Most Reliable Small Saw?

[XJWoody]

Dolmar dealer nearby?

Welcome to AS. Be forewarned, it's like an arms race in here! Log off now, or prepare to be afflicted with Mad Saw Disease.

I think a combo of a 401 and 5100s would be more versatile than one 361 for a landscaper, for just a bit more money...

I wouldn't want to brush or limb with my 361 if I had a smaller/lighter saw to sling around... I've had to harvest several blowdown hardwoods (up to 20" or so) with my puny Hq 41, back before I was told it couldn't be done! OTOH having a larger saw then would have made life so much smoother.

A MS361 and a MS200 would make a superb pro-saw tag team. I saw a new Husky 336 sell for $240ish shipped on fleabay, something like that, plus a Bailey's "last chance" 372xp would make a fun pair. But for a bit more, you could add a 7900 to the Dolmar lineup, and be cutting twigs to big wood lickety-split.

Good luck!

 

[Gypo Logger]

It's a real toss up between the 346 and the 026. The 026 surely has more resale value, however, the 346 just flat a$$ flies when modded. The only drawback to the 026 is that it can't get enough air due to the filtre/choke arrangement. If your not too serious about the whole thing and you're going to run .325 pitch as opposed to 3/8, go for the 026 or the 250.
John

 

[Poley4]

8"? Wow, I use a handsaw for that stuff. A M260 will suit the OP just fine used as described. I don't see him felling a lot of huge timber with his saw. For the occasional piece of wood larger than 18-20", he'll still be fine with a 260. A 361 would be perfectly fine too, but people tend to think a 50cc saw is for twigs only.

+1
For 90% of what I use my saw for a 50cc saw is plenty.

 

[Highclimber OR]

8"? Wow, I use a handsaw for that stuff. A M260 will suit the OP just fine used as described. I don't see him felling a lot of huge timber with his saw. For the occasional piece of wood larger than 18-20", he'll still be fine with a 260. A 361 would be perfectly fine too, but people tend to think a 50cc saw is for twigs only.

Good point, but if there is a doubt why not have all the power that you could possibly want, by the way, if you really cut things that are 8" in diameter with a handsaw then you truly do know something that I don't. Nice saw though.

 

[sperho]

if you really cut things that are 8" in diameter with a handsaw then you truly do know something that I don't.

Nah, I'm just playing about the 8". I'm too lazy to handsaw much beyond pruning 3 or 4 inchers . I just see a lot of folks go "bigger" because they feel persuaded to, not because they need to (for production reasons). Even then, 2 or 3 lbs that a 60cc saw will bring with it will add up by the end of the day while doing limbing and light clearing work (for this lightweight, anyway).

 

[ropensaddle]

The 260 is reliable indeed. The ones I see are usually the older 026's 10 and 15 years old needing a mere cleaning and tune up. The 361 is MR RELIABLE bar none. I'm still waiting to work on one and its been a mighty long wait indeed.

yeah 026 they made em good then!

 

[ropensaddle]

I'm a husky man but the most reliable for the price that I used
lately I hate to say is my echo cs3000 it keeps going and going.
I might buy a stihl if they would make one, more like the old ones!
don't like flip y caps or the bs switch but that is my humble opinion.
My new focus would be dolmar or shindawa I have not gave them
a fair try yet and look well built! These are my opinions after using
the mentioned and as long as you stay with a trusted brand shouldn't
be too disappointed :rockn: :rockn: :rockn:

 

[Lakeside53]

The MS26 is a great saw for typical landscaping/cleanup use; the 361 is overkill. Most of our landscapers use the MS210 and beat the daylights out of them. The 270 or 280 are also a good choice at a lower cost than the MS260.

 

[2000ssm6]

It's a real toss up between the 346 and the 026. The 026 surely has more resale value, however, the 346 just flat a$$ flies when modded. The only drawback to the 026 is that it can't get enough air due to the filtre/choke arrangement. If your not too serious about the whole thing and you're going to run .325 pitch as opposed to 3/8, go for the 026 or the 250.
John

You need to watch Ben O's race 260 video if we are talking mods!:jawdrop:

 

[sperho]

You need to watch Ben O's race 260 video if we are talking mods!:jawdrop:

Is this online?

