Bigger chain saws

[snowwolfe]

We have lots of big oak trees on our property so I need a bigger chain saw. I do have a husky with a 16 inch bar so am looking for a saw with a 24 inch bar and most likely at least a 60cc motor.
Been thinking about one of the larger Echo's since they have a 5 year warranty.
What advice can you folks offer?

[Mica_Hiebert]

Stihl farm boss, should be able to pick one up with a 24 inch bar, full skip chain for around the 4-500 range. the Farm Boss is not a industrial grade saw like the models intended for arborist & loggers that will be used every day all day but they have allot of power and will be plenty adequate for the average user.

(I am a Stihl snob... I will buy a worn out Stihl and rebuild it before buying half the garbage out there on the market)

[Bazoo]

I also am a fan of a stihl. Not particular to any model. I have used a husqvarna some, and it was a good saw. It would not start unless one followed the exact starting procedure every time. It was cold natured.

[Mica_Hiebert]

I only recommended the Farm Boss model due to the price level comparison to the Echo or Husqvarnas and I have ran one a little and was impressed with the power. my personal saw is a 25 year old 036 that I replaced the jug, piston and rebuilt the carb on a year ago. I got it for free with no compresion and it cost me about $150 in parts from baileys.

[country gent]

We have several sthils on the farms that are good saws, Brother has a husqvarna thats a good saw. If you are planning on doing alot of cutting, you might want to consider one smaller lighter one for trimming and smaller parts and a big one for felling and or trunks. Some of the big saws can wear you out in just a couple hours running them. Had an old heavy clinton on the farm with handles on the end of the bar that would wear 2 good men out in an hour or so. LOL.

[Leslie Sapp]

I was a Husqvarna guy for many years, and still have a worn out 65 cc model that's got to be over 30 years old. However, in the last few years Husqvarna has gone more toward the homeowner line of equipment, and the new ones are not what they used to.
I recommend you plunk down the money for a professional grade Stihl. If you take care of it, it will likely last for as long as you're physically able to stand on your hind legs and run it.

[frankenfab]

I have had an MS310 Farm Boss for many years, and it has been a great saw. I'm running the non-safety chain on mine.

I am still using my dad's 15 year old 025 for limbing

[snowwolfe]

Farm boss has a 60cc motor?

[oscarflytyer]

Did a BUNCH of cutting during two tornadoes here in N AL. 2011 one burnt out my old 16 Husqvarna. Old ones were great saws, new ones not even close. On that one, I used, and saw a number of the volunteer groups that have wood cutting trailers set up, using the Stihl Farm Boss. The anti-vibration feature alone sold me on it. I got one and haven't looked back. Used it on the 2014 tornado and worked great! I have 4 chains and two bars - we go thru chains one a day during clean up on these things. IIRC (without looking) mine has a 20" bar. Been plenty and the engine can make that length scream. If for some reason had to buy a new one, would be exactly the one I have now.

[Gofaaast]

440 or 460/044 or 046 Stihl gets my vote. My 046 with a 24" bar is my favorite when cutting firewood over 8"'s. I have a couple 025's for limbing and cutting hedge posts, excellent power to weight ratio. I had a 039 and it was ok but awful heavy for cutting posts hours at a time and lacked power for timely wood cutting if you get much over 12" wood. Stihl chains really make a difference in my opinion. I can cut a cord of hedge with my 025 16" chain and still have a 75% sharp chain. With Oregon or Sandvik maybe 50%.

[kfarm]

Deleted

[frankenfab]

Farm boss has a 60cc motor?

59CC to be precise

http://www.backyardboss.com/mfg_Stihl/MS310.aspx

[Mal Paso]

Farm boss has a 60cc motor?

Would you believe Stihl is in cubic inches? 60cc would be an 036 - 038 or modern versions of those numbers.

Current Farm Boss 271 is 50 cc or 3.06 CI

044, 440 etc is 4.4 CI or about 5 hp.

I have the 038 Magnum which is the 4.4 CI with the 52 mm piston.

