Chainsaw recomendations in a confusing time???

[747mopar]

Just joined up and am looking forward to digging threw many topics seeing how I work in the sawmill industry, love woodworking and heat with wood. What brought me to this site was my searching for info on chainsaws in a time that proves to be very confusing?? I currently own a Husqvarna 550 but after purchasing a boiler I'm looking for something a bit bigger as I generally cut all of my wood in a few days and it really taxes the little Husky.

Onto the confusing part.. I love my neighbors Jonsered so I found a local dealer but nothing much in stock do to a relabeling of the brand, turns out they're going to now be marketed as RedMax??? Heard great things about Dolmar so I look at those as well but they're now Makitas and sport the dreaded "made in China sticker"? As of right now I'm leaning towards a 372 XP Husqvarna but see Chinese carbs on a lot of models which concerns me. With the wealth of knowledge on here I'm sure you guys have ran them all so I'm curious to hear your input. 

Thanks

[hopm]

alot of folks will have alot of recommendations for some really good saws......but for the most bang for the buck.....at 350 or so the echo 590 is hard to beat for the investment

[DelawhereJoe]

It will really depend on what your budget is or how much you can justify spending on a saw. With that being said, buy the largest saw you want to carry around the woods that gives you or does for you every thing you need. For me it was a Stihl ms 362 c-m at 60cc, 4.7hp and will run a 25" bar. Where I live there aren't alot of trees over 30" most being 16 - 24", so I didn't really need a +70cc saw and I only cut 3-5 not really more then 7 cords a year. When/if I do purchase a larger saw I'm going to hold out for a ms 462 unless its completely out of my price range then it will be an Echo cs 800p.

[747mopar]

The extra weight or size isn't really a concern, I have the 450 for carrying around the woods but all of my firewood cutting is done in one spot so no need to lug it around. One of the perks from working at a sawmill is the firewood, I pay a logger and he stacks it all in a pile in my field. The logs typically range from 12"-30" in diameter and very from Maple, Ash, Oak, Popular, Cherry, Walnut, Hickory and Elm so I do cut some big ones. My biggest reason for wanting to upgrade is to buy something that has the power and bar length to get the job done in a timely manner.

I honestly haven't heard much good about the Echo's but my experience has always been great with Japanese 2 strokes? I did look at some today, the dealer basically said you could bet on them being roughly 10% less power in comparison to the top brands but said they were great saws.

As far as budget goes I'm just wanting to spend wisely once and get a great saw, $800 or less.

[starmac]

If you want a jonsered and have a decent dealer, the 2171 is the same exact saw as the 372, just a different color, air cleaner and top cover. Iirc the angle on the handle is different too,

If I am not mistaken red max was already building the some of the smaller huskies and jonsereds, it is all the same company.

[Southside]

Welcome to the Forum.  I have not heard of chinese  carbs on the pro line of Husky saws, but I can tell you from personal experience that the 372 is the king of the hill.  Not putting down any other saws here and I have read the same thing that Starmac says, I just have not run a 2171 to personally compare the two.  I have had Stihl and a couple smaller Huskys in the past along with yellow saws over the years, but these days I only run 372's.  With a 24" bar and a full chisel skip chain they will pile up the wood, good on fuel and they are tough. 

[747mopar]

If you want a jonsered and have a decent dealer, the 2171 is the same exact saw as the 372, just a different color, air cleaner and top cover. Iirc the angle on the handle is different too,

If I am not mistaken red max was already building the some of the smaller huskies and jonsereds, it is all the same company.

I just really liked the one I ran but have been told many times that they're the same saw as a Husky,  if that's the case I'll just buy a Husky.

[747mopar]

Welcome to the Forum.  I have not heard of chinese  carbs on the pro line of Husky saws, but I can tell you from personal experience that the 372 is the king of the hill.  Not putting down any other saws here and I have read the same thing that Starmac says, I just have not run a 2171 to personally compare the two.  I have had Stihl and a couple smaller Huskys in the past along with yellow saws over the years, but these days I only run 372's.  With a 24" bar and a full chisel skip chain they will pile up the wood, good on fuel and they are tough.

