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

newbury · Mar 3, 2016

terryknight said:
i love a 660, but it's probably more than the OP needs. where are you getting a 660 for $550. and modded do you mean muffler modded or ported?

Got the first one off ebay w/ muff mod, the second off AS w/ a moderate port. One thing that really helped was a high output oiler for both. That was about 2010.
I also bought a 120CC 088 off CL for $450.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chainsaws/257299-i-couldnt-believe-088-450-a.html?highlight=

/edit - If the OP has money to throw around I highly recommend a Stihl 880, that would easily take care of his 40" oaks and build up his muscles

Snobdds · Mar 3, 2016

I am a stihl man and love them. I have 3 different saws: 261 C-MQ bucking saw, 361 C-MQ all purpose saw, and a 441 C-MQ. I sold (gifted) all my old saws after I ran one with the quick break system. The best feature to come out for chain saws in 30 years. Absolutely brilliant by stihl.

In Wyoming I just have pine, but you would be amazed how hard it can get after it sits for a few years. We had the pine beetle come through and wreak havoc on our mountain property. It took 5-6 years of relentless summer cutting to get through that mess.

Deere Dude · Mar 3, 2016

last week I was looking at an Echo CS-590 w/60cc. It can handle an 18 and a 20" bar. The next size up is a CS-600p with a 60cc motor and can handle a 16,18,20,24 and 27" bars. I asked the salesman what the HP rating is and he just said they are the same motors and was adamant about it. To me that didn't make sense because if the motors are the same how can one pull an extra 7" bar. But both look nice.

newbury · Mar 3, 2016

Scut 4 Big Bucks said:
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 have trees of 40" diameter you should first get your 029 rebuilt then look for a 90CC saw with a 28" or 32" bar. I mucked around Chain Saw Milling with a 62CC and 28" bar. It was possible. Moved up to the 90CC and it was wonderful.
Going from a 56CC 029 to a 70CC series saw is not as much of a step.

adirondackmtnman · Mar 3, 2016

I bought an MS362 five years ago, and never looked back. Almost all of my cutting is bucking up logs for firewood. Yellow birch, maple, ash oak. To me, it's been a very impressive saw for the money. Anything more would have been overkill for me. As was stated earlier, the strato saws are wonderful. I was very skeptical at first. I feel like every tank of fuel I run through it makes it run stronger.

terryknight · Mar 3, 2016

Scut 4 Big Bucks said:
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.

well in that case i would say at least a 70cc saw, Husqvarna 372/576 (have no experience with the 576) Stihl 441/461 (haven't run either of these, but did have a 044 and spent some time with a 460) dolmar 7900, or whatver echo offers (never used an echo), you could do a 90cc saw if you wanted Hus 390/394/395, Stihl 660 (new saw is the 661)

I weighed my 660 (non wrap handle) today with 25" bar and full gas/oil. it was a shade over 20lbs

newbury said:
Got the first one off ebay w/ muff mod, the second off AS w/ a moderate port. One thing that really helped was a high output oiler for both. That was about 2010.
I also bought a 120CC 088 off CL for $450.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chainsaws/257299-i-couldnt-believe-088-450-a.html?highlight=

/edit - If the OP has money to throw around I highly recommend a Stihl 880, that would easily take care of his 40" oaks and build up his muscles

i remember that thread thinking i hate that guy. i think you did well on all those saws.

Scut 4 Big Bucks · Mar 3, 2016

Deere Dude said:
last week I was looking at an Echo CS-590 w/60cc. It can handle an 18 and a 20" bar. The next size up is a CS-600p with a 60cc motor and can handle a 16,18,20,24 and 27" bars. I asked the salesman what the HP rating is and he just said they are the same motors and was adamant about it. To me that didn't make sense because if the motors are the same how can one pull an extra 7" bar. But both look nice.

I talked to an Echo dealer today, and he told me the same thing. It sounds like the 590 is at a great price, which I was quoted $399 with a 20 inch bar. Add another 24" bar, and you are at $500. I'm headed there tomorrow after work to check the Echo lineup out, and this dealer also sells Dolmar. The Echo chainsaws have a 5 year warranty, and the Dolmars have a 2 year, according to this dude.

FatTire · Mar 3, 2016

adirondackmtnman said:
I bought an MS362 five years ago, and never looked back. Almost all of my cutting is bucking up logs for firewood. Yellow birch, maple, ash oak. To me, it's been a very impressive saw for the money. Anything more would have been overkill for me. As was stated earlier, the strato saws are wonderful. I was very skeptical at first. I feel like every tank of fuel I run through it makes it run stronger.

Has anyone used both the MS361 and the MS362? I have the MS361 and have wondered if there is any real difference between the old version and the new?

Sawyer Rob · Mar 3, 2016

motownbrowne said:
It's not unusual to see 50cc saws with 20" bars, and 70ccs with 32" bars.
Back here in the Northwoods, people see a 60cc saw with a 25" bar and basically start laughing.

You do understand that those 50cc/20" have "smaller" chain than the 60cc saws, don't you??

You can pull a longer bar/chain in the smaller chain size as they take less power to run, in fact some even come with a low pro chain...

To the op: A Husky 562 with a 24" bar would be a GREAT combo, and it will be lighter than a Stihl of the same power level...

SR