Hustihler
ArboristSite Operative
Hello everyone, I just joined the site yesterday(after looking in from the outside for about a year). This is a great site and I've learned tons from you guys already, but the topic I'm concerned with today is if you could pick one chainsaw to ride in the truck/truck box what model and why. I ask this question because I'm a firewood cutter(home and relatives-about 10-15 full cords a year) and a lot of my wood is scavenged from craig's list and the local want ads. Last year I missed out on some great locust, due to not having a saw in the truck-what happened was I responded to an ad in the trading post and went and looked at the trees after work, well it was a dream score all the standing dead timber was in a wide open field with easy access with a truck and trailer and the landowner was as nice as apple pie. To make a long story short, another gentleman(with a chainsaw) came by the next day, while I was at work, and laid claim to all the wood. I couldn't be mad at the landowner or the other firewood cutter( the wood was first cut first served). The point of my story is, I did have some extra time that day I looked at the trees to lay some wood on the ground, and lay claim to it first; but I had no saw with me(all my saws were at home-1 hour away). I want to prevent this from happening again this year, so I've been trying to put together a "portable firewood cutting kit" for my truck and I need help with chainsaw selection.
Here's a list of my criteria/questions:
1) 50 cc or 60 cc? I think 70 cc saws are just too big for this application, I think
2) has to fit easily into a standard Full size truck toolbox w/ other gear(Box is on a 2005 Dodge 2500 Cummins quad cab std. bed)
3) Most of the trees I scavenge are 20" or less mixed hardwoods/softwoods if package deal in removal, and the occasional 24" diameter
4) Saw will spend 95% of its life in truckbox when not in use or being maintained, so saw needs to be dependable
5) What size bar and chain and why-I'm thinking 18" will be a happy medium
6) Has to have a very good power to weight ratio
7) Has to be Husqvarna or Stihl-sorry I don't mean to start a brand war, especially on my first ever post. The reason I chose these two because of familiarity and dealer support, I'm sure Dolmar/Makitas, Jonsereds, and Echoes make great saws, but not for me
8) Has to have a decompression valve, I know this is a much debated topic but they work for me
Saws that I have used/own/owned-
Current line-up:Stihl 024 Super AV will be selling/trading soon on a Stihl 261, Husqvarna 346xp new edition, Stihl 009L, Stihl MS440 magnum
Saw I have experience with: Husqvarna 575xp, Stihl 660 magnum, Stihl 210(sucks), Stihl Farm Boss 290(my least favorite saw ever), various Poulans and craftsman(sold all of them)
Saws on my list of candidates for truckbox duty:
1) Stihl 361
2) Stihl 036 pro
3) Stihl 360 pro
4) Husqvarna 359
5) Husqvarna 353
6) Stihl 026 pro
7) Stihl 260 pro
8) Husqvarna 555(if they ever come out in my neck of the woods)
9) Husqvarna 560xp/562xp(if they ever come out in my neck of the woods)
10) Stihl 034, but I don't know if they came with decompression valves
11) I am open to other Stihl or Husqvarna choices, but these two brands only
****The only saw on this list I've had any trigger time on is the Stihl 034, so I would love to hear from you guy's that actually owned and used these saws, please no classic unjustified Stihl or Husqvarna bashing, I actually like them both the same.
I hope I don't stir up too much controversy with my first post and when I searched thru the forum I did not see any threads on this subject, I also realize I could put one of my current saws in the truck, but I need a good excuse to buy a new saw, lol! Thanks in advance.
Here's a list of my criteria/questions:
1) 50 cc or 60 cc? I think 70 cc saws are just too big for this application, I think
2) has to fit easily into a standard Full size truck toolbox w/ other gear(Box is on a 2005 Dodge 2500 Cummins quad cab std. bed)
3) Most of the trees I scavenge are 20" or less mixed hardwoods/softwoods if package deal in removal, and the occasional 24" diameter
4) Saw will spend 95% of its life in truckbox when not in use or being maintained, so saw needs to be dependable
5) What size bar and chain and why-I'm thinking 18" will be a happy medium
6) Has to have a very good power to weight ratio
7) Has to be Husqvarna or Stihl-sorry I don't mean to start a brand war, especially on my first ever post. The reason I chose these two because of familiarity and dealer support, I'm sure Dolmar/Makitas, Jonsereds, and Echoes make great saws, but not for me
8) Has to have a decompression valve, I know this is a much debated topic but they work for me
Saws that I have used/own/owned-
Current line-up:Stihl 024 Super AV will be selling/trading soon on a Stihl 261, Husqvarna 346xp new edition, Stihl 009L, Stihl MS440 magnum
Saw I have experience with: Husqvarna 575xp, Stihl 660 magnum, Stihl 210(sucks), Stihl Farm Boss 290(my least favorite saw ever), various Poulans and craftsman(sold all of them)
Saws on my list of candidates for truckbox duty:
1) Stihl 361
2) Stihl 036 pro
3) Stihl 360 pro
4) Husqvarna 359
5) Husqvarna 353
6) Stihl 026 pro
7) Stihl 260 pro
8) Husqvarna 555(if they ever come out in my neck of the woods)
9) Husqvarna 560xp/562xp(if they ever come out in my neck of the woods)
10) Stihl 034, but I don't know if they came with decompression valves
11) I am open to other Stihl or Husqvarna choices, but these two brands only
****The only saw on this list I've had any trigger time on is the Stihl 034, so I would love to hear from you guy's that actually owned and used these saws, please no classic unjustified Stihl or Husqvarna bashing, I actually like them both the same.
I hope I don't stir up too much controversy with my first post and when I searched thru the forum I did not see any threads on this subject, I also realize I could put one of my current saws in the truck, but I need a good excuse to buy a new saw, lol! Thanks in advance.