Good to hear, I'll most likely go with the 372 since everybody basically says the same thing abour them.

Thanks

[celliott]

You really won't go wrong with a 372 it's a great saw and sounds about perfect for what you want to do.
Just to throw another wrench in the mix, the 372 is due for replacement and it's replacement is the 572xp, already released in the euro market, supposed to be here the end of 2018 I believe. Not tried and true but supposedly they really did their homework and it's gonna be a great saw.

[747mopar]

You really won't go wrong with a 372 it's a great saw and sounds about perfect for what you want to do.
Just to throw another wrench in the mix, the 372 is due for replacement and it's replacement is the 572xp, already released in the euro market, supposed to be here the end of 2018 I believe. Not tried and true but supposedly they really did their homework and it's gonna be a great saw.

Funny that you brang that up, the dealer I was talking to yesterday (not a Husky dealer) was telling me that it's supposedly a better saw. Don't know how true it is but according to him they put a better crankshaft setup in it with bigger bearings. I'll definitely look into it but don't want to wait that long.

[HolmenTree]

Welcome to the Forum.  I have not heard of chinese  carbs on the pro line of Husky saws,

Southside, actually the Husqvarna XP carbs are China made. I ordered this carb for my 346XP from my Husqvarna dealer a few years ago.
This is what I got. "Parts made in China".
Welcome to the forum 747Mopar.


 

[weimedog]

It would be disingenuous to not mention Pro saws currently in production from both major brands have ignition/carbs from the major carburetor & controls companies who manufacture in a variety of places, China being one. Zama does. So you have to look from model to model to find where each of the components are manufactured if that is important to you.  AND the c3-el32 comes from a line of saw the range from  350 to 346's. NONE of which you can buy new off the shelf. Therefore a net zero when considering a new saw.

[HolmenTree]

AND the c3-el32 comes from a line of saw the range from  350 to 346's. NONE of which you can buy new off the shelf. Therefore a net zero when considering a new saw.

This c3 carb I bought came off the shelf from Husqvarna and that doesn't mean that this carb is the only carb with Chinese parts on Husqvarna saws.

340  353 435 440 445 450 365 555 562 570 576 all have Zama carbs.
Zama  has factories in Japan USA Philippines and China.

Stihl owns Zama 100%.........

So who wants to keep shopping for a new Saw?

[747mopar]

Talk about service!! Stopped in at my local Husky dealer to drop off my leaf blower and was chatting about the different saws,  he tells me I'd probably love the 562XP and offers his for me to try!! That's going the extra mile, once my blower is repaired I'll bring it home and make a few cuts and see what I think. I guess if I really liked the 2260 Jonsered then this should be a step up at least in performance. Hope I really like it because it a nice size without being to big and is already readily available.  We'll see

[747mopar]

AND the c3-el32 comes from a line of saw the range from  350 to 346's. NONE of which you can buy new off the shelf. Therefore a net zero when considering a new saw.

This c3 carb came off the shelf from Husqvarna and that doesn't mean that only this carb series # has Chinese parts on Husqvarna saws.
340  353 435 440 445 450 365 555 562 570 576 all have Zama carbs.
Zama  has factories in Japan USA Philippines and China.
Stihl owns Zama 100%.

So who wants to keep shopping for a new Saw?

This is what I was referring to when I said confusing, all these companies outsourcing, made here and there.... hard to ever know what your buying?

[DelawhereJoe]

The Jonsered 2260 is the cousin on the 562xp, some of the same parts are used in both saws. I was going to get the 2260 but dealer around here are well there aren't any, theres 1 Husqvarna dealer and its on the next county. So Stihl was a better option for me, I haven't had any complaints about the ms 362 c-m no hot starting issues or any other issues for that matter. It cuts like a champ even with a 25" bar  doing a full cut in oak. The 562 xp, 2260 or ms 362 would be a great option over your 550.

