Need advice on chain saw purchase...

[dave_dj1]

I been reading for days and still don't know which one to buy other then it will be a husky.
I cut 90% soft wood with some birch. I had the 450 Rancher picked out but now leaning towards the 460 rancher.

Whats the difference in the 460 rancher and the xp models?? I have no plans on modding it. If an xp is a better saw for a few bucks more I will buy it.

I currently have a 440,its 5 years old at least and showing its age.. I broke the trigger on it .. i Broke the brake, pull cord..and now it has no spark. I also find that saw slow at times.

You've already been given bad advice on getting a Husky so no need in me offering anything! I'm kidding but couldn't resist....lol....These guys are giving you some good advice. I own both a Husky and a Stihl, I use the Stihl most of the time, it's a MS310, the Husky is a little tyke, 137 for limbing and small stuff.

 

[Mustang71]

I have the husky 450 it's very reliable always starts and runs. 18 inch bar is the limit but it handles it. That being said I had an issue with the non adjustable oiler so I converted it so I would buy the 455 over the 450. Mines all stock and I wouldn't change it it runs great no need to mess with it.

The home owner stihl 290 I have came alive with some work. They serve 2 different purposes. I wouldn't go back to a 50cc saw for felling bigger trees. But if I'm grabbing one saw to take care of a problem it's the husky 450.

 

[jd548esco72]

get the dolmar makita 6100!!

it is only a $100 or so more than run of the mill homeowner/farm saws , yet it puts them in the shade in about every way --well worth the bit more if your going to do much work with it--

only thing on mine i didn't like was the chain --but that was easy to replace--

bottom dollar for a good saw would be an echo 490 if you want to go small or 590 if your wanting power for the $$

they were recently on sale for 20% off making them very reasonable--

 

[Trapper_Pete]

I am really liking my jred 2255 same as husky 455, with an 18 inch bar I also have a 20 inch the 460 is the same saw with a bit bigger jug and piston. If you shop parts you can see the parts kit is for both saws. The 2255/455 cuts anything you can cut with an 18 inch bar no problem.

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[quotedraven]

get a husky 555 or if you like a 562xp

 

[Deleted member 116684]

get a 60cc pro husky like a 562, like quotdraven is saying. You'll love it! Everytime you go to run it you;ll be like "Man, I am so glad I bought this saw"
There's a noticeable difference between a pro saw and a rancher saw. And it will rip with an 18 inch bar.

 

[foeke]

Good saws are mentioned. But did everyone check out his woodpile? Those 60cc can swing through most of those trees. Way overpowered for that stuff.
Here is a link to that red Makita/Dolmar
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01A...s=maruyama&dpPl=1&dpID=41Ta58zeunL&ref=plSrch

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[hearnoevil]

Why is there 3 models of 562? I was leaning towards the 550xp
I feel like i'm too rough on the home owner version of saws. I will still keep and use mt 440.

 

[alleyyooper]

All I ever owned has been husky's and one Johnny red.
Couple years ago I wanted a 40CC saw and found both husky and J red lacking in my option for the money.
Decided to try a cheap Echo CS 400 for about 150.00 less than a Husky or Jred.
I am loven that little Echo CS 400 and find my self using it way more than intended. I filled it with mix and c oil Yesterday and walk back in my woods where I had a couple blow downs from a wind storm a couple weeks ago. Though that thing would never run out of Mix so I could take a break.

A friend got a Echo 590 timber wolf about a month ago, I ran it for a little bit and it will be my next saw purchase. No more husky, No more J red for me when I can get the Echo quality at the great price they are.

Al

 

[Big_Eddy]

Why is there 3 models of 562? I was leaning towards the 550xp
I feel like i'm too rough on the home owner version of saws. I will still keep and use mt 440.

My son and I have a 25yr old Husky 50 and 2 562XPs. Our neighbour just bought a 550XP and a 562XP to go with his older 375(?)XP.
The 50 and 550XP run 0.325 0.058 chain on 15/16" bars and will competently cut through everything in your pile.
The 562XPs are all running 3/8" chain on 18" or 20" bars and will rip through the pile faster. They weigh a bit more, but with the longer bars, the balance is the same and the extended reach helps reduce bending when working close to the ground.

If you're planning to cut that volume of wood, I'd highly recommend the 562XP.

