I need to upgrade

[Bermie]

I've been in business a few years now, and managing with what I have but as jobs are getting bigger, along with the trees, I realize I need to step up a grade with my saw(s).

I have an MS 290 running 18" 3/8 RM that I use for felling and crosscutting I can see now it really is a homeowner saw, it runs just fine but just lacks the ooomph I need to cut those bigger stems in a decent amount of time without labouring the saw to death. I'll probably sell it to help finance the next saw.

I have been looking enviously at a Stihl 441 and a Husky 372. Both are available here on this Island at vastly inflated prices, so if the 441 is going for around $1600 and the 372 for $1330 which would you choose? Both dealers will probably negotiate a little. (add 22% for import duty, a whack for shipping, then the dealer's profit to see where these prices come from)

I want to run 20 or 24" bar and the wood will be anything from soft Norfolk Pine to sappy ficus to super hard casuarina.
I have been a Stihl user all this time and am happy doing most of my own maintenance, but I'm open for change!

BTW I'm 5'4" and 115lbs, so saw weight and balance is a consideration, am I taking too big a leap to go from 56 to 70cc?

Thanks for the input

 

[Freakingstang]

can't go wrong with a 372.

It would be much cheaper for you to buy it from baileys and ship it to you...

i'm all about supporting local dealers, but paying 2 times the saws price is rediculous. Baileys has a link at the top of the forum

 

[stckciv]

Go for the 372!

 

[Ianab]

BTW I'm 5'4" and 115lbs, so saw weight and balance is a consideration, am I taking too big a leap to go from 56 to 70cc?

Got a Makita / Dolmar dealer nearby?

I went from a MS310 (same weight as your 290) to a Dolmar 7900 / 28". Without bar and chain I only gained 1/2 kg of saw. The longer bar on the Dolmar adds a bit more weight, but you cant help that. I still have the Stihl, it runs prefectly OK and the shorter bar is handy for limbing etc, but the Dolmar just cuts twice as fast. Having a 2nd saw is also handy when you get a bar pinched

Anyway a 7900 with 24" bar would be nicely balanced and not weigh much more than what you have.

Likewise a 372 only weighs .2kg more than your 290, plus the longer bar. As long as you are confident using the 290 it should be no problem. I believe a 441 is about the same weight as the 290 (I guess thats the main reason people dont like 290s )

Cheers

Ian

 

[Freakingstang]

now darn it, I was going to recommend the dolmar....Yes, the 7900 is one tough saw all around.

 

[Just Mow]

Get the 441

 

[Hard Knocks]

Go for the 372! It's cheaper, has plenty of power with 24" bar, and is well balanced with both 20" and 24" bars.

 

[Lakeside53]

Just get a 361 and be happy:biggrinbounce2: It's 2X the MS290...easily...

 

[ciscoguy01]

7900

now darn it, I was going to recommend the dolmar....Yes, the 7900 is one tough saw all around.

You still lovin your 79 dude? Was wondering if you've hit any snags with it yet eh? Mine's rockin bro. I put a 18" bar on it when I'm cutting smaller stuff, DUDE, it's scary fast. It pulled my 24" full skip through a 16" White birch considerable faster than the 288 w/full chisel dude. It just keeps getting faster everytime I use it too. God I love that saw... :sword:

 

[Bermie]

Just get a 361 and be happy:biggrinbounce2: It's 2X the MS290...easily...

So will it handle a 20" without pooping out?
And if I upgrade my 250 to a 260 will I wish I had a bigger 'big' saw?

No Dolmar or Makita here guys.

 

[Just Mow]

So will it handle a 20" without pooping out?
And if I upgrade my 250 to a 260 will I wish I had a bigger 'big' saw?

No Dolmar or Makita here guys.

Mine has been handling a 20 inch without any problems. Cutting some good size cedar and oak with it.

