What size saw for the job 24", 28", ?

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Bubbs

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2019
Messages
4
Reaction score
4
Location
Meadow Vista, CA
Howdy,
May have to buck 6 or so Ponderosa Pines from my property that are around 30" in diameter and 80+ feet tall, so I am looking for some options. I also buck up a handful of oaks around 24 " each season as well. I have a 20 inch /50 cc saw for smaller firewood gathering. I've been looking at saws in the 24 -28 inch range and have visited the shops in town that carry Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo. Trying to get a read on which shop may have the best customer support down the road. Price Range is about $700. Don't oppose the idea of getting a use saw, but can only do the basic maintenance .

Thanks in advance for any info or insight.
 
Sounds like you need something with at least 70cc.
700 here would probly.just barly get you a ms 261. A 70 cc saw here is arpund 1200 or so.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk
 
I think the OP is talking USD, so his $700 is gonna go a little further.

I'd suggest a Husqvarna 365 or 372. They're basically the same saw, and will have enough power to do what you want. They're a fair bit cheaper than the other new 70cc offerings.
 
Howdy,
May have to buck 6 or so Ponderosa Pines from my property that are around 30" in diameter and 80+ feet tall, so I am looking for some options. I also buck up a handful of oaks around 24 " each season as well. I have a 20 inch /50 cc saw for smaller firewood gathering. I've been looking at saws in the 24 -28 inch range and have visited the shops in town that carry Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo. Trying to get a read on which shop may have the best customer support down the road. Price Range is about $700. Don't oppose the idea of getting a use saw, but can only do the basic maintenance .

Thanks in advance for any info or insight.
Welcome to AS Bubbs.
I have a few options here in 70cc saws.

Not sure you need a 70cc saw if this isn't something your going to do on a normal basis. I could get it done with the 50cc saw you already have, it's just gonna take a bit longer, but it would be a lot cheaper and its only gonna cost you a little time, a couple hrs or less if your a skilled cutter and know how to avoid getting your bar pinched(that can happen with a longer bar even easier though :surprised3:).(see what I said below :)).
You could also see if there are any members in your area who could give you a hand, offer up a little :barbecue:and some:cheers: and you can get a lot of:chainsaw: done :yes:.
If you need a 70cc saw and a 24" bar and chain shoot me a pm.
Brett
 
I would say, dolkita 7900. Powerfull, reliable an affordable. Really comparable with a 372, but with more grunt.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G955F met Tapatalk
 
I like my 2166 Jred and it runs a 28 fine for the few felling cuts I use it for then switch to the 24 .

I have taken a few that I still had to cut from both sides with the 28 inch bar.

the 2166 is 71 cc i think I paid exactly 700 for it cash new old stock with a 24 inch bar and chain.

good saw shares a lot of parts with the 372XP husky
 
I like my 2166 Jred and it runs a 28 fine for the few felling cuts I use it for then switch to the 24 .

I have taken a few that I still had to cut from both sides with the 28 inch bar.

the 2166 is 71 cc i think I paid exactly 700 for it cash new old stock with a 24 inch bar and chain.

good saw shares a lot of parts with the 372XP husky
Got one or more here, great saws.
I would say, dolkita 7900. Powerfull, reliable an affordable. Really comparable with a 372, but with more grunt.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G955F met Tapatalk
Got one or more here, great saws as well, start to shine vs a 2166/2172 or a 372 when you run a 28 on a normal basis.
Both the above mentioned saws are even more fun ported:chainsaw:.
 
For Me, in that situation, I would be looking at a Husky 372XP with a 28" or 32" B&C. But that will probably run around $900.

I Prefer to cut from one side, by dogging in and rolling the B&C over the far side, then following that line, a 28" bar will cut a 30" log from one side.

A 30" log could be cut with a 50cc/20", but that would be the slow way of doing it, and to ME, that much cutting of that size wood, with that size saw, is just abusing the tool.

I already have saws for that type of cutting and larger, so I just grab the appropriate saw, not having to buy a saw.

To me a 372XP with 32" and 24" B&C's would be a very good fit for his needs.


Doug :cheers:
 
For Me, in that situation, I would be looking at a Husky 372XP with a 28" or 32" B&C. But that will probably run around $900.

I Prefer to cut from one side, by dogging in and rolling the B&C over the far side, then following that line, a 28" bar will cut a 30" log from one side.

A 30" log could be cut with a 50cc/20", but that would be the slow way of doing it, and to ME, that much cutting of that size wood, with that size saw, is just abusing the tool.

