Saw needed with 24" bar

[LD1]

I'd get a Makita 6401 or a Echo Cs 680, both around $600 and built a lot better than a Husky 460 or Stihl MS391, more power also. Steve

Dang. I just read through the entire thread thinking all along "no one has mentioned a 6400". Then I got to the VERY LAST post and what a buzz-kill:confused2:

I agree with the earlier posters that said 70cc+ for a 24". BUT there are a few exceptions. And the dolmar/makita 6400/6401 is one of them. I can personally attest that they WILL pull a 24" full chisel with authority when fully burried.

It IS a pro grade saw unlike the 391 and 460, but still should be in the 500-600 price range if you have a dealer in your area.

DOLMAR Power Products check here for the dealer locater

and BTW, it is 4.8HP and 13.6lbs. So it is a little more powerful than the others mentioned. I am not sure if prices went up or not, but last year they could be had from good dealer for in the low $500 range:thumbsup:

 

[mountainlake]

Dang. I just read through the entire thread thinking all along "no one has mentioned a 6400". Then I got to the VERY LAST post and what a buzz-kill:confused2:

I agree with the earlier posters that said 70cc+ for a 24". BUT there are a few exceptions. And the dolmar/makita 6400/6401 is one of them. I can personally attest that they WILL pull a 24" full chisel with authority when fully burried.

It IS a pro grade saw unlike the 391 and 460, but still should be in the 500-600 price range if you have a dealer in your area.

DOLMAR Power Products check here for the dealer locater

and BTW, it is 4.8HP and 13.6lbs. So it is a little more powerful than the others mentioned. I am not sure if prices went up or not, but last year they could be had from good dealer for in the low $500 range:thumbsup:

Keep in mind thats the rated power, I'd be willing to bet either a Echo 680 or Makita 6401 will actually cut a lot faster then the 460 or 391. Steve

 

[xyz123]

Yep agreed on the Makita 6401. But they are calling it 6421 now. Think they changed the muffler design.

Bailey's - Makita Model DCS 6421 Chainsaw with 20" Bar & Chain

I would take that saw any day over those 391 and husky 460 for same money.

Plus if you ever wanted to upgrade you can put a 73cc 79cc OEM or afm 84cc topend on a rebuild.

I have no time behind the echo to say anything.

6401 with 7900 topend.

updated covers with pre-filter built in carb cover.

 

[Rustyiron]

All I've ever heard about Makita/Dolmar is good praise. I'm itchin for one but my old Stihls won't die! Had a Makita cut off saw and was impressed with it.

 

[Chilly807]

The old Sachs-Dolmar saws we had in this market weren't so good, but that was 20+ years ago, I haven't heard anything but good stuff about the new saws.

Sean

 

[LD1]

The old Sachs-Dolmar saws we had in this market weren't so good, but that was 20+ years ago, I haven't heard anything but good stuff about the new saws.

Sean

The old saws were kinda hit and miss. Some were good, others were just average or not so good. Kinda like every brand, some models really shine, others...not so much.

Of the 80's dolmars, the two that shine the brightest IMO are the 116si and 120si.

They will still even cut with todays best saws of similar cc's. And they sounded WAY better too:thumbsup:

 

[jbooth]

I am far from a saw expert and due to advancing age, I would tend to buy a saw by weight rather than the length of the bar. I do use a longer than normal bar and chain on my old saw. I use a skip tooth chain on the longer bar. My 40 yr. old saw will pull the skip tooth chain fine. That set up will cut slower than a full tooth compliment chain, but it will get me through the big chunks. I just change back to the shorter bar and normal chain after I get the big stuff chunked up. Generally need the rest that the bar and chain replacement provides.

There must be a lot of young studs out there with these monster saws, but they too will get old sooner than later.

 

[Chilly807]

There must be a lot of young studs out there with these monster saws, but they too will get old sooner than later.

Age might not be as much of a factor.. I really like my smaller saws, the 242 Husky and an 023 Stihl. Both are light enough to use for felling and limbing most trees, the 044 comes out when there's an ugly one to cut or I'm just feeling like using something with more power. It's nasty to limb with for more than about 10 minutes, and you really have to watch what you're doing with the nose of the bar, it kicks HARD. Great felling and bucking saw, not so nimble though.

Stihl has a European ad with a pro "speed limbing" a log with an MS441. I'd like to see him do that for a few hours at a stretch and see how it goes.

Sean

 

[mountainlake]

Got to agree, I'll last maybe a bit more than 10 minutes limbing with my 044(19-3/4# ready to cut) . Most times I use my Echo CS520 (15# ready to cut) or my Echo CS400 (13# ready to cut) both really cut for thier wieght. Steve

 

[om21braz]

I can't speak for the MS391, Husky 460, or the Dolmars - but I'll second others on the Husky 372XP. A 24" bar is no problem for it fully buried. If you can find a nice used one, it would be all most any non-professional would need and be in your price range.