The Stihl 041 with the cylinder in line with the bar is the one to avoid. That was 30 years ago but I'll bet there are a few lurking out there.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have a Stihl MS360 Pro, the specs say 3.75 Cu in. or 61.5cc
I bought it new, about 10 years ago for $600, I suspect the Pro saws go for more now...They are worth it, if you are gonna be burning wood and cutting a several cords every year. Mine has a 20" Bar, It's all I need, if a log over 39" in dia, and I can't cut it, it's just as well, as I probably can't lift it on the trailer.

[Bullwolf]

I'm not a logger, or a chain saw expert but I do cut my own fire wood and have done a lot of work around the farm using Stihl chainsaws with no complaints, and only a few exceptions.

I had an older yellow McCulloch chain saw with a 28 inch bar. It was my go to if something big fell down and I needed to get it out of the way. Sadly the bar oiler died on the big McCulloch. Since they went out of business in 1999 I could not get any parts to repair the McCulloch with. I managed to run it for another season by pouring oil on the bar externally for really large diameter pieces, and rather than rigging up some kind of manual bar oiler I got rid of the old beast. Something I've kicked myself in the rear for many years later.

Have not gotten another saw with a long bar to replace the old McCulloch, and the big saws just keep getting more and more expensive every year now. I even had to farm out a job on a large tree that fell in the road back in 2010 due to not having a saw with a bar long enough.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=151948&d=1445911772

Now all that being said, my truck chainsaw is an older Husqvarna 49, with a 20 inch bar. (I added the 20 inch, it came with an 18 inch bar)

I've been running that saw somewhat hard on clean up jobs since 2008, but can't say for sure what year I purchased it, it's likely a 1996 Era saw though.

It's always been a 1 pull starter. The Husky does not see quite as much use as my regular Stihl saw that I use for cutting wood to burn, but since it's always in my truck I don't have to go for a hike whenever there's a tree down, or a branch in the road. It has never let me down. The majority of my clean up jobs are Eucalyptus, Oak, and Madrone. They are the only tough hard woods that I really have to deal with. Other than those, it's Pine, Fir, or Redwood, with the occasional buck eye tree mixed in.

I haven't had a lot of Husky saws, or really pushed the one in my truck as hard, or as often as I do the Stihls, but it's been around for a while now. Based on the performance of that Husqvarna, I may just purchase another one some day. I would probably even recommend one if asked. Like the Husqvarna 460 Rancher.

http://cdn1.husqvarna.com/qs_mh=460&mw=460&ver=00000000T000000/~/media/dam/husqvarna/forest%20chain%20saws%20electric%20saws%20power%20 cutters%20and%20saw%20mills/chain%20saws/2014/12/03/01/12/h110-0149.ashx

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/460-rancher/966048320/

Failing that, I don't think you would go wrong picking a good Stihl saw either.

I run all my 2 cycle engines, including the saws on Red Line 2 cycle oil.

https://rcaircraftcomponents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Red-Line-Oil-2.jpg

Noticed that I do not have to do rings and upper end cylinder work as often as I used to after making this change over. It really opened my eyes. Now I wish that I had done it years ago. I won't even touch those little bottles of generic 2 stroke chain saw oil anymore. Amsoil and other high end synthetic oils are likely just as good if not better, but I'm personally sold on Redline for life.


- Bullwolf

[Rusty W]

I'm also a Stihl snob. I have a 029 Super and it's a great saw. I've had it for 10+ years & cut about 10-15 ricks of wood a year for the last 12-13 years. I started out with the Poulan's and decided I wanted a real saw the 2nd year I moved to the country. I also have the MS230 and a MS 211C for lighter work. I really like the ez start on the 211.
This is a big Oak tree that we used to string up whatever needed butchered, Steers, hogs, deer, etc. I was about 12-13yo when I lived there w/my parents. Mom still lives at the home place & a storm blew the tree down back during the spring. I'm 45yo now so it's grown a little.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Cutting%20Wood/151006_0003_zpstjtos8ca.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/RWoolever/media/Cutting%20Wood/151006_0003_zpstjtos8ca.jpg.html)
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Cutting%20Wood/151006_0005_zpslh2kzo3o.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/RWoolever/media/Cutting%20Wood/151006_0005_zpslh2kzo3o.jpg.html)

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Cutting%20Wood/151006_0002_zpse8s7tm1u.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/RWoolever/media/Cutting%20Wood/151006_0002_zpse8s7tm1u.jpg.html)

[Mk42gunner]

The only Echo I was ever around much was a rebadged Craftsman 40+ years ago. It was a decent little saw (14" bar) but that doesn't tell you anything about the current ones.

