Need a limbing saw

[odinandrota]

Hello, I need a light weight saw that will be used for limbing the trees I fall for my sawmill. I currently own all Husky's and have been happy with them. I am curious about the Echo 4910 50cc saw for this task as it seems to be a great saw for the 380 dollar money with a great power to weight ratio at only 10.5 pounds.

Not sure I need a 580 dollar 543XP for this task. Is the 543XP that much better of a saw?
Most the limbs are only 6" or less.

 

[SimonHS]

Hello and welcome!

MS241C for the win.

Link to a good previous thread on the topic here.

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/best-light-weight-saw-for-limbing.364020/
Other AS threads about limbing saws are available.

AS seems split on the issue. 50% say use the same saw that you use for felling. 50% say use a different, smaller saw.

 

[lone wolf]

MS241C for the win.

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/best-light-weight-saw-for-limbing.364020/
Other AS threads about limbing saws are available.

AS seems split on the issue. 50% say use the same saw that you use for felling. 50% say use a different, smaller saw.

Plus 1 on that.

 

[odinandrota]

Hello and welcome!

MS241C for the win.

Link to a good previous thread on the topic here.

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/best-light-weight-saw-for-limbing.364020/
Other AS threads about limbing saws are available.

AS seems split on the issue. 50% say use the same saw that you use for felling. 50% say use a different, smaller saw.

Thanks for the reply, yea I have searched and read the multiple threads on this. I am buying another saw for limbing/ sawmill work. The question is basically is the pro Husky worth that much more than the Echo? I have a 372 and a 262 for felling and larger jobs, and a Husky 265 RX for clearing brush.
If I go with another Husky is the 550XP much bulkier handling than the 543XP for another 100?

 

[coffeebrk]

I'd go with the 543xp for the chain speed and superior antivibe. If you think the 543xp is pricy, stay away from the ms241 unless you're going to ante up an additional $150-$300 or more.

 

[odinandrota]

I'd go with the 543xp for the chain speed and superior antivibe. If you think the 543xp is pricy, stay away from the ms241 unless you're going to ante up an additional $150-$300 or more.

If I was going to spend much over 400, I would buy either the 543XP, or the 550 XP. I had just read a lot of good things about the Echo 4910, and a good 50cc saw that weighs 10.5# for under 400 sounded like a deal.

But the Husky XP equipment has treated me really well.

 

[sundance]

Is this for a hobby / side gig or a full time endeavor? Makes a bit of a difference.
I'll go counter to some excellent high dollar thoughts that have been offered and say that the Echo CS-4910 is a very nice saw.
To be honest, for 6" and under I'd be grabbing my Echo CS-352. Similar CS-3510 is probably slightly nicer but wasn't on the market when I bought.

 

[livemusic]

You want the lightest of lightweight, the Echo 2511! For bigger, Echo 4910 looks really good.

My Makita ea4300 is a fantastic saw, I forget the equivalent in Dolmar brand. Probably about the same as a Stihl 241. Really cool saw.

 

[odinandrota]

Is this for a hobby / side gig or a full time endeavor? Makes a bit of a difference.
I'll go counter to some excellent high dollar thoughts that have been offered and say that the Echo CS-4910 is a very nice saw.
To be honest, for 6" and under I'd be grabbing my Echo CS-352. Similar CS-3510 is probably slightly nicer but wasn't on the market when I bought.

More like a full time hobby/ side gig. I was fortunate to be able to retire early so I spend my days clearing land on our 170 acres of forest and turning it into lumber with my saw mill.

Here in SE Oklahoma we don't have many trees more than 24" thick. A lot of oak, hickory and a bunch of pine. And most of the branches are 6" or under. I have a 372 and a 262 for heavier work. My old trusty wild thing died and I really miss having a lighter saw, especially since I do this full time now.

 

[cuttinstihl]

I love my Makita 4300 with a gutted muffler and retune. The cat and baffle plate must weigh at least half a pound, and taking it out makes the saw feel super light. Mine cuts beautifully after the mod, and its also really responsive on the trigger. Best part is that they can be had super cheap as an Home Depot ex-rental saw, generally under $200.

 

[sundance]

More like a full time hobby/ side gig. I was fortunate to be able to retire early so I spend my days clearing land on our 170 acres of forest and turning it into lumber with my saw mill.

Here in SE Oklahoma we don't have many trees more than 24" thick. A lot of oak, hickory and a bunch of pine. And most of the branches are 6" or under. I have a 372 and a 262 for heavier work. My old trusty wild thing died and I really miss having a lighter saw, especially since I do this full time now.

If you were happy with the wild thing, I think you'd be good with the Echo CS-352 or 3510.
Plenty of good (and more expensive) choices out there, I find the Echo's to be excellent at a good price point. My CS-346 is semi-retired after probably 18-20 years of extensive use.

