Finally buying a decentsaw

Scuba_Dave · May 16, 2005, 11:03:27 PM

So after cutting wood for over 6 years at my old house with a Sears 18" saw, have decided to finally get a decentsaw. I can't complain too much for the $150 I spent. But it was underpowered & in some case too small

Just found this site while looking for a Husky saw. I'm looking for a 24" blade, and adding a 20" blade later on. I have some big trees to cut up - 48"-52" trunks

I had decided on a 55 Rancher, not it's a 455 Rancher - 55.5 cc 3.4hp

Then I was looking at the 359.....

Then I decided on the new 570

and now I found this site & everyone is raving about the 372.... :D

Sears has the (original I think) 55 Rancher for I think $289 w/10% off coupon. Most trees that I cut are much smaller then the 3 big ones that are on my property to be cut up

So I'm debating on getting the rancher. This year I have already cut up a stack 6' high, by 40' long + more. That's most of one tree, with 2 more bigger trees to go

I can't find the specs on the 55 on the Husqy site any more, but seems like a good saw at a good price
Thoughts?
Thanx

ComputerUser · May 17, 2005, 02:18:34 AM

I wouldn't waste my time with the 55 Rancher, despite the price tag. If you have big trees to handle and need to pull a bigger bar, put a big engine behind it. I did the "I'll buy almost enough saw" thing when I finally got a decent saw. After all, I rarely had "big" things to cut. I went with a Stihl 290 for the same reason you're considering the 55 Rancher - the price. The two saws are actually quite comparable. I run a 20" bar with full-chisel chain, and although it can pull the 20" in soft stuff, it can't keep up in bigger, harder wood. Though the 290 has been an excellent saw, it is simply not enough saw for the big stuff. Now, with a number of big hardwood trees to handle, I'm looking at getting a 460 or, if the price is right, a 660, so I can run a 28" bar.

If you need to pull a 24" bar, you need something in the Husky 372/Stihl 440 range. The smaller saws can do it, but they will be frustratingly slow. They don't weigh any more than the 55Rancher290s, but have a lot more power going on.

Buy enough saw, not amost-enough saw. You'll be glad you did.

DanManofStihl · May 17, 2005, 07:34:03 AM

I would say go with a stihl ms 440 it has the power to pull the bar through alot of different wood with out an issue. I have a stihl 066 magnum but I think that is more then what you need and if they are to pricey then look for a nice used one on ebay or locally.

Old_Town · May 17, 2005, 09:39:21 AM

I have a 55R and it has been very good. I run a 20" bar and It works well. I had a Stihl 026 and it was great, but not better than the 55R. On saws in the 20" 55cc range I buy Husqvarna, in my opinion Stihl saws are over priced and our local dealers break me over on the price of parts.

Scuba_Dave · May 17, 2005, 12:18:45 PM

Yeah, my one fear is buying a saw & finding out it isn't powerful enough. The 55 is 50% more powerful then the Sears saw - but I would hope much better quality
I'm going to verify they still have the 55 Rancher in stock tonite. But I'm still leaning towards something with more power. I'd hate to spend $300 on a saw that is almost what I want. Right now the wife knows I need a good saw, the next one I buy will be "it" from some time to come. I'd rather spend an extra $100-200 & not worry about needing more power
Thanx

Jeff · May 17, 2005, 12:47:36 PM

I have a 55 rancher and it has served me well, but I dont think I would ever attempt to use it for felling big trees. I'd want some umph behind that chain. I dont know much about saws, but I think running a 24 inch bar on a 55 and felling big trees would be akin to putting a four banger in a suburban.

Scuba_Dave · May 17, 2005, 01:04:06 PM

Actually the tree's were taken down last June, I just need to cut them up. I took 4 "smaller" trees down, but the big ones I left to the pro's. There were electric lines, a large Japanese Red Maple, 2 different fences, a pool/cabana, and the house to miss. Somehow the wife just didn't think I should do it with the size of these trees & their locations. And since the biggest was hollow, I just didn't want to mess with it.
The 1st tree took all of 10 minutes - clear shot to drop it. The next 2 took 2 days to drop bit by bit

I'm thinking the 570 would be a good choice & avoid any problems - ie being underpowered. I could use a 24" blade now, then buy a 20" for general use

mike_van · May 17, 2005, 03:21:50 PM

Dave, if you've got 48" - 52" logs, you better get the 28" bar. That 24 is going to leave you wishing. I run a 20" on my 041 Stihl, but when the need arises, i've got a 28 for it. You can't lean on it, just let it cut, but it does the job. I got some 48" - 50" White Ash a few years ago, the guy that was suposed to had a 24" and gave up. You lose an inch or more for the bumper spike, it adds up.

Scuba_Dave · May 17, 2005, 03:57:35 PM

Mike you read my mind. I was doing the math myself...and figured I was going to come up short. You are right, better to go with the 28" & then when I'm done with the big stuff buy a smaller bar/chain. Very good idea

Scuba_Dave · May 17, 2005, 08:39:32 PM

Wel lI actually went to Sears, and it is the 55 Rancher. I was actually going to buy it...figured I'd make do. The wife looks at it & says "This isn't the one you want?" No...but the other one will be over $500.
She walks away & says "Buy the other one, I'm not going to listen you complain if you buy this one."

The 570 w/28" bar/chain & a 2nd 20" bar/chain setup is on the way 8)

mike_van · May 17, 2005, 09:06:43 PM

"Buy the other one, I'm not going to listen you complain if you buy this one."

Funny, the wives can be soooooo understanding sometimes. ;D

Chris J · May 19, 2005, 01:39:40 PM

Sometimes........ :-\.

