Have land - Need a chainsaw

[Mjohnson]

My wife and I moved onto 20 acres and my little Ryobi chainsaw won’t keep up with cutting up fallen trees (mostly pine trees, some oak) for firewood.

I’d like to get one good all-around chainsaw for my needs. Might fall a tree at some point, but mostly cutting up what has fallen for firewood.

The photos show some of the trees on the property for reference.

my all-in budget is $600.

 

[ammoaddict]

What size echo do you have? You may want to keep it for limbing and get a bigger saw for the bigger stuff. About what average size trees will you be cutting?

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[buzz sawyer]

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stihl-ms362.342661/

 

[Mjohnson]

What size echo do you have? You may want to keep it for limbing and get a bigger saw for the bigger stuff. About what average size trees will you be cutting?

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I made a mistake - tiny Ryobi. Okay for limbing and I’ll keep it.

Most of the trees are 12” - 24”

 

[ammoaddict]

My wife and I moved onto 20 acres and my little Ryobi chainsaw won’t keep up with cutting up fallen trees (mostly pine trees, some oak) for firewood.

I’d like to get one good all-around chainsaw for my needs. Might fall a tree at some point, but mostly cutting up what has fallen for firewood.

The photos show some of the trees on the property for reference.

my all-in budget is $600.

You might as well forget about asking these guys about "one good all around saw". You need many saws. LOL

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[ammoaddict]

I made a mistake - tiny Ryobi. Okay for limbing and I’ll keep it.

Most of the trees are 12” - 24”

I would say a 60cc saw with a 20" bar would be the biggest you would need. Echo 590 being the best bang for your buck. Not the faster or the lightest but very reliable and durable.

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[buzz sawyer]

I posted a link to a Stihl MS 362 - all the saw you need.

 

[Dean-O]

You can get a brand new MS 261with a 20 inch bar for right around $600 after tax (at my shop at least). That’s a great pro saw that’s light ,sleek and easy to handle. It also has some power as well.

 

[big hank]

If I were you I, I'd keep an eye on the trading post on this site (or other power equipment/chainsaw forums)... for something ~70cc
ie. Stihl 044, 440, 046, 460 or husky 372, 365 or dolmar 7900, 7901. All can be had under 600 bucks. Look for something with good compression 150+ psi Get a new bar, chain and sprocket and keep it sharp and out of the dirt and you're good to go brother

 

[Franny K]

You can get a brand new MS 261with a 20 inch bar for right around $600 after tax (at my shop at least). That’s a great pro saw that’s light ,sleek and easy to handle. It also has some power as well.

It also has an inboard clutch so when it gets stuck the power head can be removed should things go less than ideal while cutting it free with the other saw.

 

[rwoods]

Look for a lightly used brand name 60cc saw. Ron

 

[MountainHigh]

I would say a 60cc saw with a 20" bar would be the biggest you would need. Echo 590 being the best bang for your buck. Not the faster or the lightest but very reliable and durable.

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Yep ... 12" to 24" wood cutting is 60cc for me as well.

If you want light weight 60cc, also look at Husky 555. Might be a bit more $$ than the Echo.

 

[holeycow]

I agree on the 60cc saw. That MS362 for sale might be a good saw. I really like mine.

The Echo 590 is ok too, but not in the same league as the ms362. I like that the ms362 offered in non-mtronic, just like mine

You could buy a heck of a used 70cc saw for less than 600.00...

 

[Mjohnson]

Thank you for all of the replies. I purchased a rebuilt 372XT with a 20” bar from Duce. Seems like it will fit my needs.

 

[jp233]

type of wood matters a lot. You will rip through eastern/southern pine easily with even a 45-52cc saw... but oak, and (gasp) cherry and hickory will really take grunt and a sharp chain. Lots of good suggestions in this thread, and it sure seems like you got a good saw.

 

[Analyst Man]

I went overboard and bought a Husky 562XP 60cc with a 20 inch bar about 6 years ago. Absolutely love the little beast. But they run around $750 now so that's over your budget. Stihl MS362 is around the same price. ammoaddict's Echo 590 suggestion fits the bill for your needs and sells for $400. Try to get it from a dealer and not the big box store.

 

[sawfun]

In northern California, a 70cc saw makes sense. Maybe its just a West Coast thing,I dunno, but some of our trees iz purty biggish.