbs. I must have had a few to many busch lights when I wrote my profile.

I do really like the ms362, I thing it would be awesome day to day. I just fear of I have a problem with anything larger on my property I will be overworking that saw. Lots to think about and I get what your saying bigger isn't necessarily better.

Thanks

Jason


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[hseII]

I like that jred

I am sure they're very nice saws. My problem is dealer support. I have stihl dealers near my house my work and at my family's remote farm in rural southern Ohio.

We had problems getting parts for an old johnserd and its sitting in s pile of parts right now over a bad carb...
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I fell into that Johnny, you could say.

The 461 is what I was intending to encourage with the picture.

I think he is voting for the 461 bud

That 461 is my favorite for the 70cc class.

@hseII

Yessir?

 

[Big Block]

I forgot to do the @ when I said I like that jred. What model is it I can't tell?

 

[Babaganoosh]

461 for the win but... the price on the 441 is excellent. Let your wallet be your guide.

 

[hseII]

2095

 

[idiotwithasaw]

My question is and I don't think anyone has asked this, do you have your heart set on a new saw, or would you be OK buying used? There are many good saws out there to choose from that still have plenty of life left in them for half the price of new. Check the trading post, maybe you will find something there.

As I have not used any of the stihls mentioned that you are looking at, I can vouch that a stihl 046 is a stout saw, and so is a husqvarna 372 and 390 as I own and have run all three. The husqvarna are still in production and are also comparable in size and price to the 441 and 661 respectively.

 

[Big Block]

Nice. Ported I assume can't see the sticker either

 

[Firemoore98]

I've got a good friend who's family owns a lumber mill, he has come out to my house and is kinda of my arborist mentor. I know timber can be dangerous and he is a well experienced woodsman, I solicited to give me some lessons on dropping some trees. Before I created any bad habits or false comfort.

He just got a ms661 about 6 months ago and I called him today to pick his brain. He said hands down his favorite saw and that's his recommendation. He runs a 20" bar for firewood w/8pin sprocket. Admittedly he cuts larger stuff not often than I ever will.

I hate to talk prices and get a dealer in trouble so I won't mention any dealers. But ms441 $775, ms461 $865, ms661 $985 hypothetically...

What do you guys think of the ms661? What are the downsides of being oversawed besides weight fatigue?

Jason


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[rwoods]

Jason, if you are planning on falling any of the 30" stuff then my vote would be 461 minimum. I've just been talking about bucking firewood.

I wouldn't worry about overworking any pro Stihl. Most any of them will out work me. You and I are about the same size, I'm just 50% more used, or for lack of a better word - vintage.

Here one example of what a 60cc Stihl will do. In this case an 036Pro with a 20" bar. The first few cuts in the big end were done with a 123cc MAC (32" bar), shown just so you know I'm not anti- big saw.



Ron

 

[Andyshine77]

The question I ask is why one would buy a 441? Maybe because of superior AV, maybe because you simply want an Mtronic saw. Other than that, the 461has more power, is the same weight, and is less complex than the 441.

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[Firemoore98]

I initially thought about a used saw and even made a few offers. But I'm afraid they could be straight gased or the saws I see are beat pretty bad with cheap aftermarket parts and broken plastic.

I get very good deals so new is a wise decision for me. Some of the "used once" saws on eBay or craigslist go for right at what I can get them for new. And used once could mean straight gassed once or E85 gassed once. Also no warranty.

Jason


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[Firemoore98]

Ron,

Thanks for the pics. I do like the ms362. I'm a m tronic believer having the same saws with and without it the difference is palpable.

I need to do a woods walk and show you guys some of the trees I have on my property. I've got a few lunkers for Ohio trees. A few of my white oaks are stressed and Ohio division of soil and water was out at my property going over a pond project I'm working on and he pointed out they have a fungus and are going to die. I probably have 10 30" plus white oaks I anticipate will be firewood in the next 10 years unfortunately.

Jason


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[Frogfarmer]

What do you guys think of the ms661? What are the downsides of being oversawed besides weight fatigue?

The 661 is a great saw and my CAD says I should own one or three but I cut the same kind of timber you do and I honestly have never needed a saw that size.

 

[hseII]

Nice. Ported I assume can't see the sticker either

How's you know?

Ewe know me?

 

[hseII]

I've got a good friend who's family owns a lumber mill, he has come out to my house and is kinda of my arborist mentor. I know timber can be dangerous and he is a well experienced woodsman, I solicited to give me some lessons on dropping some trees. Before I created any bad habits or false comfort.

He just got a ms661 about 6 months ago and I called him today to pick his brain. He said hands down his favorite saw and that's his recommendation. He runs a 20" bar for firewood w/8pin sprocket. Admittedly he cuts larger stuff not often than I ever will.

I hate to talk prices and get a dealer in trouble so I won't mention any dealers. But ms441 $775, ms461 $865, ms661 $985 hypothetically...

What do you guys think of the ms661? What are the downsides of being oversawed besides weight fatigue?

Jason


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You mean people run 7 pin on saws?
Huh?

 

[hseII]

The question I ask is why one would buy a 441? Maybe because of superior AV, maybe because you simply want an Mtronic saw. Other than that, the 461has more power, is the same weight, and is less complex than the 441.

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Plus it's still for sale because it stays together, but who's counting? [emoji41][emoji41]

 

[hseII]

I initially thought about a used saw and even made a few offers. But I'm afraid they could be straight gased or the saws I see are beat pretty bad with cheap aftermarket parts and broken plastic.

I get very good deals so new is a wise decision for me. Some of the "used once" saws on eBay or craigslist go for right at what I can get them for new. And used once could mean straight gassed once or E85 gassed once. Also no warranty.

Jason


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Be selective when buying a used saw.

I have a knack: For picking the wore out or abused ones.