I'm in the market for a new chainsaw. 24 inch bar.

[Scut 4 Big Bucks]

I thank you all for the good info. I haven't looked at any other brands of saws to buy, considering I am (or was) a Stihl guy. Thanks for all the other info on quality saws. Not sure which direction I'm going yet, but will consider them all.

"What is a big oak?" Well, I have at least 10 blow downs (snapped off at the top) in my woods right now that are just standing there, ready to be cut. The biggest is probably about a 40" diameter. I love cutting wood, especially when the saw eats wood like no other, and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you use a chainsaw. When the big chips are flying, life is good. When I'm making saw dust, cutting sucks.

 

[TomSeller]

I agree with those saying 70cc or above for a 24" bar depending on the wood being cut. I have 6 Stihl products and would own nothing but Stihl.

Having said that, any of the big manufacturers Stihl, Husky, Jonnie, Dolmar, Echo are good choices and would do you well. I'd stay with the pro lines from saw dealers.

 

[4570Man]

I consider 24" to be pretty big. Anything much bigger is a lot of work. My 372 XP can pull the nice long shavings from a 20" oak with a sharp chain. This log is really big.

 

[motownbrowne]

I thank you all for the good info. I haven't looked at any other brands of saws to buy, considering I am (or was) a Stihl guy. Thanks for all the other info on quality saws. Not sure which direction I'm going yet, but will consider them all.

"What is a big oak?" Well, I have at least 10 blow downs (snapped off at the top) in my woods right now that are just standing there, ready to be cut. The biggest is probably about a 40" diameter. I love cutting wood, especially when the saw eats wood like no other, and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you use a chainsaw. When the big chips are flying, life is good. When I'm making saw dust, cutting sucks.

If you love cutting wood, and like seeing those big chips, don't buy anything less than 70ccs. Honestly 90 might be better. Something in this category won't just "do the job" like a 60cc saw will. It'll rip through the wood in a hurry while putting a big ole grin on your face. You already have a good saw for small bucking, spring for a big saw now, and I doubt you'll regret it.

 

[4570Man]

I think a 90 cd saw would be way overkill for a 25" bar. You are carrying around a lot of extra weight for marginal improvement. A 70cc saw can rip through 25" wood.

 

[LD1]

Agree. The jump from 70cc class to 90cc+ adds a lot of weight and heft.

 

[MossRoad]

What's your point?

 

[houlador]

I have 3 Stihl saws and love them. Never had any problems with them. I have an 028 super with 20 inch bar, a 009-14 inch bar and needed a larger saw. I purchased a MS 440 with 30 inch bar. That is a pro saw. The power is incredible. This will help you cut down those large trees quicker. Putting less wear and tear on you and your equipment. Good luck with your search! Let us know what you purchased.

 

[motownbrowne]

I think a 90 cd saw would be way overkill for a 25" bar. You are carrying around a lot of extra weight for marginal improvement. A 70cc saw can rip through 25" wood.

Tell that to the loggers in Wisconsin running ms660s with 20" bars. As I said earlier, that's a very common setup up north.

I agree that for carrying around a 90cc saw is gonna be heavy, but we're not talking about lugging it around the woods. We're talking about having a big saw for when the OP encounters wood that would be more fun to cut with something other than his Farm Boss. You're right, 70ccs would be good, and worlds better than a 391, but a 90cc is gonna be even more fun to use. Weight of the saw doesn't matter once it's in the cut.

 

[4570Man]

Tell that to the loggers in Wisconsin running ms660s with 20" bars. As I said earlier, that's a very common setup up north. I agree that for carrying around a 90cc saw is gonna be heavy, but we're not talking about lugging it around the woods. We're talking about having a big saw for when the OP encounters wood that would be more fun to cut with something other than his Farm Boss. You're right, 70ccs would be good, and worlds better than a 391, but a 90cc is gonna be even more fun to use. Weight of the saw doesn't matter once it's in the cut.

The op isn't a professional logger and probably isn't in as good of shape either. I have used a farm boss and my 372 XP will cut 3 times as fast. I have seen a 390 XP and that sucker was huge. I don't think I would trade my 372 for it.