top 5 must have saws

[SilverKing]

Poulan Pro 655,Poulan Pro 455,Stihl 440,Husqvarna 50 special,Stihl 024

 

[brncreeper]

346 OE or NE
372xp
372xpw(75cc) or UNIVENT
MS440
MS660

 

[Roanoker494]

From a collector standpoint my 5 must have saws are:

McCulloch 125
McCulloch 550 Super
Homelite 750
Homelite 2100
Homelite 1050

This list is much longer but the preset parameters have limited me to 5..........

5 that I believe to be solid performers? (Assuming you would have to purchase each saw)
50cc= Husqvarna 51/55 (346 if you have the ability)
60cc= Husqvarna 266xp (365xp if you have the ability)
70cc= I would just use the above 266xp (372xp if you have the ability)
80cc= Homelite 900 series (Husqvarna 288xp if you have the ability)
90cc= Husqvarna 2100
100cc= I would use the above 2100

 

[SawTroll]

Heated handle for those guys like ST in the tundra.

Really nice when the gloves and hands are wet as well! :msp_wink:

 

[sawfun9]

It depends on the size wood you cut of course but here go's

200t
026 or 346NE
044 or 372
ported 460, or 066
Mac 125 (my personal favorite), ported 880, or stock 090 depending on bar size you need. The 166 Dolly is a great one too.

Then of course a pole saw, Stihl or Echo with a Silky for backup. Oh no I guess that could be more than five.

 

[rms61moparman]

5 "must have" saws

Easy!

Poulan S25DA/S25CVA
Dolmar PS401-This saw has no equal!
Poulan 3000 (also could substitute Partner 5000+ J-Red 490 or Poulan Pro 325)
Dolmar 6400- (Will handily put a "beat down" on the Stihl, Husky J-red also rans)
Dolmar 7900- When only the best will do!!!

The Poulan 5200/5400/8500 would easily substitute for the 7900 if you prefer POWER over speed!


Mike

 

[Cliffhanger9]

Maybe I just don't have enough experience throughout the range of saws but I am really surprised at how many people here chose between such small power ranges if you only had 5 saws. Lots of people here saying 50, 60, 70....incrementally stepping up only 8-10CCs between. At such a small increment the weight differences between each are relatively minimal as well. I dunno, if it were me with only a few saws I'd cover the functional areas better and CC ranges more broadly. The way I see it when it comes to saws you have a few functional areas, maybe something like this, though I could probably do it in only 3 or 4:

In tree work saw, zippy, lightweight - MS200T - 35cc
Nimble ground work limbing - smaller bucking or firewood - occasional in-tree work substitute - MS260 or 346XP - 50cc
The main event, your go-to saw for most things - if you only had one saw to do it all, this would be it -- handles limbing, bucking, firewood duty, falling moderate sized stuff - just a tad heavier than most farm saws but functionally seriously overpowers them - MS460 - 77cc
bigger falling, bigger bar bucking, normal milling - 064/066/MS660/390xp - 92cc
heavy duty, low ground, high torque workhorse, stumper, big bar milling monster - 088/MS880 - 122cc

 

[mile9socounty]

60cc - 262XP, 036 Pro, MS361
70cc - 372XP/XPW, 044/440, 046/460, 7900
80cc - 385XP, 064
90cc - 390XPW, 394XP, 395XP, 066/660, 2100
100cc - Too many to list. You get my point right?

 

[lmalterna]

I do not climb so:

1) Ms200R rear handle-
2) Husq 550XP
3) 365XT/372/044- ported is even better
4) pole saw

That would be all I would feel like I need. Plenty of other good saws to choose from. My little 435 does a good job as a limbing saw for cheap $$.

Bill

5) 390XP don't need it but it would be fun.

 

[terryknight]

Maybe I just don't have enough experience throughout the range of saws but I am really surprised at how many people here chose between such small power ranges if you only had 5 saws. Lots of people here saying 50, 60, 70....incrementally stepping up only 8-10CCs between. At such a small increment the weight differences between each are relatively minimal as well. I dunno, if it were me with only a few saws I'd cover the functional areas better and CC ranges more broadly. The way I see it when it comes to saws you have a few functional areas, maybe something like this, though I could probably do it in only 3 or 4:

i agree with you completely. spread the saws out. though i think the 460 might be a bit big as an everything saw, but a 044 or 440 i think is fine. maybe i am to picky

 

[bob15]

1. BP-1
2. CP-125
3. Mac 895
4-5, Any other Mac 54cc and larger

 

[Chris J.]

