Chainsaw recommendation (Stihl, Husqvarna)

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I am with Rope on this. Get a 70cc saw and you are set, I own em' all and this is the "go to" class (372, 440) That should be everyone's first saw.

As far as people whining about cost and weight, not a factor in the big picture. You will condition to whatever saw you run, resale value will be there if you buy a pro saw and treat it right. Now, with different length bars you are set, I would get a 20" to start, then expand the collection as you develop. Don't bow to the minimalist mentality, do it right, right away. If you want another saw latter, you can go up or down from there.

BTW, 70cc is not a "big" saw, it's the standard for woodsmen around here.
 
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If you only get one it will be the wrong one at some point. Better you get a bunch of various stihls and huskys in various sizes, sell the ones you dont like, and keep only 4 or 5 of the ones you cant live without.

This is the best advice I can give since I am a chainsaw addict:cry:


On the other side, a 365 is a great reliable well proven saw. When you feel you need more saw, just buy a 372 cylinder kit, bolt it on, and go!!!!
 
Two chainsaws is definitely out of the question (much as I like to have a spare of everything (in-joke with my disgruntled wife :))).

At this stage the trees I'll be cutting will be on the ground as the contractor will already have pushed them over.

And just to throw another question in; on the way to work this morning called into another chainsaw place. They sell Echo's and the guy recommended the 6702. Powerwise (on paper) it's much bigger than the 365 (and even the 372). Costs the same as the 365. I also like the 5 year warranty vs the 2 year on the Husky. But I haven't heard much about Echo so hadn't considered them at all - should I?

[Edit: Ignore this last paragraph. Apart from advising in the catalogue that the Echo is 4.3kw they make no mention on their site of power rating. Given the size of 66.7cc I'm inclined to put it against the 365 and as the price is the same I'll stick with the Husky.]
 
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Tony Go ahead and buy the 70cc in what ever colour you like. Dolmar 7900 seems to have a big following here so if you can find one do it. I bought stihl because they have shops everywhere you go. An MS460 is a great saw and will get the job done in record time. I have a 660 but will be looking for a small saw soon. Buy the biggest you can afford/ pick up comfortably and you'll never look back.
 
I run a Husky 365 with a 20" bar and H48 chain. It will cut just as good as a 372 up to 18" hardwoods and will cut faster then a MS361 or 357XP in 12 to 18" hardwoods. People under estimate the 365 and Jonsered 2165. Most people have never ran either. They go off specs they see.

Since your trees will already be on the ground the little extra weight the 365 has over the MS361 and 357XP will more then likely help you. Talk to spike60 about the 365/2165's. He'll be straight with you. He's ran them all!
 
On balance I think I'm tending towards the 365. I liked the look and feel of it when demo'd, just was a little concerned that it wasn't in their pro lineup and that it might be too big.

Think you guys have set my mind at rest on both points. Now just need to see what deal I can manage.
 
The 365 with a 20 inch bar will do just fine, but I think the 372xp is close to the same weight.
I myself like the 372xp, but it's all preference. I think Stihl or Husky you can't go wrong.
I would get the biggest saw you can carry around easily.
Since you will be cutting in a small area , I think you can get by with a bigger saw.
Better to have a saw that's just a little too big than a saw that's too small.
Than make sure you run the right oil mix and keep the air filter clean. Maintenance, not brand (to a point anyway), is what's going to keep you saw going over the years.
 
The 372 looks like a sweet unit. Only .1kg heavier than the 365 but an extra .5kw more powerful. Did some pricing and it's about $300 more here than the 365 so I don't think I can justify it.
 
The 365 would be ok. Have you priced a Stihl MS441 or 460? Maybe be hard to find but the MS440 would be a great choice too. No way in hell I would spend $300 more dollars on a 372 when you can get the 365.:dizzy:
 
Just noticed your in Australia. :clap:
Take a look at the MS381. A bit older tech than the 361/372 but you can't kill 'em. I think there around 1000 bucks too. Great Value
 
I like my Husqvarna 372XP :chainsaw: a lot. Stihl makes a good product, too. If the :censored: wife is watching you closely, go for the 70cc one saw plan for now. Mine came with a 20" bar,and I've got a few spare chains. Has put away a lot of wood this year. Invest in your tools, and they pay themselves off quickly.

