New mid to small size saw

[Magnum783]

I am looking for a new mid to small size saw. I always had thought of a MS260 but now I am not sure. I was looking at a bunch of Husky but get quite confused I even gave the dolmar 5100 a glance. Please would you give your recomendation as to what would be the best saw? Also which Husky saw is the pro level saw for the 50-56cc class? Thanks for the advice and the pile of opinions that are about to head my way.
Jared

 

[TDunk]

The Dolmar 5100 is a good saw, i have one and love it. Great for small trees and limbing. The 359 Husky is a good all around saw. It's pretty much a pro saw, just a diff. cyl. than the 357. I'd stear clear of the 455 and 460, but that's just my opinion. There's a 359 for sale in the "tradin post" , i think it's still there.

 

[Just Mow]

Welcome, my vote is for the 260

 

[NYH1]

Also which Husky saw is the pro level saw for the 50-56cc class? Thanks for the advice and the pile of opinions that are about to head my way.
Jared

Husky 50-56cc pro saws, there are two. The 353 @ 51.7cc (3.3 hp) and the 357XP @ 56.5cc (4.4 hp). I guess you could round the 357XP up to 57cc. I'll call it 56cc.

However the 346XP @ 45cc (3.4 hp) is pretty much in the same class as the 353, it runs at a higher RPM and will cut a little faster in smaller wood 2 to 8 inches or so. The 353 will cut a little faster in larger wood, 8 to 14 or so.

The 359 performance wise is probably in between the 346XP/353 and the 357XP. It's 59cc though.

What are you going to use this saw for?

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

Ooooh, can't say no to a 353, can you?!


Im getting mine back next week, had some work done on it to possible gain back all the power lost from altitude, maybe a little more.

I am very pleased with it however, even stock.

 

[Peacock]

I love my MS280 for anything under 15".

 

[Magnum783]

I am using it for in the tree blocking and limbing and small work on the gound mainly as another saw to use to block a bigger wood in the tree. I do a lot of blocking and when it gets two big for my 192T then I have to send up my ms390 or 385xp both are way heavy for use on spurs. Not that I can't do it just want something a little smaller to add to my inventory. Can you ever have too many saws.
Jared

 

[SawTroll]

Welcome, my vote is for the 260

You obviously voted wrong......:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

I like the 260, but.........

 

[Kenskip1]

Magnum, Goldsboro? I lived next to the fairgrounds off highway 117. I would like to see you get the ms 260 pro.I had the opportunity to run one last week. Smooth and with plenty of power.The Husky 353 would be next on the list.I would stay away from the Husky 350 as the case is all plastic.
I was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB.I lived in the MAr MAc fire district just the outer side of the noose river.I caught many bass in the lake next to the VFW. I would go with the Stihl but this is just my opinion, Ken

 

[SawTroll]

I am using it for in the tree blocking and limbing and small work on the gound mainly as another saw to use to block a bigger wood in the tree. I do a lot of blocking and when it gets two big for my 192T then I have to send up my ms390 or 385xp both are way heavy for use on spurs. Not that I can't do it just want something a little smaller to add to my inventory. Can you ever have too many saws.
Jared

This is easy, Stihl MS361 or Husky 357xp, maybe Dolmar 5100S (less power, but also less weight), are your options......:chainsawguy:

 

[NYH1]

This is what I would do.

2 to 8 inch wood- 346XP or MS260 (Pro if you want the decomp and adjustable oiler. Adjustable oiler comes standard on the 346XP).

6 to 12 inch wood- 353 (Johnny Red 2152 if you like the straight handle bar. Both the 353 and 2152 have the decomp and adjustable oiler).

10 plus inches on a regular basis- 357XP or MS361 (Johnny Red 2156 again if you like the straight handle bar).

 

[SawTroll]

This is what I would do.

2 to 8 inch wood- 346XP or MS260 (Pro if you want the decomp and adjustable oiler. Adjustable oiler comes standard on the 346XP).

6 to 12 inch wood- 353 (Johnny Red 2152 if you like the straight handle bar. Both the 353 and 2152 have the decomp and adjustable oiler).

10 plus inches on a regular basis- 357XP or MS361 (Johnny Red 2156 again if you like the straight handle bar).

Yep, the most usual wood size is descisive....

 

[Magnum783]

I would probally say the most commom size wood would be 12-16" so now you can go from there
Thanks for all the info guys.
Jared

 

[XJWoody]

12-16" hardwood routinely? I'd be all over a Stihl MS361.

 

[NYH1]

I would probally say the most commom size wood would be 12-16" so now you can go from there
Thanks for all the info guys.
Jared

With this information, me personally I would get a Husky 357XP with a 18 inch bar and chain. The reason I say that is because the Husky fits me better then the Johnny Red 2156 and the Stihl MS361. You can't go wrong with any of the three. Go pick up and handle all of them and go from there. Dealer support might also play a part in your decision. Having a good dealer can be priceless for some people, myself included!

 

[2000ssm6]

Another vote for the 361, that will make you the happiest wood cutter

 

[begleytree]

12-16" hardwood routinely? I'd be all over a Stihl MS361.

dolmar 6400. ran one pulling 20" 3/8 with a 8 pin, unmodded. no 360/361 is gonna do that. then if ya ever wear it out, its under $200 to up it to a 7900 for the same weight. 18lbs ready to use. only 1/2 a lb difference (heavier) than the 361, but much more saw.....
-Ralph

 

[2000ssm6]

I have used a 361 with 20" 7 pin and it pulls strong......

 

[adkranger]

Extra cubes and ponies are fine for ground work, but I'd err on the ergonomic/wieght side for suspended/spur work. Remember he was looking for an ariel use saw, not a ground saw. I commonly use my 028s for this kind of work when the 200t's bar starts getting buried too much. Have used 026pros in this capacity in the past. A 260 would handle this fine IMO, that would be my vote (353, 357 or 5100 would probably work too, but have not used 'em). Go pick 'em up, handle 'em and see which you'd care to hang off your saddle for a couple hours. I've used an 084 up in the tree before, doesn't mean it would be the "preferred" blocking saw though.:chainsawguy:

Just my nickle worth of B.S.

 

[SawTroll]

.... 18lbs ready to use. only 1/2 a lb difference (heavier) than the 361, but much more saw.....
-Ralph

Where did the .8 kg empty powerhead weight differense, that DLG/KWF found, get evened out?........:yoyo: :yoyo:


Fluid levels, different types of bar???????