Help Choose my saw, 363xp, 440, etc?

[nctacoma]

Greetings,

Just found this site,

I am saving up for a new saw, when I buy anything, I always buy very good quality stuff. If it is worth it to save up money for something that will last me, I will save up until I have enough.

I am buying a new saw because I have outgrown the Stihl MS250 that I bought a few years ago.

I heat my house with firewood and I have a pretty reliable source of wood, but most of the time it needs bucking, up to 36" or so in diameter. I also scavenge wood when I can.

I was considering a Husky 362xp or 357xp or a Stihl 440. I have good local dealers that I will be purchasing the saw from.

Any thoughts or suggestions. I have searched through many of the topics here, while it has been very helpful, I have also gotten confused.

Thanks for any advice or help.

 

[SawTroll]

Welcome! :biggrinbounce2:

From that list, the Husky 372xp is the best choise, if you can find one.....

No point getting the 362xp or 365, most of the weight and less power.

Forget the 357xp, if that is an option, the MS 361 is a better option - lighter and more power.

 

[Peacock]

Of the saws you list I would go for the 440, especially if you are actually dealing with 36" logs.

 

[MikeInParadise]

I have also gotten confused.

Look two replies.. Two different answers... You will be confused.

Honestly I have never used either saw but they seem to both have a good following so I would make my decision based on the dealer, not necessarily the saw.

Go see your local dealers and see which one is going to treat you the best.

 

[2000ssm6]

ms460

 

[GASoline71]

Any Stihl in the 70cc range will be fine. 044/440 or 046/460. Leave the all orange or red saws for the kids...opcorn:

I might be a little biased...

Gary

 

[computeruser]

There is no single, clear answer to your question. How patient you are when cutting, how often you're in big wood versus small wood, how much of the time you're carrying the saw, stuff like that all factors into your decision.

If you already have an MS250 and it's running OK, I'd aim for a 70cc+ saw and keep the MS250 for the smaller stuff. I'd also stick with Stihl if you're content with your current dealer, unless he also sells Husqvarna Dolmar. No sense having to work with two different dealerships when you could do it all at one.

 

[SawTroll]

There is no single, clear answer to your question. How patient you are when cutting, how often you're in big wood versus small wood, how much of the time you're carrying the saw, stuff like that all factors into your decision.

If you already have an MS250 and it's running OK, I'd aim for a 70cc+ saw and keep the MS250 for the smaller stuff. I'd also stick with Stihl if you're content with your current dealer, unless he also sells Husqvarna Dolmar. No sense having to work with two different dealerships when you could do it all at one.

Hah - you are right as usual, but I'm out of rep bullets for you.....:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Cedarkerf]

I had an 044/440 for 15 years have cut up to 56" with it dodn't think you could go wrong. Have heard good reports on the 441 also. 70cc plus like they say if you are actually cutting 36" If 36 on a regular basis and you have good slills 90cc isn't out of the question but price goes way up.

 

[nctacoma]

Thanks for all the replies so far, they have all been very helpful.

bucking 36" would not happen everyday.

Are the 372xp's hard to find? Any reason for this? Just high demand because they are a good saw?

 

[Timberhauler]

440....Best saw Stihl ever built...I favor husky's these days,but I currently own eight 440's and a couple more on the way....I'm gonna keep buyin' em til' they run out...Then hopefully I'll have me enough to last the rest of my life.

 

[huskydave]

I just bought a husky 372xp for cutting firewood it has all the power i will ever need and then some they are being replaced by 575xp which are heavier and a little bulkier than the 372 this saw is a proven model and they get snapped up quick you may still be able to order one i chose it over the 440 [also proven] and newer 441 because i like the way it felt in my hands better but you cant go wrong with any of the 70cc saws they can do it all i say buy the one that you feel most comfortable with i got my 372 for 100 bucks cheaper than the 440 but it depends on your dealer and what he has in stock you should check out the 357xp its smaller lighter and really screams i almost bought one before i picked up the 372 its a damn nice saw too my dealer sells a lot of them but buy what you like find a deal get a case extra oil/chain thrown in and start making the chips fly

 

[SawTroll]

440....Best saw Stihl ever built...I favor husky's these days,but I currently own eight 440's and a couple more on the way....I'm gonna keep buyin' em til' they run out...Then hopefully I'll have me enough to last the rest of my life.

Vibe monsters, with bad air filtration system - or maybe not........

...well, pretty sure they are.....

 

[04ultra]

Vibe monsters, with bad air filtration system - or maybe not........

...well, pretty sure they are.....

He needs the MS180....



.

 

[NYH1]

Forget the 357xp, if that is an option, the MS 361 is a better option - lighter and more power.

The 361 might weigh half a beer less then a 357XP...........but more power?

 

[SawTroll]

The 361 might weigh half a beer less then a 357XP...........but more power?

Well, according the the stats, yes;

4.4 bhp (US 361) is more than 4,4 hp - and 3.7 Nm is more than 3.4.......

....admittedly, not a big differense.

Here, the 361s are rated at 4.6hp, same as the 362xp and 365, and it is more than a pound lighter.......

 

[peter399]

For firewood cutting: 0.5lbs in one or the other direction is of ZERO importance. You will mostly be bucking and blocking the stuff. Standing in an upright position. If I were you, I would consider a 575XP or MS441 for your intended use. They have the power of the 372/2171 or 440 and a more forgiving powerband making them easier to use. They will also save you up to 40% fuel. People tend to neglect that fact but in a year, that saves you money. Probably people are by nature negative when something new comes out

Any of the saws mentioned will last the rest of your life if you only do firewood cutting. So take the one that feels right for you. For firewood cutting, even a Stihl would do, but why stay ordinary?

 

[rb_in_va]

You got a Dolmar dealer near you? If so the 7900 is an option.

 

[manual]

Greetings,

Just found this site,

I was considering a Husky 362xp or 357xp or a Stihl 440. I have good local dealers that I will be purchasing the saw from.

Any thoughts or suggestions. I have searched through many of the topics here, while it has been very helpful, I have also gotten confused.

Thanks for any advice or help.

If you think you were confufused before, I'm sure you are now.
Try to narrow down your question.


May as well ask these guys. "whats better blondes or brunettes".

 

[computeruser]

For firewood cutting: 0.5lbs in one or the other direction is of ZERO importance. You will mostly be bucking and blocking the stuff. Standing in an upright position. If I were you, I would consider a 575XP or MS441 for your intended use. They have the power of the 372/2171 or 440 and a more forgiving powerband making them easier to use. They will also save you up to 40% fuel. People tend to neglect that fact but in a year, that saves you money. Probably people are by nature negative when something new comes out

Good point. Ounces only really start counting when you're running all day, every day, and carrying the saw around on your shoulder for miles at a time.