Do I Need a Smaller Saw than 026 in the 3 Saw Plan?

[bulletpruf]

Ok, so the 036 Pro will run a 20" bar. I'll harvest the one off the 038 Mag that I just picked up; it really needs a 24" bar anyway.

With that, I don't need to run an 18" bar with 3/8" on the 026 Pro, so I think I'll reinstall the 16" bar with .325 chain, which is what it originally had.

Ok, so the "3 saw" plan now looks like this:

1. 020 Super top handle.
2. 30cc-40cc rear handle saw needed/wanted
3. 026 Pro w/16"
4. 036 Pro w/20"
5. 044 Pro w/24" or 28"
6. need an 064 or 066 to run 28" - 32" bar...
7. 076 Super w/36" or longer bar... an 084/088 or 090 would also work in this slot, of course.

Updated "3 saw" plan based on recent purchase:

1. 020AV Super top handle.
2. 020AV top handle - in the mail and will be converted to rear handle when it arrives.
3. 026 Pro w/16" (.325)
4. 036 Pro w/20" (3/8)
5. 044 Pro w/24" or 28" (3/8)
6. need an 064 or 066 to run 28" - 32" bar... (3/8 .063)
7. 076 Super w/36" bar (.404 .063) Currently in pieces on the bench; should be back together in a week or so.

Only saw missing is the 064/066. I've seen plenty for sale; just haven't found the right deal yet.

 

[Sierra_rider]

I just made a new addition to my "3" saw line up...Stihl 400. It fills a glaring void between by 550xp and my 044s or 372.

I added the "west coast" kit to it. It's currently running a 25" light, but will likely share the 28" light from one of my ported 76cc 044s.

Besides doing the wrap handle kit, my only other mod is a muffler cover I built, it really wakes this saw up. Also put Pro-safety falling dawgs on, the OEM versions aren't good for much more than bucking firewood.

I've only got a few tanks through it, but the 400 hype is real IMO.

 

[novaman64]

Updated "3 saw" plan based on recent purchase:

1. 020AV Super top handle.
2. 020AV top handle - in the mail and will be converted to rear handle when it arrives.
3. 026 Pro w/16" (.325)
4. 036 Pro w/20" (3/8)
5. 044 Pro w/24" or 28" (3/8)
6. need an 064 or 066 to run 28" - 32" bar... (3/8 .063)
7. 076 Super w/36" bar (.404 .063) Currently in pieces on the bench; should be back together in a week or so.

Only saw missing is the 064/066. I've seen plenty for sale; just haven't found the right deal yet.

Put a 18" on the 026, knock the 036, 044 and 066 off the list and replace with a 500i.

 

[bulletpruf]

I hear great things about the 400.

500 is supposed to be a capable saw as well but I generally run older stuff - all 0 series saws.

 

[Trailsawyer]

I hear great things about the 400.

500 is supposed to be a capable saw as well but I generally run older stuff - all 0 series saws.

I also run a lot of old "0" series saws, but my 3 saw plan today would be MS 261, MS400, and the 500i!!

 

[bulletpruf]

I also run a lot of old "0" series saws, but my 3 saw plan today would be MS 261, MS400, and the 500i!!

That's a great 3 saw plan, but I'm too nostalgic (or maybe too poor?) to run one of those newfangled saws...

 

[Trailsawyer]

That's a great 3 saw plan, but I'm too nostalgic (or maybe too poor?) to run one of those newfangled saws...

I'm just like you..... I don't have any of the 3 saws in my plan..... but the 261 is on my birthday wish list!

 

[gflyingsquirrel]

So I'm whittling down my collection. Started at 100+ saws, but trying to get down to 3 or 4. Currently heating with wood and cutting 3-4 cords/year, but won't be cutting anything larger than 30" or so.

I'm thinking 3 saw plan is looking something like 50cc (026 with 16" bar and .325 or 18" and 3/8), 70cc (044 with 24" or 28" bar and 3/8), and 100+ cc (076 Super with 36" or 48" bar and .404). As you may have guessed, the 076 Super is really just to have around to scare children (and pantywaists), zombie apocalypse, etc.

I also have an 020 Super, but it's a top handle saw, and I keep it for those rare times when I'm in a tree. I know a lot of folks use theirs on the ground, but I do not.

FYI - I'm a bigger guy at 6'4" and 235# so I don't mind lugging around a heavier saw.

What's the smallest saw that you'd have in a 3 or 4 saw plan?

Thanks

Scott

everybody needs a hopped up 2511 with 1/4 chain.