I already have saws for that type of cutting and larger, so I just grab the appropriate saw, not having to buy a saw.

To me a 372XP with 32" and 24" B&C's would be a very good fit for his needs.


Doug :cheers:
Seems a little high for a 372.
But yes for his situation I agree.
When I posted above I didn't catch the "each season" behind the "handful of oaks around 24", I'd want a 70 or a ported 60 for sure.
 
Seems a little high for a 372.
But yes for his situation I agree.
When I posted above I didn't catch the "each season" behind the "handful of oaks around 24", I'd want a 70 or a ported 60 for sure.


The Husqvarna website Lists the 372XP with both 28" and 32" B&C at an MSRP of $939.95, plus being in Californicated, there will be sales tax. He may find a dealer that will give him a break, the MSRP on the 445 I bought my Wife for Christmas(She REALLY did WANT it:surprised3::):)) was $339.95 and Extreme Powersports in Okanogan, WA sold it to me for $305, without even trying to dicker. He may also be able to find it cheaper on line, but he mentioned that Dealer support/reputation was a deciding factor.


Doug :cheers:
 
Just spend last week removing stumps from 30in dia yellow pine with my 55 ranchers. Even cut a few 30in dia red and white oaks. 20in bars, sharp chains. I will admit things went faster when my trackhoe operator offered his 390xp with 24in bar. Point is, the 50cc huskeys did just fine with that size wood, but bigger is better. I wouldnt buy a bigger saw for just a few trees, but the next day I did take my 272xp, 24in b/c with me, but never used it. I also had to file the chain on the 390xp after the first cut, guy had a big saw but didnt know squat about filing a chain. Little saws with sharp chains beats bigger saws with dull chains.
 
I guess the forums and real life are different. A 60cc saw with a 20” would work just fine.....if you do it right.

An Echo 620 will pull a 24” chain for under $600
If you have a 50, why own a 60, they are way to close in my mind. 50/70 is a great two saw plan, but let's be clear I'm not promoting a two saw plan, because the forums are different lol.

I see a 241 in your avatar, 40, 60, 80 is another nice plan :).
 
you can get buy with less saw or smaller bar but have to carefully get the notch cut then leave a good 10-15% trigger in back and set up the hinge cutting from both sides.

then at the end your just cutting the trigger the back 10-15% of good wood fiber

that is how I get the trees more than a few inches bigger than my bar and some leaners using the set up ad trigger method

the nice part of cutting that way is your at the back of the tree when it starts to go and not along side of it trying to keep the hinge even,

you can also run skip chain vs full compliment and get more bar length.

but at some point you can make the point that the bigger saw opens up options and is safer to be faster cutting.

also it is my opinion that a 50cc saw constantly running a 20 inch bar with full comp chain is borderline too much for the saw something you get away with but takes a toll on the saw to do 30+ inch rounds over and over all day.

alternating saws letting one cool down when it runs out of gas while you run the other saw for a while has it's benefits also 2 saws are great for those times that never happen to people on forums when you get a bar pinched .
 
for a saw you intend to do any regular production with #CC/3= max bar length if you are only running occasional use and not cut after cut after cut #CC/2.5=max bar length

55CC/3=18.33
72/3=24

for safe figuring
 
for a saw you intend to do any regular production with #CC/3= max bar length if you are only running occasional use and not cut after cut after cut #CC/2.5=max bar length

55CC/3=18.33
72/3=24

for safe figuring
Good thing I only run 18" on my 50cc saws, it's a little taxing on them :laugh:.
Also does that mean a 70cc stihl shouldn't run a "25":laughing:.
Most guys who do production cutting as I think of it here run a 20 or 24 on a 90cc saw, they also go through saws every yr or two, some run 461's or 372's with a 20 or 24, but not many.
It does seem like that calculation works at those numbers though at 70cc and 90cc, looks a little long for a 50cc for occasional cutting unless your running the newest AT/MT saws.
 
I dont cut everyday so life of my saws is pretty long. I run 20in 3/8 full chisel on my 55 ranchers. On small wood it works well. On the bigger stuff it works but will bog the saw. It all depends on whether you try and force the saw or just let the chain self feed. A sharp chain will pull itself into the wood without bogging. Try to force it and it takes to big a bite and will bogg. If I was cutting everyday, I would probably go for the larger cc's and a 20in bar, but for 3 or 4 cords a year, I dont know if it would be worth it for me to change what I already do. If I know I am going to cut larger wood, I take the 272xp with me and the 55's are there for backup.
 
Back
Top