70+CC saw recommendations

Have just purchased our first house (no more renting!) out in regional Victoria, Australia - Kinglake for any Aussie’s who are interested.

The house has a huge Woodfire Coonawarra & open fire for heating. This means I’ll be out cutting some decent logs to keep us warm all winter (approx 300/400mm in diameter)

I’m looking for quality & ease of service (do it all myself). I’ve owned both stihl & husky saws previously. However don’t want any auto tuning saws.

I’m thinking I could use this as an excuse to buy a 372 however I’m a chippy by trade and would also love to setup my own Alaskan Mill to slab some timber for table tops in the future & don’t particularly want to have to buy another saw only for that application. Hoping to kill 2 birds with one chain.

Looking forward to hearing your input,
Cheers!

 

For milling, the bigger the better. I'd buy the biggest powerhead you can swing pricewise. That said, having a 100+cc powerhead as a one saw plan is not ideal. I guess it depends on how often you think you'll wind up milling. A 390/395 or a carbed 661 would probably be a good setup for large tree bucking and occasional milling.

 

Because of experience level.....I’ve never been fond of recommending saws to anybody that I don’t personally know but.....

How in shape are you?

If you are truly in good shape you can do a 395 all day and still use it for some milling. “One saw” plan is never the best option but if that’s what you have to do then I probably shoot for 395 or possibly a 390. Or the Stihl equivalents

If you are concerned about weight
AND you want to mill AND fall trees.... your going to want 2 saws. If you’re not used to it the heavy saws will kick your ass.



JMO

I’m no expert


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM

 

461,660-462,661

 

Remember he said no Auto tuning saws.

Sounds like you need a Husqvarna 390 or maybe a 395. The Stihl option would be a 461, or non AT 661 if they have them. The 462 with a regular carb will be a little small for your intended use.

 

Over your way take a look at a makita dolmar 7910 for 79cc. Dont know if you have the makita dolmar 9010 over there. Just some other options.
Folks I knew that way told me they are little cheaper to buy there too.

 

I’ll have a mint ported 7900 here soon that will be for sale. Never shipped over seas but I’m not against it.

 

If you're looking for a 70cc class saw then a 372 is about as good as you're going to get. I still dont have one but I do have a 365 and its a great saw.

If you are of the more stihl persuasion then a 044, 440 or 441 would be a good place to be. I just finnished an 044 build and I will say its quickly becoming my go to saw, its so light and has power very close to my 576xp.

If you dont mind a bit more weight then a 372 then a 576 xp is a great saw. Thats my "big saw" and its smooth and has tons of power.

I don't mill but I have a buddy that does. His thoughts echo what others have said here, the biggerthe powerhead the better.

He mills with a 394, 395, 298 and a pair of ms 880s. He said the 395 is his preferred milling saw.

I'm a big guy, 6'3", 265lbs and work construction all day wearing a 40lb tool belt and I wouldnt want to run a 395 all day.

Its not that I couldnt handle a 395 but I find the heavier the saw the more tired I get especially when its hot. Being tired is a bad thing when you have a 100cc beast in your hands.

 

Milling AU hardwoods?
Unless you’re only looking to mill small diameters, 70cc is goingvto be super marginal.
I use 120cc for PNW softwoods. (3120)
Consider the oiler not just the cubes for milling.
Any saw should be able to oil a 36” bar without any trouble.... you may still need an aux oiler for the tip of the mill (downhill side of bar).
I fall /buck with a 441 and mill with the 3120.... it’s a nice combo... originally a bit rich for m need but now it rocks.


Check out BobL’s posts in the milling section.
He’s out in your continent milling native trees.

 

For some reason I got my metric to 'murican mixed up. If your milling will be the same diameter(up to 16") logs I think any of the 70-80cc suggestions would suffice. But then again you mentioned table tops so wood that width would require a much larger bar and powerhead. Really, to perform both of the tasks you've laid out effectively, two different saw sizes are needed.

 

You've used Stihl and Husqvarna, you don't want autotune....Maybe it's time to move up to "eBay's No.1 brand!"

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Bau...OSw8Ppc~mpG:sc:AU_StandardDelivery!2143!AU!-1

Seriously, go with what the best dealer in the area, best supports with parts supply.

 

The Stihl 440 to 660 series and the newer variants 441, 461, 661, all use the same oil pump, which can be upgraded to the high output model. Open to correction, but I think that's right. My 441 with the high output oiler runs out as the petol runs out, or just a bit later. Also the newer stihls have super heavy duty air filters, which apparently are popular in Australia.

 

I think you're correct.
My 441 is the the "R" version which has the "wrap" handle and HO oiler.
Seems to oil the same as my old 661R (assuming same HO oiler).

 

I really have no problem adjusting carburetors but love auto tune they always run perfect.

 

I double the dolkita 7910.
More power, less weight, better av then the 372.
But I don't understand the "no autotune". It's so user friendly.


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What's a coonawarra and what is a chippie? Chippies over here are either a whore or a CHP officer (close).

 

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...share_tid=332681&share_fid=16367&share_type=t

Some recent usefull information

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The physical fitness depends on you personally.

I know stacked 300 lb dudes that are useless and 180 lb guys that could swing an 3120 all day.

If you can swing a 90cc saw, got for it..70cc is a little light for milling.

 

The 661 has it's own oil pump. It has a pin that you tap in for HO oiling, no extra parts needed.

 

@Stihl working hard
You cut that steel wood what work's over there?
I'd run a 395 here for a lot of milling.