MountainHigh
Selective Tree whacker
Hey guys
I am new to this forum looking for advice on upgrading my current saw for cutting a lot of firewood. I have a Stihl MS250. Great little saw but i cut a lot of big hardwood. The 18” bar isn’t big enough for felling some of the trees im harvesting. I don’t need a huge saw but definitely need more than the 18” bar I currently run. I’m thinking about getting a Husqvarna 455 Rancher with 20” bar. What do you guys think?
Depends how fast you want to cut through your hardwood and how much money you want to spend.
455 might be ok for some folks, but once you drive a pro version saw, you will never go back.
- If you want budget saw then the Echo 590 or 620 have a good following, but some might say they are not at the Husky or Stihl level. I haven't used them so can't say.
- Budget 60cc pro level saw is the Husky 555 running a 20" bar - if you want to stay at 20" bar, this is great combo for Firewood (a tad lighter and cheaper than the 562xp).
- Husky's best pro level 60cc saw is 562xp and it is a great saw with plenty of power. Even stock, with a 20" semi skip chain, it cuts like an angry banshee.
- Stihl's pro level 60cc saw is the 362 c-m, also a very nice saw but a tad bulkier than the 562xp. Throw them both around to see what feels better in your hands.
- If you don't mind carrying extra weight and want 70cc, the Husky 372 has a great track record and would handle a 24" bar easily.
AND, if you want 70cc in the lightest new 70cc saw available (just slightly heavier than a 562xp) then the new Stihl 462 c-m is the latest monster, albeit expensive!
After working out the kinks in my 2013 562xp, it is a GREAT saw with big balls for it's size, but if I was cutting lots of hardwood over 20" and money was no object, I'd definitely get the new Stihl 70cc 462 c-m with a 20" bar if you want a nimble rocket, and/or keep a 24" or 28" bar around when you want the extra reach. This saw sets the new standard for awesome power to weight ratio. We'll see how it holds up to abuse over time.