time for a second saw

[natems361]

I'm looking for a new saw for cutting cord wood. I currently have a ms361 that i use for everything. I do about 75 cord a year but want to do more. I currently have mountains of logs and want a saw that is best for this. I'm leaning towards the 261. Would this be a good choice?

 

[Youngbuck20]

Your looking for a smaller saw or something for the smaller stuff?

 

[Jed1124]

Welcome aboard! The new flavor of the month is the 562 xp. It used to be back in the day God's gift to saws was the 361, but you already have one of those. Then the new flavors were 346xp, for a short time the 261, now the 562 xp. I think the 361 and 261 are too close power/weight wise. Why not step up to a 441 or 460. Maybe a 372xp or xt? Happy CAD:tongue2:

 

[natems361]

Is thinking of a smaller saw. Might want to put 16" bar on the 361 for log lengths and get a bigger one for cutting trees down if that would make more sense if so with saw?

 

[mic687]

Is thinking of a smaller saw. Might want to put 16" bar on the 361 for log lengths and get a bigger one for cutting trees down if that would make more sense if so with saw?

The 261 is a good saw and fairly light, I have a ms270 that has been a really good saw but cutting as much as you do I would go with the 261 pro.

 

[formationrx]

saw...

IMO: dolmar 5105, stihl 261 or 028 wood boss

 

[no tree to big]

if your looking for speed and can deal with a little more weight I'd pick up a 440 and put what ever bar you want on it people pull 32" bars with um and you could step all the way down to 16-18" if you wanted. that way one power head covers pretty much all your needs and you just buy a couple bars

at work the ground saw on the crane removal crew is a dolmar 7900 with a 20" bar on it that thing is a beast kinda heavy but cuts FAST

 

[burtim]

I have an MS361 also. Its really my "big" saw right now. I have an older 026 Pro and an MS200T. I am a homeowner with a lot of timber around me. I put an 18" bar on the 026 and a 20" on the MS361. Most of the wood I cut is 20" diameter or less Walnut, Elm, Oak and Hackeberry. I like to fell and buck with the 361 and limb with the 026. Honestly, the 026 (new one would be MS261) is the saw I put the most time on.

I have thought about adding an MS460 or larger to add to the arsenal.

 

[MackenzieTree]

Wouldnt go smaller on the saw def step up to a 441 or 460 put a smaller bar on the 361, got a 362 with a 25" bar to do all my bucking its agreat saw

 

[Kottonwood]

Like others have said... don't go smaller. Or go both ways. IMO the best firewood combo would be a 260 with 18" bar and a 460 with 28" bar.

That 460 is the best damn saw ever made..... I sometimes use a 36" bar on mine when I need something bigger when climbing. I have the whole stihl pro lineup and a few huskys. The 460 is by FAR my favorite saw I own...

I have about fortyish cord of unsplit big rounds in my wood lot right now... I am holding off on hiring someone to cut it all because I really want to get down there and sling chips with my 460 and 3120! ..... as soon as I have a day off.


PS... your 361 is a badass saw! take care of that thing. I recommend a 25" with full skip... mmm like butter. I've got a 361 and 362... don't know what the hell stihl did with that one, night and day difference.

 

[natems361]

Thanks for all the input. My update is I now own a brand new 460. Haven't fired it up yet but will be soon.

 

[RYNOMAGNUM]

Thanks for all the input. My update is I now own a brand new 460. Haven't fired it up yet but will be soon.

Congratulations! Sounds like you made an excellent choice. What bar and chain combo are running? Let us know how you like that Bad Boy !!!:msp_thumbup:

 

[Kottonwood]

Hell yeah! You're gonna love that saw, congrats.

 

[natems361]

Congratulations! Sounds like you made an excellent choice. What bar and chain combo are running? Let us know how you like that Bad Boy !!!:msp_thumbup:

Ive used the 460 for about a week now, I love that thing. I'm running 25" bar with stihl chain rsc. I'm trying to use both saws but I find myself hesitant to pick up the 361 but they are b:msp_thumbupth great saws.

 

[troythetreeman]

the 441 is not a saw that impresses me, 460 is arguably the best saw on the market

 

[TreeAce]

I know my stock 046mag is a bad ass saw. She is a runner. a true work horse. I run a 25 inch bar with a regular old stihl chain. awesome saw. I like my 260 pro alot to. I also still have my 026 that was the first saw I ever bought. Got her when that saw first came out. She has seen better days but still runs ok and is called upon from time to time.

 

[ROPECLIMBER]

I mostly do trimming but looked at the ms 440 the other day with a 25 " bar what do yall think of it.This may be old stock because says ms440 pro made in west germany, they quoted me 965 plus tax, I dont really take big removals, because of the old 034 it is new in 1989 or 90, but need to bid a dead red oak this am, just a spar some one else topped it out last year after it died, and looks like he ran out of saw too, the trunk is around 5 feet DBH and 25-30 feet up it is still 30 in, could see where he tried to knotch it with a smaller saw, has a flare ofn over 7.5 feet at grade,
Paul

 

[TreeAce]

I have had my eye on getting a 440 also. But wonder if just getting another 46 makes more sense?? I am not sure the 440 in lght enough to justify not getting the 460. I am thinking of it for working spars and some ground use. But still may be alittle big for limbing up stuff for the chipper?

 

[troythetreeman]

the 440 is a great saw, the 460 is better and theyre so close in size and weight i wouldnt buy a 440
and as i stated earlier the 441 is not impressive to me
next size down from a 460 i run Husqvarna, i have a 350 i love, come time to replace that im getting a 346xp

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

saw

460 Mag will make you happy. I do run a 3ft bar for big take downs. With any of the smaller bars she screams through the cut. Get one.