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New saw recommendations

Started by Reddtigger, March 28, 2020, 09:22:04 PM

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Reddtigger

I am looking to get a new saw sometime in the next couple of months. I'd like to ask your recommendations to what I should get.

In my area I've found a Stihl Dealer that I like dealing with.  I researched for months and decided that the MS 261CM was the saw to replace my 20 year old poulan 3314. I made this purchase in Oct 2019.

Shortly there after I found the opportunity to slab a white oak that is 2 trees that came to be 1 massive trunk over 48in in width.  I wanted this wood so I traded up to the MS362cm (Jan 2020) with a 25" bar. I loved the additional power and length. I also got a 20" and 16" bar to even out the use.

I spent a day cutting up pallets and the big saw was heavy on my back. so I went and got a MS180 (Mar 2020) with the 14" bar and upgraded to .050 rs chain. I'm really impressed with it's punch, but it feels weak compared to my previous 261cm

I've been able to source some nice trees of wood to saw for the next couple of months, mostly popular but some cherry, hickory and oak thrown in as well.

I feel that I'm not fully outfitted.

My dealer still has a 241cm available.. I'm considering this as an addition to the fleet. or even back to the 261cm

I'm also considering trading in the 362cm for either the 462RCM or maybe even bigger.. but with trade in the 462 is about what I'm willing to spend.

so my question is what would you choose to do and why ?





lxskllr

What do you expect to do with the saws? That'll tell you if there's any holes. The 362 is pretty versatile, and while a 462 would be a nice upgrade, I don't think it'll get you much over the 362, considering the hassle and depreciation.

btulloh

If you want a 50cc, I'd go with the 261cm instead of the 241.  It's a better saw by far - and you already know that.  The question is really, do you need a 50cc saw when you have the 362, which is pretty handy, yet still a bit heavier and more power.  They're pretty close.  I like having both, but I don't think I really need both.  I have the 170 for a little saw, which is about the same as your 180.  It's handy and cheap and small, but I don't expect it to be like the 261.  

The question I have is: Are you doing some chainsaw milling?  Personally I wouldn't want to ask the 362 to do that.  What you really want for that is a big saw like the 661 or 880.  Big saw, big bucks though.  The 462 is good, but not a huge leap over the 362.  I guess it depends on your budget and how many saws you want to keep up with.  Probably an ideal lineup would be something like the 180, 261, 462, 880, but that doesn't really fit your current inventory.  Maybe you just need to add a big saw for chainsaw milling.
HM126

Eddie Southgate

Given my choice I would stick with the 180 for a small saw , buy myself another MS261CM for my regular everyday saw and trade the 362 in on an MS661CM for my heavy work and milling . I got a Husqvarna 136 , MS261CM, and a 272xp but I don't cut anything really big and do no milling . The Stihl is new but I've had the Husqvarnas since '97 and '98 . I liked the MS261CM so well that I bought another one .
1997 Husqvarna 272xp 24"
1998 Husqvarna 136 12"-14"
2019 Stihl MS261 CM 16"-20" wearing an 18"
1966 ? Remington Super 754
2019 Stihl MS261CM  20"
Stihl 0041av 20"
Stihl 041av Electronic 20"
Stihl 044av
Stihl 056 Magnum II
1963 Ford 2000
801 Ford
Woodchuck

Reddtigger

just to close this thread.

I ended up trading the 362 for the MS462RC-M and am very happy.. the extra power for about the same weight is nice.

I am planning on getting another 261 for some medium work, but have a very capable combination right now.

Thanks for the input.


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