Help me get my father in law his dream saw.

[MDM]

I'm helping my mother in law get a saw for her husband. This will be used for bucking firewood. I've narrowed it down to a Husky 372xp or a Stihl MS361. I would like to throw the 357xp in the mix, but the local dealer doesn't have any in stock and this is a Christmas present. I'm torn between getting the father in law the most practical saw for his purpose, probably the MS361, or just the big power of the 372xp. He is 62 and has had some heart problems, but likes to cut a little at a time. What kind of weight difference between a 361 and the 372? He has been cutting with a 46cc PoulanPro and 20" bar and thinks its the cat's ass, so I know any of the saws above are just going to blow his mind. I admit that my testosterone may be clouding my judgment a bit - I want him to have the 372xp. What do you all think?

 

[Jacob J.]

If he's 62 and somewhat fighting a heart condition, my argument is for the 361. It's lighter by almost two pounds (real world weight), it's quieter, and you could put a 24" bar on it so he doesn't have to stoop as much. I bought a new 361 for my currently 84 year-old grandpa who is an ex-timber faller and he absolutely loves it.

 

[XJWoody]

Another vote for the 361

All what Jacob J. says, plus it has healing properties.

I've even heard that the 361 will split & stack the wood too

Anyways it's a great saw. I suppose the 357XP is too, but no 1st hand advice here. The 372 is another great saw, if he needs a 70cc. I suspect though if he's been getting after it with the little Pooland, the 361 will be like a light saber & likely all he'd ever need.

 

[MDM]

The 361 is probably the more practical choice. What about throwing the 359 Husky into the mix too? I sure wish the 357xp was available at the dealership. Like I said, any of these will be a major step up from what he is using now. So, given the circumstances, do you all think the 372 would just be a bit too heavy?

 

[mile9socounty]

I would stick with the 361 for its weight and power. It's an all around good saw to have. Wont do any injustice or wrong. The 372 just seems a little too much for me. Just my .02$.

 

[gonecountry]

Well I guess I cant say anything that hasnt been already said. But I cant put in my vote for the 361 aswell. If hes been getting along with the poulan I'm sure any of these saws would be welcomed, but the stihl is probably the best choice and is not so much heaveier than the old poulan as to flare up the heart condition again.

 

[excess650]

With your description of his health, I would suggest 346xp from the Husqvarna side, MS260 or MS361 from Stihl, but nothing heavier.

 

[volks-man]

mdm you seem like a good guy.
help the old man out! rep sent!
i would go with the 361 based on weight. maybe you should talk to him though and see if maybe he can handle the extra tonnage of the 372. just don't give up the surprise!

 

[MDM]

Well, I bought a 455 earlier this year, don't laugh - I wish I had found this site sooner. He really likes my 455, so maybe a 359 would fit the niche nicely? How does the 359 Husky stack up to the MS361?

 

[jburlingham]

I would say that given a cardiac history the best thing would be to buy yourself a new saw and cut the firewood for him:greenchainsaw: Aside from that the 372 sounds like it is much more saw then someone of his health should be using. Id go with the MS361, but if he Likes the Husky's then the 359 seems to be a nice saw with similar power.

 

[XJWoody]

I considered a 359 before getting my 361... haven't cut with one though.

With a non-catalytic muffler (+ opened up a bit and tuned) and same chains, I'd bet a 359 would cut right with a stock 361. Saw Troll will be along shortly with the Bureau of Weights & Measures... I've heard nothing bad about the reliability of either saw, so it's a toss there.

It sounds like you are biasing towards Husky (nothing wrong with that) and if so, don't overlook the 346XP... especially if weight is an issue.

What size & kind of wood has he been getting into with that PP46cc? If he's needing most of that bar more than half the time, that 60cc class is where he's at. If mostly smaller wood, a NE346Xp 16" would have him giggling like a schoolgirl.

 

[GASoline71]

The 359 is a good saw... cheaper than a 361 too...

Gary

 

[MDM]

I considered a 359 before getting my 361... haven't cut with one though.

With a non-catalytic muffler (+ opened up a bit and tuned) and same chains, I'd bet a 359 would cut right with a stock 361. Saw Troll will be along shortly with the Bureau of Weights & Measures... I've heard nothing bad about the reliability of either saw, so it's a toss there.

It sounds like you are biasing towards Husky (nothing wrong with that) and if so, don't overlook the 346XP... especially if weight is an issue.

What size & kind of wood has he been getting into with that PP46cc? If he's needing most of that bar more than half the time, that 60cc class is where he's at. If mostly smaller wood, a NE346Xp 16" would have him giggling like a schoolgirl.

I'd like to stick with atleast 60cc class. He cuts elm and cherry mostly 14-18" rounds. There probably just isn't any justification for the 372. I just need to stop thinking of what I would like and think what would suit him better.

I try to cut some wood for him, but he likes to do it himself. He's retired and gets bored.

 

[Banshee]

The 372xp is a good saw, but I think there are better saws out there when it comes to the anti-vibe. My 395xp doesn't wear me out as much as the 372xp does.
Not that it's bad, just not as good as some others.
My vote if you going for a saw that size is 7900.
But I think I would consider a 346xp before any of them though. Especially if he thinks the Poulan is all that.

 

[husky455rancher]

i say the 346 too.put a 18 bar on it and call it a day. its so damn light and we all know it will smoke that poolie he has.

 

[serial killer]

Get some antivibe for the old guy. 361 + the bicycle tape like I did to mine - covering the throttle interlock because apparently people on here will tell him it's unsafe. 260 if it won't make him feel emasculated.

 

[bowtechmadman]

I vote for the 346...I sold one to my FIL who's in his early 70's also has a heart condition. He uses it just for upkeep around his 8 acres. After 30 yrs of craftsman's he was absolutely amazed and loved it.
My Dad has run my 346 and also loves it. Couldn't believe the gitty up it has compared to the larger saws he had run over the years.

 

[Taxmantoo]

One other thought. If the local JD dealer still has some CS62 in stock for less than $400, and if dear old dad likes Deere old green stuff...
Just think of it as a green Italian MS361 with an outboard clutch.
http://www.deere.com/specsapp/CustomerSpecificationServlet?sbu=CCE&pciModel=CS62&displayModelName=CS62%20Pro-Series%26%238482%3b%20Chain%20Saw&tM=HO&pNbr=UT10900

 

[jburlingham]

One other thought. If the local JD dealer still has some CS62 in stock for less than $400, and if dear old dad likes Deere old green stuff...
Just think of it as a green Italian MS361 with an outboard clutch.
http://www.deere.com/specsapp/CustomerSpecificationServlet?sbu=CCE&pciModel=CS62&displayModelName=CS62%20Pro-Series%26%238482%3b%20Chain%20Saw&tM=HO&pNbr=UT10900[/QUO

This round of JD saws were made by Efco and are really nice saws. As far as how they compare to the 361 and the 359 you can compare right on the JD page.

 

[Taxmantoo]

This round of JD saws were made by Efco and are really nice saws. As far as how they compare to the 361 and the 359 you can compare right on the JD page.

How do you like that 40LE?
I got myself stuck with two of the 36LEs, and I can't decide what to do for a small saw. I've already got the 36s, but I wonder if I'd be better off with a PS-401 or a Redmax.