Suggestions for a new saw

[Kennesm]

Hello
I am thinking of getting a new saw.
I have a 55 with an 18” bar and it’s been a great saw but I would like to get something with more power for my side business.
I need suggestions from the pros please.
Money is a factor.

Thanks

 

[brent denny]

If money is a factor the 359 and 365 husky's are hard to beat and they both have a lot more power than your 55. Im not a pro though so you may want to ignore me.

 

[Kennesm]

Thanks Brent
I have read a lot of good about the 359 i'll also look into the 365.

 

[brent denny]

I would keep the 55 as a smaller saw and get the 365 for a big saw. For just a little difference in price between the 359 and 365, the 365 has gobs of torque.

 

[njforestfire]

You won't be disappointed with the 365. I run a 24" bar - 3/8 RC chain and it pulls through mostly anything. I opend up the muffler a bit and its' even better now. Just slightly slower than my buddies 046 (in certain wood).

 

[Kennesm]

What about the 357?

 

[brent denny]

The 357 is a great saw with a little more rpm and power than the 359. Are you looking to replace the 55 or get another saw to go with it? 357/359 would both be great replacements for the 55 with a little more power but would be too close in weight and ccs for a second saw. I recommended the 359 because you said price was a factor and it is quite a bit cheaper than the 357 xp. If you are going for a second larger saw, the 365 would be the minimum step up for me. Again, probably the best bang for the buck. If you want to spend another sixty bucks or so, you can step up to the 372xp which has more jam and a better air filter but wieghs about the same as the 365.

 

[Max]

Welcome,

I am not a pro but have a 357xp w/18" and really like for all around cutting.

I had a 359 for 1 day and returned it for the 357xp. The cat. convtr. scared me away from the 359.

If I had to do it over again I would take Brents suggestion and go for the 372xp.

Good luck.

 

[glens]

I would suggest stepping up to 70cc if you're going to keep the 55.

Glen

 

[Toneman]

My brother has a 357XP and loves it. No issues at all, at least that was the saw's fault.
He has a 18 in bar and chain on it.

 

[Justin Garrison]

If you are getting in some kind of buissness cutting keep the 55 for smaller stuff and buy the 372xp for bigger things. I'm sure almost everyone on here will vouch on the 372.

 

[Kennesm]

I do plan on keeping the 55 for just that reason.
The 372 looks like a good choice; is their any other brand that i should look at in that cc range or will husky give me the best bang for my buck?

 

[TonyM]

Okay, you asked. The Dolmar PS-7300 is more than competitive to the Husqvarna 372XP. 5.7 Hp instead of 5.4, a tad more weight (few tenths of a pound), and more torque. Price is very similar as well. Here is a link to a shootout of some saws done in Germany. The page order is not quite right. The 372XP is an excellent saw though, I used to own one and liked it very much, but the Dolmars are just as good.

shootout

 

[Kennesm]

Is there a site on the web that sells Dolmar?
i cant find any place to compare prices.

 

[TonyM]

Check your email and private messages.

 

[Kennesm]

Got your message Tony

Thanks

 

[Molecule]

shootout is worth a look ...

the "shootout" pdf is fantastic ... compares Stihl, Husky and Dolmar 50cc saws and 70cc saws, with independently verified measurements.

-- but they never hinted at the sprockets used for each saw (probably standard z=7 for 3/8 ; z=8 for 325), nor specific cutter design and chain gauge used. (significant points ...)

Any chance anyone might know, or know how to find out, which chain if they used on each saw, and also 325 or 3/8 for the 50cc's?

 

[TonyM]

I beleive the article stated that the saws came with a factory chisel chain, which was Stihl on the Stihls, and Oregon on the others. Don't think it said anything about pitch or gage. I'll look. It also didn't mention anything about breakin of the saws.

 

[TonyM]

Right here on page 3.

"The test candidates were all unpacked
and assembled. We used the chisel
tooth chains that are supplied as standard
with the products; Stihl manufactures
its own chain, Dolmar, Husqvarna and Shindaiwa
use guide bars and chains made by
Oregon. After topping up with special fuel
(we used Aspen) and chain oil, we conducted
a cold start test."

 

[Molecule]

thanks, I leaped right over that quote ... for the Stihl 260-usa, catalog config is 16" RM2 (chisel with "triple-humped" tie strap) in 325 x 063. Not an ideal chain. For the 440, 20" bar 3/8x050 -- again RM2 "triple-hump-ump-umped" ties. Doesn't seem fair to run that chain against a Oregon Vanguard (if that is std for Dolmar in Europe-?) for the 70cc-3/8 range ? Any European members know which chain dolmar uses for the 50cc's ?