Good single saw recommendation.

[wickedsprint]

Looking for an ideal lightweight saw for neighborhood hurricane cleanup and maybe occasional mountain bike trail maintenance.

I may in the future cut donated logs for fire pit wood.

I generally lean towards Stihl but not required.

Considering an MS261CM or maybe even a decently powered top handle for backpack convenience.


Thoughts?

 

[sunfish]

Husqvarna 545... Almost identical to the 550xp but less money.

 

[lambs]

MS261 is a great choice as long as you don't need to buck large logs, and it will do that in a pinch with a 20" bar. But day in and out, I would not run a 20" on one unless it's a modded saw. I keep a 16" on mine, and have an 18" for it that works well, but if I'm in 20" territory, I grab an 046 instead.

If you want to save some weight and give up some power, an MS 250 would be a good choice, though it is a homeowner saw.

There are no doubt other great choices, so a lot depends on how close and how good your dealer is.

 

[1Alpha1]

MS-261 C-M

 

[wickedsprint]

I doubt I'll need to buck anything big. For storm cleanup id be de limbing then pull log out of road etc. disposal on them...I'm just restoring access.

 

[blsnelling]

Check out a Dolmar 420/421 for a smaller saw. The MS241 is a nice saw too.

 

[nmurph]

Ya'll got mountains in S. FL??? Huh, I guess you let the air out of them when I come down.


As Sunfish suggested, the 545 is a great choice. It's a good bit lighter than the 261, easier in the hands, and easier on the pocketbook by $150 or so.

 

[Brushwacker]

Looking for an ideal lightweight saw for neighborhood hurricane cleanup and maybe occasional mountain bike trail maintenance.

I may in the future cut donated logs for fire pit wood.

I generally lean towards Stihl but not required.

Considering an MS261CM or maybe even a decently powered top handle for backpack convenience.


Thoughts?

Set on buying new ?
What kind of $ u want to spend ?
Sounds to me what ever you buy will most likely need stored most often as you will only use it occasionally.
If it will be vulnerable to thieves, consider something less expensive and tempting to them. If you need it in a hurricane situation, and it needs a part or service to keep going you better consider dealer services available. I wouldn't buy a Husky or Dolmar if I had 2 good Stihl dealers within 10-20 miles and 1 or none of them or the other way around. I think I would rather 2 less expensive saws as all my money in 1. Have a smaller displacement light weight for easy packing around when you need and also it will be easy to pack for back up to a mid size light weight with a longer bar. Most of the 50 to 60cc saws are reasonably compact and not very heavy. I wouldn't limit my bigger saw with a short bar either unless your sure you will not have any big trees to cut. IMO 60 cc is a 20" bar saw ideally, any shorter, might as well go 50cc, but if 50cc were my biggest saw I sure would have a 20" bar for it. A good running 50cc w/a 7 tooth .325 sprocket should easily handle it. Will not cut as fast as a bigger saw buried in 20" of wood but it will not hurt it or make it sickly unless you are not maintaining and using it properly.
Save enough money for a gallon or 2 of aviation gas and some good 2 cycle oil. Try to keep it out of the heat and you shouldn't have any problems with fuel issues that are very common with pump gas in a short time.

 

[Ironworker]

Yea, what he said.

 

[SawTroll]

Looking for an ideal lightweight saw for neighborhood hurricane cleanup and maybe occasional mountain bike trail maintenance.

I may in the future cut donated logs for fire pit wood.

I generally lean towards Stihl but not required.

Considering an MS261CM or maybe even a decently powered top handle for backpack convenience.


Thoughts?

The MS261 is not really a lightweight for a 50cc saw + bulky, and doesn't handle like a 50cc saw should. Take a look at the Husky 550xp/545 or Jonsered 2253/2252 instead - those are lighter and neater saws.

 

[blsnelling]

A MS261 would work fantastic for your application. They're one of the best saws Stihl sells. Excellent AV, filtration, inboard clutch, etc. What's not to like?

 

[Rudedog]

The MS261 is not really a lightweight for a 50cc saw + bulky, and doesn't handle like a 50cc saw should. Take a look at the Husky 550xp/545 or Jonsered 2253/2252 instead - those are lighter and neater saws.

I finally bit the bullet and bought a NIB 2153. I'm sending it out to be ported. I feel so cheap and dirty with all of the Stihl's I have but the J'red 2153/346 is a great saw. I understand that it is awesome ported but I realize that porting is not an issue for you.

 

[ColdStihl]

I bike in the Midwest and our mountains are equally impressive. If I'm on my bike, I carry a folding saw in my hydro pack. Trees lay down all the time on my trails, so I find that if I can just cut them in half, I can get the logs out of my way and continue riding. If I'm walking the trails, I'll take my 32cc saw wearing a 12" or 14" bar. I think just for this purpose, lighter is better. I like how my little saw is carry-able for miles because most times I don't have the luxury of parking my vehicle close to the fallen tree. YMMV.

 

[blsnelling]

I bike in the Midwest and our mountains are equally impressive. If I'm on my bike, I carry a folding saw in my hydro pack. Trees lay down all the time on my trails, so I find that if I can just cut them in half, I can get the logs out of my way and continue riding. If I'm walking the trails, I'll take my 32cc saw wearing a 12" or 14" bar. I think just for this purpose, lighter is better. I like how my little saw is carry-able for miles because most times I don't have the luxury of parking my vehicle close to the fallen tree. YMMV.

That would be a MS150 for me.

 

[treesmith]

The MS261 is the best saw I've ever had the pleasure of using, Stihls are much stronger and better saws.

Fixed it for you

 

[SawTroll]

Fixed it for you

That fake "quote" is funny at first, but really it is totally unacceptable. Someone could read it out of context, and believe I actually have said such a thing.

 

[tallguys]

Someone could read it out of context, and believe I actually have said such a thing.

Only some noobie or occasional lurker on AS would make that kind of mistake, ST.

 

[ColdStihl]

That fake "quote" is funny at first, but really it is totally unacceptable. Someone could read it out of context, and believe I actually have said such a thing.

So you're saying I can't re-quote that in my sigline?

 

[SawTroll]

Only some noobie or occasional lurker on AS would make that kind of mistake, ST.

Yes, obviously!

 

[Termite]

A MS261 would work fantastic for your application. They're one of the best saws Stihl sells. Excellent AV, filtration, inboard clutch, etc. What's not to like?

Ah, Price & Weight & that convoluted on off choke control. Other than that it's almost like a Husky.
Yes, it is one of Stihl's best. And the 441 isn't bad either.