Which small saw, and advice on 2-3 saw plan

[rumatt]

Short version:

If you already owned a 50cc saw with an 18" bar, would you rather limb with a 35cc saw (Echo CS-361P) or a 42cc saw (Stihl MS-241CM)? Or just put a 16" bar on the 50cc saw and stop complaining?

Long version:

I currently own the Stihl MS-261CM (50cc) with an 18" bar. It's great, but when limbing it feels a little bulky and unecessarily heavy. And for big trees a bigger saw would be nice. I find myself wishing I had gone with a 2-saw plan from the start: MS-241 (42cc) and MS-362 (60cc). Oh well.

So what to do now?

Option 1: Keep the 50cc and add a 70cc. Put a 16" bar on the 50cc to make it a little more nimble. But will 16 vs 18 really make much any difference?

Option 2: Move to 3 saws: 35-40/50/70. Which small saw?

1. MS-241CM with a 14" bar. I'm reading great things about it. It's only 1 pound ligher than my 261 though. Is this pointless and I should go lighter?
2. Echo CS-352 is only $250 and is a full lighter ligher than the Stihl 241. The Echo CS-361P is an additional 0.5 lbs lighter. But is the 1-1.5 pound weight loss vs the 241 worth the 7cc's lost?

Option 3: Sell the 50cc and move to the 40/60 plan I wish I had done from the start. I hate selling things though.

Ideally, I'd prefer to keep it to 2 saws.

Thoughts?

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I think I'd go with your second option. I do think a 16" bar would be an improvement for limbing versus an 18". In the Scandinavian countries they run 50cc saws with 13" or 15" bars for darn near everything. If you've never watched a video of how those guys limb up conifers, you should check it out! So I guess what I'd probably do in your situation would be to swap a shorter bar onto the 261, then add a bigger saw in the 70cc range. Run that 70cc for a while, then swap to the 261. If it still doesn't feel nimble enough after running the big saw, add one of those little echos, or a 241 if you're feeling rich.

From what I've seen, those echos wake up nicely with a muffler mod and a timing advance. Personally I like a lightweight saw for limbing. I have a Dolmar 421 (stock), a Husky 350 (ported 346ne top end) and a 261 version 2 (ported). The Dolmar is the lightest, and I have a 12" bar for it, which makes it real nimble. It's got plenty of power for limbing. I don't need the power of the ported saws for limbing, but I do really like the throttle response and the chain speed. I would bet that with a little work you could turn one of thirty little echos into something that is fun to use and can be run for a couple hours without being fatiguing.

 

[Brian72]

I think the Echo 361 would be a nice limbing saw. Same engine as the 355t and I really like mine as do many others. It's my first top handle but I use it much more than I thought I would.

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[Tex68w]

Go 16" bar on your 261 and get a 70-75cc saw for your larger work and then maybe add a smaller 35cc saw later on if you feel like you still need it. IMHO a 60cc saw is great if you are going to have only one saw, but it is by no means what anyone would consider as you said "a big saw".

Like yourself, I too started with a 261, I then added my larger saw and smaller saw later on at the same time. I think three saws is the way to go in the long run.

 

[Canyon Angler]

Ideally, I'd prefer to keep it to 2 saws.

That's just crazy talk!

 

[Iceboy]

My smallest saw is a 150T. Then I have a 261 with a 15" bar and a 18" and my big saw is the 661 using a 28" I could live without my 150T.

Short version:

If you already owned a 50cc saw with an 18" bar, would you rather limb with a 35cc saw (Echo CS-361P) or a 42cc saw (Stihl MS-241CM)? Or just put a 16" bar on the 50cc saw and stop complaining?

Long version:

I currently own the Stihl MS-261CM (50cc) with an 18" bar. It's great, but when limbing it feels a little bulky and unecessarily heavy. And for big trees a bigger saw would be nice. I find myself wishing I had gone with a 2-saw plan from the start: MS-241 (42cc) and MS-362 (60cc). Oh well.

So what to do now?

Option 1: Keep the 50cc and add a 70cc. Put a 16" bar on the 50cc to make it a little more nimble. But will 16 vs 18 really make much any difference?

