HELP deciding between 3120xp 36 inch 404 & 395xp 24 inch 3/8

[daddycoop]

Ok guys really need some input here
NOW MONEY is NOT an issue here, I am a large strong man, be using the saw myself so weight is NOT an issue

I am wanting next year to go into my own tree business, part time so say for starts(not a scab or overnighter will have all the requirements insurance ect), I have a small climbing saw and a 60 cc medium saw, I want a large saw to cover what the 60cc won't. Right now I have run into some 40-50 inch trees, and it may be that width say 20 feet long or more, and I was cutting 1/2 then the other side to finish as most would.

But I am in the market for a saw to do that or bigger, and right now I am deciding between 395 for around 1000 with 24 inch 3/8 bar (stock) or the 3120xp with 36 inch bar 404 chain, is around 1500, so NOT a lot of difference here.

IS BIGGER BETTER FOR ME, will the bigger saw do more and faster, better?

ONE THING I am looking at is IF the 3120xp 36 inch is NOT enough, cause i would still have to do 1/2 then other side to finish, I CAN get up to 50inch plus bar, and it will handle it! So this may be a plus?
But 404 chain verses 3/8? the 404 is 58 guage they say.

YOUR GUYS OPINIONS?

 

[ducaticorse]

Ok guys really need some input here
NOW MONEY is NOT an issue here, I am a large strong man, be using the saw myself so weight is NOT an issue

I am wanting next year to go into my own tree business, part time so say for starts(not a scab or overnighter will have all the requirements insurance ect), I have a small climbing saw and a 60 cc medium saw, I want a large saw to cover what the 60cc won't. Right now I have run into some 40-50 inch trees, and it may be that width say 20 feet long or more, and I was cutting 1/2 then the other side to finish as most would.

But I am in the market for a saw to do that or bigger, and right now I am deciding between 395 for around 1000 with 24 inch 3/8 bar (stock) or the 3120xp with 36 inch bar 404 chain, is around 1500, so NOT a lot of difference here.

IS BIGGER BETTER FOR ME, will the bigger saw do more and faster, better?

ONE THING I am looking at is IF the 3120xp 36 inch is NOT enough, cause i would still have to do 1/2 then other side to finish, I CAN get up to 50inch plus bar, and it will handle it! So this may be a plus?
But 404 chain verses 3/8? the 404 is 58 guage they say.

YOUR GUYS OPINIONS?

395/36

 

[Kottonwood]

There sure have been a bunch of posts on the 3120 lately.

In my opinion if you are just starting your tree service unless you have money to burn there are a lot better things to spend your money on than a 3120. It is nice to have but not necessary to have right away.

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

A stihl ms 660 with 42" bar will do everything you need and fast.....3/8's full skip chisel chain is what I use.

 

[superjunior]

I got a 3120xp for sale. got a 36 and 50 inch bar with extra chains. very low hours and priced to sell. pm me if interested

 

[ForTheArborist]

I have a 36" on my 395xp, and it works fine. If I put the 28" on it, it works faster. I would bet I could put a 42" on it, and get through OK. I don't know though.

I've heard it from about a hundred other guys. 395xp is enough for your first year or two. It's not too heavy, and it doesn't cost as much.

You'll be saying that 3120 is really heavy. If you have so many trees where you are at that your going to go broke if you don't cut with a 4-6' bar, then you need at least one 3120. I always hear that the 3120 is needed in logging country and logging mills, but guys just want to hook wan on their key chain, and go to work with it anyway even if they are loggers. :-/ I must admit thay are faschionabul.

So anyway, if you have to work all day every day with a big saw, but you really don't need a 4-6' bar, you're going to be glad you bought that 395xp. Everyone in the field agrees with this for all of the logical reasons.

 

[tree MDS]

I have a 36" on my 395xp, and it works fine. If I put the 28" on it, it works faster. I would bet I could put a 42" on it, and get through OK. I don't know though.

I've heard it from about a hundred other guys. 395xp is enough for your first year or two. It's not too heavy, and it doesn't cost as much.

You'll be saying that 3120 is really heavy. If you have so many trees where you are at that your going to go broke if you don't cut with a 4-6' bar, then you need at least one 3120. I always hear that the 3120 is needed in logging country and logging mills, but guys just want to hook wan on their key chain, and go to work with it anyway even if they are loggers. :-/ I must admit thay are faschionabul.

So anyway, if you have to work all day every day with a big saw, but you really don't need a 4-6' bar, you're going to be glad you bought that 395xp. Everyone in the field agrees with this for all of the logical reasons.

I'm guessing you could probably get away with a swiss army knife.. thanks for the imput though! Always nice when the seasoned vets chime in! Lmao..

 

[troythetreeman]

660magnum is a much better saw then a 395xp, 3120xp is noticeably better then an 880 magnum
starting out, you can do pretty much anything with a 660
i have a 3120xp, i use it maybe 10 times a year and half of those are just cause its a beast and i like playing with it
our 660 gets used weekly
we have a 24 and 36 inch bar for the 660, i keep a 4' bar on my 3120
i would never buy an 880magnum before a 3120xp unless i got an amazing price