bigger chainsaw needed - reccomendations?

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stayalert

stayalert

Joined
Sep 28, 2004
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Norwich, VT
I'm a one man tree worker ~6-7 months of the year. I climb with spurs for take downs and with ropes for pruning. Seems as though I could really use a larger chainsaw for larger (where I live) trunks ~30 - 40" in diameter.

I currently use:

echo telescoping power pruner - (Love this rig for limbing and trimming while keeping my feet on the ground)

Stihl MS192c with 14" bar (AWESOME my fav. use it for 85% of my climbing and limbing on felled trees, so light and balanced a real joy.)

Husqvarna 455 with 18 & 20" bars - Been GREAT for cutting up logs etc. - would consider getting a long bar for this saw but I just think it would be good for the saw.....

Have used some big Jonnserad saws (don'tt know the models) that I was really impressed with and would consider that or other brands as well.....

So? I'm thinking a larger more powerful saw that can handle ~36" bar.......The big $$$$ for something like this has me leaning towards used.....

Whaddaythink?

I think if things go as planned I will be making another hockey stick scabbard soon.
:D
 
Get a Stihl MS460 Magnum. Trust me, bigger is better.

Look at it like an investment and business right off.
 
I have an 046. I love that saw. I did a woods port on it and put a slightly larger rim on it and it runs like a scalded dog. I currently have a 25" bar on it but it would pull a 36" with no problem.
 
I have a Husky 372XP and before that I had a 385XP. For power to weight ratio, the 372 dominates the 385. Mine has a 28" bar, but it could go bigger. I like the 28" because when I'm bucking logs on the ground, it's long enough to go thru the log, but I don't have to be really careful about getting into dirt/rocks underneath it. Something to consider. :cool:

Most of the time on wildfire assignments, we typically used a Stihl 044 or a Husky 372XP, either with a 28" or 30" bar. The power to weight ratio was about perfect and they sip fuel compared to the bigger ones.
 
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just looked at a new MS660 Magnum.....might go that route....What happened to the chainsaws for sale in the Mud classifieds??? Looks like the thread is closed.....
 
The 660 is way heavier than the 460 and won't help you out much over the 460 unless you have 30"+ buried in the wood a lot... I owned an 066 and sold it but kept my 046...
 
I'll second the recommendation for the Stihl 046 or whatever its new numbering is. That is the weight to power sweet spot for me. It will flat out cut some big wood. It cuts my time in almost half when bucking large fallen hardwoods over the 038 I used to have, but replaced with a SOLO saw. You'll need a second, smaller saw, though. You don't want to lug an 046 around with a 30 inch bar, when a smaller saw with a 16 inch bar will do.
 
Be careful with a used saw. I'd have it checked before paying much for one.
 
For me there is a value to the time spent searching for and sourcing a used saw. On this incidence my tolerance was pretty low for spending time on it. I went with a new MS660 - so far VERY happy with it.
 
Well, I just got a case of saw envy. I thought my Stihl Farmboss was something. Ya'll have big trees.
 
I cannot disagree with the majority of what has been posted here.

But

If I were in your enviroment, I could go two directions.

1. Learn how to drop and buck 40" diameter trees with a 28" guide bar on an MS460.

2. Go with an MS 660 and never look back.

Up in the New England States you have mostly hardwood trees. I honestly doubt people will find the true power and perfomance of cutting hardwoods (a 36" hickory tree or a large Oak, Chestnut, etc)

The #1 logging saw in South East Iowa used to be an 064/066 with a 25". The #2 logging saw in SE Iowa was the 084 with a 30". The 084 and 088 were replacing the 076's that could not be rebuild anymore. The reason they used big saws is the hardwood trees they were logging.
 
Thanks for the input....per post #10.....went with the MS660 and am very happy with it.
 
Have to tell ya I have not been in VT for a long time but last week I had to go to Colchester to buy a car.

Freaking gorgeous ! I had forgotten how beautiful it is. You probably take it for granted. I am going back to pick up the car and we will be back to Lake Champlain for some fun later.
 
Nope. Not taken for granted. Love it here.
 
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