Billy Jack
ArboristSite Guru
As I've mentioned in my list of saws, I am currently in the hunt for a larger Husqvarna in the 288-395 range. As of now, my two best options are a 385xp and a 394xp. Both are used, in very good shape, have 30"+ bars, and have good compression. Either will be mechanically excellent, and have very good to excellent appearance. Currently I have a 51 for small stuff, limbing, with 18" and 20" bars, a Sachs-Dolmar 116SI with 20" and 24" for small to medium stuff, a 272xp and an 372xp for my main saws (various bars from 20" to 42"). My budget for the saw is less than $600.
I ONLY have the 42" bar for cutting slabs off of interestingly fluted bases of large trees. I raise bonsai trees, and these types of slabs (when finished) bring decent money for bonsai displays. The 42" allows me to make one cut, minimizing the finishing effort. I've RARELY needed more than a 30" to cut anything else. AT first, I used the bar with my 272xp (the biggest I had at the time), and it worked okay in those limited situations (avatar pic shows the set up).
My main cutting is for our own firewood, some land clearing, and to help out others. I do not make a living at it, although I have cut wood for about thirty years, non-professionally, and have done a few jobs for payment.
Having said all that, my main reason for this bigger saw is to run the longer bars, both for cutting slabs and for larger trees (32" +) I'm using for firewood. In this area, most of my cutting will be various oaks (Red, White, Turkey, and Spanish), with the occasional hickory, and bald cypress (for slabs, although that's a short road trip). Right now, the 385xp is my preference. I like the inboard clutch/side chain adjust of my 372xp, along with the quick access air filter hatch, and the 385xp seems to have all that. The power increase of the 394xp over the 385xp is nice, but not really necessary. I'm, 6'3", 275 lbs, and no stranger to lifting heavy, so the weight increase isn't a big concern (I''ll probably throw my back out now that I've said that), and it looks like the bar changes and chain adjust of the 394xp are just a wee bit less convenient. These are the reasons why I am leaning towards the 385xp, but would be happy with either.
What I am asking for is advice/suggestions based on what I've said above when these two saws are considered. I want to stay Husky since all my bars will interchange (except the 51). I'm a stickler for maintenance, so the saw will be a long-term, yet highly maintained piece of equipment that I will take care of, but demand it work when called upon.
Input is highly sought, and appreciated.
I ONLY have the 42" bar for cutting slabs off of interestingly fluted bases of large trees. I raise bonsai trees, and these types of slabs (when finished) bring decent money for bonsai displays. The 42" allows me to make one cut, minimizing the finishing effort. I've RARELY needed more than a 30" to cut anything else. AT first, I used the bar with my 272xp (the biggest I had at the time), and it worked okay in those limited situations (avatar pic shows the set up).
My main cutting is for our own firewood, some land clearing, and to help out others. I do not make a living at it, although I have cut wood for about thirty years, non-professionally, and have done a few jobs for payment.
Having said all that, my main reason for this bigger saw is to run the longer bars, both for cutting slabs and for larger trees (32" +) I'm using for firewood. In this area, most of my cutting will be various oaks (Red, White, Turkey, and Spanish), with the occasional hickory, and bald cypress (for slabs, although that's a short road trip). Right now, the 385xp is my preference. I like the inboard clutch/side chain adjust of my 372xp, along with the quick access air filter hatch, and the 385xp seems to have all that. The power increase of the 394xp over the 385xp is nice, but not really necessary. I'm, 6'3", 275 lbs, and no stranger to lifting heavy, so the weight increase isn't a big concern (I''ll probably throw my back out now that I've said that), and it looks like the bar changes and chain adjust of the 394xp are just a wee bit less convenient. These are the reasons why I am leaning towards the 385xp, but would be happy with either.
What I am asking for is advice/suggestions based on what I've said above when these two saws are considered. I want to stay Husky since all my bars will interchange (except the 51). I'm a stickler for maintenance, so the saw will be a long-term, yet highly maintained piece of equipment that I will take care of, but demand it work when called upon.
Input is highly sought, and appreciated.
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