Help for aging woodcutters

Magicman · March 08, 2025, 10:24:24 PM

I don't know how many new chainsaws that I have bought, 8-10 I guess. Five new Stihls and I consider the MS261 my best and all time favorite saw. Light, handy, easy starting, and does the job. Mine is not the cm (electronic tune) model.

I seldom feel the need to get the MS362 out.

beenthere · March 08, 2025, 10:50:26 PM

Quote from: Magicman on March 08, 2025, 10:24:24 PMI don't know how many new chainsaws that I have bought, 8-10 I guess. Five new Stihls and I consider the MS261 my best and all time favorite saw. Light, handy, easy starting, and does the job. Mine is not the cm (electronic tune) model.

I seldom feel the need to get the MS362 out.

I'm with MM with the MS261 and the MS362. The big one comes out when more power is in order, but the small one is great most of the time.
Both are auto tune and neither has missed a lick. For some reason, I do like the fact that there is now switch to flip to "on". The saw is always "on" and just pick it up and pull the starter rope. Not having to do that extra motion just seems to give me joy.

But I would hesitate taking my Stihl saws to a "dealer" at a hardware store or a tractor dealer. Wouldn't be comfortable or expect a good tech at either that knows saws.

TreefarmerNN · March 09, 2025, 06:49:38 AM

Quote from: doc henderson on March 08, 2025, 12:16:21 PMmy uncle Jerry has passed, but he still cut firewood as he got older, and often with younger friends and neighbors. He would work till his saw ran out of gas. One of his friends' younger sons realized jerry was not filling his saw full and told his dad. they got a good laugh, and his son was told that Jerry could fill his saw as full as he wanted. less time between breaks.

That's a man that knew his limitations and adapted as needed. You do what you have to do!

thecfarm · March 09, 2025, 07:10:42 AM

I cut up some of that big wood at times.
I wonder if it's really worth it. But I hate to waste wood.
It sure does add up when I am done with it.

Rhodemont · March 09, 2025, 08:42:27 AM

I have noticed the last 10 or 15 years that someone turns up gravity a little bit each year. Things , chainsaws, get heavier. I use my Stihl 362 (59cc)with a 20 inch bar only for felling and bucking the large diameter logs. The Stihl 039 (64 cc) with 18 inch bar is heavier and wears on me but is great for big limbs and work near the ground, it takes a beating and keeps cutting. My Echo CSP361P with 16 inch bar (36cc) at 8lbs dry weight gets the most use. Anything under 10 inch diameter and it cuts right through without a problem and is light to handle. Couple years ago I implemented the one tank rule. One tank fuel in each saw max for a day. If I run a tank in each I can fell two big oaks, clean up the tops, cut saw logs and buck the firewood. That is more than enough for a day.

For splitting I did it by hand for 30 years which I could start to feel in my shoulders. So, I bought a Timberwolf log splitter with manual log lift and exit catch rack, both of which are big back savers. The diameter of the logs I use the lift for goes down each year. A 70 year old friend was over yesterday to help split in return for a pickup load of wood. He was busy as a beaver but also lifting big logs to put on the splitter...had to put a stop to that. After a while he commented "this lift is pretty handy".

Spike60 · March 09, 2025, 10:32:55 AM

Those pics that upnut posted made me even feel sorry for the poor machine that had to lift them. Surely those huge rounds weren't cut with a 241, were they?

But calling a 241 a favorite firewood saw is another testimony that smaller saws can indeed do more work than we generally give them credit for. My most used saw is a Jonsered 2153 and IMO a good 50cc class saw should handle up to 12" wood without thinking to reach for a larger saw. Yeah, a 572XP is sweet, but the couple of seconds it saves in the cut are only a miniscule part of the entire firewood process. But, looking at it from the other direction, the weight of a 70cc saw is typically a lot lighter than the average round that it will cut. Most of the lifting involves the wood, not the saw. So, it comes down to whatever I feel like running on a given day.

Another reality about getting older is that in addition to the tank on a saw or splitter, our own "tanks" won't always have the same amount of energy every day. Sometimes you are fired up and can keep going. Other days you seem to run out of gas sooner than others.

doc henderson · March 09, 2025, 12:18:44 PM

once in the wood, the weight of the saw can be the driving force to go on through. when splitting a large log (4-foot diameter) down the length to get it on the sawmill. I just support the handle of the 880 pointed at a 45 in the wood and walk slowly back on the log.

upnut · March 09, 2025, 03:51:34 PM

Ray- Those pics were a once in a lifetime project, most of the trees I work on are much smaller!

Spike 60- I borrowed my late neighbors Husky 394 for the big stuff, perfect saw for that kind of work.

More my speed, Stihl 200 battery saw and small ironwood...

Scott B.

woodman52 · March 09, 2025, 06:58:49 PM

Quote from: Tim in New York on March 06, 2025, 09:27:34 PMMajor improvement for me this year was putting forks on my Kubota. That allowed me to pick up all but the biggest logs, pull them away from the skidding pile a bit, and cut them up at waist height. Only drawback is moving from one side of the tractor to the other a couple times for each log. But I was able to work for a couple hrs bucking with little back pain.

After last year I was not sure I would make it through another season. But with this new method I may be able to keep cutting a few more years.

Take a light chain and go around the log and the near fork. That will hold the log from tipping as you cut. you can then cut up to the near fork before walking to the other end. It really saves steps.

beenthere · March 09, 2025, 11:55:48 PM

OR add "The Thumb" to the forks. Works well and is not intrusive to the other uses of the forks.

