New member, first post, first chainsaw

[adder31]

Lots of great info on this forum, I have been snooping around for a few days.

I am looking to purchase my first chainsaw. I will have a house on 5 acres in a month or so and have a big pile of trees to cut for firewood. They are mostly doug firs, maybe some maple and 2' diameter at most. Probably will not cut anything over 3'. I plan to use the saw to cut firewood, either on my property or elsewhere, mainly on weekends.

I am looking at Stihls due to local dealer and repair. I do not think I need a pro saw, unless convinced otherwise.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[MacLaren]

Welcome to AS! Congrats on your 1st post! And go with the Husqvarna 372XPW while you still can!

 

[mikeiss]

new saw

Here is advice I got a few years ago. Find an AS member, someone with saws in your area, or a tool rental store. Give the AS member/someone with saws a case of beer, give the store owner $$.

Go try out a few saws and pick the one you like best. Cut big wood, small wood etc. Read old post here but be careful. A few years ago I had one 55cc saw for firewood. Now I have to find places to hide them from my wife. I used to leave big logs in the woods, now I cut them into little pieces just for the heck of it.

 

[o8f150]

welcome to AS,,, don't let these guys tell you different but check into the echo's,,pending on your cutting needs i would look at the cs-530,,i have run echo's for years and have not had 1 minute problem with them

 

[adder31]

Beer is no problem, I am a home brewer and usually have 4 beers on tap in the garage kegerator.

I'm close to Ft. Lewis if there are any AS members nearby.

 

[srcarr52]

Welcome to AS! Congrats on your 1st post! And go with the Husqvarna 372XPW while you still can!

Ha! I second that, but really you should probably give a price range or else you are going to get a lot of Husqvarna 372XP's, Stihl MS362's, Dolmar 6400BB's, ect.

A 372XP may be overkill for 5 acres. There won't be a tree left on the property.

If you are not going over 20" much I would say you could opt for something in the 50-60cc range.

 

[adder31]

Good point on price, $500 range.

Stihl is 10 mins from my new place for service/parts and repair, that is why I am thinking Stihl.

I'm not going to cut all my trees, but will cut firewood every year wherever I can, so I will be cutting semi-frequently on weekends.

 

[banshee67]

I do not think I need a pro saw, unless convinced otherwise.

well, regardless of your needs, wants or opinion on what you need, PREPARE TO BE CONVINCED OTHERWISE !

also note the first 2 recommendations were a $800+ husqvarna and an echo.. after he clearly said he wanted stihl because of local dealer support AS never fails! lol

if you want a new non-pro stihl, your biggest/best option will be a 391, locally here they run a little over $500 with a 20"bar and chain(you could run a 25" b&c if you really wanted to)- about 14 pounds and 64cc., the pro alternative would be a 361/362, almost 2 pounds lighter, same power, totally different saws though, search around and read about them if you wish, youll find a lot of reading on both models. if you can find one, a 361 can be had for not much more money than the 391 , and would obviously be a better option, the new 362's are quite pricey around here at almost $700

 

[redoakneck]

Get a dolmar 7900 for a few extra bucks, turn those woods into pasture land and start raising beef, then I'll tell ya what kind of steer to get.

Oh yeah, you wanted a stihl, then what banshee said

Welcome

 

[jerryw66]

beware

When I started reading this forum a few years back, all I had was an old mac 610 and now I have 18 saws of all the brands.. But then I do have 20 acres in So Dak. Which means I probably have not 1/10 the trees you would have on 5.

 

[adder31]

362s are about the same price here in western WA state, probably more than I want to spend.

To cut 3 ft diameter logs, do you need a 20" bar? Will 18" work?

 

[sjp]

Good point on price, $500 range.

Stihl is 10 mins from my new place for service/parts and repair, that is why I am thinking Stihl.

I'm not going to cut all my trees, but will cut firewood every year wherever I can, so I will be cutting semi-frequently on weekends.

i had stihl ms 290 got stolen needed new saw 5 days ago was going to get ms260 pro or 346 xp husky but got a little more cash together and got ms362 pro model

ran saw around 8 hours on sat. very happy i spent a little more and steped up to 362 the only saw i will need for along time but i am sure i will get a small one some day

 

[banshee67]

362s are about the same price here in western WA state, probably more than I want to spend.

To cut 3 ft diameter logs, do you need a 20" bar? Will 18" work?

if youre cutting a lot of 3ft diameter logs, i think you better skip the 60cc saws and head right to a 441
get your wallet out!

 

[srcarr52]

There is a M362 for sale on the trading post for $600. Seller said he would pay shipping. I would probably try to look for a deal on a good slightly used saw, let someone else pay the $100 to walk it out the door of the dealer.

http://www.arboristsite.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=5024&cat=6

 

[adder31]

Probably not a lot of 3 footers, but that would be the max.

The 391 with a 20' bar sounds like it would work for me.

 

[srcarr52]

Better yet, but you better buy some hearing protection.

http://www.arboristsite.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=4938&cat=6

 

[adder31]

There is a M362 for sale on the trading post for $600. Seller said he would pay shipping. I would probably try to look for a deal on a good slightly used saw, let someone else pay the $100 to walk it out the door of the dealer.

http://www.arboristsite.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=5024&cat=6

I was looking at that one, and I have family in Coos Bay that might be able to take a look at it.

 

[jimdad07]

If you listen to most of us here, you will end up with a 660 to trim the ornamental bushes out front of your house and an 880 for cutting firewood...if my wife is reading this, you need to make a choice, the mortgage payment or a new 660 and your husband's happiness.:spam:

 

[srcarr52]

Hey I used a ported 288XP to cut some 2x4's last week. I'm sure my neighbors appreciated that.

It was easier then pulling out the skill saw and extension cords.

 

[chopperfreak2k1]

i vote for one of these, 441 or 460