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

TCowner · Mar 2, 2016

I just picked up a new Echo CS800P (80cc) and a 24" bar. I have a CS670 with a 20" bar which has been my main saw for about ten years. The power of the CS800 is pretty impressive. I also have a CS400 for the smaller stuff so you can see that I like the Echo products. Problems have been minimal so until something major happens I will continue to endorse them.

motownbrowne · Mar 2, 2016

TCowner said:
I just picked up a new Echo CS800P (80cc) and a 24" bar. I have a CS670 with a 20" bar which has been my main saw for about ten years. The power of the CS800 is pretty impressive. I also have a CS400 for the smaller stuff so you can see that I like the Echo products. Problems have been minimal so until something major happens I will continue to endorse them.

Out of curiosity, what did you pay for the big Echo? I don't currently own any Echo products, but I have in the past, and they seem like they run forever, just like all the rest of the Japanese motors I've owned.

PSEbowhunter · Mar 2, 2016

LD1 said:
Dolmar 7900 series. More affordable than a comparable stihl or husky, but every bit as good quality and preformance

This ^^ I love my dolmar 7910. It wears a 20" bar most of the time but has a 24" available for the bigger stuff. Cost for power it's cheaper than the "big 3". Dolmar hasn't gone to the electronic fuel systems yet either. I do have a couple smaller huskys for limbing too and I like them as well.

MESSMAKER · Mar 2, 2016

Stihl,Echo or Husky are all good. I think I would shop by price among the three. The Echo and Husky tend to be a little cheaper in my area.

terryknight · Mar 2, 2016

how often is this saw going to wear the 24/25" bar? all the time, most of the time, once or twice a year?

you have a stihl, will the bar be compatible with your new saw?

i agree with most here spend the extra and get a pro level saw. the makita/dolmars are good saws at a great price.

fatboycowen · Mar 2, 2016

I'm all about pro saws, but if i was shopping for a 60cc saw, for fairly occasional use, i'd pick one of these:

Echo cs590 timberwolf, which is just a cheaper version of the cs600. Cheaper bar, cheaper handle, same power (so i've read). Fantastic value. soooo much saw for the money.
Husqvarna 555. This is a slightly cheaper version of the 562, with slightly less power. Still built like a pro saw.

A good value for a 70cc saw would be the Husqvarna 365. Practically identical to a 372xp, but with a little baffle in the transfer cover. Grind off the baffle, and you essentially have a 372.

jrclark · Mar 2, 2016

Bought a Husky 562XP right after purchasing our property and love it. Thus far it's only been paired with a 20" bar, though from what I've been told, they rip when using a 28" bar with skip tooth chain.

It's so light and balanced that it gets used for a lot of limbing chores. It takes forever for my arms to get tired, which is about the only time the smaller Poulan comes out of it's case.

xring100 · Mar 2, 2016

s219 said:
I'd say 441 or 461 for running a 24" bar on a regular basis (I run a 461 myself with 20" and 28" bars).

You could run a 24" bar on a 60cc saw like the 362, but I wouldn't do it as the everyday bar on that saw -- it's better with a 20" bar.

In the 60cc class, the Husky 562 is a better option than the Stihl 362. I wouldn't even bother with a Stihl 391.

I completely agree I bought a ms361 with intentions of only using the 25" bar occasionally. Plans changed after all the Ash died. The ms361 is Alright with a 20" bar, but tedious to use with the bigger bar. I never did try a skip tooth chain on it though.

Neighbor runs a MS461 with 25" bar and it's great. I use a MS660 normally but had I not already had the 361 I would have bought a 460/461.

441/461 was a no Brainer for the neighbor same weight more power he chose the 461. he didn't care about the mtronic

newbury · Mar 2, 2016

Scut 4 Big Bucks said:
I bought a Stihl 029 back in 1994 with a 20" bar. The saw has been unreal as far as reliability, with only general maintenance items to fix. It's getting tired, and so I'm in the market for a new saw. I have many big oaks that I'd like to cut, but just pass on them now because of the 20" bar, and lack of power. I looked at a Stihl 391 today, and it looks good. Price was about $590. The Stihl 362 was a couple hundred more, but apparently is a huge step up.

I'm looking for a saw with a 24/25 inch bar. What are you guys using, and you're happy with.

Mike