new to site, chainsaw reviews

[fishhuntcutwood]

Not to beat a dead horse...

But you are. :deadhorse:

Here's two threads on each I found (more where these came from), most from the last two weeks-

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=41324&highlight=441+575

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=42041&highlight=441+575

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=43395&highlight=441+575

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=41238&highlight=441+575

Since you know you're beating a dead horse, I'll assume you've searched through the hundreds of posts on each saw, and the likes and dislikes of each. It seems to me that every single owner or anyone who's run the 441 likes it, or is impressed with it. Even Ben Walker! Stihl haters hate it because we like it and because it weighs a whopping 8 oz more than what it replaces!

The 575, meh, you don't hear much about it. I've heard good on here from those who've run them, and that it's got alot of potential, but it's still heavy and there's not tons of 'em out there. It's not really caught on. Especially with boat loads of 372's mysteriously showing up every few months.

Jeff

 

[danp76]

What's the deal with weight?? Seems we are all concerned with a few ounces our pounds, not light you guys are sewing, you are moving logs around, seems pointless. Woodcutting isn't for wimps, so why worry about a pound or a few ounces? I would rather have speed, smoothness, durability and serviceability. So 441 is similar to the 575?

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Woodcutting isn't for wimps, so why worry about a pound or a few ounces?

Have you ever spent an entire day working timber? Try it once, and you'll see where a pound comes in. So a pound can be alot, but when you're talking about a 15 lb powerhead, 8 oz is nothing. It's when you compare a 15 lb powerhead to a 17 lb powerhead. And we don't move the logs ourselves, we have machinery or at the least, horses for that.

So 441 is similar to the 575?

Do you mean in weight, or are you still talking in general? I usually just direct guys to the search feature on this site, but because I get jumped on for that, I gave you four threads to read (I did the search) and my own opinions on each. They're both 70 cc class saws, they'll both run 28" bars....

 

[danp76]

I hear you on the weight, but think of the guys even just 20yrs ago, they worked all day too..and their saws were more than a few ounces heavier than the ones guys are comparing now.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I guess I'm missing your point on that. Computers were slower 20 years ago too, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't look for the fastest computer available today.

Yeah the saws were heavier, but what does that have to do with the 441 vs the 575?

Ask an old logger if he'd rather run his old 056, or a 660 today...concerning weight.

Jeff

 

[danp76]

Well old and new are night and day differences. Seems like guys are picking them apart with little to talk about other than a few ounces...I was curious what the real differences are between the 441 and the 575xp other than a few ounces...if I run a half tank will I be at the same weight?..

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Well old and new are night and day differences.

You brought it up.

Well maybe you didn't look through the old threads like I thought you had.....there's several specific pros and cons of each saw therein.

 

[danp76]

many threads,but many get off topic after a few comments...and all seem to be exclusive to one or the other not really any good comparisons between the two.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Then take the good and the bad from each thread. The 575 seems to have had reliability problems, and maybe is cold blooded. The 441 costs more...whatever. Go from there, make a chart.

Beyond going yourself and picking up each one this is the best I can give you.

 

[computeruser]

Do you mean in weight, or are you still talking in general? I usually just direct guys to the search feature on this site, but because I get jumped on for that, I gave you four threads to read (I did the search) and my own opinions on each. They're both 70 cc class saws, they'll both run 28" bars....

Like Jeff said, the info is out there. Read it, think about it, and form your own opinions.

Out of curiosity, what is the point of your inquiry? Are you looking to go with one or the other, or are you just wondering about the differences? Because it seems like every day you're asking about some 70-80cc saw or another, based entirely on speculation as to how the saw will meet your particular set of needs and based very little on you actually having run ANY 70-80cc saw that I'm aware of.