My dad logged for the last few years of his life with Husky's, and I still have his last 61. I will say the consumer grade Husky's aren't nearly the saw the older ones are.

After occasionally running a few of the better Husky's that my best friend has, I wouldn't bother with the consumer grade saws. I would pony up the money for one that will last; be that a good Husky or a Stihl.

My best advice is to buy what your local dealer services, then hope you don't need to visit him very often.

Robert

[starmac]

If I was going to go with a 60 cc saw, I would look very hard at the 562 autotune husky, but with oak and a 4 in bar, I know exactly what I would have and that is a 372 husky or 2171 jonsered IF you have a decent husky dealer in your area.
Stihl and husky both make pro saws, and homeowner saws, it doesn't matter which you get, but the homeowner will never compare with the pro saw.
If I was just cutting my own wood, I might look at dolmar/makita or the larger echos though.

[Superfly]

Dohlmar Look them up you wont be sorry

[trails4u]

Husky 372xp. Or if you really want to end the conversation...the 390 is a beast, although somewhat new to the market so not as tested as the 372. I work in the woods, and heat with wood at home, so I spend quite a bit of time with a saw in my hands.... From my perspective...it's the only shade of orange. :) YMMV...of course.

[lead-1]

I have a friend that removes and and lays new decks on bridges and he has gone to the Dolmar line for his power cutters and water pumps.
He claims they are just as good as his Stihl and Honda tools and when they do need attention it's a fraction of the cost.

[RPRNY]

Another vote here for the Husky 372. Stihl makes good saws too.

[Greg S]

I've got a Stihl 044 and 66 with 24 and 32" bars. Don't use the 66 as much anymore and was thunking of trading the 44 in on a 46 and picking up and old lightlyused 26pro. The 44 has handled the majority of the cutting the past 15 years but always looked at the 46 after it came out because of the heated handle. Anyone got any feedback on that feature?

[Hannibal]

Stihl 440 or 660. You can cut wood faster than 3 people can pack tops out of your way.

When I got my 440, a neighbor said, "Well, you and that (edited for family friendly content) saw deserve each other. You can try and work one another to death."

If you want to cut wood, get a big Stihl. And bring a sharp chain.

[jonp]

Research the saws and pay attention to the rpm's they turn. My advice would be to go into a couple of saw shops, not a box store or hardware store that sells saws, tell the guys there what you want to do with it and take their advice. Most people buy a saw that is too large for what they want to do. A sharp chain and knowing how to use the saw properly is more important than shear size.

I may have missed how big the oak is and how many you have to cut. I cut some pretty large maple with a Jonsered 2252 and had a saw that I would use all day not look at and think how heavy the darn thing was.

[labradigger1]

Another vote for the 372xp.

[chuckbuster]

Dolmar 7910
Little bigger than you asked about, approx 80cc, but it sure does make the chips fly....

[southpaw]

We have a stihl 064 85cc and a husky 576 xp 74cc. Bigger saws make the job easier and quicker. You either spend less time cutting or you get more cut in the same time. Like others have said, buy the professional model.

If you want to run a 24" bar I would look for something bigger than 60cc, over 70 would be better.

Jerry Jr.

[blackthorn]

You wouldn't go wrong with an Echo! According to the guy I deal with they do not make anything that is not professional grade. I have 2, one is a small arborist saw and the other is a larger saw with a 24 inch blade.

[paul h]

Another vote for the 372xp.

Another vote for the 372.

The thing to remember with saws is it's not just the cc's that matter. The "pro" saws put out significantly more power than the consumer grade or ranch saws based on how the pro saws are tuned.