SawTroll · May 20, 2005, 04:11:17 AM

My wife has taken me to the dealer and bought me a new saw two times, when she felt I needed it..... ;)

maple flats · May 21, 2005, 06:37:23 PM

Scuba, your wife sounds like a genious, listen to her. For big trees I have a Mac super 250 with a 28" and 36" bars but this is not made any longer nor would I suggest one if it was, starts very hard (always did) and is underpowered on the bigger bar but I will use it til it dies. Probably don't put more than a few tanks of gas thru it a year, uses 404 chain and really makes big sawdust in a hurry but it is not pro quality. If you are like me and the BIG saw sets idle a lot, drain the gas, run it til it quits , pull the plug and put a few drops of motor oil in and pull it over a few times to coat the cylinder, and then put the plug back in. This helps it last longer. It will smoke like crazy about 5 seconds when you start it next but you will have preserved the saw.

Scuba_Dave · May 21, 2005, 09:18:01 PM

It should be here Monday...and it's going to rain all week :'(

Hopefully I'll have one decent evening to test it out

I use my saws on a regular basis, last house I was cutting wood the entire 6+ years I lived there.
I have the 18" Sears - over 7 years old now
I have a 16" electric that I use around the yard on small stuff & trimmming barnches
and a 18" underpowerd McCulloch that was a waste of money.

I have to put the Craftsman saw back together & see how well it runs. Then decide if I am getting rid of one. The Rancher 55 would of made a good 2nd saw, but didn't want to push my luck with the wife ;D

WV_hillbilly · May 21, 2005, 09:23:25 PM

Dave get the second new saw . It is always easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission . :D Beleive me in the last month I bought a Stihl FS 110 trimmer , a stihl 066 , 3 guns and a leupold scope . Guess I should tell her I have another new saw on order at the Stihl dealer .

Ironwood · May 22, 2005, 12:48:42 AM

MY wife actually said that the $8000 JD HPX I bought was a great idea!!!!! MY GOD lighteniing. She was bummed today because she missed the monthly half off sale at Goodwill, and a number of multi family garage sales. Is this woman something or what????????? speaking of which, I really need to get her that mothers day gift! ;D ;D

Scuba_Dave · May 23, 2005, 07:15:11 PM

Actually I realized that I need a chipper/leaf mulcher... :D

Saw arrived today, UPS left it on my porch - no signature. My mom came by & put it in the house whileI was at work. Hoping the rain will clear up at least 1 evening so I can test it out

Kevin · May 23, 2005, 09:45:19 PM

Dave, don't be afraid to add a little extra oil, 40:1 and wear your PPE eh?

Scuba_Dave · May 23, 2005, 10:07:22 PM

Some extra oil for break in sounds good. I'm actually very safety conscious when working on the house & yard work. When working on my mom's house about 10 years ago I had a galvy chip from a nail go in my eye. VERY small, and I just thought it was dust & took a shower/went to bed. Went to work the next day & my eye started to water - off to the eye doc. No damage but ever since I wear eye protection when nailing. My last building Inspector was surprised to see me wearing them all the time. Of course I also tie myself off when roofing. Better safe then sorry!!
Also have the face shield for the saw, heavy duty steel toe boots, gloves & safety pants. I added ear muffs with this saw, more power, more noise
Thanks!!

SawTroll · May 24, 2005, 03:33:47 AM

Quote from: Scuba_Dave on May 23, 2005, 10:07:22 PM
Some extra oil for break in sounds good......

??? I specifically asked my Stihl dealer if that was a good idea when I bought my MS361.
He adviced me not to do it - as it would be doing no good......better let the saw get used to the fuel I would run it with later......

Does it really do any good, or is it only "old wives tales"?

Kevin · May 24, 2005, 09:22:26 AM

I maintain a steady diet of 40:1 for my saws that are said to require 50:1.

SawTroll · May 24, 2005, 09:49:06 AM

I think that I read at one of these forums not to long ago about a test series that showed higher engine temperatures with more oil (than nesessery) in the gas.
Any thoughts on that?

StihlDoc · May 24, 2005, 10:53:27 AM

I do not wish to disagree with those that are getting good results from mixing at richer ratios but wanted to point out the negative side of what can and does occur with richer than recommended ratios.

Running rich oil mix is an old habit carried over from the past when sometimes it was necessary to run richer ratios to keep the engines "alive", before there were any industry standards for air cooled two-cycle oil formulations. There are now high tech additives used in air cooled two-cycle engine oils and internationally recognized performance standards for these lubricants. These modern oils mixed at a 50:1 ratio provide bettter protection (and detergent additives) than old formulations that were mixed at richer ratios. Mixing at richer ratios will lead to combustion deposit build-up. The deposits are very abrasive and any build-up in the exhaust port can cause ring wear and piston scoring. Richer ratios can also lead to deposit build-up on the crankshaft bearings and connecting rod bearings. The deposits act like fine sand inside the engine. This damage occurs over a long term since it takes many running hours before the amount of deposit build-up becomes a problem. I have analyzed many engine failures caused by mixing more oil in the fuel than recommended.

Scuba_Dave · May 24, 2005, 11:46:03 AM

OK, now I'm going to have to check my saws at home. I could swear that the instructions for the McCulloch I bought last year instructs me to mix at 40:1. I thought the Sears saw was the same, and I think the oil mix bottles I have said 40:1.
The McCulloch has been a dissapointment, doesn't seem to run right...maybe I've been giving it too much oil?

I was thinking more then 40:1 for break in for the Husky
I haven't looked at the manual for the Husky yet?
The main room looked like Christmas with the boxes spread all over as I opened everything & verified no damage due to shipping. Boxes are still spread out all over, luckily the wife is in CA & won't be home until tomorrow night