 

[odinandrota]

I love my Makita 4300 with a gutted muffler and retune. The cat and baffle plate must weigh at least half a pound, and taking it out makes the saw feel super light. Mine cuts beautifully after the mod, and its also really responsive on the trigger. Best part is that they can be had super cheap as an Home Depot ex-rental saw, generally under $200.

Thanks! They have one for sale at a local Home Depot, I will go check it out.

 

[odinandrota]

If you were happy with the wild thing, I think you'd be good with the Echo CS-352 or 3510.
Plenty of good (and more expensive) choices out there, I find the Echo's to be excellent at a good price point. My CS-346 is semi-retired after probably 18-20 years of extensive use.

Yea, for just limbing and other small stuff my wild thing did just fine with a good chain on it.

 

[cuttinstihl]

Thanks! They have one for sale at a local Home Depot, I will go check it out.

I do recommend giving the saw a good once over when you get it home, as the rental users can be a bit rough on the saw. Back when I got mine, I noticed the oiler was acting up, but that turned to be poor quality oil that some rental user must have ran for chain oil. Cleaned out the tank and the oiler assembly and it’s perfect now. Another thing is that the standard HD bar and chain are fairly poor quality, and I bought myself an Oregon 14” lopro bar and chain to replace the stock setup.

 

[sundance]

Thanks! They have one for sale at a local Home Depot, I will go check it out.

While I'm a real fan of the small Echo's, if I could find a Home Depot deal on a Makita 4300 I'd look hard. Do be aware that Makita is out of the gas powered equipment game so future parts may be a concern.
DO NOT make the mistake I did and get a Stihl MS-250!

 

[Andy K]

I might be overstepping my boundary but how much limbing do your do? Have you considered a battery powered saw? I have one, live on a farm and use it for limbing and little tasks like that. If I am going to cut wood for my shop, I have several gas powered but weight wise, the battery powered have come a really long way. Light weight and do have more power than you might think. They also have a slower chain speed which helps to keep the chain sharper because less heat.

 

[Valpen]

Here in SE Oklahoma we don't have many trees more than 24" thick. A lot of oak, hickory and a bunch of pine. And most of the branches are 6" or under. I have a 372 and a 262 for heavier work. My old trusty wild thing died and I really miss having a lighter saw, especially since I do this full time now.

As you will find out from the thread recommended by @SimonHS, some of us are somewhat "enthusiastic" about the "perfect limbing saw".
Based on the description of the trees that you are dealing with, and your need for lightweight, and what I sense is some experience with saws (so you have an expectation for some performance), the MS241 is power for pound, almost impossible to beat, has very good balance, and it runs a narrow-kerf blade/chain so it has to cut less wood-width which means it cuts faster than a similar powered saw with a normal blade/chain. They tend to be hard to come by as they are no longer sold in the US. Here is a recent thread from a guy who just imported one from the UK who should be able to help you out - https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/help-me-find-nos-ms-241cm.363560/

As an aging non-professional, yet experienced wood gatherer, many years ago I settled on a rear handled MS200 with a light weight 16" bar (also narrow-kerf) to do just what I expect you used to do with your WildThing, and I am dealing with much the same size trees as you described.
I still think the MS200 rear-handle has the best combination of balance, control, power and reach for limbing of any saw I have used for my sawing needs. (and IMO that combination is a good recipe for safe sawing for aging saw users who may not have the same strength and stamina as they used to have)
Today's version of the MS200 is the MS201, which is available in a rear-handle, and you might want to add it to your list of saws to consider. Be prepared to spend some money, as these are prof-saws and not cheap.

I suggest you further define/explain "your sawing needs" and your "experience and expectations" to this group of saw fanatics, and they will jump to help you find the right solution.

FYI, my MS200, 012AV and MSE200 all share the same bar and chain configuration so I can sharpen/swap chains at my leasure.

​

 

[thompsoncustom]

Yea, for just limbing and other small stuff my wild thing did just fine with a good chain on it.

Why not just rebuild the wild thing. I think a cylinder/piston kit for those things is like 30 bucks.

 

[odinandrota]

After watching some video's I am intrigued by top handle saws. They look so compact and handy for hauling around on the quad/tractor for random trail maintenance. I wonder how something like a Echo 355 T would work for limbing branches 6" and under?

​

 

[ElevatorGuy]

After watching some video's I am intrigued by top handle saws. They look so compact and handy for hauling around on the quad/tractor for random trail maintenance. I wonder how something like a Echo 355 T would work for limbing branches 6" and under?

​

I had an echo 303t, i regret selling it. I didn’t use it much but after I sold it I realized how useful it was at times.