Buying first new saw, need opinions

[2000ssm6]

$600, give or take a few dollars.

Here is used:

http://www.arboristsite.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=2567&cat=6

 

[striperswaper]

using this site do really need a dealer?
what about john deere, redmax, efco?
with baileys selling efco they seem to really support what sell and what they haven't sold also

 

[Chaz1]

A Stihl 270 would be fine but it may be over your budget. That 346 is a screamer but after the muffler tax, it would be $500+.

There is a nice looking 361 in our classifieds, $475, a 60cc for firewood is nice.

Muffler tax? Never seen it myself. I just left my local dealer 1/2 an hour ago. He had 2 NE346's on the wall. Non-cat mufflers for $499 out the door. Can't go wrong with one of these saws. Great firewood saw. Easy on gas.

Looks like a good price on that 361 in the classifieds. That would also make a great firewood saw.

 

[Chaz1]

the 359 does look pretty good, but its more expensive and heavier than the 346xp. Honestly the MS250 I used didn't do to bad for me last year so I think the 346XP would be more than enough saw for me?

Although the 359 is more powerful and lighter than the Stihl MS290

My father in law has a ported MS260 pro and it does rip through logs really well. I have considered that as well but I know they are pricey.

If I got the 346XP I am assuming I DO NOT want the e-tech version?

I've owned both the 260pro and the NE346. The 260 is a real nice saw but, the NE346 is definately the better of the two here. Consider that it puts out 1/2 hp more than the 260pro for probably the same price(if not less), then it's a no brainer.

If anything, stick with what you're local dealer sells. You'll be better off by doing that.

 

[SilverBox]

If you want more then the ms250 in that price range... Another vote for Dolmar 5100..

 

[user 34550]

Muffler tax? Never seen it myself. I just left my local dealer 1/2 an hour ago. He had 2 NE346's on the wall. Non-cat mufflers for $499 out the door. Can't go wrong with one of these saws. Great firewood saw. Easy on gas.

Looks like a good price on that 361 in the classifieds. That would also make a great firewood saw.

I bought a 18" 346xp NE non E-Tech this afternoon for $439.95 + tax. Dealer had another one on display. I was perfectly happy with my Husqvarna 141 until I found this site. I'm not sure what happened...

 

[BayAreaBucker]

I vote 260pro. Don't own own but I've put a lot of hours on them...one heck of a do-it-all saw.

 

[whitedogone]

The 260 is small for one saw firewooding. It can be done. I've done just that for a few years. Once you get into the bigger stuff you'll want/need more saw. Get a 361.

 

[BayAreaBucker]

The 260 is small for one saw firewooding. It can be done. I've done just that for a few years. Once you get into the bigger stuff you'll want/need more saw. Get a 361.

I guess that depends on where you're located and what you're cutting...I'm not not trying to be a smart a$$ either. I am a huuuuuge fan of the 361, but he was worried about cost and I'm fairly sure a 260 would suit his needs.

 

[7sleeper]

Why hasn't anyone recomended a husqvarna 353. More than enough saw for his amount of cutting ("I will only be cutting about 8 cord again this year...") and it fits right in his price range! It is a pro built saw just a little less hot than the 346XP. The best bang for the buck I believe.
But as you see AS is in it's typical frenzy everyone trying to show you the next ... the better... that you just have to buy.

Well good luck

7

 

[SawTroll]

Why hasn't anyone recomended a husqvarna 353. More than enough saw for his amount of cutting ("I will only be cutting about 8 cord again this year...") and it fits right in his price range! It is a pro built saw just a little less hot than the 346XP. The best bang for the buck I believe.
But as you see AS is in it's typical frenzy everyone trying to show you the next ... the better... that you just have to buy.

Well good luck

7

Right - problem is that the 5100S off much more bang for about the same buck.....

...but the 353 is a better-handling saw in the woods (like the 346xp).

I'd take the 346xp over both despite the price difference, but that's just me...

 

[7sleeper]

Right - problem is that the 5100S off much more bang for about the same buck.....

...but the 353 is a better-handling saw in the woods (like the 346xp).

I'd take the 346xp over both despite the price difference (much more here than in the US), but that's just me...

I would to infact I actually got the Makita/Dolmar 5001. But as far as I understood he wanted to stay with the local dealer who was Husqvarna/Stihl only. I only believe that the speed gain is not that high for his amount of sawing.
That was the reasoning behind my recomondation.

7

 

[IndianaOutdoors]

Another vote for the 260 Pro here. Just picked a new one up this week and heading out to cut wood. Now, bought it more as a limbing saw than anything else. Know it will work great if used just for firewood. But that leaves the door open to buying another saw in the future!!!!! :help:

Around here, 260Pro,475-490; 361,570-575; xp346, Husky dealers hard to find.

Which brings me to a question: what does your Stihl/Husky dealer say about these saws? Price, performance, service, reliability, resale/trade-in, etc.

Of the three referenced, all fine saws. I just wouldn't let a few dollars get in the way if your planning on using the saw for a number of years. Better to get what you want now and not look back. So once you make your decision, quit reading these posts! (My two cents)

 

[Chaz1]

Another vote for the 260 Pro here. Just picked a new one up this week and heading out to cut wood. Now, bought it more as a limbing saw than anything else. Know it will work great if used just for firewood. But that leaves the door open to buying another saw in the future!!!!! :help:

Around here, 260Pro,475-490; 361,570-575; xp346, Husky dealers hard to find.

Which brings me to a question: what does your Stihl/Husky dealer say about these saws? Price, performance, service, reliability, resale/trade-in, etc.

Of the three referenced, all fine saws. I just wouldn't let a few dollars get in the way if your planning on using the saw for a number of years. Better to get what you want now and not look back. So once you make your decision, quit reading these posts! (My two cents)

Exactly what I asked my local Stihl/Husky dealer. Just so happens to be a good friend as well. Both he AND his mechanic chose the NE346 as there top saw in the 50cc class. They both chose to own one of these beauties. As a former "Stihl fan" I must admit, the NE346XP is a superior saw. IT JUST IS!!!!!! Stick with the local dealer/support.

 

[BarkBuster20]

for your needs and price range i would say the ms 310 is perfect.

 

[brinkwolf]

Ok, no one has said it yet. You know you all want to so all together now----Wild Thing----You make my heart sing------You'll cut anything-----Got to just love them wild colors too.

 

[BarkBuster20]

ill stick with my suggestion of an ms310. for the 400$ price range its perfect.

 

[brinkwolf]

ill stick with my suggestion of an ms310. for the 400$ price range its perfect.

It's a joke Bark. The MS310 is a good farm/ranch saw but a bit on the heavy side for some.

 

[BarkBuster20]

It's a joke Bark. The MS310 is a good farm/ranch saw but a bit on the heavy side for some.

its about as close as you can get to a joke if you cut 8 cord a year and cant "bear" the weight of a farmboss LOL i run my 310 4-6 hours a day and cut roughly 100 cord a year. full cords.

 

[brinkwolf]

its about as close as you can get to a joke if you cut 8 cord a year and cant "bear" the weight of a farmboss LOL i run my 310 4-6 hours a day and cut roughly 100 cord a year. full cords.

I said it was heavy for some(not me) besides look at my sig and you will see my big saw for now anyway is a Shinny 577. And the joke I was talking about was the Wild Child above.