Small saws for small trees

[computeruser]

Is the 543xp revamped or replaced anytime soon, it appears to have an older styling, colors?

It’s a rebadged Japanese design that Husqvarna gained in their corporate acquisitions. Which for some folks is a positive, others a negative.

Mine is ported and I’ve never run a stock one, but in its current form it is like a modern 242xp with more grunt. Throttle response and powerband are excellent. It has rubber A/V but is still plenty smooth. I haven’t run my 346s since I got it and I have stopped putting hours on my old 2-series saws, too. Highly recommend this platform.

 

[redhawk23]

What’s with Husqvarna and it’s ‘Mark’ designations? Mark III?

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/is-the-husqvarna-t540xp-a-bad-saw.369019/
I’m leaning toward the 540xp because it’s a current saw but I wouldn’t mind the ccs of the discontinued 543xp.

Also, I saw that the 540 is available in a mini chain and a not mini, is that true? I want to avoid minis and low profile chains.

 

[soloz2]

You absolutely can fell small trees with small saws. I've taken down a few with the MS180 I had for a while. I recently sold it as I just didn't like it nearly as much as my MS261c and the 261c isn't too heavy even for small trees or limbing work. Personally, I'd grab something with more power and not much more weight unless you are really looking to keep costs lower or have another specific purpose.

 

[user 188535]

Is there a reason a professional 37cc saw shouldn’t be used for felling trees, say, up to 12” dbh? If a pro 40cc saw doesn’t exist why not go smaller?

Thanks

Nope. Use an MS 261. The MS 170 is a fecal-quality saw. Too slow for my liking, but good for pruning.

 

[redhawk23]

I have a husky 555 that I use on big trees but my 40cc Makita is good for 95% of what I cut. Cost isn’t a concern but being light weight is. A guy I work for is buying me a new saw for work on his property. My issue with the Makita is the LP chains and low quality bars available for it.

 

[user 188535]

You absolutely can fell small trees with small saws. I've taken down a few with the MS180 I had for a while. I recently sold it as I just didn't like it nearly as much as my MS261c and the 261c isn't too heavy even for small trees or limbing work. Personally, I'd grab something with more power and not much more weight unless you are really looking to keep costs lower or have another specific purpose.

The only reason I still have an MS 170 is for carving where the MS 261 C-M is too big. I also like my MS 194 C ( rear handle ) carving saw with the special carving chain and bar.

 

[user 188535]

Use an 009 from 1981 and an 034 Super for the bigger stuff.
Secret to using any saw-keep it sharp.
I love it when a customer complains there 60cc saw is not running right. Take it to the wood pile. Dull. The next saw I happen to run will be a sharp MS170 or 180 and it will out cut it. Then sharpen the customers saw and show them how it should cut. Do it in front of them. Then they start to understand what a sharp chain can do. Well, some of them anyway.

I am still trying to find a 009. They are quite common on eBay fortunately.

 

[redhawk23]

What’s with Husqvarna and it’s ‘Mark’ designations? Mark III?

I’m leaning toward the 540xp because it’s a current saw but I wouldn’t mind the ccs of the discontinued 543xp.

Also, I saw that the 540 is available in a mini chain and a not mini, is that true? I want to avoid minis and low profile chains.

 

[Tomos770]

Yes 540 is or Will be soon mk3...

 

[Franny K]

What’s with Husqvarna and it’s ‘Mark’ designations? Mark III?

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/is-the-husqvarna-t540xp-a-bad-saw.369019/
I’m leaning toward the 540xp because it’s a current saw but I wouldn’t mind the ccs of the discontinued 543xp.

Also, I saw that the 540 is available in a mini chain and a not mini, is that true? I want to avoid minis and low profile chains.

Why do you say the 543 is discontinued? I see on mowers at Jacks order now and it ships in 2 weeks. It is on the Husqvarna site for US. There is a heated handle variant xpg (possibly harder to get) I see Wisconsin as your location. It comes with a small spline drum. Your 555 can use a different clutch drum than delivered for the USA market to also use small spline.

As to the 4300 Makita, there is a 7 tooth spur sprocket and drum .325 on the parts sheet and the rim drive of the 50cc saws fits with just a thin washer this gets covered on here perhaps every 6 months or so. I commented about bars before in other threads you started. Cannon has a combination tail for both your 555 and 4300 and the 3005 Stihl for example.

 

[Okie]

I most generally always take a RELIABLE small saw or two to the wood lot for trimming. Use the big saws on the log.. The small saw are also handy if the big saws versa.

 

[redhawk23]

Why do you say the 543 is discontinued? I see on mowers at Jacks order now and it ships in 2 weeks. It is on the Husqvarna site for US. There is a heated handle variant xpg (possibly harder to get) I see Wisconsin as your location. It comes with a small spline drum. Your 555 can use a different clutch drum than delivered for the USA market to also use small spline.

As to the 4300 Makita, there is a 7 tooth spur sprocket and drum .325 on the parts sheet and the rim drive of the 50cc saws fits with just a thin washer this gets covered on here perhaps every 6 months or so. I commented about bars before in other threads you started. Cannon has a combination tail for both your 555 and 4300 and the 3005 Stihl for example.

A reply above by Thomos said the 543 is discontinued.

I can convert my 4300 from 3/8LP to a .325 chain? I didn’t know that.

I’ll look at Canon bars again but I didn’t find anything when I first looked and I looked closely and probably sent them an email.

I still intend on buying a new saw, probably the 543xp through an Amish shop by me.

 

[Franny K]

There is the Stihll ht250 at 40cc. it is a one week wait in this district. It comes with a 7 tooth spur drive and mini 3/8 picco. gear down to 6 tooth and use normal 3/8lp. Probably could even shorten it, Wait for a fuel injected or next generation on the rear handle.

 

[redhawk23]

I’m not interested in a saw that runs pico, mini, or LP chains, I attribute them to losing chains all the time.

The 250 must be a consumer saw as Stihl’s pro saws begin at 50cc

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

For the same weight as most of these 40cc pro saws PHO. You could be running a pro 50cc saw ( like ones shown or even stihl 026 260). Same cost or even cheaper cost. Others in that class heavier.

What I do for the few ounces.

 

[Franny K]

The Ht250 is a pole saw/pole pruner. It is not a clam shell engine.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Yes 540 is or Will be soon mk3...

Already is and in rear handle too. http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/husqvarna/husqvarna-540-rear-handle-mkiii/

 

[redhawk23]

Is the Stihl 241 a current, professional saw? I like Stihl because of their bars alone.

I have the Dolkita 421/4300.

Echos appear to be good but don’t seem to be professional from top to bottom.

I am considering the husky 543xp

The Stihl 261 is heavier than what I want. I often work on steep terrain and have to carry or backpack equipment up bluffs.

 

[TN Cattleman]

Is the Stihl 241 a current, professional saw? I like Stihl because of their bars alone..

The 241 is no longer available new from Stihl USA.

 

[redhawk23]

The 241 has a pico chain anyway.

I’m leaning towards the 635xp, hopefully it has decent bars available for it. It’s lighter than the Dolkita 421//4300, which is what I’m comparing everything to.

I’m also interested in buying from a repair shop rather than a hardware store—Echos around here.