1 saw plan???

[Lionsfan]

The logging crew is done in our woodlot, and I've got a 2-3 year project ahead cleaning up tops. It's all Sugar Maple for the most part, and most of it is under 20". If you were limited to toting 1 saw for this type of work, what would it be???

 

[Nathan Bruce]

I really like my stihl ms 260 for that type of thing.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Stihl 400.

Budget option, Echo 590.

 

[Mad Professor]

I'd want at least 60cc and partial to older Stihls, 036 044

 

[Woodslasher]

I'd use a 562 with a 24" bar, personally.

 

[GenXer]

60-65 cc saw with a 20-24" bar.

 

[Lionsfan]

Stihl 400.

Budget option, Echo 590.

I'd use a 562 with a 24" bar, personally.

562 is at the top of my list since they are still on sale and I have plenty of D009 bars. However, I'm still looking at other options.

 

[Bubster]

I really like my 550 XP MK 2 for that size wood, but if you can spare an extra $300 the 400 Stihl looks and feels like a good saw with good reviews. I have not had the chance to use a 400 yet, but have picked one up in the dealers shop ( yeah I know, wow).

 

[Bubster]

I did use a friends 555 though and it was no slouch in 16-18 wood for cheaper than the Stihl 400

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Any 50cc saw would be plenty sufficient.

 

[capetrees]

MS260/261 all day long

 

[Yukon Stihl]

MS260/261 all day long

Ported

 

[pioneerguy600]

The MS261 would handle that sized wood with ease, great for limb up and blocking up the stems, no need to carry an overweight bigger saw for no real reason .I used an 044 and later a MS440 for most of my hardwood cutting days until I learned a smaller saw can do the same thing with far less weight to carry about, I now run a MS362 more and more these days.

 

[HansFranz]

I'd go with something 60cc ... my old 361 for example. Good one-saw plan.

 

[NSEric]

I'd use a 50cc saw for that stuff.
It's pretty similar to what I cut up for firewood, you spend more time limbing and bucking the top small part of the trees than bucking the butt ends so the smaller lighter 50cc saw is the best in the end.

 

[Jay Hansen]

I have both a 562 and a 550XP MK2 and I'm doing a lot of the same thing you are. Different species, Doug fir, Madrone, Broadleaf Maple and Black Oak. I find myself using the 550 almost exclusively. It's set up with a 20" bar, with full skip semi-chisel chain.
If you're cutting mostly tops, most of your cuts will be much smaller than 20" and the lighter weight saw will be of more benefit than you might realize. A 550 will handle a 20" bar just fine; it may take a few seconds longer in a 20" cut than the 60cc saw will, but will make up for it by not tiring you out as quickly while making the hundreds of smaller cuts you'll be making.
My recommendation would be 550 XP or MS 261.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Just remember to consider the saw weight too.

 

[woodfarmer]

I’ve done a fair bit of that type of work and believe me you’ll want the lightest saw to handle the job. I used jonsered 2159/65/71’s. Then I got smart and got a ported 2152.
cutting 20” hard maple I’d probably want to try a stihl 400, but if it’s more limbwood I’d lean toward a 261

 

[Hermio]

The logging crew is done in our woodlot, and I've got a 2-3 year project ahead cleaning up tops. It's all Sugar Maple for the most part, and most of it is under 20". If you were limited to toting 1 saw for this type of work, what would it be???

For me it would be the Stihl MS500i. Yes, it may be a bit overqualified for that kind of work. But I have found it less fatiguing to use than smaller saws, as it cuts faster and you don't have to bear down on it to make it cut. Prior to buying it, I went from some non-descript Remington saw to a Stihl 038 Super to a Stihl MS441C. The MS500i has been the easiest to use.

 

[Lionsfan]

I have both a 562 and a 550XP MK2 and I'm doing a lot of the same thing you are. Different species, Doug fir, Madrone, Broadleaf Maple and Black Oak. I find myself using the 550 almost exclusively. It's set up with a 20" bar, with full skip semi-chisel chain.
If you're cutting mostly tops, most of your cuts will be much smaller than 20" and the lighter weight saw will be of more benefit than you might realize. A 550 will handle a 20" bar just fine; it may take a few seconds longer in a 20" cut than the 60cc saw will, but will make up for it by not tiring you out as quickly while making the hundreds of smaller cuts you'll be making.
My recommendation would be 550 XP or MS 261.

I have a 550 MKII and really like the saw, particularly the handling.

I’ve done a fair bit of that type of work and believe me you’ll want the lightest saw to handle the job. I used jonsered 2159/65/71’s. Then I got smart and got a ported 2152.
cutting 20” hard maple I’d probably want to try a stihl 400, but if it’s more limbwood I’d lean toward a 261

This is sorta where I'm at. When I was 25, the 371 was the ultimate saw for that kinda work, and you could not have convinced me otherwise. At 52, I'm a bit more open open minded about something a bit lighter.