Some new saw guidance request..

[djmercer1]

So, here are the facts:
1) in a remote community - no boat and only plane access til summer
2) firewood for me and elders - this will include some ripping of logs since i don't have a splitter
3) north east coast of Canada - so mostly softwood at tree line (red spruce mostly with some birch, dead stands and driftwood) upto 16-18" if i can be selective enough. though will be also some ripping of pallets and over scrap wood i will do with 170/240
4) i have onhand 2 of ms170 and 1 husky 240
5) i got my 048 and pp260 coming later this winter when ice forms for skidoo and my 051 will be doing ripping of big stuff

In town i can buy a ms271 (or can borrow a 291 for short term tasks) but i do have a dealer that will put a ungased NIB unit on the plane for me. I am torn between the 362, 400 and 462 and have price for each - i am leaning towards the 362 with 20" bar since the 462 is very close to my 048....

last thing, since we wont get sealift for 6-7 months - how sensitive are the new saws gonna be to old fuels, oil etc?

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Don’t bother with 362 get 400. If you wanna spend a little extra go 462. Ultimate power will be 462 but if you wanna comprise power/fuel efficiency with 20” bar go 400. MS400 is being phased out here soon so if you want one get it now.

 

[djmercer1]

Don’t bother with 362 get 400. If you wanna spend a little extra go 462. Ultimate power will be 462 but if you wanna comprise power/fuel efficiency with 20” bar go 400. MS400 is being phased out here soon so if you want one get it now.

So why the 462 vs 400 vs 362? The few $$$$ isnt a deciding factor in this for me - just trying to make most practical choice...

Last thing i forgot to mention above is i got a 80-100km round trip on skidoo to get this wood back to process..

 

[cookies]

362 should wear a 16-18" bar if you want it to cut with authority and be used for slabbing
400 should wear a 18-20" bar if.....
462 should wear a 20-25" bar if.....
I'd get the 462 with 20 and 28" bars and sell the other 3 saws over 60cc
As long as the fuel is over 89 octane and clean new saws burn it just fine

 

[Jeffkrib]

I'd go for the MS400, for 16 - 18" wood that's the one to get.
Will be a good match with the MS170 and 240. 30-40cc and 60cc combo is ideal for what you describe.
MS462 would be better if you were dealing with 20 -24" trees.
Would love to live up your way for a year.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

So why the 462 vs 400 vs 362? The few $$$$ isnt a deciding factor in this for me - just trying to make most practical choice...

Last thing i forgot to mention above is i got a 80-100km round trip on skidoo to get this wood back to process..

Well, price difference between 362 and 400 is negligible. 362 is 59cc 400 is 67cc. Spend a little more and get a more capable saw. 462 is better yet but little heavier if you care about that. 400 is limited to 25” bar (IMO) 462 will run 28” bar quite comfortably if needed. 400 is a very capable “do all” saw between the three.

 

[djmercer1]

All:

Went via small boat to walk the wood lots I gotta work with this winter - pretty clean stuff as in straight and easy cutting/loadout and 3-4 lengths per stick... the wood is smaller than the 16-18" i was told earlier and i would guess about 80-90% 12" or less. there is about 5% nice saw logs I am going either going to cope with or wait until i get my bigger saws later this winter - just going for the firewood stuff early which will also reduce the amount of splitting/ripping i gotta do......

Base on this and other saws i got I am figuring a 362. spoke with the dealer and there is a lead time with the 462 that i cant work with this winter - so either a 400 or 362.

Final thoughts before i pull the trigger?

 

[farmer steve]

Gonna say the 400. But!!. For the size you just mentioned^^^ I'd go with a 261 with an 18" bar. The saw sips gas and cuts great. Looks like you have some bigger saws if needed. Good luck on your choice. What I've been cutting with my 261. Ash.

 

[irhunter]

Base on this and other saws i got I am figuring a 362.

Final thoughts before i pull the trigger?

While Mtronic is a well-proven system, no way would I want to be out in the bush with a saw which might need to be plugged into a dealer's computer. The MS400-crew will be here in a second to say "Never happened to me."

Fine.

But, it does happen.

I'd go for the MS362 non-Mtronic version. While they get little love on this site, I have run one quite a bit and found them to be solid in hardwood with a 20" bar.

Roy

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Old fuel is a bad idea- many chainsaw problems are fuel related. Use canned fuel.

 

[djmercer1]

A couple comments, and appreciated for everything so far:
1) in Canada i have no option for a pro level saw unless m-tronic, so my option would be a 391 and even that has intelli carbs - i am going pro level saw 100%
2) canned premix is $55/4l, and little in store (husky brand only) because of cost and i am not sure how old of stock it is
3) as preference and combability with my other saws coming, i pretty sure i gonna go with 3/8 chain, so option would be 391 and not 262... 3.8 will also limit those wanting to borrow since not something they see as all running smaller saws..

I have pieced together a full kit of stuff as accessories like chains, sprockets (everything outside the drum), filters, plug, files etc - very little stuff available in town and most has to be flown in as weather allows... what am i missing?

Appreciated all.

 

[Jeffkrib]

Any saw can fail ( M tronic or not) and if you don't have the part to fix it you're dead in the water.
You have backup saws so you're fine.