I would get te 372 IMO:greenchainsaw:
 
The 372 looks like a sweet unit. Only .1kg heavier than the 365 but an extra .5kw more powerful. Did some pricing and it's about $300 more here than the 365 so I don't think I can justify it.

The 365 special is a great saw and should serve ya fine and as
already said can be beefed easily with the bb!
 
70cc saw for me...

I rather start out big and then if you cont. cuttin for a few years down the road get a smaller saw for limbing...My 440 and 210 is a great combo.....
 
Well I've put in an order for a 365. Dropped into the local dealer this arve on my way home from work to have another look at the 365 and the 372. Thought the difference in price was $300 but turns out it's $500 so that ruled the 372 out of any consideration.

They've also had a cash back scheme on for the last month. $150 off the 365 for any condition saw. They back dated the order to yesterday so that was another saving. He also included the hard storage box and a couple of extra chains and files so all up think I've been well served by the local.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Definitely sorted out the confusion I felt 24 hours ago and I'm sure the 365 will be great :chainsaw:

tony
 
Well I've put in an order for a 365. Dropped into the local dealer this arve on my way home from work to have another look at the 365 and the 372. Thought the difference in price was $300 but turns out it's $500 so that ruled the 372 out of any consideration.

They've also had a cash back scheme on for the last month. $150 off the 365 for any condition saw. They back dated the order to yesterday so that was another saving. He also included the hard storage box and a couple of extra chains and files so all up think I've been well served by the local.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Definitely sorted out the confusion I felt 24 hours ago and I'm sure the 365 will be great :chainsaw:

tony

500 did I hear you right? I gave 650 for a brand new 372
so whats up with that? You will like the 365 and it will serve
you for many years.
 
500 did I hear you right? I gave 650 for a brand new 372
so whats up with that? You will like the 365 and it will serve
you for many years.

I wish!

No what I meant was that I thought the 372 cost $300 more than the 365 but it was actually $500 more.

Wish I could get a 372 for $650. Over here a 365 is $1090 retail and a 372 $1590! They really screw us I think.

Still, a decent price at $150 off and with the extras he included I think it's a good buy. Rang around before going back to him and the Husky dealers don't like to discount.
 
....

[Edit: Ignore this last paragraph. Apart from advising in the catalogue that the Echo is 4.3kw they make no mention on their site of power rating. Given the size of 66.7cc I'm inclined to put it against the 365 and as the price is the same I'll stick with the Husky.]

I believe that 4.3kW rating is bogus - the last time they published a power rating (6701) it was 4.4hp/3.2kW.
 
I believe that 4.3kW rating is bogus - the last time they published a power rating (6701) it was 4.4hp/3.2kW.

That was what I felt, particularly given the size of the saw. I mean if they could produce a 65cc chainsaw that had an output higher than that produced by their competitors 75cc chainsaws you'd think they'd really be pushing it.

Also strange they don't publish any power outputs on their website. I suspect it's a US brochure (in hp) converted for use in Australia and they've just changed the hp to kw.
 
The 65cc husky with an 18" bar, perfect match, makes a 60cc stihl feel a bit stressed by comparison, with a drilled muffler the 365 revs out like crazy but digs in and cuts smoothly at medium revs, it's heavy duty, unstressed, you can use it all day comfortably, it's the 60cc and 70cc saw in one, good choice
 
It is quite easy to fell trees up to 2 1/2 times the bar length, unless they are hazard trees close to a valuable object, and/or you are not in a hurry.

I don't like to do it, but for a few sound trees it is ok.

For mostly 8" trees, even a 60cc may be overkill (edit, it actually is!).

A 50cc + 70cc plan probably would be ideal......

Troll, I know that a person can fall trees of greater diameter than the bar length. That really wasn't the point. I do agree that a 50cc and 70cc combo would serve him well. Two saws. But, if it's just one saw that he's going to purchase...then I'll stick with the 70cc recommendation with a few different bars of various lengths.
 
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