Option 2: Move to 3 saws: 35-40/50/70. Which small saw?

1. MS-241CM with a 14" bar. I'm reading great things about it. It's only 1 pound ligher than my 261 though. Is this pointless and I should go lighter?
2. Echo CS-352 is only $250 and is a full lighter ligher than the Stihl 241. The Echo CS-361P is an additional 0.5 lbs lighter. But is the 1-1.5 pound weight loss vs the 241 worth the 7cc's lost?

Option 3: Sell the 50cc and move to the 40/60 plan I wish I had done from the start. I hate selling things though.

Ideally, I'd prefer to keep it to 2 saws.

Thoughts?

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[54bogger]

I would run the 261 as is and add a 70cc saw. I use a 290 with a 20in bar for limbing and topping and also have a 440(20in bar) and a 461(25in/32in bar) for the bigger wood. Let me ask, are you cutting firewood? If so after loading a truck full of wood the weight of your 261 shouldn't be an issue I would think.

 

[longbowch]

I would go 40-70.

 

[Overkill338]

The MS241 is an amazing little saw. I've done a muffler mod and added a 7t sprocket to the Picco setup. The saw cuts so well it doesn't know it's not a 50cc saw. It is the most under appreciated saw in Stihls lineup. They don't get the praise they deserve.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Two saw plan 550xp and 372xp. Three saw plan T540, 562xp, 390xp. Not a descent dealer for parts around here, for those saws you speak of.

 

[KiwiBro]

How does the 261 feel with shorter b&c. If good but you like the extra reach try a longer but lighter bar.

 

[Tinman204]

I run a 2 saw plan.

Ms260 is my go to saw as it tackles 75%of the jobs I do. Used to run an 18" bar but I find a 16" bar balances better so I've been running that lately..

And a 038 magnum (72cc) with a 20" bar for everything else. It makes quick work of anything I put in front of it.

If I need more bar I put a 25"on the big saw but I've rarely needed to do that.

With those 2 saws I've been able to tackle anything that comes my way.

I have considered buying an ms241 as an even lighter limbing saw would be nice.

 

[Overkill338]

My 2 saw plan. As in planning ahead, 241 & 462. The light weight of the 462 will ruin 60cc sales.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

My small limbing saws are 60 CC, but I am sure that does not apply to every one. My huskies can limb and then with a 24'' bar they could still cut some actual firewood too. When all is well cut up the brush and go to larger saws for the firewood. Thanks

 

[Huskybill]

My first experience in cutting firewood I started out with a 2100 and a 240. I wanted a 480 but at the time money was tight. I ended up with two 2100’s, one 480, one 266 and the 240 by the end of the First go around.

I had the 266 and purchased one 395xp. It lasted till my health got worse.

Right now the 385xp, 575xp and 353 are my three saws for cutting. My sons do my cutting now.
I just purchased a 266SE to add to this line up.

I think overall three saws minimum if your cutting a lot. A limber, a mid size and a big bore.

Don’t use a saw too big or a bar too long for the task. This is were we get in trouble.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

Why not get get two or three 372 XP with 24'' and 28'' bars then every one is completely covered. I like a 24'' so I do not have so far to reach or move as much which is much faster than a 16'' bar. Not sure what any one can do do with a 16'' bar. Would a 16'' bar work well on a 372? Thanks

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Why not get get two or three 372 XP with 24'' and 28'' bars then every one is completely covered. I like a 24'' so I do not have so far to reach or move as much which is much faster than a 16'' bar. Not sure what any one can do do with a 16'' bar. Would a 16'' bar work well on a 372? Thanks

If you are cant racing.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

If I am racing what? Thanks

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Racing chainsaws, cutting square cut logs. I have one for my 390 Miller Mod and it looks stupid.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

I like the 30/50/70 plan.

My 3 saw plan (not yet complete):
30cc (CS-346) - currently wearing a 16" bar but will change to a 14" bar when my 16" loops are exhausted.
50cc (CS-490) - 20" bar
70cc (don't have it yet, but thinking Echo CS-680 or possibly CS-800 with a 24"-30" bar depending on what size saw I actually end up with)

I plan to keep the 42cc Poulan as a truck saw (for when I get a truck).