[pinefeller]

i use my 562xpg everyday at work. perfect all-around saw felling limbing bucking. 372xp is the back up, and the 385xp is the back up back up  ;D (notice the trend) i use a 1-1.5 gal of gas a day if you want to know how much i actually ''use'' them i have had 0 problems so far (2 years, probably at least 3 days a week) i havent even changed a plug or filter yet. before that i completely wore out 3 359 huskys (all threw c clips and destroyed the jugs.) my next saw will be another 562. anyone interested in a 372? ;D

[HolmenTree]

I may have My 562XP sold tomorrow. I had a long  5 years with it.
But I sure don't miss the hot start flooding issues, screws falling out, broken mounts and the extra step to set the fast idle after choking from cold during starting.....and after the saw is already warmed up . :

[Southside]

AND the c3-el32 comes from a line of saw the range from  350 to 346's. NONE of which you can buy new off the shelf. Therefore a net zero when considering a new saw.

This c3 carb I bought came off the shelf from Husqvarna and that doesn't mean that this carb is the only carb with Chinese parts on Husqvarna saws.

340  353 435 440 445 450 365 555 562 570 576 all have Zama carbs.
Zama  has factories in Japan USA Philippines and China.

Stihl owns Zama 100%.........

So who wants to keep shopping for a new Saw?

Why shop? The 372 is not on this list, and does not have the hot starting issues. Sometimes you just can't build a better mouse trap.

[pinefeller]

i forgot, i did have an exhaust bolt go UA once. i blame myself for that one though, pushing really hard on it cutting off a dirty stump in the landing she got pretty hot. pretty sure thats when she left me. and yes if you repeatedly start and stop (like in tree work) the starting can be finicky. the way i work in the woods i keep my saw starts to minimal so its tolerable. power to weight cant be beat and handles like a porche.

you know, i would be open to tryin the sthil equivalent. its the 60cc,s and weight that are the most important factors for me easier starting would be a huge bonus though.

i got a 372 for you ss  ;D

[Southside]

If your 372 has issues send her to Wicked Work in TN, just be ready to hang on to her when she comes home...

[pinefeller]

hhhmmmm

[Southside]

Of course the exhaust will have a southern accent to it when you get it back...

[HolmenTree]

If your 372 has issues send her to Wicked Work in TN, just be ready to hang on to her when she comes home...

Here's my 2006 OE 372XP (non X-Torq) I have for sale right now. You won't need to send this one away for mods.
Lot's of power with excellent compression and tight main bearings. Never had the cylinder off.


 

[HolmenTree]

I also sold my 2008 395XP and mint 1993 272XP last weekend to one happy customer. Also sold my 550XP the week before.


  

  

 

[HolmenTree]

And lastly yesterday I sold my old reliable favorite saw, sure hated to see her go.
My West German 1989 Stihl 044AV 10mm.
But I did sell it to a young local kid who promised me he will bring it back regularly for sharpening and servicing.


 

[Southside]

Has that 272 ever seen wood? Wow!

[HolmenTree]

Has that 272 ever seen wood? Wow!

Didn't see wood for over 20 years until I bought it 4 years ago. I couldn't help myself and cut a few trees with it and then put it into storage until now.
Here's the piston when I sold it a few days ago. Ring is not even worn in shiny yet plus not one scuff on the piston's oil ridges.


 

[pinefeller]

going out of business sale? lol

[HolmenTree]

going out of business sale? lol

I gotta buy a new fleet of saws for a tax write off. Plus sell the old ones before their worthless.
Going all Stihl again after trying out Husqvarna for the first time in the last 10 years.

[Southside]

You need a tax write off and I need a kiln - Lets do Lunch!!!  :D

[realzed]

Willard - I see you managed to find some good cleaner that worked obviously very well for you - what did you end up using?
Hope your wore you PPE when doing all of this - you know the Gloves and Apron..  :D
Randy

[HolmenTree]

Willard - I see you managed to find some good cleaner that worked obviously very well for you - what did you end up using?
Hope your wore you PPE when doing all of this - you know the Gloves and Apron..  :D
Randy

Randy- I had to install an exhaust fan in my small workshop to deal with the fumes haha.
I'm still experimenting but this is what I used so far. The Simonize rim cleaner seemed to work dissolving sap and gum on the covers. I sprayed all the covers with it inside a plastic tote (pictured) and let them soak for about 8 hours.
Then the elbow grease came in. Nylon pot scrubber, plastic bristle brush, air gun.
Metal parts brass brush and good old SOS soap pad.
Polishing... the Meguiar's Ultimate Compound lightly polished with the die grinder worked great.
Last picture shows a bar I cleaned up nice with a belt sander and finishing with 320 grit sanding block.
But I tell you the hardest thing to clean on a saw is 3 year old dried on spruce gum. That stuff is tough!  No wonder why the natives used it for thousands of years to glue together their birch bark canoes :D


  

 

[Wood Shed]

Have had my huskie 562xp over a year now and it quickly became my go to saw.  Been feeding a CB 6048 for 12 years and in door wood burning boiler for 15 years before that, you can not go wrong with either the 562 or 372 or their clones for that matter.  My stihl saws are back up now.  As for 562 starting problems go to google for many videos on propper starting cold, hot, or flooded 562 as I had to do.  No problems now.

[747mopar]

Have had my huskie 562xp over a year now and it quickly became my go to saw.  Been feeding a CB 6048 for 12 years and in door wood burning boiler for 15 years before that, you can not go wrong with either the 562 or 372 or their clones for that matter.  My stihl saws are back up now.  As for 562 starting problems go to google for many videos on propper starting cold, hot, or flooded 562 as I had to do.  No problems now.

I'm set to go now, managed to borrow both a 562xp and a 372xp so I'll literally get to run them back to back for good comparison. I'll have to measure this bar but the thing has to be 36" long!! I'll post my experience once I get the 562 in hand.

Thanks for all of the feedback.

[Southside]

That will be an interesting test for sure, look forward to your test results. 

[DelawhereJoe]

If possible cut the same amout of wood with both saws on different days to see which one makes you the most tired/ fatigued.

[747mopar]

If possible cut the same amout of wood with both saws on different days to see which one makes you the most tired/ fatigued.

I doubt I could tell, I'm still sore from a day of clearing brush and dragging trees around lol. That's not a bad idea but I hate to run somebody else's saw for very long.

[HolmenTree]

You're going to be more tired swinging a 372XP around versus a 562XP.  But straight bucking firewood the 372 will out produce.
Here's my 2012 562XP I'm getting rid of, still excellent compression and tight main bearings.
I got 2 people coming over today who want to take a look at it.


 

[747mopar]

You're going to be more tired swinging a 372XP around versus a 562XP.  But straight bucking firewood the 372 will out produce.
Here's my 2012 562XP I'm getting rid of, still excellent compression and tight main bearings.
I got 2 people coming over today who want to take a look at it.


 

This is why I want a side by side comparison, the first thing that starts giving me trouble is my back (bending over for a long time kills me). I'm interested to see if getting threw the cut quick with a heavier saw with less bending time helps or if the weight difference cancels out the quicker saw time? Like mentioned before I got the 450 for the woods,  this one will be for straight firewood where it's all in one neat pile  (no lugging it around).

What are you asking for your 562?

[HolmenTree]

Not sure if I'm allowed to post prices or sell here.

[747mopar]

Not sure if I'm allowed to post prices or sell here.

Sorry, you may be right?

[Hilltop366]

My experience is the heaver the saw the more it's going to hurt my back.

I'm comparing my old Dolmar 115 (52cc) and a Stihl 361 arctic (59cc), there is not a huge difference in weight but for someone that only cuts wood a few times a month my back really notices the difference. I also notice that the Dolmar 115 seems much better balanced and comfortable to use for me so that can make a difference as well.

Getting the logs up to hip height when practical make all the difference.

[Gary Davis]

I like sthl  but that is all I have ever used there number as close to there cubic inch 360 3.6 cu in ,390 3.9cu in,  440 4.4 cu, 460 4.6 cu in I had a 390 with a 20 in bar and in small wood it cuts about as fast as the 460 but in 30 in wood the 460 will cut twice as fast, different saws are going to feel different for me the 360 is more compact then my 390 was and because its a commercial saw it is lighter and a bit more power.   as for bending over to cut I don't I pic the log up on the forks of the tractor it keeps the bar out of the dirt and I don't have to roll the log 

[JW IN VA]

going out of business sale? lol

I gotta buy a new fleet of saws for a tax write off. Plus sell the old ones before their worthless.
Going all Stihl again after trying out Husqvarna for the first time in the last 10 years.

i know of a very worthy charity down here in Va which will take some of that extra money off your hands ;D

[JW IN VA]

Not sure if I'm allowed to post prices or sell here.

Isn't there a For Sale section further down that you can use?

[Spike60]

Welcome to the Forum.  I have not heard of chinese  carbs on the pro line of Husky saws,

Southside, actually the Husqvarna XP carbs are China made. I ordered this carb for my 346XP

Willard, Southside is actually correct there; the 372 does not use a Chinese carb. 372's along with 390's and 395's all use Walbro carbs that come from Japan, USA, or Thailand. I have Walbro carbs in stock from all 3 countries. Posting a pic of the Zama carb for a 346 while we're talking 372's is a bit misleading.


That being said, there's a huge difference between a Zama and  the typical "Chinese carb".  Nothing wrong with a Zama at all; excellent quality.

[747mopar]

So I finally got both saws but I was mistaken when I said I was borrowing the 372, it was a 576. I headed to the woods to find a good test and found a freshly fallen 20" hard maple tree.. perfect! Very impressed with both saws, the 576 had a big bar maybe a 32" or bigger and effortlessly cut threw everything even when pushing it with no signs of dogging. The 562 was noticeably down on horsepower but you really had to work it hard to even notice it, harder than I ever would in normal cirvumstances. Both started and ran effortlessly but with the 562 easily doing what I needed and weighing less I'm going with it. I only made about a dozen cuts with both but jumped back and forth so I'd have to restart both multiple times, I'd say whatever hot start issues the 562s had has been worked out.. fired everytime.

[DelawhereJoe]

The 562xp should be a great saw for you, when I went saw shopping I looked at it too. It would take a larger recommend bar 28" over the Stihl 25" so that told me it's oiler had a higher output over the Stihl. The good thing about the Husqvarna saw is you should be able to go into Lowes or Tractor Supply, if you had no other choice, and get a new bar and chain for it. I've run a Husqvarna 455 rancher and it cut well for a 3.5 hp saw but picking up 1.2hp and 5 more CC's will get the job done faster.

[HolmenTree]

Good thread 

[747mopar]

Thought I'd update this thread, I bought the 562XP and put a 24" bar and a skip chain on it... love it!!! Sawed up a knuckle boom load effortlessly, no starting issues or anything else. Big difference after running my 450 for so many years.

[DelawhereJoe]

Glad you are enjoying your saw, I too am enjoying the step up from an old 50cc saw to a pro 60cc. Wish I would have done it years ago. Its on my list to rebuild my old 026, it would be nice to add some more hp to that 3.2hp saw with a port job and upping the compression.

[knuckledragger]

Say it aint so Holmentree! Not the 044 AV. I hope the youngster apprieciates the iconic saw he has purchased.

[streem26]

I really think you will be amazed at how strong a 562 is. Plus it has auto tune. That's a big bonus. And lastly if your limbing with it especially in thick overgrown woods, big oaks with limbs over your head , etc, the 562 is far better handling as a limbing saw and far easier to live with hour after hour while in the woods https://cozzy.org/best-professional-chainsaw-reviews/ Limb with it and buck even big oaks no problems it won't even break a sweat

[HolmenTree]

Say it aint so Holmentree! Not the 044 AV. I hope the youngster apprieciates the iconic saw he has purchased.

Yup hated to see the 1989 044 go but I saw the youngster really fell in love with the saw and appreciated it like I did when I was his age.
He said he  wanted a compact 70cc saw with no flippy caps, low profile top cover and a lightweight 16" bar with Stihl 33RS chain.