Need advice on a new saw

[giannid]

So I've been running an old Stihl 026 for over 25 year. I recently just bought a wooded lot of 36 acres and have some major clean up to do around the property. I need to buy a saw that's more capable. I'm partial to Stihl saws and my buddy has an old 036 that's been a great so. I figure a saw of that size will serve me well. I've been combing craigslist and facebook for something comparable to it for about a month. Seems like the Stilhls in that size class have been all used professional and are pretty wiped out. Most of them have been professional used and full of aftermarket parts.

What saws should I be looking at in that size class? I don't have a problem with a used saw as long as it hasn't been abused. I want to buy a saw that I don't have to fix. My fear is I buy a used 036 that's been rigged together. Seems like the new saws aren't as good as the old school Stihls.

Any advice to what I should do? I'm not opposed to going with something other that a Stihl. I just want something durable. Advice please

 

[sundance]

Echo 590 is in that size class. Seems to get a lot of positive comments. Never run one so no personal thoughts.

 

[giannid]

Never even considered an echo saw. I’ve got several echo power tools and they’ve all been great. Are these considered professional grade saws?

 

[r black]

stihl saws in that class are the ms261 and ms362 , on the other side of the fence is husqvarna with a 550xp mark II and 562xp , out of these 4 saws the ms362 is the only one i would not personally recommend , and that only because i have not run one ......

 

[Natster]

I don't have one, but the echo 590 is 1/2 the price of the stihl 360. And, a backup saw is essential. Cleaning up a 36 ac. Lot, you can have trees that mis-behave. Ie, they fall funny, or pinch, in ways hard to anticipate. So, I'm suggesting, a multi saw program, of different sized saws, so that you can be "in the driver's seat" of this situation.

 

[sundance]

Never even considered an echo saw. I’ve got several echo power tools and they’ve all been great. Are these considered professional grade saws?

Depends who you ask. Believe they are a magnesium case and most attributes of a pro saw. Seems there's an Echo in the 600 series (maybe 620) that might be even better at a $150+ premium.

 

[Kyfan]

If you are cleaning up that much land I'd get something in the 70cc range. Then do a good tune up on your current stihl. I think personally that would be the way to go.

 

[FordGT40]

I have two Echo saws - a CS-400 and a CS-600P. Their saws with the P suffix are supposedly pro saws. I like both. My 400 is really a homeowner saw with an 18" bar that covers most of my needs. I bought it two years ago after giving up on my second Craftsman 18" (Poulin based) saw. The 600P I bought in 2011 after an EF3 tornado blew through our area. I originally got with 16" and 24" bars and just added a 27" bar to it three weeks ago. The 600P has no issues driving the 27" bar and chain - plenty of power. About the time I bought 600P, I had been considering a Stihl, but then I started seeing reviews that said very positive things about the Echo saws especially pertaining to power. This year Echo added the CS-620PW which adds a wrap around handle (wish I had that!). The CS-590 is essentially a slightly downgraded version of the CS-620P (same size engine). If you don't need the saw rated for a 27" bar, then CS-590 will be fine. The only time I use my 600P is for dropping bigger trees like the 20 big old oaks that gypsy moth caterpillars killed on our lot over the past three years. Otherwise, I do the bulk of my work with the 400 as the light weight is so much easier to handle. Here is the link to their chainsaw page: Echo Chainsaw Mfg page

 

[giannid]

I’m not clearing the entire property. Just cutting some dead trees down and doing some clean up and firewood. My old Stihl is definitely too small for the task. Just looking for something thats better and doesn’t break the bank. Maybe I’ll look at the pro version of the echo saws.

 

[Hand Splitter]

If your 026 is to small I’d highly consider a 70cc saw. How big in diameter is the wood you will be cutting?

 

[giannid]

There’s some big trees back there but I’d say 24 inches in diameter should be the largest I’d mess with. The 70 cc saws are just tanks. Would like something with a 24 inch bar that is still kind of light. Like to use it for the small stuff also and use my 026 for the backup.

 

[lone wolf]

There’s some big trees back there but I’d say 24 inches in diameter should be the largest I’d mess with. The 70 cc saws are just tanks. Would like something with a 24 inch bar that is still kind of light. Like to use it for the small stuff also and use my 026 for the backup.

24 in you really need 70 cc's

 

[toadman]

24 in you really need 70 cc's

+1
I would vote for a 372 husky, or a 462/460/046 Stihl. Haven't much experience with a 461, so no comment there.
only stepping up 10 cc's from an 026 to the 360 Stihl class is not really enough difference IMO.
I highly recommend the 462 over the 362 if either are options... not much weight difference, or price, and a lot more capability to be had with the 462.
Makita/dolmar 6400/7900 are good saws as well. Proven designs and every bit as well built as the best of them.
Not winning the weight class in power, like the 462, but very capable contenders for sure.
I bought this;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Makita-78-...0580423&hash=item33c6e6d48a:g:8gUAAOSw8rNerYfa few months ago, and am very impressed with the build quality and servicability.
I admit, I don't use it much as I prefer my new 90cc Stihl for grin the factor, but the guys swear it's the best saw they've ever used & they've each used my Stihls for years. Good reputation here as well from what i've heard...

