Heavy duty chainsaw for felling that wont bust budget

[James Carmichae]

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!

 

[mattmc2003]

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.

 

[clearance]

Something used, in decent shape. Maybe a 372 Husky, 460 Stihl. Along those lines.

 

[Biker Dude]

Pro Mac 610 with a 24" bar.

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.

 

[James Carmichae]

Didn't know Makita made gas chainsaws. I've been very impressed with their electric & cordless tools.

 

[mowoodchopper]

Dolmar 7900!!!!!!!

 

[outdoorlivin247]

money IS an object!

What kind of dollar figure are you thinking?...

 

[Co3Da]

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.;(

 

[SawTroll]

Didn't know Makita made gas chainsaws. I've been very impressed with their electric & cordless tools.

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.

 

[DougNH]

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.

 

[nmurph]

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.

 

[nmurph]

i see someone posted this info bf i got finished: the Easter Bunny interupted me!!!

 

[DougNH]

the 6401 might be small for 36" stumps.

True but I get the feeling that he can't fork over $1100 for a new 660

 

[Cliff R]

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]

I'll second the Echo CS-670. ..

No - lots of weight and little power - the 6401 sure is a better option.....:greenchainsaw:

 

[Cliff R]

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

 

[mattmc2003]

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 did it several times with mine, not a problem.

 

[SawTroll]

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.

 

[JT78]

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.

 

[SawTroll]

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.

:agree2: