Best saw to pull a 40"+/- bar?

[Trophy Services]

Good morning all. I cut trees for a living and I'm getting into the larger diameter trees where I think I need a bigger saw. I am looking at a job now with a tree that is 70" in diameter at the waist so it's more like 80"+ down to the stump. I'm thinking I would want something around a 40” bar to tackle it. Just thinking it might be a bit much for my 064 ol girl. Any recommendations?

With gratitude,
Xander

 

[olyman]

3120 husky...

 

[catbuster]

A 395XP will do a 42. Not fast, but it will do it. Probably not good to do it every day. A 661 will do the same in softwoods. Seeing as you’re in Wisconsin... Probably not much softwood.

This really leaves you with two choices: A 3120XP or an MS880. Both are beastly saws that are a task to handle.

 

[Trophy Services]

Thank you. Do you have any advice on why you recommend the 3120? I have never owned a Husqvarna. I have only tried them out here and there and the do have a different feel from Stihl. I was thinking of trying to find a 088.

 

[Trophy Services]

I will have to agree. The soft stuff I'm not too worried about but if I'm going to spend close to 2k on a saw I need the torque to get through the hard ones. Other than running the saw I just don't know how to find out the real grunt of these big ones. It just seems like in my experience the older Stihl saws have the torque I want but I don't know if it translates up into the big saws.

 

[olyman]

the 3120,,no much bother..but my 090,,that a bother!!!!!!

 

[cuinrearview]

I bet that 390 in the post would do it.

 

[Husky Man]

For the Money a New 3120XP from Dave "The Chainsaw guy" can't be beat, the last time I looked his price was $1300.00 PHO SHIPPED

Dave has an add in the "Tradin Post" here on AS, I bought my 3120XP from him as have some others here, All have been Happy with our saws as far as I know, I will attest to Dave being a Reputable seller, that I would buy from again.


Doug

 

[catbuster]

Honestly, I would probably go for an 88 over a 3120 right now. The 3120 is a nicer saw to handle, and Husqvarna saws do feel different. They have and angled front handlebar with a forward cant to them, and the saws generally are longer and narrower than the Stihl machines. I like that.

That said, an 880 is actually fully adjustable and the limiter is higher. A 3120 has a fixed high jet and is limited to 9,500 RPM or so. It usually will be hammering on that limiter. The 880 is limited ~11,000 or so. Generally, more RPM is more better up to ~14,000 or so up to a 395 and the 084 I used to run was unlimited and we had it set right at 12,000. These bigger saws need to run slower but not nearly as slow as the limiters are set.

 

[sawfun]

Stock 395's pull 42" bars very well. A ported 395 is much lighter than any 880 or 3120 (like 5lbs.) and will easily beat the other two in up to a 50" bar, and probably longer. If you want the best stock big saw, well then, a good used 125 is way better than either of the two new 120cc saws offered.

 

[r black]

2100cd/xp...however you .064 should do just fine on one tree running a 40+ large bar

 

[KarlD]

I like 084’s...especially the manual oil feed when buried. I have never run a big husky for longer than a trial cut or two so I cannot comment on them. IMO a good sharp chain and any healthy 90+cc pro saw should suffice

 

[Wood Doctor]

I notice nobody mention a Stihl MS661. Word has it that the days of the Stihl MS880 are limited. Does this mean that Stihl no longer wants to support a 41" bar and chain? Just curious.

 

[Andyshine77]

I would go with a 395xp. Solid reliable saw with more than enough power to pull and oil a 42" bar. In that size wood a 395 will be ahead of either the 880 or 3120. Honestly both the 880 and 3120 are now complete dogs out of the box IMHO. The 395 stock or with a simple muffler mod is a fantastic saw.

The 661 is a really nice saw to run, but they have had way too many Mtronic/carb problems.

 

[Wood Doctor]

.... The 661 is a really nice saw to run, but they have had way too may Mtronic/carb problems.

Having worked on four of them that needed to be rebuilt, I have no choice but to agree. The wires alone drive you bonkers. And, that outside handle mounting system is a first class PITA.

 

[Trophy Services]

Wow. Thanks everyone. All of my saws are straight carbs. I don't like the electronic stuff. Do the Husky 395 or the 3120 have electric adjustments?

 

[KiwiBro]

My stock 395 wears a 42" and likes it.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Wow. Thanks everyone. All of my saws are straight carbs. I don't like the electronic stuff. Do the Husky 395 or the 3120 have electric adjustments?

No, manual carbs. Only saw that's been mentioned that's electronically adjusted is the 661. The 3120 has no adjustment on the H circuit, as I understand it. I do believe that one can be added without too much hassle.

Where are you in WI. I have a ported 395xp you could try out. I'm in River Falls. The 120cc saws are needed at some point, but anytime you can get away with a 395, I think that'd be my preference. It's much lighter and less work to muscle around than a 880 or a 3120.

Edited to add: my 395 pulls a 36" bat with an 8 pin rim no problem. 42" with a 7 would be completely within reason.

 

[Huskybill]

I just purchased a 36” bar w/3/8” chain for my 385xp and a 42” bar with 404” skip chisel chain for my 2100’s. The 2100 with a 20” will still cut with a dull chain at the end of the day. Power to spare.

 

[ShneaSIG]

Having worked on four of them that needed to be rebuilt, I have no choice but to agree. The wires alone drive you bonkers. And, that outside handle mounting system is a first class PITA.

My hunch is that with the technology being showcased in the 500i, there's going to be an eventual realignment of these top tier saws. I'd wager that there will be a saw that covers the realm of the 880, but it will be a lighter version incorporating fuel injection and the new electronic systems.