The smaller saws 50-60 cc work great with a 16" bar buried, but if you're burying a 24" bar the extra cc and hence hp is very noticeable.

Of course you could look for an older pro saw like a husky 181 or 288. My ported 181 with a 30" bar makes short work of big wood.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/evefiles/photo_albums/3/4/4/344100033/1171010012_4C00BCCDDE9FC4EB9DD38DC033A6B6EA.jpg

and still somewhat manageable with a 20" bar for lesser tasks.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/evefiles/photo_albums/3/4/4/344100033/6041095502_BB92DFF06340ED4E04FB8E3C675F43FD.jpg

[crowbuster]

stihl for me. buddy has a bigger echo, 32" bar. he really likes it. I have not ran it or seen it in action. May need to go by what is close to as far as service after the sale.

[bdicki]

My big saw is a Johnsered 910E.

[pworley1]

I don't know anything about the new Stihls but I know that the old ones are very dependable. I have the 021, 032, 036, and 056.

[jmorris]

We have a bunch of different saws of the modern ones Stihl is a good one. My favorite in an old homelite with an iron cylinder, runs better than many modern saws and I only have a 12" bar on it, so it's light, handy and if it's all I have with me it guarantees I don't get into too much work.

Only use the big saws when a large tree dies, most of our use is on much smaller trees/branches.

My best chainsaw advice is to dump the gas out of it before you put it up.

[daengmei]

I almost never need one but bought a cheap poulan...yes it went to **** just sitting. Lost my driveway to a storm tree and went to the local shop and I asked the maintenance guys at the shop what to buy that would always work...Stihl. He says they only work on them when the owners' abuse them.

[snowwolfe]

After looking for an Echo dealer that sells a lot of chain saws and services them within 50 miles of my house and coming up empty handed I will take a closer look at the Stihls tomorrow.

[Geezer in NH]

Note Stihl is not sold in big box store only stocking dealers that can actually fix them for you.

Also an 18 inch bar can cut down up to 34 inch trees but that big of tree know what you are doing take a class on the saws and methods trees will kill you quick, many Pro cutters get hurt every year. Buy the saw but also buy the chaps and helmet and eye protection a set of $100 chaps will save your life in milliseconds.

[winchester85]

i used to run a saw for a living. a few years back i had 6 saws. all stihl, 026pro, 036pro, 036, ms361, 044, 066. the 026 i gave to a friend, i bought it to do timber work on houses, but it had no place in the woods for me. the 036 i bought to have a backup for my favorite saw the 036pro, but i never got around to having it ported and sold it. the 044 i bought new in 1993, it has felled more trees and bucked more logs and most people will do in a lifetime. it is on its second piston and jug. if i could have only one saw that is it. the 066 is mostly stock, and i use it only when i am cutting big wood.
i have only ever had to take one saw to have work done on it, the 044 lost a crank seal about 6 years after i first bought it. it has now been running on the second piston and jug since 1999. it flat cuts, better than any saw of any other brand i ever used.
i have used some huskys, a home depot special that i would not give $100 for new, and an old 392xp. the 392 had great power but had some issues.
a stihl farm boss to me is about the same as a home depot or lowes husky. i would not touch one. my 036pro was power ported back in 2003 and has had about 2000 gallons of gas through it since. it is my favorite saw for felling timber under 12" diameter, and is a great limbing saw. if the wood is bigger than 14 or 16" i use the 044 for felling and limbing, usually a 20" bar, but sometimes i put a 25" on it, or rarely a 32". if the wood is really big, i use the 066 with 25", 32", 36" or 42" bar. but it is heavy and i do not like to carry it all day.

stihl saws are top of the line, it is rare that one will ever need attention from a service guy. keep the air filter clean, the chain sharp, use good fuel and stihl mix oil and you will cut all the firewood you need in a lifetime with ONE saw.

best all around saw in my opinion, is the stihl 044. not made anymore, but i would buy one and put a new piston and jug on it before i bought anything else!

