The ultimate 3 saw plan.

[funky sawman]

In my years of collecting saws, I have found many good saws and many curplits. Not to be bragging, I have sold, traded and bought over one hundered saws, many of them Stihl, Husqvarna, Dolmar and Jonsered. Most of these saw got tested in the woods of various cutting jobs. My judgment on a perfect 3 saw plan in based on cutting mostily soft wood (Doug fir, pine, hemlock, cottonwood, and larch. The plan will include both Stihl and Husqvarna. Remember, this plan is not only for loggers, it's also for weekend wood cutters. The wood up here in the pacific north west is commonly 24". I cut firewood all the time that is up to 40" at DBH (diameter at brest hight).
To get started with the all around small saw:
Husqvarna 346xp NE with a 18 to 20 inch bar OR
Stihl ms260 with 18 to 20 inch bar
Either saws running .325 chain.

The mid size saw will be:
Stihl ms 440 or 441 with a 28 inch bar OR
Husqvarna 372xp or 576xp with a 28 inch bar
This size range works good with 3/8" full or skip chain

The large saw:
Husqvarna 288xp or 390 with a 32 inch bar OR
Stihl 064 or Ms660 with a 32 inch bar

I am not meaning to offend anyone if I left your saw size out of the plan. After running saws for many years, This combo that I have found reciently works very well.

 

[SinglerM]

That sounds about right Sawman.

Mitch

 

[joesawer]

Different saws for different folks.
For your needs it sounds like a good plan.
Lately I have just been using three saws.

Small
338 Ca Special with 16" bar for climbing. It needs to be a top handle and 45cc is pretty strong for a top handle. The air filter does suck pretty bad.

Med
372 ported with 32" bar. I have some smaller saws but lately, even when climbing, I move up to the 372. I have not even taken a 50 or 60 cc saw to work in a long time. If I was cutting a lot of brush I would.

Large
395 ported with 42" and 50" bars. Just for the occasional few that makes it worth carrying it to.

These are the three that I count on the most. But I sure have been thinking if putting together another 064 if I come across the right one.

 

[M.R.]

Plan, never had one, just like what I run for whats I do. :greenchainsaw:


Makita DCS540 [Dolmar ps540] - 20"
Stihl 026Pro -24" & 20" just picked up the 20"
Stihl 064 w/VS 28",32",36" May see the 24" but too short.
Sachs Dolmar 153 w/VS -28"

nib DCS6401 in waiting for 7900pc or BB & VS filter -20" which the PS540 will use, will wear a 28"

Only saw I might change would be the Stihl 026 for a PS5100 or another PS540, but its paid for.

 

[windthrown]

My 3 saw plan is 2/3 complete:

Small: a to be purchased Husky 346XP/NE w/16"-18" bars

Mid: A Stihl MS361 w/20'-25" bars

Large: A modified Stihl 044 w/25"-28' bar. About the power of the 460, with less weight. No need for a larger saw in my work.


All I need is the 346XP/NE and I am done with my three saw plan.

 

[jburlingham]

Working on my saw plan as well:

Small- JD CS40, have

Medium- JD CS62, have

Larger- Still haven't decided, Contenders for the spot:

Stihl MS460
Efco 181
Solo 681

 

[blsnelling]

Until you use a good running 9# limbing saw, you don't know what you're missing. I have to include a Redmax 3800 in my lineup for now. That may change if I find something better.

The NE346 is a dream to operate and tons of power for its size.

I love my ported 460. I don't have enough time or any porting on my 372 to compare yet. I believe I'd rather have a ported 460 than a 660 if I had to only have one.

 

[Termite]

"Until you use a good running 9# limbing saw, you don't know what you're missing"
I agree very much. I think it is the least developed saw size, that is it is neglected by the manufactures. I want a Redmax 3800 to compare to my PS401. I think the PS420 to be too heavy for this class.

 

[KD57]

small-MS260 pro
med-MS361
large-MS460

I guess it depends on what you are cutting. The 460 is large here, but might be considered medium elswhere.

 

[PA Plumber]

I agree with the OP.

Even for a hardwood/firewood set-up, it's a good one.

 

[blsnelling]

"Until you use a good running 9# limbing saw, you don't know what you're missing"
I agree very much. I think it is the least developed saw size, that is it is neglected by the manufactures. I want a Redmax 3800 to compare to my PS401. I think the PS420 to be too heavy for this class.

The 420 is too heavy for this class. But it's not really in this class. It cuts much more like a 50cc saw.

I've got a used stock Redmax 3800 here that I'll mod the muffler on and sell pretty cheap to anyone interested. Send me a PM.

 

[fourfivefour]

The three I've been using the most lately is:
Jonsered 2159-18" bar
Jonsered 2165-24" bar
Stihl 066-25" bar

 

[Erick]

Here in the hard woods......

If I had to just do three saws in stock/muff modded form

MS260 Pro w/16" B&C
MS460 w/20" and 24" B&C
MS660 w/28, 32", and 36" B&C's

OR

NE346XP w/16" B&C
372XPW w/20" and 24" B&C
390XP/395XP w/28, 32", and 36" B&C's


But I kinda agree with Brad, it's getting harder to go out without the little flyweight limber.

Termite, I don't think your that far away from me if you wanna run the little Ex-lax come on over.
It's stihl stock..... for now. better hurry.

 

[Stihl Alive]

200t (if I can keep it in one piece)

361 - 20" 3/8

660 - 25/32" full skip 3/8

(I always bring them all, and the 441 and 290 always get used, everyone has their favs. But I try to keep these three just for me)

 

[volks-man]

the old three plan was:
echo cs-346
ms260
ms361

the current three plan:
ms361
dolmar 7900
ms 660

future?
if times get any tighter...
one saw plan with 7900.

 

[funky sawman]

the old three plan was:
echo cs-346
ms260
ms361

the current three plan:
ms361
dolmar 7900
ms 660

future?
if times get any tighter...
one saw plan with 7900.

That is a really good 3 saw plan as long as the 660 is slightly modded. If times got tighter I would burry my saws in the ground and forget about them!!

 

[BayAreaBucker]

My current 3 saw plan consists of:

ms210 16"
ms361 25"
30+ year old Homey Super XL-925 30" - she runs when she feels like it...but when she does, hang on!

Probably replace the old girl in the future...never get rid of her though! Stihl haven't decided what I'd replace her with...:greenchainsaw::greenchainsaw:

 

[rms61moparman]

How about;

Makita-DCS-401
Makita-DCS-540
Makita-DCS-7901

 

[clearance]

MS 200T

371 with 80cc kit, modified quite heavily for a work saw.

Walkerized 395.

 

[046]

my 3 saw combo:

026 w/16 in .325
046 w/20 in 3/8
064 w/32 in 3/8

then add three specialty saws..

MS200t for climbing 14in pico
084 w/4ft bar .404 for big wood
HT 75 telescopic pole saw for storm work