Wild Knight
ArboristSite Guru
I just tried out the RMC and RSC chains for my 270, and wow do they make a huge (!) difference in cutting performance (real duh moment, I get it). I used to think the 270 was slightly underpowered for bucking 18-20" logs, but these chains really opened up the performance of the 270. The saw was really pulling itself through the wood and we timed the cut through an 18" ash at about 9 seconds. Compared to the stock safety chains, I was simply amazed...
With the safety chains, I thought I definitely needed to go one saw bigger for regularly bucking logs in the 18-22" range (as you can see from my other posts inquiring about 361's and 441's). Now, I am not so sure, and thus where I find my dilemma. While it is tempting to have the 361 in case I need to throw on a 25" bar, I really never get into firewood that big. I don't do forestry/tree service work, and there always seems to be plenty of wood in the size range that I can actually pick up and load onto a trailer. Like with most strictly firewood cutters, most of my time is spent on the hauling/splitting/stacking end, and not sawing.
For those of you who who just use theirs saws stock for basic firewood needs, do you think the 361 is an essential saw? Is it a saw you can pick up and use several hours at a time, like a 260 or 270? I don't want to spend $600+ on a saw that sits just in case I have a job that requires a bigger saw and bar (that's why I do not have a 400 or 600 series saw). But, if the 361 with an 18" bar is as comfortable to use as a 260/270 then it definitely is appealing b/c I can just have a 25" bar and chain sitting around in case I need it, and not a whole other saw.
I know it is sometimes better to have more power than necessary than to not have enough power. But, I'd also like to think I am a realist and overkill is just money I could have spent on something else. I'd appreciate any thoughts from the pragmatists on the forum.
With the safety chains, I thought I definitely needed to go one saw bigger for regularly bucking logs in the 18-22" range (as you can see from my other posts inquiring about 361's and 441's). Now, I am not so sure, and thus where I find my dilemma. While it is tempting to have the 361 in case I need to throw on a 25" bar, I really never get into firewood that big. I don't do forestry/tree service work, and there always seems to be plenty of wood in the size range that I can actually pick up and load onto a trailer. Like with most strictly firewood cutters, most of my time is spent on the hauling/splitting/stacking end, and not sawing.
For those of you who who just use theirs saws stock for basic firewood needs, do you think the 361 is an essential saw? Is it a saw you can pick up and use several hours at a time, like a 260 or 270? I don't want to spend $600+ on a saw that sits just in case I have a job that requires a bigger saw and bar (that's why I do not have a 400 or 600 series saw). But, if the 361 with an 18" bar is as comfortable to use as a 260/270 then it definitely is appealing b/c I can just have a 25" bar and chain sitting around in case I need it, and not a whole other saw.
I know it is sometimes better to have more power than necessary than to not have enough power. But, I'd also like to think I am a realist and overkill is just money I could have spent on something else. I'd appreciate any thoughts from the pragmatists on the forum.
Oh yeah, we already had that thread.
