Have orange tractor, need orange chainsaw

Jay4200 · May 18, 2006

( My delema is that i have the trees on the ground, one atop the other. I've chunked the top one down to where the top tree wants to roll right, but the weight wants to push it left. My current saw can handle the tree in 2 swipes, but it seems safer to me to use a saw that will cut the chunks in 1 pass, while I stay on the safe side (which will change as I cut more off). A new $500 saw with a 24" bar would be up to the task, and possibly save me more than that if it prevents an accident. )

Sounds like a job for a tractor - isn't that what we're here for? Hook the tree to your bucket, or just use it as a defensive lineman. Cut at your leisure /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Jay

Jay4200 · May 18, 2006

( My delema is that i have the trees on the ground, one atop the other. I've chunked the top one down to where the top tree wants to roll right, but the weight wants to push it left. My current saw can handle the tree in 2 swipes, but it seems safer to me to use a saw that will cut the chunks in 1 pass, while I stay on the safe side (which will change as I cut more off). A new $500 saw with a 24" bar would be up to the task, and possibly save me more than that if it prevents an accident. )

Sounds like a job for a tractor - isn't that what we're here for? Hook the tree to your bucket, or just use it as a defensive lineman. Cut at your leisure /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Jay

Spiffy · May 18, 2006

If he's looking at 24" bars, I'm afraid those trees would toss that BX24 around like a ragdoll if in the "defensive lineman" position. A long tow rope and good traction somewhere however could help put the pressure in a more desirable direction. Just don't forget that towropes act a little bit like large springs, so while potentially helpful even more caution is necessary.

By coincidence, I have some similar challanges coming up, but have some pretty good saw dealers around here in the "other orange saw", so I'll defer that to reading all the existing info, and maybe a new thread or reincarnate one of those later. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Spiffy · May 18, 2006

If he's looking at 24" bars, I'm afraid those trees would toss that BX24 around like a ragdoll if in the "defensive lineman" position. A long tow rope and good traction somewhere however could help put the pressure in a more desirable direction. Just don't forget that towropes act a little bit like large springs, so while potentially helpful even more caution is necessary.

By coincidence, I have some similar challanges coming up, but have some pretty good saw dealers around here in the "other orange saw", so I'll defer that to reading all the existing info, and maybe a new thread or reincarnate one of those later. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

boatermark · May 18, 2006

Sorry, I finally have to chime in!

Please look up Husqvarna's web site (lot's of info)...you can search for many manuals. The Husqvarna 51 does come up in the search. I'd attach it, but I haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, as you can see in the manual the 51 is a 49cc saw.

Now Snal, you said you had 24"+ dia. trees and want to cut through once. That's gonna need a bigggg bar! A 24" bar is pretty big. Bigger than that is wicked big!

Shasta said he has a 385xp. That's a wicked large pro saw and with power comes weight,84.7cc! (I'm jealous though /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). Also it comes with a price...way more than $500 on average for sure!

Now, a 24" bar is on the end of the range for a 359, and a 357xp (xp's run at a higher rpm...fast!). I'd suggest bigger if you really need a 24" bar. The oiler system will be stretched in capacity to deal with that much chain in a hard wood tree (oak right?).

The newer 570, 67.9cc, might be a little more up to the task, yet still smaller than the 385xp and cheaper (still might be looking over 6 bills unless you find a deal on-line). Also, you might even be able to find a 372xp. This was disconntinued in the US and recently might be available again in small quantities. It is touted as Husqvarna's most popular pro saws and the 570 hasn't seemed to gain ground yet. Either of these will run a 24" bar very well. A word of caution from the safety police...these saws are much bigger than a homeowner saw and require proper handling and PPE!

Last thought...as most folks on this great sight mention, dealer support is everything. Like you guys say for tractors goes with saws too.

Happy shopping and be safe!

boatermark

boatermark · May 18, 2006

Sorry, I finally have to chime in!

Please look up Husqvarna's web site (lot's of info)...you can search for many manuals. The Husqvarna 51 does come up in the search. I'd attach it, but I haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, as you can see in the manual the 51 is a 49cc saw.

Now Snal, you said you had 24"+ dia. trees and want to cut through once. That's gonna need a bigggg bar! A 24" bar is pretty big. Bigger than that is wicked big!

Shasta said he has a 385xp. That's a wicked large pro saw and with power comes weight,84.7cc! (I'm jealous though /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). Also it comes with a price...way more than $500 on average for sure!

Now, a 24" bar is on the end of the range for a 359, and a 357xp (xp's run at a higher rpm...fast!). I'd suggest bigger if you really need a 24" bar. The oiler system will be stretched in capacity to deal with that much chain in a hard wood tree (oak right?).

The newer 570, 67.9cc, might be a little more up to the task, yet still smaller than the 385xp and cheaper (still might be looking over 6 bills unless you find a deal on-line). Also, you might even be able to find a 372xp. This was disconntinued in the US and recently might be available again in small quantities. It is touted as Husqvarna's most popular pro saws and the 570 hasn't seemed to gain ground yet. Either of these will run a 24" bar very well. A word of caution from the safety police...these saws are much bigger than a homeowner saw and require proper handling and PPE!

Last thought...as most folks on this great sight mention, dealer support is everything. Like you guys say for tractors goes with saws too.

Happy shopping and be safe!

boatermark

snal · May 18, 2006

Thanks for the replies everyone! I have decided on the 359 rigged with a 24" HD bar. My son is picking it up now. $499 was the price as rigged, and I feel good about buying form my local power equipment dealer rather than Lowes, ect.
They all had the same price $489 with 20" bar...the swap to a 24 pushed it up $10...Lowes couldn't do that.

snal · May 18, 2006

Thanks for the replies everyone! I have decided on the 359 rigged with a 24" HD bar. My son is picking it up now. $499 was the price as rigged, and I feel good about buying form my local power equipment dealer rather than Lowes, ect.
They all had the same price $489 with 20" bar...the swap to a 24 pushed it up $10...Lowes couldn't do that.