357xp (ported of course) 346/372 346/372/395 My actual 3 saw plan: I bought the 357 1st, then CAD struck. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have a 50 & 57cc. Too close in size.
It was the 55 Rancher 20" for a long time Then Echo 330t 14" and 55R 20" Then Echo 330t 14", 55R 20", Dolmar 133 36" Now 330t 14", stihl 011av 16", 55R 16", pro mac650 24", 372 xp 24" and Dolmar 133 36" In all seriousness Mainly the 330t 14" for climbing, small limb/pole wood, 55R 16" for limbing and general cutting up to 12" or so and 372xp 24" for heavy limbing, felling, noodling and bucking. Those are the go to arsenal for 90% of my work. The 011av is my "construction" saw for cutting posts or building material type stuff and general chores since it's pretty rough and was free. The pro mac650 is kind of a play toy but gets bigger bucking and noodle duty The Dolmar 133 gets used in the big wood for felling, bucking and noodling
Never having a "jones" for "creamsicles", my options have always been wide-ranging and wide-open, with wallet not depleted. Knocking it down to 1, 2, or 3 very much depends on whether we're talking limbing, felling & bucking, or felling/bucking/limbing, and/or milling, and how far from vehicular access. And, being very much interested in tool longevity, none have been mucked about with (modified). Except for milling all of the perps listed are very variable- a spice of life thing. Of importance transcending all else, any saw called to duty will have razor-sharp hand-filed chains mounted and as-spares. 1-saw: Dolly 6100 for general purpose, RedMax GZ4000 for under 14" and/or more than 1/2 mi on foot. 2-saw: mostlikely Dolly 6100 (24") and RedMax GZ4000; bigger stems- Dolly 6100 & Husqy 576XP-AT w/28-32". Slower hikes here. 3-saw: Tanaka polesaw to provide haircut for top. Maybe PP5020 w/16" and Dolly 6100 w/24" or Husqy 576 XP-AT w/28-32" Milling: Dolly 6100 w/24" (edging/ripping) & Husqy 576 XP-AT (slabbing). Listening to Ashokan for availability of 395XP.
Redmax? Ive never seen a redmax chainsaw, no surprise since i live in the lesser populated region of oregon. Is redmax a rebadged husky? I do plan on breaking out of the pnw world of stihl and husqvarna on my next cad attack. Gona roll with a dolly 6100 just to see if what i read is true.
RedMax saws made by Komatsu Zenoah, apparently no longer sold in US. Acquired by Husqvarna in 2007 for their stratified-scavenging technology, as seen in "XT" (read "strato") Husqvarna saws. Seems most Husqy blowers are actually RedMax designs, with red resin. GZ4000 is low-cost, very light, pro-quality build, low fuel-consumption. Excels at limbing and all sorts of cutting where you have a long hike. Real die-hard creamsicle-lovers have been known to be totally smitten by Dolly 6100. That saw's also Dolmar's first "strato". Bud described it on first trying it as "badass". Like the GZ4000, it also has excellent A/V and pro-quality & power at farm/ranch price. Works great in "MiniMill". Here's an easy one- you'll love it, and have a hard time not smirking at price tags on 362 stihls.
So redmax saws were made by komatsu, thats interesting. I thought komatsu was only into heavy equipment.
Need to edit my 3 saw plan. Scored a 362 last week. The 361 will be retiring. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 361 was my 1 saw plan for 13 years. I had a 18 and 25" bar for it. Cut ALOT of wood. Then i picked up a 261 CM. Only used the 361 for felling after that. Then i picked up a 441CM last year. Its just used for felling and bucking big rounds. The 261 does 90% of my cutting. Honestly the 361 was all i needed, it was just getting older and had quite a few hours so i figured i better get a backup.
There is no possible way I could make firewood with only 3 saws. Gotta have at least 7 or 8 at all times.
Ordered my MS 261 CM today, with 18" bar...have a mint 290 Farm Boss w 20" bar for sale...not in a hurry cause I really need 3 saws right? My 018 has been nothing but flawless, for limbing and light bucking...it's a ripper...
Finally filled in my blank in my saw plan and traded my 391 for a 260 PRO. I got an additional $50 out of the deal because my saw was newer. Having a little bit of traders remorse over the deal. Both saws are in great shape, everything checked out in the 260, I pulled the muffler and piston is like glass! I know the 260 will fit my needs more, and I will get more use out of it, just hate to get rid of a saw. Let me know if I did OK on the deal and feel free to rip me a new one if I got screwed! She needs to be cleaned up, but here's some pics.
I am on a 2 saw plan: 346XP with an 18" bar and a 372XP with a 24" bar (I actually have two 372's but you get my point) If I had to go to a one saw plan I'd probably look at the 550XP as an all around saw with an 18" or a 20" bar. If I added to my 2 saw plan I'm kind of torn between going bigger with 3120XP only for milling slabs; my 372XP will cut down any tree I need to cut, or going smaller to a T540XP for limbing or possibly some climbing (although the older I get the more chicken I am of climbing) In reality, my current two-saw plan is just about perfect for me!
Story goes, cylinder of GZ4000 is a real industrial masterpiece. Seems they really put effort into the design. It's also apparently the first available "strato" saw. R&D takes serious commitment for that. Only problem of any significance I've had with the saw is the fuel line. It cracked lengthwise at both ends. Bit of a PITA to connect new one at carb end. And ... local dealers suck- nothing new there. My bet is the saw will outlive me by a lot. Just gotta keep an eye on bud who looks at it longingly. :')