 

[hseII]

I just made a new addition to my "3" saw line up...Stihl 400. It fills a glaring void between by 550xp and my 044s or 372.

I added the "west coast" kit to it. It's currently running a 25" light, but will likely share the 28" light from one of my ported 76cc 044s.

Besides doing the wrap handle kit, my only other mod is a muffler cover I built, it really wakes this saw up. Also put Pro-safety falling dawgs on, the OEM versions aren't good for much more than bucking firewood.

I've only got a few tanks through it, but the 400 hype is real IMO.
View attachment 971294View attachment 971295View attachment 971293View attachment 971292

Does the MS400 run the same clutch as the MS362?

I ask because I had a 362 & it did not have enough clutch for the 24/25” 84dl in Oak. I tried.

 

[cookies]

Does the MS400 run the same clutch as the MS362?

I ask because I had a 362 & it did not have enough clutch for the 24/25” 84dl in Oak. I tried.

not enough clutch or the engine bogged down to too low of a rpm to maintain clutch engagement?

 

[Farmer_Nate]

A potential 3-saw option:

Shindaiwa 488 ... 48 cc and 14" bar 3/8 low-pro
Husqvarna 266xp ... 66 cc and 20" 3/8
288xp ... 88 cc with 24" 3/8

 

[hseII]

not enough clutch or the engine bogged down to too low of a rpm to maintain clutch engagement?

It seems to have enough engine at the time but I suppose it could have been both. Certainly not enough clutch.

 

[Sierra_rider]

Does the MS400 run the same clutch as the MS362?

I ask because I had a 362 & it did not have enough clutch for the 24/25” 84dl in Oak. I tried.

I imagine it has the same clutch...sounds like your 362 had an issue, I run a 28" 95% on this saw and have had zero issues with the clutch.

 

[hseII]

I imagine it has the same clutch...sounds like your 362 had an issue, I run a 28" 95% on this saw and have had zero issues with the clutch.

It was just a MS362R- my sharpening is a tic on the aggressive side but not that bad.

What do you cut primarily?

I got the one I had with the intent of using it after things got to big for my 261/20” .325” while in the tree. I traded it & just use a 461R with the 28” instead.

 

[Sierra_rider]

It was just a MS362R- my sharpening is a tic on the aggressive side but not that bad.

What do you cut primarily?

I got the one I had with the intent of using it after things got to big for my 261/20” .325” while in the tree. I traded it & just use a 461R with the 28” instead.

Mostly softwoods, but I do occasionally cut oak, walnut, and madrone with the 28".

 

[Evan]

I used to think 3 different sized saws make a plan but as my cutting progressed I find two sawscthecsame size are more usefull than 3 different

 

[Sierra_rider]

I used to think 3 different sized saws make a plan but as my cutting progressed I find two sawscthecsame size are more usefull than 3 different

Best bet is to have a variety of redundancies. I've got 7 saws that are 70ish cc and above, as well as a couple of climbing saws. If I'm doing tree work, I always have a backup saw for that particular work in the truck. If I'm climbing, I bring both my climbing saws with me...if it's just falling, I'll pack both my 400 and 500 in the truck. The 500 has considerably more power than the 400, but both can accomplish the same mission.

The one type of saw that I don't have redundancy in, is the 50cc class. I honestly don't use a 50cc saw much, so my 550xp is fine. Besides, it can't do anything that I can either do with my 201t or my 400.

 

[bwalker]

Updated "3 saw" plan based on recent purchase:

1. 020AV Super top handle.
2. 020AV top handle - in the mail and will be converted to rear handle when it arrives.
3. 026 Pro w/16" (.325)
4. 036 Pro w/20" (3/8)
5. 044 Pro w/24" or 28" (3/8)
6. need an 064 or 066 to run 28" - 32" bar... (3/8 .063)
7. 076 Super w/36" bar (.404 .063) Currently in pieces on the bench; should be back together in a week or so.

Only saw missing is the 064/066. I've seen plenty for sale; just haven't found the right deal yet.

All that when the 044 or 036 will do every thing you need and more? Especially given the small amount of wood you cut.

 

[DP425]

My 4 saw plan:
241
261
400
500

Realistically, the 241 and 261 overlap heavily, as do the 400 and 500. If not for disliking the idea of not having a backup, I could easily trim that back to 2, or even 1 saw. But, as they say…. 2 is 1, 1 is none.

I have no use for anything larger than the 500. I’ll never cut down a tree that would be too taxing on the 500. Just a fact of living in Michigan, and not being a professional tree feller.

 

[NoFair]

Current 3 saw plan. I do want a 200T/201T a bit, but 192T is coping with the little climbing I do.