Speaking only of the chainsaws I have hoarded, these five/six should cover just about any cutting needs:

1. Jonsered 2095.
2.* Poulan 5400.
2.* Jonsered 2171 (ported by tlandrum).
3. Craftsman 3.7 (a rebadged Poulan 3700, possibly a 3800).
4. Husqvarna 346XP.
5. Poulan S25CVA.

* If I had to choose just one, a very tough decision, it would be the 2171.

 

[brncreeper]

I'd say the "must" of the must have saws would be the 372/2171.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[paccity]

only 5? once you get bit by the saw bug 5 will never be enough. they are all must haves. 5 saws. phffftt. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[procarbine2k1]

Doh, left out the 262xp! Have mine setup with a 15" Tsumura bar and round ground chisel...

 

[cheeves]

Doh, left out the 262xp! Have mine setup with a 15" Tsumura bar and round ground chisel...

If I were allowed just one saw it would be my 262!!

 

[zogger]

only 5? once you get bit by the saw bug 5 will never be enough. they are all must haves. 5 saws. phffftt. :hmm3grin2orange:

Five per brand is a nice start...

 

[Mpbowyer]

362 - Snellerized
200T
Another 200T
019T
010

Well, I must have those when I get out to my garage, or someone robbed me!

 

[bplust]

5 that run as they should, with minimal plastic, works for me.

 

[Naked Arborist]

3 saws stable
MS180C or 018 small stuff, ground guys limb chopper, easy to handle, low power, efficient, fairly safe
025 or MS250 your choice mostly the same saw
MS361 my fav in any trim or level of mods second choice 044 or MS440

5 saws stable
MS200T or MS201T a must for up top work. You can keep all the rest they suck
066 flat top or MS660 I'd take the flat top in a heartbeat if you know saws you know why
not much use for anything bigger around here except milling


For the record I run all 3/8 .375 0.050 ONLY ON EVERYTHING

For the "ONE SAW ONLY" crowd MS361 bone stock period end of story!!!!!!!! Why ??? you ask:
1 anybody can buy one just about anywhere for the most part
2 parts are readily available
3 THEY ARE ONE TOUGH ASS SAW!
4 you don't need anything else for average ground work and firewood
5 good power to weight ratio
6 has GREAT chain speed IMHO
7 7 or 8 pin, pick your wheel
8 only if needed, it will pull a 28" round filed pretty damn good in most woods
9 IMO the best bang for your buck in a used saw selling or buying one
10 handles good, easy on fuel (stock that is) they will run all day long in any weather out there!
If you need more reasons to own one go buy one and you will find out for yourself.

My favorite setup is the bone stock MS361 (my only one with no mods, sips fuel) 20" Stihl (non pro tip) ES Bar, Stihl or Oregon 72 Full Chisel round Filed 35 degrees. New: rakers set at 0.040-0.045 dead worn out stumping chains at 0.075-0.080
My second choice cool weather bar is a Sugi Hara 20" Hard nose for sandy, dirty or icy crap with a semi-chisel chain at 30 degrees.

I've owned a run 036, 036 Pro, MS360, MS360 Pro, Muf Mod MS 360 Pro, Muf Mod 361, these are all damn good saws and they hold up well to some serious cutting day in and day out.

Pouland Pro 455 Canadian model is what I use for firewood cutting on the ground. It sports a 16"
bow so I don't have to bend over all day long. I got a great deal on the saw and it is heavy too, just the right weight to push the bow through the wood.

If anyone owns both: PP 455 and a PP 655 I'd like to know how they stack up against each other with the same set up on them. Do the outer dress parts interchange on these two saws? PM me

My next Project X MS361 aka: MS366 :msp_ohmy: air box work, filter mod, squished, timed, runner and transfer ported, window ported, partial shaved dome, skirted, polished where needed, ignition timed, muf mod :msp_unsure:, tuned and few more special tweeks :msp_razz:, pulling an 8 or 9 pin full skip square chisel "custom feather weight 28 :hmm3grin2orange: "