New Wood Cutting Saw for the Wife

[1375619cm3]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to pick up a new saw for the wife and i to use primarily as a limbing saw. She will mainly be running it since i have a Husky 61 Rancher white top with a 20" bar
that i am now doing all the cutting with so i am looking for suggestions on what to get for her.

I am NOT looking for a pro grade saw as most of them i cannot afford.
I am looking for something light weight but balanced with something around a 16" bar.
Somewhere around 11lbs with bar 40-50cc (nothing bigger due to weight) (50cc might be a touch heavy)
Easy to start, i had her start mine which she could, but struggled a little bit so i had her start a friends ms 180 c with the smart start and it was great for her.

We've looked at a few at Lowes (husqvarnas) because thats where i work and she like the 440E or the 435 so i am looking in that category.
I stopped at the local Stihl dealer and they had a MS 250 w/o smart start for 299 on slae and w/ smart start for 349.
it weighted somewhere around 10.3 lbs (powerhead only) and is around 45cc i thought that it balanced well w/ 18" bar that was on it (probably switch it for a 16")

So what do you guys think???

i am hoping for suggestions on saws that you have personally ran in and around this size
please let me know why for your decision
remeber this is for my wife not me she cannot handle a big saw all day.

Thanks for all the suggestions in advance,
Cody

 

[Denis Gionet]

Light saw....

I'm 165 lbs, 5'7" and find a 51 too heavy for my taste. I just bought a new 435 Husky and love it. It takes down 12-14" trees with ease and bucks them up no sweat. It's right in your weight/cc range, and starts easily too, I couldn't be happier with mine.

Here's a sample of what it can do. This is a green/frozen Larch Tamarack that was standing 30 minutes earlier.

Apr 22, 2012 3:16pm | Facebook

If you get one, make SURE to use Premium gas and OEM oil, don't ask me how I know this

 

[cheeves]

435 Husky is an excellent choice! Light with enough power to cut small to ?medium size logs. But really not over 12". Good saw though!

 

[Stihlman441]

If you have the money and can get one a MS241CM is a very good little saw.:smile2:

 

[MacLaren]

From what you say, i would vote the Husqvarna 435. Ive ran one and liked it. Plus, I believe they are only 9 pounds.

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

A Dolmar 420 or 421 sounds like it would fit the bill. They are as close to a pro saw build as you can get in that size and for the money, at about the same $ as a MS250. If Dolmar is out then look at the MS250 or the 435.

 

[Adam_MA]

If you have the money and can get one a MS241CM is a very good little saw.:smile2:

They aren't even listed in the Stihl USA site, when will they be available here?

 

[Tim Carroll]

As others have said the Dolmar 420 and 421 are nice and the Husky 435 is a good choice but if you can go more toward the 11 lb powerhead weight the Husky 445 would also be an excent choice. A little more power than the others mentioned and 10.8 lb powerhead. My buddy has used the crap out of one and I have run it myself and think that it is a nice little saw. Maybe that was bigger than you were thinking for her but that would also make a nice limbing saw for you if you are cutting alone. Just my .02, the other sugestions are good also.

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

They aren't even listed in the Stihl USA site, when will they be available here?

They won't be. I have asked Stihl myself and they say no. You can have one imported for a total of about $650 + or -

 

[Adam_MA]

They won't be. I have asked Stihl myself and they say no. You can have one imported for a total of about $650 + or -

That sucks!!

 

[Stihlman441]

The one i have came from the UK

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/190075.htm

The saw came from
M - Stihl MS 241 C-M Chainsaw

 

[Vibes]

I'M a big fan of the small Red Max saws. Wellmade nice handling litle rippers. I'm sure any of the small saws would fit the bill. Husky, Stihl, Echo, Efco or Dolmar take her with you and get her what she likes.

If your going the 45cc route, get a 50cc. They are usually only a few dollars more and built on the same frame as the 45cc so no weight differance.

 

[tallguys]

Lots of good saws to consider in that range. My vote would personally go to the Dolmar 420 or 421, magnesium case and the easy-start.

If you prefer a Husky, the 435 is nice and light but I'd look at the 440 for the few bucks more as it seems to be a bit better constructed IMO.

 

[D&B Mack]

My wife loves her 211

 

[Trailtrimmer]

You can get a refurb Husky 435 for about $150 shipped if you google around. Mine came out of tune but a $9 carb adjustment tool and a couple tweaks set it perfect. Power to dollar, it's hard to beat if you can tune them yourself and you don't care about a warranty past 90 days.

For limbing jobs, the MS180 with the easy to start option is nice too. The narrow chain cuts pretty darn quick and the powerhead is about 9.5 lbs with the easy recoil and sub 9 lbs with the standard. My only gripe about the 180 is the carb can't be adjusted out of the gate, but if you are happy running it stock, it's typically not an issue.

 

[SawTroll]

The Husky 440 looks just about right to me - it isn't a pro saw, but at least it is made in Sweden. The MS 250 is stronger and a little heavier (specially with the easy-start), but also a vibe monster for its size + really bad air filtration++

Be aware that limbing isn't the right job for an inexperienced saw user. Don't let her do that initially, and not before she has some experiense and fully understands to be careful with the upper part of the tip of the bar.

 

[MacLaren]

Yup, after looking at specs, I would agree with Niko that the Husqvarna 440 would be the best. More power than the 435 + still under 10 pounds.

 

[SawTroll]

My wife loves her 211

I just wonder how they managed to make the starter cover that fugly and gay looking? :hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

 

[blsnelling]

The Dolmar 420 is a much better choice than the other small saws. It is truly a professionally built saw. It's also very easy to start, with a very nice easy start system. It's also more powerful than other saws of similar size. I will not own a small Stihl saw. They are way too cheaply built.

 

[fossil]

Consider looking at an Echo CS-400 Good saw and can be had new pretty cheap.