newbie 066 vs. 460

[isaacbr]

Hey guys,

I've spent the last couple days working my way through threads, learning about saws.

I've got a job cutting down apple orchards (first day was yesterday). I don't need a bar bigger than 20-25". The wood is unbelievably hard.

The pawn shop in town has a 066 with a 30" bar for $400 and a MS 460 for $550. The guy said the have a small engines mechanic on staff and both saws are in good working order.

I doubt I"ll ever be working out in the bush on large trees. Are these both too big for what I'm doing? I'd rather buy something used...

Thanks!

Brandon

 

[thompson1600]

You haven't told us how large these apple trees are? a 25" bar for an apple tree, I want some of that wood! Around here apple tree orchards could easily be cut with an 026/MS260, or smaller saw.

Tom

 

[isaacbr]

tree size

the base where we cut them off is around 12" - 15". Most of the guys are using bars of around 20", although some of their saws are running 25"+ (an excess for sure).

 

[SawTroll]

A MS361 would probably be perfect - no need for a 460 or 660......:monkey:

 

[GASoline71]

Heck... an 028 could do the job...

Unless you're tryin' to justify buyin' a big saw like a 066 or a 460... they just aren't needed for that job.

MS361 would be perfect with a 20" bar.

Gary

 

[isaacbr]

Husky 55 or 365?

I'm kinda limited to what I'm finding in the pawn shops around our area.

After more calling around I found a Husky 55 (almost new) and a Husky 365. Would the 55 be a bit light for the hardwoods? The work is piece work so I get paid per cord and want to be maximizing my time with fast efficient cutting, but not lumbering a big thing around.

I also found a Stihl MS260 and a Jonsered 2077.

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[John Ellison]

Are you just falling them or also limbing and working up into firewood?

 

[isaacbr]

I'm delimbing them, falling them, and cutting them up into 16" lengths for firewood.

 

[isaacbr]

I was using a Poulan Pro Farmhand something rather, 46cc, the first day. Brand new chain, and it was struggling really bad. I tried one of the other guys saws and it screamed through the wood, at least twice as fast. Not sure what it was but he said it was around $1000 new.

 

[GASoline71]

The 260 will do just fine with a 20" bar as well.

Gary

 

[zemmo]

I was using a Poulan Pro Farmhand something rather, 46cc, the first day. Brand new chain, and it was struggling really bad. I tried one of the other guys saws and it screamed through the wood, at least twice as fast. Not sure what it was but he said it was around $1000 new.

The shorter the bar, the faster the cut, all other things being equal. I'd just get the nicest of the used saws you can find and put an 18" bar on it. A good 50cc saw should pull that pretty well, even in hardwood. A bigger saw will cut faster with that bar, of course, so it's sorta what you can find and afford. If I were doing what you describe, I'd take a 50cc saw, limbing gets tiring fast with a heavy saw. A 357xp or MS361 would cut faster but be a bit heavier. Always a compromise, doing everything with one saw.

 

[thompson1600]

Another thing is to make sure you have a sharp chain, bring a spare sharp chain or two, and get some files so you can sharpen while your cutting.

 

[sawinredneck]

I love my 046, but it is overkill for that job!!! A Dolmar 5100, or 353 comes to mind off the top of my head, but I understand the speed thing, so a 60cc comes up. What you are cutting a 20" is overkill, unless you are trying to cut down on the bending over. It will cut faster with an 18" bar, run 3/8's on the 50cc saws, they call it hardwood, but I find apple cuts pretty easy IMO. See if you can find a 360/036, a 262/357 not sure of the Johny numbers, but anything ending from 52 to 65 will work nicely as well. You might even look for a used 346xp, it would work good for this with a 16" bar, it will cut fster than you can in that wood. Think light and fast with apple, and in and out with firewood!! But the 460/660 is not a viable option for this job, unless you just want one, but I wouldn't want to lug one of them around for wood that small!!!
As others have stated, save a few bucks for extra chains, I don't leave the house anymore without at least two extra chains.

 

[isaacbr]

Thanks for your input guys. I didn't know a thing about chainsaws, other than how to use one, 3 days ago

I'm kinda pressed for time and need to find something, or I can't work.

I found a Husky 55 with an 18" blade, also has a case and a few knick knacks. Almost brand new, for $250.

I think that should do the trick?

 

[zemmo]

Thanks for your input guys. I didn't know a thing about chainsaws, other than how to use one, 3 days ago

I'm kinda pressed for time and need to find something, or I can't work.

I found a Husky 55 with an 18" blade, also has a case and a few knick knacks. Almost brand new, for $250.

I think that should do the trick?

Yeah, that should work and be an upgrade over what you're using. It weighs about the same as my 5100 S, a little less power. Get some extra chains and files. Good luck.

 

[GASoline71]

Thanks for your input guys. I didn't know a thing about chainsaws, other than how to use one, 3 days ago

I'm kinda pressed for time and need to find something, or I can't work.

I found a Husky 55 with an 18" blade, also has a case and a few knick knacks. Almost brand new, for $250.

I think that should do the trick?

The Husky55 will do fine. with the 18" BAR. Not pokin' fun at ya... just tryin' to make ya not sound too much like a noob. :biggrinbounce2:

Your first statement in this post sums it up well. If you just learned about saws 3 days ago... the last thing you need to be packin' around is an 046 or an even bigger 066. Those are big pro level saws for more experienced cutters.

Stick with the smaller saws until you become more experienced... then those big saws will be all that much more enjoyable.

Good luck...

Gary

 

[Gologit]

I understand that you're on a budget and your choice of saws is limited. But be careful buying from a pawnshop...you don't really know what kind of shape the saw is in and they may not stand behind it if it fries. Try a regular saw dealer...any of the saws mentioned here would be good...and see what they have in used saws. It's better to pay a little more for a saw that won't let you down. Especially when you're working by the cord. Good luck...let us know how you make out.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

The 260 will do just fine with a 20" bar as well.

Gary

Yeah, the 260 is your saw if you can get it. Skip the larger saws for what you're doing. And I'll also echo what Boboak said, the only time I buy from a pawn shop is when I see that very rare steal of a deal. Pawn shops are legalized scam artists. There are some honest ones, even some good ones, but if I had a dollar for every time that a pawn shop has outright lied to me, or just been clueless about what they're selling....well I'd be able to go buy a new saw.

It's a "don't trust them unless your friend works there" type of thing.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

 

[oldsaw]

I'm kinda limited to what I'm finding in the pawn shops around our area.

After more calling around I found a Husky 55 (almost new) and a Husky 365. Would the 55 be a bit light for the hardwoods? The work is piece work so I get paid per cord and want to be maximizing my time with fast efficient cutting, but not lumbering a big thing around.

I also found a Stihl MS260 and a Jonsered 2077.

Thanks,

Brandon

The 260 would be an excellent choice, but if you want to work fast, the 365 may be a bit better. Of all the saws you listed, these would be my choices, probably leaning a bit towards the 365 if the price was right. 046 is overkill, and 066 is evern farther off the map.

Mark

 

[tek9tim]

Kinda funny, me and a buddy cut a couple boxes full of apple wood last winter with my 460 & 660. (mostly because they were the only 2 saws I had) Definitely don't need much power in that stuff with a good chain. Some sharp full comp full chisel would chew right through it regardless of the powerhead it's attached to, as long as the wood's still green. I'll go along with the consensus, get something around 50cc, preferably a pro saw. I hear lots of good things about the Dolie.