Newbie Needs Advice

[Buckeye]

OK, here's the situation. I have about 20 acres of woods with a creek running through. I need a good saw to do cleanup and maintenance. All hardwood, some is deadfall, about 1/3 is live standing timber. I've been using a John Deere 46EV for five years. It is on it's last leg, and too small/underpowered for some of the stuff I need to cut.

I've been looking for a GOOD used saw, but most of what I've found are either too small or completely used, as in all used up. I'd love to find a nice MS361, but haven't seen any locally and I'm leery of buying a saw from the 'net/eBay.

I have multiple dealers for Husky and Stihl nearby (no Dolmar), and I checked out their offerings this week. I'm considering either a HUSKY 460 or a Stihl MS390. It looks like the 390 will cost about $75 - $100 more, is it worth the premium? All of the Stihl dealers quoted the EXACT same price, is this controlled by corporate?

My plan is to buy 24" and 18" bars. I'll throw the 24 on for bigger work and swap back to the 18 for lighter stuff. I foresee using the smaller bar 75% of the time.

I've been lurking here for a few weeks to gather info, and I decided to just come out and ask for help. I'd appreciate any insight you fellows could provide. I'm pretty much set on one of these two saws, but if I'm on the wrong track, please let me know.

 

[SmokinDodge]

460 for less money that the 390? If your comfortable with the dealer go with the 460, there is no comparison between those two saws. Might be a little large for what you want but that will quickly go away if you hang around here.

A nice used saw for you with 20 acres would be an 036/360. There are plenty of them around with a lot life left.

How much are they asking for the 460?

 

[talon1189]

First thing..............Welcome aboard my friend :biggrinbounce2:

I'm considering either a 460 or a MS390. It looks like the 390 will cost about $75 - $100 more, is it worth the premium? All of the Stihl dealers quoted the EXACT same price, is this controlled by corporate?

If you can getta MS 460 for even $100.00 more...Than a 390......let me know as I will buy 10 of them and resell them Welcome aboard my friend >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

 

[Four Paws]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, not another one! :biggrinbounce2:

Welcome to the Site. My suggestion would be a PS-5100SA Dolmar with a 16" or 18" bar.

And, the PS-7900 Dolmar with a 24" and 28" bar. You will be VERY happy!

Around $1100 for both saws, barnd new and ready to run.

 

[Four Paws]

Husky 460 fellas - remember, there are other brands besides Stihl.

 

[Buckeye]

Husky 460 fellas - remember, there are other brands besides Stihl.

Yes. Sorry. I edited my post to clarify.

I don't have a local Dolmar dealer, so that is not a option. And two saws aren't an option either - WAY out of my budget. Maximum is about $500 total. The MS390 is going to run a little more than that unless I can find a Stihl dealer who sells for less than list price.

 

[Ekka]

Whatever you do ... do not buy the 390.

And yes, I too thought it was a stihl 460 which would be a superior bargain.

Husky 460 and not a Stihl 460

 

[Jacob J.]

The new Husky 460 is an open finger port big brother to the 455, keep that in mind. A Redmax 621AVS might actually do all that you want to do and it's cheaper. It's also a closed transfer loop "professional" class saw.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Splurge and get a new 361, you will never be sorry. With 20 acres to maintain a pro saw will be well worth the money. Don't fool with the non pro 390. It sounds like you are going to be spending considerable time with your new saw and the reduced wear and tear on your body is well worth spending the extra dollars.

Dan said it well here. If your limit is $500, go the extra little bit and do the 361. It'll blow the 390 away in weight, power band, construction, A/V, and well...every other way.

But if you're solid below $500, why get the 460? Why not a 357XP or 359? They're both less than $500.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

 

[Andyshine77]

If you can't go over $500 skip the MS390 and go for the Husky 359, better AV, air filtration and it has a metal case. If your interested there is a Dolmar dealer about 30mi from Findlay OH.

 

[Freakingstang]

Yes. Sorry. I edited my post to clarify.

