Chain saw recommendation

stumpfield · Jul 4, 2006

Thanks for all the replies. Finally, I bought what I thought are pretty good saws. Stihl 361 and Stihl 084. Both are used. I found them in a garage sale and bought them today. I spent $850 for both saws. I don't know if it's a good deal or not but I got to have them. The wife thinks I paid too much. Here's a picture.

turnkey4099 · Jul 5, 2006

johnk said:
All saws work as long as you don't hit the dirt. Always keep your chain sharp for safety and pleasure reasons. Heres my arsenal..

Well, up to a point. If all you are using them for are a few trimming cuts, the stuff found in the big box stores will do (Macs and Poulans). If you do some serious cutting, stick with the brands the professionals use. They all put out both homeowner and pro lines. The homeowner lines are reliable and much cheaper.

Husky, Stihl, Johnsered, Echo all put out good saws. Purchase of one should not be made on the brand name but rather the dealer you are buying from. Buy what he sells/services.

Harry K

JimR · Jul 5, 2006

What is with all the double posts????

hockeyhead · Jul 5, 2006

you did good, not great, but definetly alright, that ms361 is one bada$$ pro-grade saw, top of the line in the 60cc catagory, $600 new with a 20" bar, yours looks pretty new, (new bar??).
084, 120cc monster, what is that a 36", 32" bar, a little older model, another highly respected pro- model stihl, looks like you are ready for some Paul Bunyon type cutting, That 084 will pull $450- 500 on Ebay today,
What was that about some little craftman ?,
from the bottom of the pile, to the king of the hill in one garage sale.
good job

hockeyhead · Jul 6, 2006

Oh by the way, both those saws are life'ers, you just need a ms180 limbing saw and you are covered smallest to biggest,

stumpfield · Jul 6, 2006

hockeyhead said:
you did good, not great, but definetly alright, that ms361 is one bada$$ pro-grade saw, top of the line in the 60cc catagory, $600 new with a 20" bar, yours looks pretty new, (new bar??).
084, 120cc monster, what is that a 36", 32" bar, a little older model, another highly respected pro- model stihl, looks like you are ready for some Paul Bunyon type cutting, That 084 will pull $450- 500 on Ebay today,
What was that about some little craftman ?,
from the bottom of the pile, to the king of the hill in one garage sale.
good job

Thanks. After we got home, I did searched ebay trying to justify my purchase. It's one of those days you feel like a kid and got to have these toys. You thought you got a good deal. Tell your wife to go to the ATM to get cash while you wheel and deal with the seller.

The ms361 is like brand new with 25" bar. It didn't show any sign of being used much at all. The 084 is about 6-7 years old with 32" bar and only used on one big job according to the owner. Both saws start easily and ran great.

Tom

MotorSeven · Jul 7, 2006

Hey Stump....not bad at all!! Now your gonna need a mill for that 084 so you can start slabbing....that thing is a beast...put it to work!

LBrown59 · Jul 8, 2006

How did we get all the double post in this thread?

TMAC · Jul 8, 2006

Haven't read over all the posts but, for landowner and ranch use I went with the Husqvarna 455 Rancher. I've had it for 2 years now and it's been a good saw. My father just purchased a Stihl MS290 Farm Boss today matter of fact. Both saws carry about the same specs. The MS290 might be a touch stronger.

For landowner use I would highly recommend either. Check them out.