HELP on Chainsaw Decision?

[Biketrax]

I need a new Saw NOW! I cut about 5-8 plus cords a year would like to try and do more. About 15-25 trees in the 15 inch dia range, and occasional large logs 25-30 inches from local tree companies (which I happen to have sitting in the driveway!). And finally smaller trees too.
So give me your scoop. What kinda of minimum CC should I consider. I wont mind trying a diff make. As I wont mind spending between 300 and 425. I know you can get allot of biased opinions on these kinda of questions!
I have a husky 55 rancher that temp out of commission! Even though did not have any complaints from the husky.
All comments and suggestions appreciated!

 

[sawinredneck]

And it gets ugly all over agian!!

Do a search on 50 and 60cc saws, more info than you can read in a night.


My predictions:
Dolmar 5100 will be number one

Stihl MS 361 will be number two

Husky 353 or 350 will be number three

What are you cutting (wood types)
How much can you/will you spend?


Andy
And so it begins...........

 

[asb151]

If $425 is the limit.... I'd say get a 359 and mod the muffler.

 

[WRW]

Well, from your cutting description, I'd say that 70cc is what you need. I don't think you'll get one for that price range, though, unless you buy used.

 

[Four Paws]

Seems we cover this a few times a week :bang:

 

[Andyshine77]

Seems we cover this a few times a week :bang:

:deadhorse:

Biketrax I'm thinking a Dolmar 5100s is in your future.

 

[SawTroll]

:deadhorse:

Biketrax I'm thinking a Dolmar 5100s is in your future.

Yes, given the price limit, either that, or the Husky 359 - but I think it will be a bit "underkill" anyway for 30" logs.

Well, from your cutting description, I'd say that 70cc is what you need. I don't think you'll get one for that price range, though, unless you buy used.

I suspect you are right....

 

[hammer0419]

If $425 is the limit.... I'd say get a 359 and mod the muffler.

I second that and then some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[computeruser]

I'd want more than a 60cc saw for the work you're contemplating, but that's about the extent of what your budget will allow, assuming you buy new. Husqvarna 359 w/ a muffler mod would do it about as well as anything will at that pricepoint.

Read over some old posts, you'll find that this saw and its competitors have been discussed at great length.

 

[bump_r]

"in the driveway" = "in town"? Perhaps a bigger saw with intact muffler would save you some neighbor grief over a smaller saw with opened-up muffler.

I'm just sayin'...

 

[Toneman]

Possible New Saw

Check this out
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=38503

It is for a Husky 357 XP. I think it is a very good price.

I have a 3 year old 357XP and love it.

 

[Javelin]

Redmax G621 with 20" bar is selling here at $380. Might be one to consider!

 

[SteveH]

My cutting needs aren't too much less than yours, and I'm running an 036 Pro [3.75 cu. in/61.5 cc, 4.42 bhp], which would now translate to the MS 361 [close enough, I know they are not the exact same saw]. 20" bar, chisel. It works great for me. A larger saw would be nice but unnecessary and the price would hurt. Yes, with the 20" bar, occasionally I have to cut from both sides of the tree, but not often.

 

[Lakeside53]

buy used - an 036 pro or MS360 would be a great choice and fit your budget.

 

[alderman]

Buy used

I've got to agree on buying used. I've had very good luck with used saws and I'm very mechanically challenged. I've dealt with Shindaiwa mostly and ran an old 500 for many years until I screwed up and broke it. I thought it was the cats meow until I started running the newer Shindaiwa saws. It amazes me how easy they are to start. I'm not saying Shindaiwa is the way to go but works well for me as I have excellent dealer support in my area and most minor things I can fix myself. I'd want to have two saws runable at any time in case you get one stuck. Buying used has given me the chance to afford more toys than if I bought new. I also have found that being oversized with a saw can be almost as bad as being undersized. The right size saw for the task at hand seems to work the best.

 

[ciscoguy01]

Not new

I need a new Saw NOW! I cut about 5-8 plus cords a year would like to try and do more. About 15-25 trees in the 15 inch dia range, and occasional large logs 25-30 inches from local tree companies (which I happen to have sitting in the driveway!). And finally smaller trees too.
So give me your scoop. What kinda of minimum CC should I consider. I wont mind trying a diff make. As I wont mind spending between 300 and 425. I know you can get allot of biased opinions on these kinda of questions!
I have a husky 55 rancher that temp out of commission! Even though did not have any complaints from the husky.
All comments and suggestions appreciated!

Save yourself a couple hundred bucks and buy a used saw dude. You can get a little bit bigger saw, one that probably broken in already and use the rest of the money you saved to buy chains for it or a new bar...

 

[Schultzz]

Bite The Bullet

Hey why not bite the bullet and buy a Stihl 441 Magnum. $750. You will never regret it. It will cut your big trees and go through your smaller poles like s--t through a tin horn! When your finished it will fetch top buck.

 

[chainsaw1]

Well hi to all of you first of all. And second i also have a O36 pro and it really was fine but now i hardly use it because i have the bigger brothers MS 650 and 066 mag with 25in bars so i don't have to bend down as far to cut. But yes the 036 pro will do a fine job.

 

[GitWood]

For your purpose and price range, I would seriously look at an Echo CS-670. You can usually pick up a new one on ebay within that range. I have one and love it. Not sure if this would be the way to go if dealer support is important to you, but it's not to me.