Echo CS-361P vs 14-ish inch Mulberry

[Colt Marlington]

Just thought I'd test out the effectiveness of the little 35.8cc lightweight for processing this tree which isn't looking so great anymore.
Give a little more light to that smaller tree behind it.

The test is something I wanted to try just to see what size saw I need/want in my lineup just above the 361P.

This is a pretty tiny, very lightweight saw. And a joy to carry and use. As of now it's unmodded. Chain is freshly sharpened, with a couple or three rounded cutters.

I'll report back when the tree is cut down and cut up.

 

[Colt Marlington]

Shortly after beginning the first cut, I decided it was a little bigger than 14", and a 50cc saw with 18" bar wouldv'e been close to ideal.

But I continued on. And the tree is down in the direction as planned.

 

[Colt Marlington]

This was a race against time. I had to have the tree cut up and out of the driveway by 3pm, and I started at 2pm.

I got the tree down and cut up. And mostly bucked up. And the little saw was mostly fast and efficient. A nice size saw for my lineup.

But when I got to the larger end of the tree, I stopped cutting as it was taking a bit to get through the 12" plus trunk sections. No doubt it would've done it. But I needed to get this cleaned up and a 50 would be so much easier for that size and up a little ways.

 

[Colt Marlington]

Saw got hung up once. I cut it out with my trusty 2511.

 

[Colt Marlington]

And it's break time for my old ***.

I felt like the little 3/8LP chain was getting beat up a bit in the bigger stuff.
It works. But not ideal in my opinion.

 

[Colt Marlington]

Most of what I cut is fallen branches or pruned limbs up to 8 inches or so. And smaller trees like the one below.
And the little 361 is about ideal for that 2-8 inch size wood. Better than a larger, heavier 40cc most of the time...for me.

I still have some larger mulberry's that need to come down. This one the largest.

And one large elm that I've been whittling away on the top now and then, that will eventually be cut down.
I've been contemplating the viability and reasoning of my main lineup of saws. And 60cc saw might be the most versatile firewood saw.(which I have 4 of between 55 and 64cc for some reason). And a 40cc, 60cc makes a lot of sense for a two-saw lineup for a lot of people.

But for me, I now have come to realize that I had it right all along. Largely thanks to luck and being in the right place at the right time.

A 25-35-50-70cc four saw plan is likely everything I'd ever need, barring me setting up a saw mill. And generally cheaper, lighter and easier handling than a 40-60-80 lineup.

 

[Colt Marlington]

Actually, I could probably get by just fine without a 50cc saw. And just get an 18 or 20" bar for the 70cc saw, along with a longer bar for felling and stumping.

But I wouldn't feel enthusiastic about not having a saw between 35 and 70cc. And I enjoy being a bit of a chainsaw enthusiast.

 

[Colt Marlington]

And after all that philosophical chainsaw contemplating, I went out and finished cutting it up with the heavy dog of a 64cc Echo CS-660EVL.

 

[Scyry]

Know this is an old post, but closest to some info I've been trying to figure out. You mentioned you used a 2511 and 361P. How do you feel about the power between the two? Is the 361P noticeably stronger? I'm trying to decide between the two for my next saw purchase. Need something lite weight for limbing and slash; plus my wife wants a saw she's comfortable with. Looking at rear handles for both models.