[garym1a2]

Age and your strength make a big difference. I have a sthil 310 and 390 farm bosses. Both good mid range 390 has more power but weights more and will wear me out. Myself would bump it up to a pro saw only if I was younger or had a lot of work. My ideal saw is the 260 or 026.

We have lots of big oak trees on our property so I need a bigger chain saw. I do have a husky with a 16 inch bar so am looking for a saw with a 24 inch bar and most likely at least a 60cc motor.
Been thinking about one of the larger Echo's since they have a 5 year warranty.
What advice can you folks offer?

P.S, I think the newer saws are not same technology as the old work horses.
]

[butch2570]

I have a Jonsered 2165 65 cc saw , which is right around the size saw you're looking for . It has changed the model number now I believe, It is 11 years old and has cut mine , my parents and grandmothers wood here in the hardwoods of WV and I have never had any issues with it what so ever. It is a Pro Saw and a better firewood getter you will not find , It cuts extremely fast and has good power to boot. My retired neighbor cuts firewood for extra cash all year long, and runs 460 stihls, a dolmar 80 cc ( don't remember the number) , a 660 stihl, 375 & 395 huskys , super 1050 homelites and I have run the 2165 against his dolmar in the same log side by side and he couldn't believe the jonsered cut as fast as the dolmar, not as much power, but it turns more rpms.

[snowwolfe]

Jonsered and Dolmar are not even in the race because there are no dealers even remotely close to me that carry a decent supply of saws and parts and offers good service.

[bdicki]

Jonsered and Dolmar are not even in the race because there are no dealers even remotely close to me that carry a decent supply of saws and parts and offers good service.
Tractor Supply now carries Johnsered.

[Greg S]

One thing to note guys, stay away from the ethanol/gasoline mix at the gas station on the small power tools. The ethanol causes havic with fuel line and reduces power output. Use google search to find a station offerring pure gas or E0 (thats E-zero) fuel.

[trails4u]

FWIW....Jonsered and Husky are basically the same saw, in a different cover. They may offer slightly different 'models', but today...they're coming off the same line. I've read the whole post....I've owned at least one of most mentioned, and I still stand by my original answer...buy a Husqvarna xp model and be done with it. For what you're looking for, I'd go with the 372, but there are other xp saws out there and they're all great quality.

[TreeKiller]

Husky saws check the plate on the saw. USA = no Sweden = yes!

[starmac]

Husky saws check the plate on the saw. USA = no Sweden = yes!

Pretty much the same for stihl.

I have an idea that jonsereds that tractor supply handles are the same as home depo huskys, cheap bottom of the line consumer saws. Not to say they are not decent saws, I have and have had good luck with a 455 rancher, but it in no way compares to an XP saw.

[ol skool]

Haven't bought a saw for over a decade. Got one Stihl 044 from the early '90's and a later model Husky. Both are fine saws. The Husky seems happier running higher chain speeds. The Stihl is built and runs like a tractor, it just grunt's through anything. In my previous life as a cruiser I could tell what the cutters were using by the rpm they were running and the throaty-ness of the exhaust.

I'd shy away from the home owner saws. For the extra $$$ you get into a saw that will last and do what you ask. If I had to buy another it would be a Stihl.

[starmac]

Funny, I am about the same way except I favor huskys. My biggest saw is an old 80's model 266, that a feller on a logging crew thought he wore out back in the 80's. My next will probably be a 2172 jonsered, same as a 372 husky, but husky for some reason decided their dealers in Alaska and Hawaii needs to pay a 12% premium. The same folks at the same place make jonsereds,but no dealer premium for them, go figure.

[Wayne Smith]

Stihl - made right here in Virginia Beach, VA!

[starmac]

Stihl - made right here in Virginia Beach, VA!

The way I understand it, only there homeowner saws are made there.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

One thing to note guys, stay away from the ethanol/gasoline mix at the gas station on the small power tools. The ethanol causes havic with fuel line and reduces power output. Use google search to find a station offering pure gas or E0 (thats E-zero) fuel.

