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Big saw for dropping large trees and bucking same. When you have to limb trees chest high and higher the small saw is golden.
Big saw for dropping large trees and bucking same. When you have to limb trees chest high and higher the small saw is golden.
If you're a professional arborist, then sure, you'll need a line-up of efficient tools
But if you're just cutting for firewood, or to maintain a farm / rural property, then a middle-weight professional saw like the 372XP or 576XP will be fine for all tasks
I've got an older (smaller) Dolmar that I gave to my brother, on the grounds that it was not fired up for several years
Every saw costs money to buy, and requires its own maintenance - I don't think the occasional benefit of something a bit lighter comes close to offsetting these considerations
I'm very happy to do everything with a 372XP, and would be equally happy with a 576XP - I don't know that Stihl has a saw that equals either of these in respect of its power:weight and general usability, high-end performance and robustness - perhaps it does
I don't NEED two saws, but the more I've studied on it the more I WANT two saws for what I do. I'm pushing 40, not by any means old but I'm certainly not going to get any younger, and quite honestly, my 460 kicks my butt clearing out fence rows. It's rough staying that far bent over with a saw that size for periods of time. But I do, on a not so rare occasion have call for a saw that will pull at least a 24/5" chain through hardwood, mostly red oak with some ash, hickory, and locust intermingled. Pertaining to have a dealer close by, it probably is more important to me than to you and most of the other members here. I'm familiar, but not a chainsaw expert by any means. If I have a problem pop up that I can't fix it's awfully nice to have a good dealer close by. And the one near me is a fantastic. I've never had a problem with their work or the what they charge to do it, and they're more than happy to give free, helpful advice. While I do want to try a Husqvarna, I'm just much more comfortable with Stihl as that's what I've been using the past couple of years and having a great dealer close by just pretty much seals the deal. And please, I'm by no means trying to knock anyone's comments on here because I know everyone is just stating their opinion and trying to give me something new to consider and it really is very much appreciated. I was really just trying to talk myself into a 362 as opposed to my 460 as my only saw. But like I said, the more I've thought on it, the more my back will appreciate having two different sawsThe only specialist scenarios where I can see a need for two saws are: (a) if you're doing climbing work, and need something very light and aggressive; or (b) doing milling, and need something with a whole lot of grunt
Outside those scenarios, something in the low-mid 70cc class should do everything you need it to do
I wouldn't be concerned about not having a Husky dealer right on your doorstep - I visit mine once every 18 months or so - only say this as the Husky 372XP and 576XP would both be perfect - both are well balanced and easy to use all day - smaller than the MS460, and fine for smaller wood - but also fine for bucking large hardwood trunks, which is what my 372XP has been pointed at for most of the last few years
With either of these, no need for a second saw
Unless you just want to buy one ...
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I disagree with this. I am a big guy, but for me, the saw for the job is the lightest one that's still fun to use. There's no point carrying around a 372xp for a bunch of thinning, or for limbing trees after they've been felled. I am not a professional arborist, I simply cut firewood for my own use. Having more than one saw is the only way to roll. When one gets pinched or is acting up, there's always a backup. I've got 4 saws that I use regularly. In total I've spent $890 for an ms460, 036(gift), Shindaiwa 488, and a brand new Dolmar 421. Each saw cost money and does require a little maintenance, but it's spreads out the total use over more saws, so each should last longer overall.
There's lots of good reasons for two saws. What are the good reasons to only have one again?
I don't NEED two saws, but the more I've studied on it the more I WANT two saws for what I do. I'm pushing 40, not by any means old but I'm certainly not going to get any younger, and quite honestly, my 460 kicks my butt clearing out fence rows. It's rough staying that far bent over with a saw that size for periods of time. But I do, on a not so rare occasion have call for a saw that will pull at least a 24/5" chain through hardwood, mostly red oak with some ash, hickory, and locust intermingled. Pertaining to have a dealer close by, it probably is more important to me than to you and most of the other members here. I'm familiar, but not a chainsaw expert by any means. If I have a problem pop up that I can't fix it's awfully nice to have a good dealer close by. And the one near me is a fantastic. I've never had a problem with their work or the what they charge to do it, and they're more than happy to give free, helpful advice. While I do want to try a Husqvarna, I'm just much more comfortable with Stihl as that's what I've been using the past couple of years and having a great dealer close by just pretty much seals the deal. And please, I'm by no means trying to knock anyone's comments on here because I know everyone is just stating their opinion and trying to give me something new to consider and it really is very much appreciated. I was really just trying to talk myself into a 362 as opposed to my 460 as my only saw. But like I said, the more I've thought on it, the more my back will appreciate having two different saws
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The only specialist scenarios where I can see a need for two saws are: (a) if you're doing climbing work, and need something very light and aggressive; or (b) doing milling, and need something with a whole lot of grunt
Outside those scenarios, something in the low-mid 70cc class should do everything you need it to do
I wouldn't be concerned about not having a Husky dealer right on your doorstep - I visit mine once every 18 months or so - only say this as the Husky 372XP and 576XP would both be perfect - both are well balanced and easy to use all day - smaller than the MS460, and fine for smaller wood - but also fine for bucking large hardwood trunks, which is what my 372XP has been pointed at for most of the last few years
With either of these, no need for a second saw
Unless you just want to buy one ...
View attachment 521550
300 win mag is never a bad choice!If this were a hunting forum you guys would be recommending a .300WinMag for everything from squirrels to bobcats and .500NitroExpress for everything else...
Heck yeah. You can load 110 grain for varmints or 250 grain for moose or anything in between!300 win mag is never a bad choice!
I quite like chainsaws (I quite like most machinery) but I certainly don't cut wood because it's 'fun' ... have horses, bikes and other things for that ...
Have never had a saw stolen, and as the 372XP (or its predecessor) have not to date 'acted up' in any significant way, I can't see the rationale for owning more than one saw - as long as that saw is as versatile as something like a 372XP or 576XP
Limbing fallen trees is trivial with these mid-weight saws - the additional power just gets the job done quicker
There's probably a cultural resistance over here to buying for the sake of owning more things - tend to really think things through before doing that - we've got two farms, with a lot of fallen timber to manage, and supply firewood for three households - one saw is all you need - if you want to accumulate chainsaws for the sake of it, then that's fine - but IMO there's absolutely no need
Here is a good comparison from a Husqvarna and Stihl dealer 562XP vs MS362
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