Red Fir
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi all. As everyone can see I'm VERY new here, this is my first posting. I have been reading this forum for a long time and am amazed at the knowledge base I see, truly. I have a question for everyone.....it's a pretty common one. I'm seeking opinions on a new saw. I know....yawn.
A bit of background first to hopefully try and mitigate the follow up questions regarding what I'll be using the saw for, my experience level and what I'm willing to put up with as far as weight vs. power, etc.. I've been running both small ( 45cc ) and large ( 90+cc ) saws since I was twelve ( I'm now 40...gasp! ) At one time I worked for a commercial tree service (long ago), so I'm quite comfortable running most saws. Between helping my buddies and getting my own firewood I cut between 20-30 cord of tamarack, hemlock, bigger birch and red fir every year, but all year long except when during mid and late winter ) with the logs ranging from probably 18" - 30", sometimes a bit bigger, mostly not smaller. I live in northern idaho, so we do get into some bigger wood quite often. Sometimes it seems more like we're logging than cutting firewood ! A skyline has even been discussed at times. :jawdrop: Yeah, we're obsessed. Enough babbling, here's my question, because I'm agonizing over the answer !
With the above said, here's what I'm looking at as far as a new saw. Trying to stay away from anything smaller than a ms361/ms362/357xp. I want the power and don't mind the weight, as long as it's not a HUGE saw. I run my saws for maybe 4 -6 hours a day and mostly bucking up logs on a road or mild incline. Have lotsa' cable and chain.
Here's my list to date;
Stihl 441
Stihl 362
Husqvarna 372XPW
Husqvarna 365 Special ( My dealer has a couple on close out for $500 )
I have not bought a new saw in a LONG time. I talk to some of the loggers here and get the same Husky vs. Stihl biases. But, here most are running Huskies, 372's 575's and now 576's ( which there appears to be a growing disdain for, the 576's I mean )
I have not run any of the above saws with the exception of the 372. I like the 441, but read some comments about it that raise an eyebrow. Would like to think the 362 is at least the equal of the iconic 361, but have not read much SOLID info. on them yet.
I know, kinda splittin' hairs here a bit, but what do you all think. I'm obsessing over this and want you're opinions. And, I know....boring discussion. But, I'd appreciate any input, especially when it could be an $800+ decision involving a hawk-eyed wife who ain't gonna let me buy another expensive saw in a year 'cause I don't like the one I bought this year.
A bit of background first to hopefully try and mitigate the follow up questions regarding what I'll be using the saw for, my experience level and what I'm willing to put up with as far as weight vs. power, etc.. I've been running both small ( 45cc ) and large ( 90+cc ) saws since I was twelve ( I'm now 40...gasp! ) At one time I worked for a commercial tree service (long ago), so I'm quite comfortable running most saws. Between helping my buddies and getting my own firewood I cut between 20-30 cord of tamarack, hemlock, bigger birch and red fir every year, but all year long except when during mid and late winter ) with the logs ranging from probably 18" - 30", sometimes a bit bigger, mostly not smaller. I live in northern idaho, so we do get into some bigger wood quite often. Sometimes it seems more like we're logging than cutting firewood ! A skyline has even been discussed at times. :jawdrop: Yeah, we're obsessed. Enough babbling, here's my question, because I'm agonizing over the answer !
With the above said, here's what I'm looking at as far as a new saw. Trying to stay away from anything smaller than a ms361/ms362/357xp. I want the power and don't mind the weight, as long as it's not a HUGE saw. I run my saws for maybe 4 -6 hours a day and mostly bucking up logs on a road or mild incline. Have lotsa' cable and chain.
Here's my list to date;Stihl 441
Stihl 362
Husqvarna 372XPW
Husqvarna 365 Special ( My dealer has a couple on close out for $500 )
I have not bought a new saw in a LONG time. I talk to some of the loggers here and get the same Husky vs. Stihl biases. But, here most are running Huskies, 372's 575's and now 576's ( which there appears to be a growing disdain for, the 576's I mean )
I have not run any of the above saws with the exception of the 372. I like the 441, but read some comments about it that raise an eyebrow. Would like to think the 362 is at least the equal of the iconic 361, but have not read much SOLID info. on them yet.
I know, kinda splittin' hairs here a bit, but what do you all think. I'm obsessing over this and want you're opinions. And, I know....boring discussion. But, I'd appreciate any input, especially when it could be an $800+ decision involving a hawk-eyed wife who ain't gonna let me buy another expensive saw in a year 'cause I don't like the one I bought this year.