Stihl says E10 (gasoline with 10% ethanol) is OK, if you use these precautions.
http://www.stihlusa.com/information/articles/gasoline-guidelines-outdoor-power-equipment/
with that said,
I only use the non-oxygenated fuel (which is scarcely available in MN) in my Stihl saws, and I ALSO empty the fuel tank and run the carb dry, for storage of a week or more. I had some fuel/alcohol issues with a New Stihl a year after I bought it (2005), and this procedure put an end to my problems...going on 10 years of trouble free cutting.

I also empty the bar oil reservoir, as all of my three saws leak it, into the storage case if I don't.

[snowwolfe]

No worries on the gas. Local station sells 93 octane with NO ethanol. Already have two gallons mixed up with syn oil:)

[snowwolfe]

I ended up buying a Stihl 441 C M with a 25 inch bar. Little more money than I wanted to spend but we have a pretty big dealer in town with some people dedicated to servicing what they sell. The saw has electronic ignition and no choke. Blown away by how easy it is to start. One short pull with my weak arm and it fires right up and idles smoothly.
Thanks for all the information
.

[Gofaaast]

I think you will be very pleased with it.

[Rockydog]

I've run quite a few saws over the years. The one I've had the longest is an early 1960s McCulloch 1-41. Big old hog with so much compression that you can't start it by pulling the cord with the saw on the ground. I have to "throw" it across my body with my right hand in a pendulum motion and rip the cord with my left. Powerful saw for big logs with a rather large toothed chain.

I also had a Stihl 041 Farm Boss that served me well. Chain speed was very fast. Really nice saw for cutting walnut trees and jumping them off the stump with out pulling toothpicks out of the heart wood. RD

[FergusonTO35]

My advice would be an Echo CS-680 or 800. The 680 will cost the same or a bit more than the Stihl Farm Boss but is a better saw in every way. Echo's larger saws are pro quality and made in Japan. OEM parts are inexpensive and can be purchased darn near anywhere. Word to the wise, if you are really cutting enough big wood to where you need a 60+cc saw you really need to learn to do most of your own repairs and maintenance. Using it that hard you will almost certainly need to richen the carburetor settings a bit, unless it has an autotune type carb.

As far as ethanol in the fuel goes, I have been faithfully using Star Tron treatment in all my small engines for at least 8 years and have never had a single fuel related problem. I leave the treated fuel in them year round. When one of my machines needs carburetor work the passages are as clean as can be, just need to replace worn out parts. I would take E10 gas with Star Tron over untreated 100% dino gas any day. Yes, pure gas needs fuel stabilizer too.

Edit: Oops, I see you've already bought a saw. If you like it and it gets the job done, then that's what matters.

[Hannibal]

I'm likely to draw the ire of a few posters here, but the Stihl 'Farm Boss' is NOT a chainsaw size. It is a marketing ploy by Stihl and is really nothing more than a stencil / decal applied to the bar. The chainsaw power head size is what really matters. I've seen the 'Farm Boss' label on multiple bar lengths, never once saw the same stencil on a power head of ANY size.

As for Ethanol in the fuel, it has been mandated at 10% in Missouri for several years now, and I have only recently seen non-Ethanol fuel available at a select few stations for a premium price. In the meanwhile, I have always used Stilh 2-cycle oil, both the old blend in the orange bottle and the last couple of years the synthetic in the black bottle and thus far have had no fuel issues in 2 Stihl chainsaws, a Stihl 090 trimmer and a Lawn-Boy push mower.

But, I reckon there is always tomorrow.

FWIW / YMMV.

To the OP : You've bought a darn fine saw. I'd be proud and look forward to many, MANY cords of wood in the years to come.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Pine? dull chain ?


https://youtu.be/0CArVzAm6WM

[Hannibal]

Considering that the operator is pushing and pulling the saw back and forth as if it were a hand saw, I'm guessing he wouldn't know a sharp chain from a dull one. Probably had it in the dirt a dozen times.

[KAF]

Man returned a chainsaw to the dealer, said it wasn't cutting well. The dealer pulled the cord and it started right up, The buyer said What is that sound?