I prefer my 50 when I'm brushing and limbing or working out in the woods, but when working on a pile I prefer the extra power of the 562XP.

 

[hearnoevil]

My son and I have a 25yr old Husky 50 and 2 562XPs. Our neighbour just bought a 550XP and a 562XP to go with his older 375(?)XP.
The 50 and 550XP run 0.325 0.058 chain on 15/16" bars and will competently cut through everything in your pile.
The 562XPs are all running 3/8" chain on 18" or 20" bars and will rip through the pile faster. They weigh a bit more, but with the longer bars, the balance is the same and the extended reach helps reduce bending when working close to the ground.

If you're planning to cut that volume of wood, I'd highly recommend the 562XP.

I prefer my 50 when I'm brushing and limbing or working out in the woods, but when working on a pile I prefer the extra power of the 562XP.

thanks, from the birch tree on i cut in about a week steady, most of those logs are 16- 20 ft long. still leaning towards the 550 with 16 inch bar,

 

[svk]

Trust me on this. You'll love it. Some mfgs make/market little else than "pro" equipment. Thinking specifically of Dolmar/Makita. Their prices are at the homeowner level. For your purposes, two Dolmars would make a great combo: 6100 (61 cc) w/20" and 410 (41 cc) w/16". Both are serious saws, and excellent values.
When I picked up my 6100 at a GTG 3 yrs ago, we had a little "competition" between it and my 455r Husqy. The brand-new Dolly left the well-broken-in Husqy in the dust. Waaaaay more powerful. Figure the same vs the 450/460. No knock on them but the Dolly is just much more powerful, and it seems you have lots of cutting to do. As a guess the 410 Dolly performs close to the 450, punches way above its weight. Both have excellent A/V, important for all the cutting you have lined up.

Beating a 455 with a larger pro saw must have really stroked your ego, eh @CTYank

 

[quotedraven]

Why is there 3 models of 562? I was leaning towards the 550xp
I feel like i'm too rough on the home owner version of saws. I will still keep and use mt 440.

I believe the 562 is the large bar mount. If it matters you might want the same mount as your old saw.

 

[svk]

Why is there 3 models of 562? I was leaning towards the 550xp
I feel like i'm too rough on the home owner version of saws. I will still keep and use mt 440.

3 models?

Do you mean standard, G, and W?

G means heated grips. W means wrap handle which goes around the clutch side so you can fall trees from either side.

 

[longbowch]

thanks, from the birch tree on i cut in about a week steady, most of those logs are 16- 20 ft long. still leaning towards the 550 with 16 inch bar,

I have a 550 and it's an awesome saw but look at the 545 too, basically same saw without the revboost.

 

[quotedraven]

3 models?

Do you mean standard, G, and W?

G means heated grips. W means wrap handle which is goes around the clutch side so you can fall trees from either side.

Oh yea I thought he meant the 60cc lineup

 

[hearnoevil]

I have a 550 and it's an awesome saw but look at the 545 too, basically same saw without the revboost.

no 545.. i see a 543

 

[sbhooper]

If the difference in money is not an issue, go with the 60 cc and put an 18 or 20-inch bar on it. You can never have too much power, but you can sure have too little.

 

[longbowch]

no 545.. i see a 543

The 545 and 555 are semi-pro saws

 

[clinchscavalry]

I guess I can throw in my .02 worth here and get flamed away, but here goes. I have never personally owned a Stihl chainsaw but use three different ones on the job. Working with the county road crew unfortunately gives us many opportunities to cut trees off the roads and r/w s. We have a 280, 290 and 310, all considered mid grade saws. They all work quite well considering the abuse they take. I have personally had Homelites, one Husky Rancher, and several Dolmars. My go to saw for most everything is the 5105 with 18 inch bar. It just works very well, relatively light and strong. However, my 7900 with a 20 inch bar will cut through something much faster. It's a good bit heavier but way more powerful meaning I don't have to hold it as long for each cut. At nearly 66 years old, that's a noticeable advantage. What I'm saying is that if I had to have just one saw I'd go bigger with a smaller bar. Naturally, several saws are better than one, and that's the best option if you want to spend the money. If someone left me only one saw I'd hope it would be the 7900, and I'd have several bars for it.

Incidentally, the county just bought an Echo 590 Timberwolf, and it cuts great with fairly light wt. I don't know how reliable it is since it's new, but when I can grab one of our four saws that's the one I go for now.