I don't have a local Dolmar dealer, so that is not a option. And two saws aren't an option either - WAY out of my budget. Maximum is about $500 total. The MS390 is going to run a little more than that unless I can find a Stihl dealer who sells for less than list price.

There is an awesome Dealer in Willard. Precesion Edge is the place and Dave is the guys name. If you check him out, tell him Steve sent ya. Great guy. He may even have a really good used saw in your budget range. Last time I was over that way he had a couple huskies and a stihl or three that he had taken in on trade. he goes through all his used saws pretty extensively.

Good Luck

 

[Just Mow]

Get the 361.
Welcome aboard.

 

[Hired Gun]

If you can't go over $500 skip the MS390 and go for the Husky 359, better AV, air filtration and it has a metal case. If your interested there is a Dolmar dealer about 30mi from Findlay OH.

Like the man said, if cash is tight go with the 359!

 

[WVhunter]

Spend a little extra cash and get the 361, you won't be sorry!!!!!!

 

[Urbicide]

I also have 20 acres of woodland with a creek running through it. I use a 359 with a 20" bar and Woodsman Pro semi chisel chain. I am clearing a lot of dead elm and locust as well as culling box elders and deformed trees. I bought the 359 from Bailey's and have not had any problems with it at all. I also have a 372XP for the slightly larger stuff if needed. The 357XP would also be a great saw for your needs. My 2 cents for you.

 

[SawTroll]

Dan said it well here. If your limit is $500, go the extra little bit and do the 361. It'll blow the 390 away in weight, power band, construction, A/V, and well...every other way.

But if you're solid below $500, why get the 460? Why not a 357XP or 359? They're both less than $500.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

I totally agree, with the US price picture that has been seen lately.

But it is unlikely that the 357xp is availiable at that price (about 440-450 USD ?) locally.....

I would probably have taken the MS361 anyway - I am that fond of it!:rockn: :rockn:

 

[Buckeye]

A bit of an update.

I talked to my local Stihl dealer again Saturday. He has a used (less than one year old) MS390 for $450. Not much of a deal, IMO. I can get a brand new one for $75 more. His price on a MS361 is $610 - Well out of my budget unfortunately. I'm watching a couple of MS361s on eBay, though I have some trepidations about buying used power equipment online.

I need to do some more research on the Husky line, especially the 357XP. I was thinking 'bigger is better', so I thought the 460 would be what I want. I didn't realize that they have a consumer line and a pro line. Their numbering system and the fact that their website is hard to navigate makes it a PITA to compare, IMO.

I have a buddy who is really pushing me on Huskys, but I'm leaning towards Stihl. I have to admit that Husky does have one advantage in their 2 year warranty vs. 90 days with Stihl.

 

[talon1189]

I would see if the dealer would throw in a couple of extra chains and pay the $610.00 before I would pay $450.00 for a year old MS 390.......the two saws are like night and day.......the 361 has a newer and better anti-vibration set up plus a better magnesium cylinder compared to a 390 The 361 is a pro saw......the 390 is not! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

 

[litefoot]

I would see if the dealer would throw in a couple of extra chains and pay the $610.00 before I would pay $450.00 for a year old MS 390.......the two saws are like night and day.......the 361 has a newer and better anti-vibration set up plus a better magnesium cylinder compared to a 390 The 361 is a pro saw......the 390 is not! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

You meant magnesium "crankcase", right? The distinction here would be plastic versus magnesium crankcase on a better saw. You know, another thing is those dealers. Some are real jerks, especially some of the high-minded Sithl dealers. So make sure you factor that in and save some grief later. Check out the Huskies mentioned and, of course, look into the Dolmar 5100. You'll sometimes find the Dolmar guys in the strangest places...but they're out there.

P.S. You excellent Stihl dealer please don't take offense, it's just that 2 of 3 Stihl dealers in my area couldn't care less about helping me when I'm in their stores

 

[manual]

Like the man said, if cash is tight go with the 359!

ditto