Recommendations for a bigger saw

[Justin Garrison]

A non pro saw will work for you especially if you are not a pro or that big of a saw user. While my 046 was under the weather I cut alot of wood with my 290. Mostly about 20'' dia oak. It was a little slow but it got the job done. Now that my 046 is running the 029 is just collecting dust. So what if I dont need an 82cc saw. I stihl use it!

 

[TimberPig]

A non pro saw will work for you especially if you are not a pro or that big of a saw user. While my 046 was under the weather I cut alot of wood with my 290. Mostly about 20'' dia oak. It was a little slow but it got the job done. Now that my 046 is running the 029 is just collecting dust. So what if I dont need an 82cc saw. I stihl use it!

Did ya bore the saw out or something, an 046 is 77cc stock?

 

[timberwolf]

Have you delt with the muffler on the 260 yet?

What are you cutting for wood, unless you are getting into biger hardwood there is likely no justification for a 460.

I cut with a 260 mod and 066, works well for my likes the 066 is overkill, but overkill is good most times. The two saw set up works great for getting fire wood, knock the trees down with the big saw limb and do the small stuff with the small saw and block up the trunk with the big saw.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If you can get a 361 then get it, it is a great saw and is really a nice saw to run just open your muffler up and you will have a nice powered chainsaw, The 361 is nicer to run than some of the other stihl's to me, it has a better vibration system which to me means alot and is nice and light

Seems like Stihl is following Husky's lead on the use of springs for anti-vibe.

 

[Justin Garrison]

Timber pig, The saw was blown up when I bought her, so I bought the after market "big bore" kit for it from Baileys it uses a 54mm piston instead of a 52. I heard that that makes it about 6ccs biggger but I don't know exact numbers. I thought I had overkill 046 against 8''-20'' oak on average.

 

[TimberPig]

Ok, that explains it, but adding 6 cc's to 77 cc's gives 83 cc.

 

[Justin Garrison]

Well it starts out at 76.5 so I gave it a down size a little bit. Grande Dog said it would add about 6ccs. If it really does make about 83 ccs than it is a competitor for that new 065 thing at 84.9ccs with 2 more pounds than a 046.

 

[KMB]

Have you delt with the muffler on the 260 yet?

What are you cutting for wood, unless you are getting into biger hardwood there is likely no justification for a 460.

I cut with a 260 mod and 066, works well for my likes the 066 is overkill, but overkill is good most times. The two saw set up works great for getting fire wood, knock the trees down with the big saw limb and do the small stuff with the small saw and block up the trunk with the big saw.

No, I haven't dealt with the muffler. I've read that there are threads here that deal with muffler mods. I'll have to check it out.

 

[lumberjach]

I have an 036 pro and I really enjoy it. I have had it for years now and have used it on a daily basis. I have a 24 in. bar on it and it pushes it just fine. I wouldn't go any larger though. I bought the saw used. I also bought a busted up parts saw for it but have had no need for it. It has been general maintenence for this saw. I have chased four storms with it and it has never let me down. I wouldn't limit myself to a new saw though if I were you. If you are on a tight budget and want something with some cubic inches, I would go with a used 440 or 460 magnum. You can pick one of these up at a pawn shop for just a couple of hundred dollars. Even if you take it to have it tuned up you still save a bundle and you will be satisfied with the power. When it comes to firewood-Time is money! I know where there is (or was) an ms 660 in a pawn shop for $285. Look around you will be surprised. Good luck.

 

[KMB]

I have an 036 pro and I really enjoy it. I have had it for years now and have used it on a daily basis. I have a 24 in. bar on it and it pushes it just fine. I wouldn't go any larger though. I bought the saw used. I also bought a busted up parts saw for it but have had no need for it. It has been general maintenence for this saw. I have chased four storms with it and it has never let me down. I wouldn't limit myself to a new saw though if I were you. If you are on a tight budget and want something with some cubic inches, I would go with a used 440 or 460 magnum. You can pick one of these up at a pawn shop for just a couple of hundred dollars. Even if you take it to have it tuned up you still save a bundle and you will be satisfied with the power. When it comes to firewood-Time is money! I know where there is (or was) an ms 660 in a pawn shop for $285. Look around you will be surprised. Good luck.

I haven't checked the local pawn shops yet. I don't know if I feel comfortable buying a saw from e-bay. I would rather look the saw over and handle it before I hand over my cash. More and more I'm leaning towards a used 361, 360 or 036. But if a great deal on a 440 or 044 (within my budget) presented itself - why not go for it.