 

[deezulsmoke]

I am with Lake on the 361. I just upgraded from a MS290 to a 361. The 361 is about a pound lighter than the 290 and a lot more power. With your size and wanting something light and powerful I dont think you can go wrong with the 361. I run a 20" bar on mine and I can bury it in hardwood and never miss a bit. I just purchased a 28" bar for it to use on occasion for bigger stuff. For the size and weight the 361 is a very powerful saw and is like night and day difference from the 290. I am not trying to talk you out of the larger stihl but I would seriously look into the 361 if I were you. Do a search on here for the 361, there is a lot of good reading and mods on it. I got a lot of help on this website in choosing my saw before I bought it, and I couldn't be happier with it. Post some pics of your new saw when you purchase it on here.
By the way, with the size bar you mentioned on here, the 361 is perfect for those sizes.

 

[deezulsmoke]

One more thing :hmm3grin2orange: I dont think you would be that happy in upgrading from the 290 to 260. I didn't see any real substantial difference between the two saws except the 260 is a little lighter in weight and of course it is magnesium cased. For the money the 361 is a much better choice and you will notice a big difference in the 361 from the 290. Can you tell I like the 361 ?? :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

..
I have been looking enviously at a Stihl 441 and a Husky 372. Both are available here on this Island at vastly inflated prices, so if the 441 is going for around $1600 and the 372 for $1330 which would you choose? Both dealers will probably negotiate a little. (add 22% for import duty, a whack for shipping, then the dealer's profit to see where these prices come from)
....

Here the 372 is close to 200 USD more than the 441, but I still picked the 372....

Unlike the 441, it is a well proven design, and also a bit lighter.
It also looks much better, unless it has the tall air filter cover........

 

[SawTroll]

... I believe a 441 is about the same weight as the 290 (I guess thats the main reason people dont like 290s )
...

I agree that the 290 is far too heavy for its power, but the 441 is still halv a kilo heavier, the 372 is about midway between them in weight.....

 

[Ianab]

Fair enough, I haven't picked up a 441, but either way he's not gaining a lot of weight but will get a lot more power

Bernie:
I guess if you cant get a Dolmar then the 372 is the best deal. It's a very good saw and you will still have $250 left in your pocket

Cheers

Ian

 

[Freakingstang]

You still lovin your 79 dude? Was wondering if you've hit any snags with it yet eh? Mine's rockin bro. I put a 18" bar on it when I'm cutting smaller stuff, DUDE, it's scary fast. It pulled my 24" full skip through a 16" White birch considerable faster than the 288 w/full chisel dude. It just keeps getting faster everytime I use it too. God I love that saw... :sword:

Lovin it man. Wait til you get 50 tanks or so thru it...It keeps getting faster. The muffler mod was AWESOME too!

I run it with a 24" full comp most of the time, but a 20" for fun every now and then. I even run it with a 28" some of the time. Got to be one of the best all around saws I have ran and owned. Glad you are lovin yours dude.

 

[tcscmo]

From reading your post, it looks like you just have one saw.

I would go for a saw in the 70 to 80cc range. A saw of that size would provide you with enough flexability to accomplish what ever you need to.

I had an ms310 for a short time until I bought my 044. Simply more power without much weight and by far more enjoyable to run.

Something to think about: If you purchase a stihl your 18 3/8 bar can be interchanged.

With a larger stihl you can run your existing 18 inch bar and chain, and have the flexability to run bars to 24 or 28 inches.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Just get a 361 and be happy:biggrinbounce2: It's 2X the MS290...easily...

Agreed.

So will it handle a 20" without pooping out?
And if I upgrade my 250 to a 260 will I wish I had a bigger 'big' saw?

Yes. And yes.

Get the 361, and as you say you're comfortable doing your own work, throw on a muffler mod and enjoy! It's a very managable saw for a person of your said stature as well.

Jeff

 

[tcscmo]

My bad, I see you have a 250.

And like the others a 250 to 260 is an upgrade but not enough to justify the price. I've owned both.

Keep the 250 for the smaller stuff. If it dies then by a 260 or another pro 50cc saw.