Need a saw recomendation

[PaulinNY]

I cut about 5 to 10 cords a year with a MS361 that i bought used on ebay a couple of years ago. Works great( the only other saw ive ever used is my little poulan pro). Id like to buy another saw to replace the poulan for small to med log cutting. The MS361 is a bit big at times. What would be a very good smaller saw to accompany the ms361 for bucking up my wood? Price isnt too much of a concern.( Im gonna get alot of use out of it over the years). I need a model for Stilh and one from Husky please. P.S. i love the Stihl but im thinking of trying a Husky just to see for myself.Thanks.

 

[Banshee]

346xp

 

[ciscoguy01]

Dolmar!!!!

PS-420 all the way... 10lbs, 3hp, perfect next size down saw. I will say I bought the wife a little MS-210 a couple years ago that has been more than handy and has held up super well... That's like a 9lb saw, around 2hp.

Let us know eh?

 

[ericjeeper]

if it is those two brands

I would say the 346xp..
But if you are open minded. I would buy a 5100 Dolmar.. less dollars and a proven good saw.

 

[toddstreeservic]

:agree2: or a shindaiwa 488 (there are some new ones on fleabay for cheap right now)

 

[gink595]

PS-420 all the way... 10lbs, 3hp, perfect next size down saw. I will say I bought the wife a little MS-210 a couple years ago that has been more than handy and has held up super well... That's like a 9lb saw, around 2hp.

Let us know eh?

Hey did you weigh that 7900 yet?

 

[excess650]

If you want a Stihl try MS260, MS260Pro, or the MS200(rear handle)

Husqvarna 353, 346XP, or 339XP

I would prefer the lightweights for limbing MS200 or 339XP with the MS260/Pro being next lightest.

Personally, I have the Stihl 026, Husqvarna 353 and Husqvarna 346XP. My lighter saws are Makita(Dolmar) DCS401 and Echo CS3450/345/346. The small Echos are 7.5#, the Makita 8.8#, MS200 8.4# and 339XP 8.7# powerheads only.

The Echos with 14" bar are toylike to handle, but don't wear you out wading through thick stuff. The Makita is similar in handling, better constructed, and more power. Once the wood gets to be 12" or larger, its time for more than 40cc unless you're not in any real hurry.

The MS260 is 1.7# lighter than the 361. The Husqvarna 353 and 346XP are only 1.3# lighter. The difference in handling between the 3 of these is minimal, but the 346XP makes the most power.

 

[ciscoguy01]

Yes sir

Hey did you weigh that 7900 yet?

Result as follows...

http://arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=78527&page=2

 

[peter399]

346XP hands down.

 

[7sleeper]

Stihl MS180!!!

The best small saw.

I love that little saw!

7sleeper

 

[DougNH]

The MS361 is a bit big at times.

big?

The MS361 is 59cc, if you want something Swedish and significantly smaller, 346XP, or for less money 340, 345 or 350 (if you can find one of those). Do yourself a favor and stay the :censored: away from anything that starts with 4xx or 5xx model numbers on the Huskies.

 

[Erick]

Stihl on a budget = MS180
Stihl money no object = MS200

Husky on a budget = Poulan
Husky money is no object = 339xp

Best choice hands down is the MS200, there is just no equal. You may want to wait to try out Husky.

If you can find a dealer or don't mind shopping Fleabay you might look at the Dolmar/Makita 401. It's not going to be the saw a MS200 is, but you could buy two of them for the same money, and probably the best value option.

IMO the other saws mentioned are too close in power and weight to the 361 to really be useful for you. If your tired of carrying around a 12lb saw an 11lb saw isn't gonna feel much better. Look at saws in the 8lb range and you should be pretty happy.

 

[2000ssm6]

Yep, 180 or 200 rear handle.

 

[Taxmantoo]

Husky on a budget = Poulan

.. or maybe a 36/37/41/42 if you can find a nice used one for $100 or less.

Or maybe you could go to Wal-Mart and buy a
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[Woodie]

Husky 346xp. New or old edition--for what your looking to do with it, either the 46cc or the 50cc would do dandy.

 

[Wet1]

361 is big???

big?

My thoughts exactly.

If you think the 361 is big, then it doesn't sound like you want another saw that's only 1-1.5 lbs. lighter. I'd suggest you look at saws that weigh in at 10 lbs or less for the power-head only. I have a 192T that weighs in at <7 lbs., it truely feels like a toy after using my 036. OTOH, a 346 doesn't feel all that much lighter than a 361, at least not enough for me to justify owning these two saws if I were after a two saw plan.

BTW, don't ever pick up a 3120 or an 880!

 

[SawTroll]

Husky 346xp. New or old edition--for what your looking to do with it, either the 46cc or the 50cc would do dandy.

45cc.

 

[SawTroll]

I cut about 5 to 10 cords a year with a MS361 that i bought used on ebay a couple of years ago. Works great( the only other saw ive ever used is my little poulan pro). Id like to buy another saw to replace the poulan for small to med log cutting. The MS361 is a bit big at times. What would be a very good smaller saw to accompany the ms361 for bucking up my wood? Price isnt too much of a concern.( Im gonna get alot of use out of it over the years). I need a model for Stilh and one from Husky please. P.S. i love the Stihl but im thinking of trying a Husky just to see for myself.Thanks.

First thought was the 346xp, but the weight difference isn't that great - we need more info.......

 

[CharlieG]

New Dolmar 420??? about right, someone posted a thread and video a little while back. Mag case and all the pro goodies. They seemed to like it a whole lot

 

[Woodie]

Husky 346xp. New or old edition--for what your looking to do with it, either the 46cc or the 50cc would do dandy.

45cc.

No, Troll...you're wrong...it's 45.98239238741869428376278620472499722049720349872340892740890237529879092485702723972...catching breath...87345698765917834658761359876971345917865086134058713460 ccs!!! (Whew...)


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