good saw for limbing

[brad ruch]

wondering what route to go with stihl husky johnsered??i would like to get a small saw for limbing and small jobs around the house.ive had a ms170 before and liked it.i never had a small husky.i looked the johnsereds but i had heard that polan or something makes there smaller saws???not real sure but out on that if thats the case.any input would be great.ive owned quit a few stihls and one husky 272xp.

 

[Full Chisel]

346xp

 

[Chainsaw10]

I'd highly recommend a husqvarna 536li XP equipped with a 1/4" sprocket and Stihls 1/4" .043 bar and chain. I use it every day for carving. ...but I've also got a 7 acre property to maintain. This is the first saw I grab when limbing, pruning, and cutting small diameter trees(and I have about 20 different saws to choose from, mostly Stihls).

 

[Hinerman]

wondering what route to go with stihl husky johnsered??i would like to get a small saw for limbing and small jobs around the house.ive had a ms170 before and liked it.i never had a small husky.i looked the johnsereds but i had heard that polan or something makes there smaller saws???not real sure but out on that if thats the case.any input would be great.ive owned quit a few stihls and one husky 272xp.

It just depends on what weight of saw you want to limb with:

light: 562 (or J-Red equal)
lighter: 346 (or J-Red equal), 550 (or J-Red equal), 260/261
lightest: 201 rear handle or 180

 

[CoreyB]

I have a little stihl 192 rear handle that I really like. Echo also makes some nice little saws that would fit the bill.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

For little limbs and climbing why not go with a top handle saw? That and in bucket work is what they're made for..

 

[Khntr85]

If you are just cutting small limbs, a ms170/180 or a ms250 for a little bigger stuff.... Not sure what husky is same size as those..... I have a ms180 I rebuilt, I can tell ya this I used it and have decided to keep it.... I got "pro" saws I use 90% of the time, but this ms180 is awesome to limb with.... It is so light it's like using a toy....just to give her a gut check I have buried her 16" bar in ash and although it ain't a speed demon, she does get threw it..... I have a nice spot were I have recently been cutting only shagbark hickory, and I have been using the piss out of this ms180....

So I personally would get the smallest and lightest saw I would need...I know I have big maples and some persimmon trees in my yard and anytime a bigger limb falls I am always happen to break out the ms180!!!!

 

[Big_Wood]

ported husky 390 with 36" bar

 

[CoreyB]

ported husky 390 with 36" bar

And some people's limbs are bigger then other people's trees. Lol
It does make a difference on what you are limbing.

 

[Woos31]

ported husky 390 with 36" bar

No bending over thata way, Like they way yer thinkin! Climbing with it is still possible..........and you'd be one tough SOB too after draggin that up a tree then up and down a lanyard as you went. I'd climb with an ms 460 cuz that's the one saw I got and I'm a stubborn ass lol. Or a 390 if that's what I had, make er work.........what don't kill ya make ya stronger

 

[Franny K]

If the battery Husqvarna saw is enough for what you consider limbing I will also recommend that should the budget go that high. It can run 3/8lp and quarter inch chain in 6 and 8 tooth spur sprockets,

The Jonsorend top handle 2139t is still available, can get a rim kit and then can run 1/4, 3/8lp, and 0.325 chain. It is essentially a Husqvarna 338xpt certainly not a re badged Poulan though they are all the same parent company.

 

[computeruser]

A good 40-50cc saw with a short bar would be my choice. 346, 545/550, 241/261ne, etc. , with a 13" (56dl) .325" bar and chain. This setup will be light enough to limb all day long, with enough power to fell and buck and make proper plunge cuts, too.

 

[Chris-PA]

ported husky 390 with 36" bar

Way too much bar - 14" is the max for that saw.

 

[CascadeHusky]

Way too much bar - 14" is the max for that saw.

Like it matters...why buy a 390 with their known crank problems when the 395xp is still on the market? I get that a 3120 is too much for this application.

 

[Chris-PA]

I get that a 3120 is too much for this application

Nah....

 

[brad ruch]

thanks for all the replys.a 390?? yeh right.im thinking maybe a stihl ms311 a buddy picked one up new with 20in bar for 479.00 i tried to see whats comparible in a husky but my gosh what a price difference,like sunday i seen a 534xp at the local qualitly farm store.$529.99 for a 43cc saw??quite a price difference.

 

[CascadeHusky]

thanks for all the replys.a 390?? yeh right.im thinking maybe a stihl ms311 a buddy picked one up new with 20in bar for 479.00 i tried to see whats comparible in a husky but my gosh what a price difference,like sunday i seen a 534xp at the local qualitly farm store.$529.99 for a 43cc saw??quite a price difference.

Weird how the highest quality saws cost more than consumer grade...

 

[brad ruch]

I did just notice the 555 is comparable. At 519.00

 

[Full Chisel]

The husky 555 is a much better saw than an MS311 too...

 

[Chris-PA]

An 090 is the most efficient limbing saw. You don't even need fuel, just throw it at the limbs.