Introduction & Seeking input on a dilemma

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LokiMack

LokiMack

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
Mar 23, 2015
Messages
14
Location
Central Texas
Hello forum members. I live in central Tx and musta been a lumberjack in a previous life, I really enjoy anything to do with logging. My nickname as a child was Paul Bunyan in line with my initials of PBM. I am a Locomotive Engineer for UPRR in order to pay my bills and buy chains. I get about 8-12 tree removal/clearing jobs per year; plus the firewood/BBQ wood we cut, but am by no means a professional. I grew up around McColluch saws, as that was what the local hardware store sold. I bought my first Stihl in 1993, and have owned 021, 023, & MS311. I am looking forward to learning alot more from the members here.

I have been scouring the forums for about a week now trying to gather as much info as I could. I am in the market for a larger saw. I am looking for a saw to pull a 25-28" bar. I cut Oak, Pecan, Native Aromatic Cedar, Mesquite, Hackberry, and a few other types. I was looking at the MS362 but after reading numerous posts, I started looking for a used (due to price) 044 or 440.

The Dilemma:
While searching, I ran across a MS441 W/20"B&C in very good condition for ~$700. I would probably have the oiler upgraded at a later date, so that cost might need to be figured in. I also looked into a new Husky 372XP (w/whatever B&C I want) for $880 + tax. I am not brand loyal, but I do tend to lean towards Stihl. I have never owned a Husky saw, but I had terrible luck with a Husky weed eater. There is a Husky dealer 10 min East but they are hit or miss on service quality, and theres another about an hour away but they are mainly a retailer. I have 2 GOOD Stihl dealers within 15 min, and 2 more (one is A+) 45 min away.

So would yall suggest the lighlty used 441 for $700 or the new warrantied 372 for $952
 
dl5205

dl5205

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2008
Messages
1,259
Location
AR, USA
Welcome to AS! Run Away! While you can!

You've answered your own question. Saw warranties are rarely needed, but when they are, it's only as good as the dealer. Your experience has been with stihl, your fave dealers are stihl. Go with the stihl. This is coming from a guy that likes Huskies.

Is the 441 a 'c'? If I were going to pop $700 for a used stihl, I would wait for a very nice 044/440, but that's just me.

Don't worry, someone will be along shortly to tell you to get a 7910.
 
big t double

big t double

Addicted to ArboristSite
Joined
Nov 2, 2012
Messages
2,042
Location
.
Welcome to AS! Run Away! While you can!

You've answered your own question. Saw warranties are rarely needed, but when they are, it's only as good as the dealer. Your experience has been with stihl, your fave dealers are stihl. Go with the stihl. This is coming from a guy that likes Huskies.

Is the 441 a 'c'? If I were going to pop $700 for a used stihl, I would wait for a very nice 044/440, but that's just me.

Don't worry, someone will be along shortly to tell you to get a 7910.
hahahaha this is awesome. im a stihl guy and tell him to get the husky. youre a husky guy and tell him to get the stihl. what has the world come to. poor fella.
 
SS396driver
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
6,586
Location
Catskill Mountains NY
spindrift7mm

spindrift7mm

Changing the World One Saw at a time !
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
481
Location
Loomis, California
LokiMack do you enjoy working on your own equipment ? If so don't worry about warranties as they are about worthless unless your a high volume customer. My recommendation would be Stihl or Husky pro saws. Do some hands on research and see what you like, if you stick with the pro saws you can't go wrong. 044/440 and 272/372xp are good choices. Ken

Oh Welcome ! And if you stumble onto a old Mac 81 forget everything above and enjoy it !
 
LokiMack

LokiMack

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
Mar 23, 2015
Messages
14
Location
Central Texas
Thanks for the warm welcome and words of wisdom. The 441 is a "C"; and the gentleman says he is the original owner. Money is always tight, but I will spend a little more to get quality. The saw will not be my primary, hence the desire to try to locate an excellent condition used unit. In my neck of the woods 70cc and up saws are rare; most people around here use 18" and under, so this class of saw very rarely pops up in pawn shops, classifieds, or on CL. Whats the Difference between the 441C and the 441CM? The M-Tronics?
 
juttree

juttree

ArboristSite Guru
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
822
Location
Wallingford, ct. USA
I thought I was the only one that disliked 441s ! Who designed that saw the 270/280 guy! 441 has 30 more parts than a440.
Out of 5 of them, not one was considered problem free and they were all brand new. It doesn't help that they were put into a lot of different hands (some worse than others) during daily tree work but so aren't all the other saws (440/460/372) and they keep on ticking. There's more to list but those are the ones the OP is talking about. Of course they have their problems on occasion but I'm talking about yrs of use and not one of the 441's lasted more than a yr without major issues.
 
spindrift7mm

spindrift7mm

Changing the World One Saw at a time !
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
481
Location
Loomis, California
Out of 5 of them, not one was considered problem free and they were all brand new. It doesn't help that they were put into a lot of different hands (some worse than others) during daily tree work but so aren't all the other saws (440/460/372) and they keep on ticking. There's more to list but those are the ones the OP is talking about. Of course they have their problems on occasion but I'm talking about yrs of use and not one of the 441's lasted more than a yr without major issues.
The 4 or 5 I've worked on came out of the woods and were just rattled apart. I still have 1 it's in a 5 gal. bucket owner said keep it when quoted the repair. He replaced it with a 461 and is very happy. That 461 is a solid saw. Ken
 

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