Some help with a bigger saw needed please

[beaverenvy]

I am new to this forum although I have read and followed posts for some time and have learned a tremendous amount just reading. Thank you all.

My question and situation: Currently have a MS290(if I knew then what I know now it would be a 260 but it works well with limitations). I want to keep the 290 for limbing and smaller trees but I am at the point on my property where I need to take on some larger 20+ hardwoods. (ash, cherry, black walnut, hickory) Most of these are standing dead but I still have some large deadfall to clear as well. I will fell, buck and split all these for firewood and camp wood. The 290 will do this I know but with strain. The project time is endless.(a good thing)

Some help is needed with stepping up in saws. I had pretty much settled on the 372XP until I started reading about the 575xp and maybe even the 385xp. The 395 is way too much saw for me-that I know. (if you are a Stihl fan-me too. But my local dealers are lawn mower salesmen and one is a real jerk-won’t give them my money) So some experienced advise is requested. Is the 372 sufficient or if there really justification to step up? I tend to buy quality equipment and keep it forever so the money up front is not the issue-getting the right saw is. Lastly- what bar/chain combination would you suggest for this really dense stuff?

Thanks- Know this is long but wanted to give sufficient information.

 

[weimedog]

I my humble opinion a husqvarna 372XP will do anything you need. If your a big fella a 385 might be worth the extra weight & power otherwize stay with the 372 class size & power class saw. I do the same type mix of wood you have described with a Husqvarna 365 and a mixed bag of big old Vintage monsters. My wood includes Red Oak, Hickory, Elm, Cherry, Hardwood Maple, and Ash. Most in the 20 to 28inch range. Last fall and into the winter I cut a bunch of Ash in the 24-28 inch range to make lumber for projects..I recently have been taking down the very large over mature or standing dead trees that in some cases are more than 36 inches in diameter. Most of the time I take them down with an old Homelite Super XL925 with a 28inch bar. A 372 Husqvarna should make the same kind of power with less weight. I happen to like the ergo's of the Husqvarna brand better than Stihl. But to each his own...can't go wrong with either brand if you have a dealer or the know how to maintain your own.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I am a Stihl guy, but not in any way an anti-Husqvarna guy. I've never owned a Husky, but just from what I've heard, what I know, common knowledge, and general consensus, I say go with the 372. It's been discontinued, but they're still to be had, and they've got a huge following. I've talked to guys who say the 575 weighs more than it should, and at 15 lbs for a 5.4 hp saw...well compare that to a 440.

Just my take on it, but I ain't a Husky expert. Heck, I ain't really any expert at all!

Jeff

 

[Al Smith]

I am an old McCulloch collector,but for general use,I would say Stihl,Husky,Dolmar,around 4 to 4.5 cu in,would handle about any thing you would need a saw for,except milling.Look for good dealer support in your area.This is important,because at some time or another you will need parts.From what you said about the tree sizes,a 20" bar would work great.A saw of these sizes will really scoot with that size bar.If you find the need for more bar length,you can always get that later.My Stihl 048's [4.67 cu in] will handle a 32" bar with relative ease,and I suspect any modern saw,that size, would do likewise .

 

[bvaught]

Im a stihl man, so I recommend the 460 or the 660. If you are comfortable with a saw, bite the bullet and get the 660 with a 24" bar. It will handle all the felling and bucking you mention with power to spare, and you will have a great tried and true saw. I dont think there is such thing as "too much" saw except when it comes to weight.

If you are interested I will sell you my almost new 440 so that I can trade up to a 660.

 

[Newfie]

I'll agree w/ what has been said about the Huskys. 372 will do just fine for your needs. The 385 is an awful lot of saw to carry around all day if you don't really need to.

 

[beaverenvy]

Thanks all for the advice. bvaught- thanks but if I trusted the Stihl dealers near me for support I would already have a 440 broken in. I did find a Stihl dealer fairly close who I have used for tractor implements and is good. But I still have a tough time seeing the value for the difference in price. From what I read both are excellent saws. ALWAYS open to suggestions and advise though.

 

[spacemule]

I am a Stihl guy, but not in any way an anti-Husqvarna guy.
Jeff

Hey! Have you seen that new show "Husky eye for the Stihl guy?" lol

 

[67chevelle]

372xp

I ended up going for the 372.Its had probably 10 tanks thru it and its really starting to come to life.My friend who cuts with me is all stihl he has the ms460,darn nice saw.I would go for the 372 with a 20''and you'll be tickled pink with the way it performs.

 

[clearance]

Get the big dogs for your 372, the ones they come stock with are useless. 24" bar skip chain. Make sure you have all the PPE.

 

[njforestfire]

Get the big dogs for your 372, the ones they come stock with are useless. 24" bar skip chain. Make sure you have all the PPE.

ditto!

 

[keith c raymond]

Dolnar 7900,Stihl MS440,Husky372XP,thats the way to go.Look for a good local dealer.

 

[rmihalek]

Skip chain on a 24" bar? Really? I run a 24" bar on an old Husky 266 with full comp chain and have no trouble at all keeping full revs with the bar buried in maple. I haven't had an oak big enough yet to get the full bar length into, but I don't think I'd need to use skip chain if the maple is any indication.

 

[DarioMO]

I also have full comp chain in my 044's 24" bar...never had any problems cutting through 28" dia (more near the root ball) Texas Mesquite.

 

[bvaught]

I have full comp full chisel chain on my MS 440 Magnum 20" bar, If I push on it much it will bog. I cant stand it when the saw bogs, I want a saw that cuts like its possessed.

 

[Lawn Masters]

Thats what saw mods are for.

 

[beaverenvy]

thanks guys. I placed the order today for the 372xp today. Decided to stay with a 20 inch bar and get a 24 later if I need it. Maybe save the 24 or larger bar for a larger saw if I get to where I have the need. Learnin more every day

 

[Molecule]

wha--440 bogging on a 20" bar?

Dolmar 7900! plus you might like the strength and safety of the bigger frame

 

[leweee]

Stihl eye for the Husky guy

Hey! Have you seen that new show "Husky eye for the Stihl guy?" lol

LMAO....but I stihl like "Stihl eye for the Husky guy" :Eye: :Eye:

 

[clearance]

I use skip chains on bars 24" and over because they are quicker to sharpen and although they cut slightly slower I found it to be better for me. I do have a 24" regular chain though, smooth, cuts good. When I was spacing I always ran a 266xp with a 18" bar regular chain (73lg). At work all we run is skip chain because we are always hitting stuff in trees (nails, wire, rocks etc.). If I was always cutting for sure clean wood then I would use regular chain. Beav-I am 5'11'', probably 6'1" in my boots and I really like a 24" bar on a 372. I have a 371xp that pulls chain on a 28" bar no problem.