Mich_woodsman
ArboristSite Lurker
Well here goes nothing. First off I will explain my situation and that may or may not help answer my questions. I cut approximately 150 facecords a year, with 80% being white ash and 20% red oak. OCCASIONALLY I get into a patch with some that are 4-5' in diameter, which, right now I have about 30 of them, MOST of the time im into 12"-30" trees. I would like a saw that will at least handle comfortably a 36" bar for the larger situations. That being said, here are some of my questions. What would everybody recommend, being as this will not be an EVERY DAY 10 hr a day saw and only be used on the larger trees? What is the biggest differences and or advantages or disadvantages of the inboard clutch on the 390 and the outboard clutch on the 395? As far as power does the 390 have enough balls to pull a 36? Is the less than 2lbs more for the 395 REALLY that big of a deal? I have called Madsens and talkes to a salesman and he told me a lot of guys are going 390 and getting them ported which he claimed was a 10-15% power increase. The prices were $925 for the 390 w a 36" bar and $1099 with the port job, the 395 w the 36" bar with no port job $1029. Does this porting take longevity of life away from the saw? Would it be better to just go with the saw that has more displacement from the factory and just deal with the little bit more weight and the chain tensioner thats not side mounted? Any knowledgeable answers would really be appreciated, I am not looking for answers like "Dont go with either get the Stihl 660 or 880" these answers are not relevant as Ive cut with a friends stihl and besides them a LOT and was NOT impressed. IT WILL BE a cold day in he11 when I purchase a Stihl product.