 

[lumberjach]

For me personally Ive always liked the 036 but if I am cutting anything over 18 inches I am wishing for something bigger. It will handle it but if you are cutting a lot of wood it is worth the investment. I agree with you though I have to feel it run in my hand before I will buy it. With the exception of antique saws because you know your gonna wrench on it anyway.

 

[046]

another vote for MS 460 or 046.

Arkasas is simular to Okla. where I'm at. that is lots of oaks. I'd go with a 24in bar or 20in bar.

I've got an 046 setup with 20in bar and MS 460 w/24in bar. 20in gets used most of the time.

bury your 24in bar in dead oak and 460 will slow down, even with sharp chain. whereas 20in bar will rip thru

 

[BigUglySquirrel]

I don't know if you've ever run a Husqvarna, but you shouldn't count them out till you have. Nothing limbs or bucks like a Husky right out of the box. I'm not being biased here, I have 2 338xpt Husky's and would LOVE to sell them both and buy another MS200T. As far as climbing goes, you can't beat the 020T/200T. On the ground, my personal experience is that Stihl makes a quality product, but they really are overrated when you stack them up against a Husqvarna. The Husky's cost a bit less, they've been far more reliable for us and they flat out cut faster with less operator effort. We've got a 350 with an 18" bar that has cut a TON of wood...and you can buy them straight off the shelf from Lowes for less than a comparable Stihl. I'm sure it has the guts to spin a 20" bar. The XP models are professional series saws and of course they carry those added features. To sum it up, don't sell yourself on Stihl unless you've had a chance to put a Husqvarna through the paces. My recomendation would be a used 372XP with a 20"-24" bar. Price should be around $400 and the saw is without question a STAPLE in ANY area of arborculture. The 575XP has also been a great saw for us, but my preferrence lies in the 372XP for the reliablity, long life and raw power.

 

[KMB]

I have nothing against Husky saws. I haven't used one yet. I happened to get a good deal on my first saw - a MS 260 - and I've been impressed by it. A friend of mine has an old Rancher 61 that does really well for him. Another friend of mine has 350 and I think a 55 Rancher. My brother-in-law has a 029, and another friend has a MS 290. If I could have originally got a good deal on a Husky, I would be looking to buy another Husky. I guess mixing saw brands isn't a big deal anyway. I wish I knew some folks who had a big Stihl and a big Husky so I could try them to see how they feel to me. Thanks for your input.

 

[Billy_Bob]

I recently looked *everywhere* in my area for a used 460. I only found one, but someone already had dibs on it. (No luck.) One dealer told me he wished he had a hundred of them.

 

[2Coilinveins]

I've got an MS360 Pro, darn good firewood saw, no complaints, you'll love it. I run an 18" bar with full comp chain. I keep a 24" b&c for when needed. I've cut countless cords of firewood with nary an issue; buy one and be happy. I found mine for $200, used.

But....

For selling firewood, plan on moving up to a bigger saw, and soon. Definitely look at Husky's; I had a 372xp that was a delight.

 

[KMB]

I've got an MS360 Pro, darn good firewood saw, no complaints, you'll love it. I run an 18" bar with full comp chain. I keep a 24" b&c for when needed. I've cut countless cords of firewood with nary an issue; buy one and be happy. I found mine for $200, used.

But....

For selling firewood, plan on moving up to a bigger saw, and soon. Definitely look at Husky's; I had a 372xp that was a delight.

A bigger saw for selling firewood to get the cutting done faster?

 

[2Coilinveins]

A bigger saw for selling firewood to get the cutting done faster?

Yup. And the usual desire for more power. Shortly after my 372xp was stolen( !!!!), I used my 360 to do the majority of limbing and blocking on a 38" DBH oak tree that I'd had a tree company chunk down. Yeah, it took awhile, but entirely doable.

 

[KMB]

I've been reading, thinking, figuring and so on. Is it possible/realistic to find a good (hasn't been abused, well maintained etc.) used 044 with a 20" bar in good condition for $400 ? Or am I way out in left field? Is a used 036 or 360 more realistic for that kind of money?
I did look up the Husky's that were close as far as specs go (used 372XP, 357XP) - what will the above price max do concerning these Husky's? Thanks to all. As I have already mentioned in another post - trying to get the best bang for my buck. I like to do proper research before I buy.

 

[thompson1600]

You should be able to find a nice 044 for $400, or an 036 for that or slightly less. 036 seems to go almost as high as an 044 sometimes. If you PM me, I have both a real nice 036 and a nice 044 for sale right now.

Tom