Downgrade from 70cc to 60cc
- Thread starter NC Cutter
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NC Cutter
ArboristSite Operative
In a similar mind set a few years back, I built myself a 372 (Original "non" xt) based saw with 365 top plastic and filter. Put an eighteen inch Sugihara bar & Oregon LGX...great saw. It was both lighter and easier to deal with than the high top version. Certainly lighter and more compact than a high top 372xt with a 24 inch bar! The new XT versions have packed on a bit of size & weight as compared to the original ones. Since then I took a "damn the torpedo's" approach and built myself a 562 with a 20 inch Total lite bar. Its a match of a stock 372 from a power perspective and a WHOLE lot lighter, less vibration too. I haven't had any of the much talked about issues. Maybe because my tweaks were about ridding heat from the system or maybe I just have the statistically good bits and pieces, really couldn't say. (It started as a toasted 2012 version, got a new set of "six screw" cases, an el48, & my tweaks which include a popup, cut cylinder base & flange, muffler mod, cover mods) It was hot as hell this summer. No issues of any kind yet.
That Dolmar (Now Makita) looks interesting and seems to be a legitimate option in my mind...especially if you have a dealer like the "Cutting Edge" around. The Echo I see a lot, hear a lot of chatter about on line....but have never ever seen one in the field so have no opinion. I personally rather see in real life than read about when it comes to mechanical things. I have seen the Dolmars.
I've seen the Stihl's as well....
Watching your video discussing this very subject was the inspiration for this thread and my thinking about dropping down in size. I thought pretty hard about it climbing down the steep West Virginia mountainside. After a couple hours of cutting and hauling it back and forth, up and down through the brush, I came to the revelation that I was hunting squirrels with a .338 win mag.
Buy a new 555 husky and stop listening to the Internet's. Smallest 60cc saw out there, actually smaller than many 50cc saws. No high top cover, small bar mount for a light combo of power/weight/size. Wanna 60cc saw the size of a 70cc saw or 50cc saw. Triple nickel is the correct answer.
NC Cutter
ArboristSite Operative
Well, it's more than a camp saw. It's the 'big' saw in my stable. I originally got it in 2014 to cut huge 35"-50" cookies from old growth maple that I'm making into furniture. The saw has paid for itself and I've pretty much run out of huge trees to cut. I'd still like to have a capable bigger saw for when I need it, but it's hard to justify that much money sitting around not getting used. Other than trying to justify it's existence by trimming a few trees around the house which it was way overkill for, this saw has only cut 5 big trees. I still have other stuff to cut, but nothing a 60cc saw can't handle. Our Stihl 039 has been used and abused. I kind of want something to take it's place and send the Stihl into retirement.
FWIW whichever route you go with a saw, chain can be purchased online through Left Coast Supplies,Baileys, or Loggerchain.com for significantly less than you normally can get locally. I usually order at least three loops to reduce the shipping cost per loop.
NC Cutter
ArboristSite Operative
I know, I know. The 372 xp xt is a beast and has never let me down when I called for it. I call her Excalibur. It will even pull a 28" bar buried in rock hard maple....leaning on it.
It might be the best saw of the best saws. My back and arms don't think so though.
Full Chisel
Slingin' Stihls and runnin' Huskies
The 555 is a solid option...that would be high on my list for a 60cc saw.
Id buy a 2260 and let er' rip.
Sagetown
Farmer and a STIHL
60cc + 18" Bar. Camp Saw
Flint Mitch
ArboristSite Guru
You can get a nice used Makita(Dolmar) 6421 for about $300 at your local Home Depot
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G850A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G850A using Tapatalk
Nothing wrong with a good 60cc saw.
036Pro
MS361
If the bar is too short you can always use a 60cc saw for a chock.
Ron
036Pro
MS361
If the bar is too short you can always use a 60cc saw for a chock.
Ron
I'd much rather run a ported 261 than a stock 362. A ported 261 should run a 20" bar just fine.
This is the original MS261 with a 20" bar.
This is the new edition, reduced weight MS261C with a 16" bar. The can't is Ash.
Here's a 550XP with only a MM against a stock 362.
I might just have to check one of these out!
I feel the same way, they perform well for me for bigger saw duties, but I don't like handling them long for smaller stuff. I feel much more comfortable with an 044-ms440 as an all arounder. For a light compact 60 cc the 034 super is my top choice. Top notch with an 20" 72dl bar for me. The 562 xp feels pretty nice, but I don't think it is as compact as the 034, I like the angle of Stihl handlebars better for comfort also, and newish saws are lot more of an lost investment if in an accident, stolen,or turn out to be a lemon. I rarely make enough money to buy top of the line new . Usually need the funds for more necessary things including multiple chain saws.I know, I know. The 372 xp xt is a beast and has never let me down when I called for it. I call her Excalibur. It will even pull a 28" bar buried in rock hard maple....leaning on it.
It might be the best saw of the best saws. My back and arms don't think so though.
I haven't much experience with Echo's but for the $ might be a good choice for you if it indeed feels comfortable for your back and arms like my Stihls do to me. I have felt comfortable with some 50ish Dolmars and Jonsereds also but they still didn't feel quite as lite comparing them to the older stihl models such as an 026.
drf255
BAD CAD
A well ported 036 is around the size and weight of most 50cc saws and is a simple durable machine.
The 362 is the largest 58cc saw I have ever had in my hands. No thanks on that one.
The 362 is the largest 58cc saw I have ever had in my hands. No thanks on that one.
barton174
ArboristSite Guru
I had sort of the same decision, but I was adding a smaller, lighter weight saw to my larger 371xp. For me, though, it turned out that my 371XP weighs the same 13lbs as the 60cc saws (as opposed to the new 372XT weighing like 14.2lbs), and the 6100, though it seems to cut REALLY well, is right around the weight of my 371, at 13.22lbs.
I ended up going with the (10.8lb, 3.8hp) 550XP, and it's not totally broken in yet, but this thing rips! Due to the AT and bearing warranty concerns, I'll be leaving it stock for 2 years (yeah, yeah, yeah, I say that now...), but with an 18" .325 bar, it's really pretty lightweight and handles REALLY well!
Mike
I ended up going with the (10.8lb, 3.8hp) 550XP, and it's not totally broken in yet, but this thing rips! Due to the AT and bearing warranty concerns, I'll be leaving it stock for 2 years (yeah, yeah, yeah, I say that now...), but with an 18" .325 bar, it's really pretty lightweight and handles REALLY well!
Mike
Full Chisel
Slingin' Stihls and runnin' Huskies
I hope folks don't make final decisions based on a video or three, maybe "ball park" assessments ....
So many variables. Simply the chain can make huge and noticeable differences on a saw. How do you know how those variables factor from a video? (Something I know a little about) Hands on is the best, never know how YOU will react to a saw unless you experience it. Bet there are a few happy 362 owners... just as I'm a happy 562 owner even though you would think they were all POS's ready to blow after some of the online information! ( Although bang per buck I still would recommend a 555 / 2258 & Sugihara 18in .325 mod if picking from the Husqvarna/Jonsered stable ) Have to say GTG's have a purpose, but they aren't all the time everywhere!
Below is a post of mine comparing size and weight of three of the "60" cc Stihls. I believe there are a lot of perceptions that are not grounded in reality. I was criticized for weighting them fully loaded as they have different fluid capacity, but other than as an unintended log chock I have found no other use in the woods for an empty chainsaw. Ron
