Need Suggestions on a new Saw

[myselfnjit]

Hi
I have a Stihl 026 that I have been using for about 7 years. Last summer I cut up my first truck load of logs with it and while I got the job done, it took forever. I am looking at buying a bigger saw for the job this coming summer.
any suggestions?

 

[mtngun]

It boils down to personal preference and the typical size of wood you are cutting, but my favorite firewood saw is the John Deere (efco) CS62.

I think you would be happy with any of the better quality 60cc saws. That and a sharp chain.

 

[hammercore]

Last year i bought myself the Husqvarna 455 Rancher w/18" bar and i've been very happy with it. Runs good and starts really easy. Its a midrange saw, somewhere between home owner and professional.

This summer i'm hoping to get a bigger saw with something like a 26" bar, i've been comming across some pretty big stuff while scrounging that a larger saw would be very handy.

 

[biggenius29]

Depending what size wood you are cutting. If you are just buying logs that range in the 8-12" range I think you would be very happy with a 362. Or for a good used 034, 036, 360, 361.

If you think you will be cutting bigger wood I would go with the 441 or 460.

 

[grantwolland]

my 2 cents worth...

60cc size saws seem well suited to the firewood cutter. been using them all my life as well as dad's too. they have the grunt to buck without bogging down. I think my makita 6401 i picked up from baileys is the cats meow if you don't limb with it. It's a little heavier than expected but for felling and bucking with a 24" windsor speed tip bar it slices through hardwoods with ease. it also has a great antivibe system that your hands will thank you after a full day of use. my whitefinger doesn't act up when using it like it does running impact wrenches at work or using my push mower. you'll still need a limbing saw for that purpose but your 026 is great for that unless it's blown up.

 

[Ductape]

Assuming you are going to keep your 026 for smaller wood, I'd also suggest a 60+ cc saw. Dolmar , Stihl , and Husqvarna all make great saws in the 60 to 75cc range. As important as the saw is the ability to keep a sharp chain. If you don't sharpen yourself now, take the time to learn. And....... as always, use your PPE. A good quality set of chaps and helmet with eye/ear protection are a MUST.

 

[myselfnjit]

WOW thanks for the responses!
I also cut in my woods but 18" is usually the biggest. So any 60cc should perform well? I have only used Stihl saws butthey are on the pricey side!

 

[myselfnjit]

Assuming you are going to keep your 026 for smaller wood, I'd also suggest a 60+ cc saw. Dolmar , Stihl , and Husqvarna all make great saws in the 60 to 75cc range. As important as the saw is the ability to keep a sharp chain. If you don't sharpen yourself now, take the time to learn. And....... as always, use your PPE. A good quality set of chaps and helmet with eye/ear protection are a MUST.

I dont sharpen but thought I should learn, maybe get a guide or something???
I do have a nice helemt/visor/ear combo but no chaps.

I guess Ill start looking around!

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Budget and Dealers

How much are you willing to spend and who's around to spend it with?

Based on your post I'd say your going to be spending at least $500 for a new saw. two in that price range that I'd recommend are the Husky 359 and the Dolmar 6400.

You can certainly spend into the $800+ range if you want to.

When figuring your budget allow for extra chains and and maybe a second bar of different length if you don't have them already.

Take Care

 

[komatsuvarna]

my 2 cents worth

The husky 455 rancher makes a good firewood saw. They got adequate power for a firewood saw and they wont break the bank either.

 

[htpd43]

Budget and Dealers

How much are you willing to spend and who's around to spend it with?

:agree2:

If your lucky and have a good selection of dealers around then you should have a pretty good selection of 60 cc saws - I like jonsered and happen to have a 2165. Its a fantastic saw but my personal preference. I have heard lots of good things about the dolmar, efco and solo saws. and obviously stihl and husky make great saws. check out craigslist if your not in a rush to buy. occasionaly you'll come across a great deal on the size/brand you're looking for.

 

[myselfnjit]

I know that I have a Stihl and Husq dealer near me, dont know about the others although I am willing to travel for a good deal!

 

[Hlakegollum]

I know that I have a Stihl and Husq dealer near me, dont know about the others although I am willing to travel for a good deal!

How far are you from Harveys Lake PA? I can loan you my MS 440 for a while in the summer. I won't need it as I have cut my 7 cord for next year.

 

[Taxmantoo]

If you're keeping the 50cc pro saw you already have, then I don't see much need for a 60cc class saw. I'd be looking at 372/576 Husky, 441/460 Stihl, and 7300/7900 Dolmar.

If you're replacing the 026 with something larger, then you might also consider 357/359 Husky, 361/362 Stihl, and 6400 Dolmar, or maybe the 62cc Efco/John Deere.

 

[trost66]

I would recomend ms361. Got a brand new one off of ebay for a little over 500. Great hp to weight ratio.

 

[indiansprings]

For your needs as posted mostly 18" and under I'd recommend a Stihl 361/362
they are the cat's azz for firewood cutter's. Just do a search on the two.
Either one will last a lifetime if cared for properly.

 

[myselfnjit]

How far are you from Harveys Lake PA? I can loan you my MS 440 for a while in the summer. I won't need it as I have cut my 7 cord for next year.

That is a very generous offer. I am 1 1/2 hour away and might take you up on that offer if I cannot afford or find one I like.

The whole story is that my 026 was used when I bought it. It has run great for many years but last summer as I cut up 8 1/2 cords of wood, it kept bogging down due to a clogging air filter. The filter was getting wet with a little engine oil. I was told that this means it needs to be reringed. Dont know how much this would cost though and I will be doing a load of logs every year so I thought that something bigger might be the ticket.

Should the 026 be OK for a load of logs a year if I am running it hard, trying to get done in a couple of days?

 

[Taxmantoo]

Fuel on the air filter might indicate that you used the choke too much, the air filter plugging up and acting like you have the choke on, or a worn piston skirt failing to seal the intake port and allowing the engine to blow back through the carb. I don't think worn rings would to it, but I could be wrong...

 

[wdchuck]

Dolmar 6401-7900


64cc-79cc

if you get the 64cc now, you can upgrade the same saw to 79cc later on for $200, and sell the good parts to recoup some of your dollars.


The antivibe is superior to stihl. The speed/power is excellent for the package.

I was a Stihl man, but my old bones are telling me to get smart, so I"m going Dolmar. Heck, even a Husky or Jonsered would be an improvement.

With the help of this site, the importance of a local dealer diminishes, get the best saw for you, because any downtime for a temporary issue is tiny compared to the hours/years you will have the tool.

Good luck, and report back with your decision, including pictures.

 

[NWnewguy]

I am by no means a pro logger, but I cut a bunch of fire wood every year, for myself, friends, and the church, which has a fund raiser selling firewood, where we cut up over 100 full cords a year, and I cut a whole lot of that 100. In my opinion, the 026 should be all the saw you need to cut one log truck load a year. I have a 361, and I think it is a good saw, but un-muffler modded, it doesn't exactly cut circles around the 026. Check the piston in the 026 and male sure it looks good, if it's good not much else costs much to fix and the 026 is an easy saw to work on.
That being said, if I was going to keep the 026 (which you definitely should ), I would get a 70cc saw like the 441 or 372 or 460. I would definitely not get a 455 rancher or any of the other 50-55cc homeowner type saws. This would NOT be an improvement over any decent running 026.
Since you are in NY, I would keep the 026, throw a 16" bar on it and if you really need to, get a 372 and put a 20" on it. You would be the envy of any of your firewood burning neighbors.