Looking for a small pro saw

[DJJJ]

I'm specifically trying to find out what the smallest pro saw 50-60cc category that has a full wrap bar available for it. Stihl and Husky I don't have a brand preference between the two.

I have a 572XP and a 201T and need an lighter in betweener to comfortably run a 20" bar and do both limbing, bucking and falling with. Obviously the 572 can do everything but it is a large saw to run all day on smaller twigs and I don't want to burn the 201 out.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

I'm specifically trying to find out what the smallest pro saw 50-60cc category that has a full wrap bar available for it. Stihl and Husky I don't have a brand preference between the two.

I have a 572XP and a 201T and need an lighter in betweener to comfortably run a 20" bar and do both limbing, bucking and falling with. Obviously the 572 can do everything but it is a large saw to run all day on smaller twigs and I don't want to burn the 201 out.

Thank you in advance!

I know the ms261 seems to be the stihls go to for the small pro saw.
But honestly I don't know if any of the smaller saws are offered with a full wrap handle.

 

[Harmon]

The ms 362 can be had with a full wrap though you dont see them often.

 

[DJJJ]

Thank you, yeah I landed on the 362 as well for stihl... what about a husky?

The trees here aren't always huge but they are always hard to get at in a comfortable position so the full wrap just makes life so much easier

 

[Husky Man]

I know that Full wraps are available for the Husky 562XP, but I haven’t found any available for the 550XP

Doug

 

[Rugged Ron]

I’m not sure why the smallest Stihl, the MS 170, is not mentioned here. It is what I use to cut branches when climbing. It is light, about 8 lbs, and with a sharp blade, cuts very efficiently. If I need the next size up, a go to my MS291, but it is heavy at 14 lbs and tires me out quickly when reaching.

 

[Husky Man]

I’m not sure why the smallest Stihl, the MS 170, is not mentioned here. It is what I use to cut branches when climbing. It is light, about 8 lbs, and with a sharp blade, cuts very efficiently. If I need the next size up, a go to my MS291, but it is heavy at 14 lbs and tires me out quickly when reaching.

The OP specifically mentioned wanting a 50-60cc PRO Quality saw that has a FULL WRAP Handle available for it.

I don’t know Stihl saws that well, but AFAIK, the 170, is a 30cc Home Owner grade saw. To the Best of my knowledge, a Full Wrap Handle isn’t available for the 170. It wasn’t mentioned yet, because it doesn’t meet a single of the desired features, that the OP is looking for

Doug

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

I have seen a 550xp mark2 with a custom made full wrap, which is an option for alot of husqvarna saws , some of the members on here might even be persuaded to do one.
Some aftermarket American companies make full wraps (weber and pro safety) . I know they make an 034-036 full wrap which is a powerful little saw but definitely not new. Even some makita and echo saws have custom wraps made.

 

[holeycow]

Full wraps for 60cc Husky, Stihl, Makita, and Echo are common

Full wraps for 50cc saws are not

 

[Walkdog]

Never seen a 50cc with a wrap - probably because they’re meant to be lightweight and wraps add quite a bit of weight - but since you mention “smaller twigs”, I’m inclined to think an ms261 or 550xp with a 16or 18” bar would do everything you need and more, while being an appropriately intermediate size between the two saws you already have. A 60cc with a wrap and a 20” bar probably isn’t going feel like that much of an improvement in portability if you find your 572 too cumbersome...

If the wrap is an absolute dealbreaker, the 562xpw is my favorite 60cc - better ergonomics and more power than ms362s, IMO. The new & improved air filter setup makes the choice even easier.

 

[DJJJ]

Thank you everyone for your information and feedback on my search. I have done a bunch of research since and thought I would share it.

I contacted the Husky site and was informed that the 550XP and the 543XP are available with full wrap.

I am going to go have a feel of the 562, 550, and 362 and make my decision between the three... I am leaning towards the 60cc saws but not if they are too close in weight to my 572. I am also leaning towards the 362 as it is a bit lighter empty and even lighter full tanks than the 562 but as mentioned by Walkdog sometimes ergonomics can make up for the extra weight. One other thing which has me leaning towards Stihl is my local dealer says they are so much easier to deal with than Husky for warranty and service. This may be a Canuck thing as some companies still think we are not worth the effort mostly because of market size and probably shipping issues as well.

Thanks again everyone and feel free to continue to comment! I will post the saw I end up buying in case it helps anyone trying to make a similar decision.

Cheers

 

[Dave1960_Gorge]

The ms 362 can be had with a full wrap though you dont see them often.

I have a MS 361 that I never use that I bought 5 years ago. Sucker is real touchy and easy to flood. Hate to admit it, it is the only saw I have ever thrown to the ground in disgust (I was on the ground, and cussing a blue streak as the client walked up behind me--- so I paid for that). I don't know if it is the model, if the 362 is more dependable, if my saw was made on a Monday...just my experience. My 35 year old MS046 starts every time (at least for me).

 

[Harmon]

If you wanta sell that ms 361...

 

[Dave1960_Gorge]

If you wanta sell that ms 361...

Make me an offer. I only used it a couple times. Bent the handle a little, took it off and bent it back and remounted it on the anti-vib system, or maybe it just came off the springs; can't remember. When it ran, it had a good balance of power and weight. I think it cost $650 new?

 

[Dave1960_Gorge]

Make me an offer. I only used it a couple times. Bent the handle a little, took it off and bent it back and remounted it on the anti-vib system, or maybe it just came off the springs; can't remember. When it ran, it had a good balance of power and weight. I think it cost $650 new?

 

[Dave1960_Gorge]

Took a pic with my phone. Turns out it isn’t a barn find anymore— I must have lent to someone to cut firewood for a season cause the paint us coming off the bar and handle. Started it up— took about 8 pulls to get a cough, 6-8 more at half choke and ran like a champ. The problem was when you restarted it— I would put on some choke ( which the 046 with its antique carb seemed to need) and $&&&@&@!!!!

let’s see if the oic loads

 

[Harmon]

so its got a full wrap? aluminum or something? when you said you "bent the handle" i wondered how that was possible...

 

[Dave1960_Gorge]

Took a pic with my phone. Turns out it isn’t a barn find anymore— I must have lent to someone to cut firewood for a season cause the paint us coming off the bar and handle. Started it up— took about 8 pulls to get a cough, 6-8 more at half choke and ran like a champ. The problem was when you restarted it— I would put on some choke ( which the 046 with its antique carb seemed to need) and $&&&@&@!!!!

let’s see if the pic loads. Yup

 

[Dave1960_Gorge]

so its got a full wrap? aluminum or something? when you said you "bent the handle" i wondered how that was possible...

Yea full wrap. Actually don't think I bent the handle, it just came off the anti-vibe system. The guy I lent it to obviously used it. Maybe I should find out his secrets? Sorry to get your antennae quivering, but it has some miles on it and I'll probably keep it around. Do you know much about the MS 361?

 

[Harmon]

well ill send you a pm