Heavy duty chainsaw for felling that wont bust budget

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James Carmichae

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As I posted in another forum, the family ranch got toasted by the wildfires sweeping North Central TX. The place is mostly timber, and I anticipate lots of dead post oaks. I'd like to clear them out, maybe have some of the larger ones milled, but my chainsaw is a pathetic Homelite, and I can fell a tree almost as fast with my axe as that thing.

The largest POs are maybe 30"-36" at the base. This timber has no commercial value, I'm sure that's why it's still standing.

I'm thinking I'll need at least 60cc.

Also, as I have 1 child in private school and 1 in college, ahem, money IS an object.

Thanks!
 
Cheapest saw with quality and power is dolmar/makita. Im gonna reccomend the 6401. I always do. I cut some 30"+ maple with mine, and some big oaks too. I wish i still had it..... Thats for a new saw, and good sized stihl or husky used would be good too. 365, 372, 044, 046.
 
Something used, in decent shape. Maybe a 372 Husky, 460 Stihl. Along those lines.
 
Pro Mac 610 with a 24" bar.
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60cc 4 horsepower and very budget oriented. Running saws can be had for $75 to $100, bar and chain for another $60-70 and you have a near bulletproof felling saw with plentiful parts availability for less than $200.
 
I still say for the money a echo cs-670 (67cc) $519.00 brand new and I think they are coming with a 24" bar now, I am not sure I have a 20 on mine. Has a manual override oiler. Or a Stihl 361 I think they are priced in that area right now $419 I think however I could be wrong wait a few years and sell it when they stop making them.;(
 
James Carmichae said:
Didn't know Makita made gas chainsaws. I've been very impressed with their electric & cordless tools.
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They don't - but they own Dolmar, and rebadge some of the Dolmar models. :)

From stock and new saws, I think the 6400/6401 is the cheapest one that will do the job with some graze.

I suggest you get it with a 20" bar, and maybe a 28" with skip chain for the larger ones - but they should be doable with the 20" bar if they are not serious back-leaners.
 
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Good Saws on a Budget

New: for around $400-$450 look for a Makita 6401 or a John Deere CS62.

Used: for around $350-$600 look for a Husky 365 Special or 372XP. Stihl 036/360/361/044/440/046/460. Be sure to do a compression check and/or pull the muffler and look at the piston on a used saw. Don't buy a tired, beat-up saw!

If you are not into doing mechanical work on saws (pulling piston & cylinder) I would probably advise going new.
 
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makita owns dolmar. makita rebadges dolomar saws. a dolmar 6400/7900 are the same saws as makitas 6401/7901.
HD rents makita 6401. they sell them off periodically. the 6401 might be small for 36" stumps.
 
I'll second the Echo CS-670. They can be had on E-Bay new or lightly used for $300 to about $450.

MAC-610, did I read that correctly, for 30-36" Oak????

I haven't ran a Makita 6401, pretty heavy saw for the power level, but priced right and Dolmar is well known for their high quality chainsaws........Cliff
 
Sawtroll, where did you get the power specs for the CS-670 for comparison?

I've owned 2 of them, and just finished completely rebuilding our CS-6700 with a new closed port P/C, it flat ROCKS! As soon as it's well seated in, we'll post some timed cut comparisons with our 262XP and 268XP, I think you will be impressed with the results......Cliff
 
nmurph said:
makita owns dolmar. makita rebadges dolomar saws. a dolmar 6400/7900 are the same saws as makitas 6401/7901.
HD rents makita 6401. they sell them off periodically. the 6401 might be small for 36" stumps.
Click to expand...

I did it several times with mine, not a problem.
 
From a UK site a few years back, when they still speched the max power - 4.4hp in this case, for a 13.5 lb or so saw.......:censored:

Later findings on an Aussie site confirm that they still are in that ballpark, if you read between the lines - actually that site is a scam superficially (mixing up kW with hp), but the real info is there if you look close enough.
 
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I would watch the trading post on this site I have seen a couple of dolmar/makita 6400 and 7900 for some very fair prices. I am leery of ebay and feel safer dealing with the folks on the trading post on here.
 

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