 

[Just Mow]

Welcome, my vote would be for the 260 or 280 unless you need to go bigger then get the 361. Stay away from the Echo as they are very weak in power.

 

[2000ssm6]

Is this online?

sent pm

Lots of good videos

 

[West Texas]

IMHO you never need just one saw. On any given day, you will get one caught in an unexpected bind, and need the second saw to cut it out, etc. And/or one will have a bad day with the bar, chain, carb, who knows. I always take one of my 026/260 saws for the real light work, and as my backup saw for emergencies.

I take one of my 361s for the serious and fun stuff as its just a joy to use for any purpose once you get in the woods. I'm a very senior citizen and I find the weight difference to be minimal. Both saws are great performers. Get them both.
:rockn:

 

[Cam501]

Welcome, my vote would be for the 260 or 280 unless you need to go bigger then get the 361. Stay away from the Echo as they are very weak in power.

Glad to see this hasn't turned into a total race for the biggest saw where with each post someone reccomends a bigger saw than then previous one and next thing you know people are tryin to tell someone to buy a 395 or 660. My vote would be a 260, 270, or 280 in stihl and for husky a 346 or 353. Any one of those would be good choices.

 

[Burvol]

Yep

I'll agree with Highclimber. The 361 is one of the best saws I have ever used, when you rank it in it's class. I bought mine brand new in 04' with a 24" bar and two chains for $549.00 (nice guys at the shop gave me an extra full house chisel ground). They are light as hell, and have the most advanced antivibe handle set up I have ever seen on a power saw. My MS 460 and Poulan 655 are my felling saws, but the 61' always seems to find action in every other application. Trust me, you need the 361. The best firewood, topping, limbing, heavy home owner use saw ever made. No wars....Just run one...If you are around saws, especially all vintages and makes, you will be impressed with the feel.

 

[peter399]

I think the MS361 is overkill for what the guy described as intended work.
For clean-up, the 50cc saw will do the work 99% of the time. And you always limb faster with a smaller saw. Absolutely no need to drag around weight that you don't need. For smaller trees, I work much faster and more efficient with the 353 as with the 262, despite the lower power. More power only serves you when the diameter grows. In smaller wood, the 50cc saw will cut as fast as the 361. Go for a 346/353 if you want the best 50cc saw, or the MS260 if you by some reason absolutely want a Stihl (but it's an old design).

 

[SawTroll]

Glad to see this hasn't turned into a total race for the biggest saw where with each post someone reccomends a bigger saw than then previous one and next thing you know people are tryin to tell someone to buy a 395 or 660. My vote would be a 260, 270, or 280 in stihl and for husky a 346 or 353. Any one of those would be good choices.

The only beef I have with the 270 and 280 is that they weight pretty close to the 361, without the same added power....

 

[stonykill]

I think the MS361 is overkill for what the guy described as intended work.
For clean-up, the 50cc saw will do the work 99% of the time. And you always limb faster with a smaller saw. Absolutely no need to drag around weight that you don't need. For smaller trees, I work much faster and more efficient with the 353 as with the 262, despite the lower power. More power only serves you when the diameter grows. In smaller wood, the 50cc saw will cut as fast as the 361. Go for a 346/353 if you want the best 50cc saw, or the MS260 if you by some reason absolutely want a Stihl (but it's an old design).

very good advice!

 

[Burvol]

8"? Wow, I use a handsaw for that stuff. A M260 will suit the OP just fine used as described. I don't see him felling a lot of huge timber with his saw. For the occasional piece of wood larger than 18-20", he'll still be fine with a 260. A 361 would be perfectly fine too, but people tend to think a 50cc saw is for twigs only.

I keep forgetting so many of you guys are back east....It's a little different on the West Coast.

 

[Lakeside53]

I keep forgetting so many of you guys are back east....It's a little different on the West Coast.

Ha! that tree was about to fall over on it's own... I hate that lack of hinge wood. But yes, 20in bar 3/8 is "standard" (depends on area still) on 026/MS260 out here.