 

[sundance]

+1
I would vote for a 372 husky, or a 462/460/046 Stihl. Haven't much experience with a 461, so no comment there.
only stepping up 10 cc's from an 026 to the 360 Stihl class is not really enough difference IMO.
I highly recommend the 462 over the 362 if either are options... not much weight difference, or price, and a lot more capability to be had with the 462.
Makita/dolmar 6400/7900 are good saws as well. Proven designs and every bit as well built as the best of them.
Not winning the weight class in power, like the 462, but very capable contenders for sure.
I bought this;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Makita-78-...0580423&hash=item33c6e6d48a:g:8gUAAOSw8rNerYfa few months ago, and am very impressed with the build quality and servicability.
I admit, I don't use it much as I prefer my new 90cc Stihl for grin the factor, but the guys swear it's the best saw they've ever used & they've each used my Stihls for years. Good reputation here as well from what i've heard...

The 462 sounds like a great saw. From what I can see it's much more expensive than the 362 (~780 vs. 1100+). I'd like to have one and may some day.

I don't have a saw bigger than an 036Pro. It's done everything I need including hardwood over 30". Maybe slower, but how much wood that size are you cutting? A sharp chain is a bigger factor than cc's in my opinion. On the bigger logs you can work from both sides when needed. Don't need a bar long enough to cut in one pass.
I like and enjoy saws but they are part of my firewood endeavor. I heat with wood partly to save money, so limit my saw investment to support the savings. The Echos in this size range either didn't exist or I didn't know of them in 1999 when I bought the 036Pro. I might well be running a 60cc Echo if I was choosing today.

 

[giannid]

I'm going to stick with a 60cc saw. I'm pretty sure it will serve me fine as I ran my friends 036 with a 24 inch bar and seems to do everything I need it to do. Looking at the echos, you seem to get a lot of your saw for the money. Unless I find a good deal on a lightly used 036/360/361 Stihl, I'll probably pick up a new echo. Seems like they have a 20% sale on occasion from what I read. Probably pick up a 620p and mod it.

Anyone know of a dealer offering the 20%discount, let me know.

 

[toadman]

The 462 sounds like a great saw. From what I can see it's much more expensive than the 362 (~780 vs. 1100+). I'd like to have one and may some day.

I don't have a saw bigger than an 036Pro. It's done everything I need including hardwood over 30". Maybe slower, but how much wood that size are you cutting? A sharp chain is a bigger factor than cc's in my opinion. On the bigger logs you can work from both sides when needed. Don't need a bar long enough to cut in one pass.
I like and enjoy saws but they are part of my firewood endeavor. I heat with wood partly to save money, so limit my saw investment to support the savings. The Echos in this size range either didn't exist or I didn't know of them in 1999 when I bought the 036Pro. I might well be running a 60cc Echo if I was choosing today.

I Didn't realize the price on the 362 was that much different.
My bad, In which case I owe everybody an apology.
I was told when I bought my 462 the difference was "about $100" and that stuck in my head.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

100% my opinion, possibly worth what you paid for it.

It sounds to me like you need the classic 3 saw plan - 30/50/70.

70cc with a 24" bar for when you need the reach.
50cc with 16"-18" bar for just about everything else (unless you don't mind humping the larger, heavier saw around all day).
30cc with 12"-14" bar for smaller stuff/limbing (sub 8").

Larger saws are nice to have, but by the end of the day, the weight will get to you. This is where you will get hurt - trying to control a heavy machine when you're fatigued.

Skip the 60cc class saw. They're almost as heavy as a 70cc class saw for less power.

If funds are the issue at the moment, I would suggest starting with the 50cc class saw and expand out in either direction based on what you have on the property. Lots of small stuff, get the 30. Larger stuff, get the 70. But start with the 50.

...and spend the $100 or so to pick up some chainsaw PPE.

 

[Andyshine77]

I don't usually recommend a bigger saw than needed. That said having owned pretty much every modern saw from 30cc up, the best combination is a 50cc and 70cc saw, 60cc saws are about my least favorite size. Why? They're both not small enough and not large enough. You have a 026, so I would move directly to a 70cc saw, and never look back. Pretty much all 70cc saws you're going to find will be a great saw, which is another reason to go for 70cc. Used keep your eyes peeled on the Trading Post here on the site, most used saws on say EBay, especially Stihl saws will be expensive and beat. If you have the cash for new, I'd grab a Stihl ms462 or the Husqvarna 572xp, the Husqvarna can be had for quite a bit less than the 462 if you know where to buy.

The Echo cs590/620 is a great saw for what it is, but it will not compare to any good running 70cc saw IMHO.

 

[sundance]

I'm going to stick with a 60cc saw. I'm pretty sure it will serve me fine as I ran my friends 036 with a 24 inch bar and seems to do everything I need it to do. Looking at the echos, you seem to get a lot of your saw for the money. Unless I find a good deal on a lightly used 036/360/361 Stihl, I'll probably pick up a new echo. Seems like they have a 20% sale on occasion from what I read. Probably pick up a 620p and mod it.

Anyone know of a dealer offering the 20%discount, let me know.

The discount is now 15% not 20% .Echo used to show dealers and dates but the website doesn't currently (listed under One Day Promotion). Guess you'd have to call local dealers and ask.

 

[Patrick62]

multi saw plan... CAD is rampant in here (chainsaw acquisition disorder)
I run my 260 (same as your 026) for a LOT of the time. I have run the 362 for a few cuts up here. It is a VERY capable saw. I would call it marginal with a 24" bar. Patience... and it will do it. The advantage of the 362 is it is a touch lighter, cheaper, but still a PRO saw.
The alternative is the 390, heavy but cheaper. Just as heavy as the 70cc saws. At that point i'd buy a Echo...