Holding log

Blocking up a log

Wlmedley · March 10, 2025, 09:06:21 PM

Had to take my wife to a doctors appointment today in town so I figured I'd look at the Stihl 261 at a couple places. First place I went didn't have one which didn't surprise me as they are mostly a large feed store and I probably wouldn't have bought a saw from them anyway. Next place had a couple and I got to look one over. Sales person didn't seem to know much about it except the price which was a little over $700. Nice looking saw and quite a bit lighter than the saw I have. Stopped by my local dealer on the way home and looked at the 550 Husqvarna and it seemed pretty nice and dealer had it priced at $699 . Online I found several 550's for around $550 and some have free shipping. Don't really want to buy a saw online and then expect some local dealer to do warranty work on it (if needed). But $150 is a pretty big difference. Stihl was the same price online as it was in town. Found out that a large hardware store in Charleston is a Husqvarna dealer and I know they have a large small engine shop in their basement so I gave them a call. Guy I talked to said regular price was $700 on the 550 but they had them marked down to $559 until April 1. I'll probably run down there tomorrow. Out of all the equipment I've bought over the years I've only had to take one item back for warranty work and it was a Echo but you never know.

thecfarm · March 10, 2025, 09:12:06 PM

I like to buy from a dealer, because I know I will need some repair work done sometime.
My 450 husky, 50cc, has a easy start or something like that. That has been replaced twice so far.

GRANITEstateMP · March 11, 2025, 06:31:08 AM

I ran 2 tanks through my 550 yesterday. When one of my 346xp saws needed a rebuild, I replaced it with the 550. Love the little saws that get up to high rpm QUICK. I run 16in bars on both those saws, they work great and are well balanced. More bar and power is always a few steps away, but not always needed. Only thing I don't like is after running it, I usually have to have the throttle wide open to refire. I will buy another to replace the other 346when its time. Never did fire the 372 yesterday, but did a tank through the 441.

John Mc · March 11, 2025, 02:48:20 PM

If you are shopping for a Husqvarna 550XP, make sure you get the 550XP Mark II version. They made some needed improvements with the Mark II model.

BTW: Husqvarna USA's website shows a current sale price of $549.99 (marked down from a regular price of $699.99). Unfortunately, they don;t sell direct to the consumer, and their website is not very helpful in finding a dealer who is actually selling for that price. (I can find a couple of mail order places, but no one near me.)

Wlmedley · March 11, 2025, 03:06:28 PM

I just bought one today for $559.99 at a dealer in town. Dealer close to me was still wanting $700.00. Don't know why he didn't mark his down. Mine is a Mark 2 and looks like it's built good. Fired right up and seemed to run good. I'll let you know how it cuts as I haven't cut anything yet. If you look on Acme Tools web site they have them with free shipping. The outfit I bought mine from does service work and are fairly close so I went with them. Hopefully I won't need to take it back for anything.Probably the extra $10 was because I got a 18" bar.

Magicman · March 11, 2025, 05:39:52 PM

Good for you !!

SwampDonkey · March 11, 2025, 08:02:58 PM

Like I always say, everyone will find their way to match their needs.

Wlmedley · March 11, 2025, 09:03:26 PM

Ran my new saw a little bit this afternoon. I wish I'd had a little bigger wood to cut but I tried it out on a hickory tree top that I hadn't cut up yet. Mostly 12" and smaller but I really enjoyed running it. Pulls and starts easy and idles nice once warmed up. This thing runs smooth and cuts fast and on small wood I believe it will keep up with a 372.Had a hickory crouch which took most of the bar to reach through and it cut it cross grain like it was nothing. This is all the saw I'll need most of the time. I just hope it holds up. I don't really need a fast cutting saw but it does make it more enjoyable. Would of kind of liked to have tried a Stihl but didn't want to spend a extra $150 to do it. Hope I don't regret it later.

Magicman · March 11, 2025, 10:09:50 PM

Bill, you came to a fork in the road and took it. Never be concerned about what was down the other road because you did not go that way. I am sure that you will spend many enjoyable working hours with your new saw.

barbender · March 12, 2025, 12:30:53 AM

The 550 will be a great saw for you. Those 50cc saws actually seem to cut faster than a 70cc up until a 12-14" log, I think.

hedgerow · March 12, 2025, 11:10:17 AM

Quote from: Wlmedley on March 11, 2025, 09:03:26 PMRan my new saw a little bit this afternoon. I wish I'd had a little bigger wood to cut but I tried it out on a hickory tree top that I hadn't cut up yet. Mostly 12" and smaller but I really enjoyed running it. Pulls and starts easy and idles nice once warmed up. This thing runs smooth and cuts fast and on small wood I believe it will keep up with a 372.Had a hickory crouch which took most of the bar to reach through and it cut it cross grain like it was nothing. This is all the saw I'll need most of the time. I just hope it holds up. I don't really need a fast cutting saw but it does make it more enjoyable. Would of kind of liked to have tried a Stihl but didn't want to spend a extra $150 to do it. Hope I don't regret it later.

I don't think you will regret not buying the Stihl 261. You have mostly ran a Husqvarna and that's what you like. Had a buddy that had a 372 for years and loved it. Me I have ran different brands of saws and seem to like Stihl the best so after running a 261 that was the one for me to buy. Shopped around a little and got the 261 bought and liked it so well a less than a year later I bought another so both of my helpers have one to run. In my older age I don't care if something cost a little more if its the tool I want, I buy it.

B.C.C. Lapp · March 12, 2025, 07:37:28 PM

Keep that 550 real sharp and it will do what you want it to. Couple guys mention 261's. I have a couple of them and in the wood yard i love em. Light, start easy and, if there sharp they cut fast enough for me. Bigger saws for logging but seems even my go these days for that is a 362. Got three of them and love em.