The thing is this: everybody has to start somewhere. Buy a saw, run a saw, form some opinions about it. Either you'll be thrilled with the saw, satisfied with it, or looking to flip it on eBay and replace it. It is difficult for any of us on here to know in advance which outcome it will be for you, under your cutting conditions, and in light of your expectations. Hell, you won't even know until you finally get out there and run a saw or two.

So buy a saw, or if you have one already run it, and THEN figure out if it is meeting your needs or not.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Like Jeff said, the info is out there. Read it, think about it, and form your own opinions.

Gawd! Thank you Brandon for backing me up on that. I thought I was mistakenly taking crazy pills or something.

The rest of your post was spot on too.....as usual.

(Lemme see if I can throw you some rep...)

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Nope. Sorry.

 

[danp76]

Thanks guys I just like to educate my self on different saws, I enjoy reading about them. I have heard weight and cold blooded issues on the 575xp. I haven't heard anything bad on the 441...would like to see a closer comparison on the two is all, based upon real professionals that use them on a regular basis....Some of us like reading about show downs on Ferrari's and Lamborghini's isn't this similar?

 

[computeruser]

Gawd! Thank you Brandon for backing me up on that. I thought I was mistakenly taking crazy pills or something.

The rest of your post was spot on too.....as usual.

(Lemme see if I can throw you some rep...)

Thanks, Jeff!



When I first came here, and Jeff will likely remember, I was in a similar boat. I was wondering about which particular saw to buy from within a class of saws I had no direct experience with. I asked a couple questions, read a lot, and finally took the plunge and bought a saw. And the truth is that when I was driving home from buying it I had the "oh, shoot, did I buy the right one" thoughts going through my head, which I think is natural for anyone's first forray into the realm of anything, be it a tool or whatever, that is both specialized and expensive.

When I got the saw home I ran it as often as I could, learned how to care for it properly, and I soon figured out what it could do and what it couldn't. There is NO way that I could have gained this degree of experience-based knowedge by asking questions alone. I had to take that $$$$ plunge and try it out in the sort of use I had in mind for it. No other way around that.

Luckily for me I made a good choice and I still have the saw, along with a handful of others. I know other people who made their best guess and were disappointed - the saw was not powerful enough, was too powerful, etc.. The thing is that you just gotta buy and try. Look on the bright side, though: if you end up dissatisfied, you can get darned-near all of your money back flipping the saw on eBay. Trying saws in the current market for eBay saws is almost a financially risk-free proposition.

Good luck with whichever machine you settle on!

 

[danp76]

thanks computer user for writing and taking the time to explain. I currently have a 357xp which I like but wish I had more power for larger oak logs. The 357 is nice but honestly thought it would have more grunt, the way my salesperson was telling me. I also bought a 575xp and am wondering if it will have a noticable power differenc than the 357. I would rather return it now before I use it, as I will get more $$ back than if I sell it as a used saw...I want something that can comfortably cut through larger oaks.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

...would like to see a closer comparison on the two is all, based upon real professionals that use them on a regular basis....

The problem is that neither, especially the 441 has been around long enough for many, if any, to run them both, let alone side by side, let alone in a professional setting. And thus, the picking and choosing of each saws qualities. from their singular discussions.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I also bought a 575xp and am wondering if it will have a noticable power differenc than the 357. I would rather return it now before I use it, as I will get more $$ back than if I sell it as a used saw...I want something that can comfortably cut through larger oaks.

Well why didn't you say so? Of course it'll have more power!

 

[danp76]

more power, but enough more to handle large oak without complaining? I was told the 357 was a powerhouse, and I don't totally believe that... not sure there will be a large enough gap between the two...

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Well, if the 575 is gonna come up short, the 441 will too. If you need that much more saw, look to an 80cc class saw.

But there's a pretty good gap between a 50 (even high 50cc) saw and a 70cc saw. My 361 and 440 are closer than these two, and there's a good gap.

 

[NYH1]

danp76, did you run your 357XP enough to break it in all the way? Just about everyone who has one says they really have to break in before they run good!