IdahoJon said:
First of I would like to say Hello to all of the Aboristsite members.
I have been reading a lot of threads and gaining tons of knowledge from you. Thanks
My question is this, I am going to buy a new saw for cutting firewood. I currently have a newer Homelite, 45cc, 18" bar (Home Depot Special) I bought it without really doing any research and now realize that wasn't to smart :bang: . I only cut softwoods mainly Douglas Fir and Western Larch mixed with some pine. I put up 10+ cords a year. I would like to be able to cut some decent size wood up to 24"-30" . I don't know how many times I have had to pass on some really nice wood due to knowing my saw would not handle it. I have been considering the Stihl MS361 or Husky 357xp. A friend at work who cuts a lot of firewood every year thinks I really should go with a bigger saw like a 440 or 375xp (he has a 371). I kind of think that may be overkill but I definitely want to have plenty of power to get through some of the bigger wood without having to overwork the saw. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance...
As a 5+ cord user/cutter myself, I started with a Poulon Wild Thing and was nudged into a less fatigueing saw upgrade by the friend who got me started in this, it was a Stihl MS360Pro with decompression button,and a 24" bar, we regularly cut into 18"-33"+ oak, elm, hickory, for firewood, and the 360 was ample for all of it, when it started to get heavy from limbing/trimming I pulled out the Poulon, and kept going. I have since upgraded to a Stihl 460Mag(for milling/bucking), and while it gets through stuff faster, it is a little heavier, and then it's back to the Poulon for a tankful.
I can't imagine running anything bigger/heavier for firewood, than the 460, and cutting conifers goes easier anyway, and you can cut double the bar length, working a saw with tired arms is no good anyway.
If I was just cutting for firewood, and not trying to mill, the 360 would be just fine, and have two bars, 18", and a 24".
Whatever you get, be safe and enjoy.