New chainsaw purchase

[Trigger-Time]

Curious why everybody steers so many people up to the big saw even when they don't know how much exp. or wood size they are cutting. I use an o44 a lot but have thousands of hours cutting feel very comfortable with it and 28 inch bar. Seams to me something like ms260-ms361 (or like sized Husky's) would more than cover most any fire wood cutters needs. Steering towards pro models makes sense for longevity but they don't have to be big models. Just my.02 Go for the 361.

Well, I agree 100% for the area and timber I'm in.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Mainly cutting oak and maple. Having a splitter, I've cut some stuff others don't want to fool with, and if the wood is free and easily to get to. With a
20" bar the poulan could get through with 2 cuts and a very good chain. Thanks alot for your input guys!

First off where abouts in MD are you?? I spent almost 20 years of my life in different places between MD and VA, with a few stints in FL as a kid.

On the saw note...I have a 361 and a 441. The 361 usually has a 16" bar on it. It has no issues with a 20", and I have had a 28" on it in some white oak. My 441 will mainly have a 20" on it, Id like to get a 25" bar but since Im tooled up with a 28", to gap is too close. If I had to use the 24" bar on a consistant basis in hardwood, I would go with a 70cc saw. The 361 will get it done with a 24" bar, but a 440 or 441 will get it done faster. It all depends on how much time you want to spend holding the saw!!!

That being said, and since no one has mentioned it yet, my 660 absolutely rips with a 20" bar, take a look at that one too!opcorn:

EDIT: My 361 should be back in my hands early next week...Im sure it wont have any problems pulling a 24" now!!!!

 

[SinglerM]

I'd recommend a 440.

Like you, I was looking for a Stihl to run a 24" bar. I went with the 440, and have beeen very happy with it. Some members here have a 24" bar on a 361,, which might work out for you, depending on what your cutting. I think the 440 would do better, though.
Can't say anything about the 441, since I don't have that one. It's supposed to be a great saw, however.
I have a Dolmar 5100s, as well. I don't know if I'd run a 24" bar on it...I'm using an 18".
The 440 seems to be a good match for a 24" bar. Just my 2 cents.
Take care,

Mitch

 

[Andyshine77]

Curious why everybody steers so many people up to the big saw even when they don't know how much exp. or wood size they are cutting. I use an o44 a lot but have thousands of hours cutting feel very comfortable with it and 28 inch bar. Seams to me something like ms260-ms361 (or like sized Husky's) would more than cover most any fire wood cutters needs. Steering towards pro models makes sense for longevity but they don't have to be big models. Just my.02 Go for the 361.

I Disagree, he's cutting hard wood, a 361 will not pull a 24" B&C in hard wood very well at all. Every time I start cutting some white pine that I have, my jaw drops, it's like cutting paper when compared to oak or hickory. Some of the west coasters just don't know how big of a difference there is between hard and soft woods.

My recommendations
Dolmar, ps7900
Husky, 372xp
Stihl, 440, 441, or the 460.

 

[SawTroll]

I Disagree, he's cutting hard wood, a 361 will not pull a 24" B&C in hard wood very well at all. ......

Agree, I wouldn't even attempt it, unless there were no other option.....

...but your own expectations has a lot to do with what is "go", and what is "no-go".

 

[wdchuck]

My 360 pulled a 24" through 24"+oak just fine, sharp, skip chain was a key. Now I run a 460,w/24", and a used 028,w/16", great combo. Bigger, heavier saws tire a seasonal cutter out faster, keep your own limitations in mind, cutting with fatigue is dangerous. Any possibility for two saws?, Get the nice 70cc+ saw and a 40cc+ saw as backup and when you start tiring, or to cut out the bigger pinched saw?

Working safely should always be part of the equation.

Let us know what you get.

 

[Jack Russell]

stihl 361

Just remember that the 440 is an old design, with less than optimal air filter system and anti-vibe.

The real question is down to how much you are going to use that 24" bar is going to be used, and in what kind of wood, I guess......

If you really need the 24" bar, I would go with the 441, if Stihl is the only option.

I sure am glad I read about the Stihl 361. I have a MS360 with a 25" bar on it. Cut Hichory and Oak no problem. Will go to the 20" for this saw and use a 25" on the 038. 18" on the 028. 16" on the 026 and 16" bar on the 015. To be truthfull, I still belive the 25" bar on the 361 is Ok

 

[SawTroll]

I sure am glad I read about the Stihl 361. I have a MS360 with a 25" bar on it. Cut Hichory and Oak no problem. Will go to the 20" for this saw and use a 25" on the 038. 18" on the 028. 16" on the 026 and 16" bar on the 015. To be truthfull, I still belive the 25" bar on the 361 is Ok

Good that you quoted me, so I came aware of the misprint in my tread....

I am sure the 24/25" is "OK" on the 361, with skip chain, in softwood - but I am also quite sure it isn't optimal for other applications.

Whether it is OK or not depends on the expectations, I would say......

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Some of the west coasters just don't know how big of a difference there is between hard and soft woods.

Meh, I wouldn't say that. We've got maple and madrona out here amongst others. I'd still recommend a 361 with a 20" in hardwood. I ran mine last august at my Mom and Dad's house taking out a white oak for them. Worked fine.

But if this gentleman is going to be regularly in larger stuff, and asking for a 24", and he's willing to spend the money, then yeah, a 440 or 441 would be fine. And I've got no problem recommending a 440 either. Yeah it's the "old" design, but still very capable and it's been around forever....for a reason. Because there's newer, doesn't mean the previous offerings are any less functionable.

 

[Andyshine77]

That's why I said some west coasters don't know the difference, you obviously do.

 

[Cedarkerf]

Meh, I wouldn't say that. We've got maple and madrona out here amongst others. I'd still recommend a 361 with a 20" in hardwood. I ran mine last august at my Mom and Dad's house taking out a white oak for them. Worked fine.

But if this gentleman is going to be regularly in larger stuff, and asking for a 24", and he's willing to spend the money, then yeah, a 440 or 441 would be fine. And I've got no problem recommending a 440 either. Yeah it's the "old" design, but still very capable and it's been around forever....for a reason. Because there's newer, doesn't mean the previous offerings are any less functionable.

Nisqualie and cowlitz prairie lots of oak and I don't know of many woods harder than madrona. Spent three years in Indiana didn't find much that was any harder than some of the twisted up maple we have out here. The big question is how much time is going to be spent with full 24" in the wood. If hes going to be a junkie cutter and has the money go for a440, 460 just cutting wood sometimes need the 24" go 361.