Looking to purchase new Husky

Last time I checked a 395 power head was around 17.4 lbs. So only 1 lb heavier than his current Echo that he’s used to using. The difference in power would be night and day though. It is a big saw, I’m just not sure Jrider is up to the task of swinging that beast around smiling while building Popeye forearms

 

Hahaha I’d have to disagree on that one point. Jrider isn’t afraid of work in the least. If the saw isn’t as heavy as the dickens he’ll think he got ripped off LOL. JK All your other points in this thread have been spot on and informative.

Personally a 395 would wear me out fast. I’m a physical wreck.
A ported 572 would feel half the weight and I’m guessing be enough oomph for most logs unless your milling.

As a side note what I’ve never seen discussed is clutches,,,,,tho you mentioned them. What I’m referring to is the strength or grabbiness of the clutch in stock configuration. I’ve seen saws that just don’t have enough clutch for the engine like my little Dolmar 501. I understand it’s a homeowner grade saw but I just use it as an example.
Chain constantly grabbed and stopped spinning,,,,,when it ran which wasn’t often.
Just recently saw a ported big boy husky for sale. Can’t recall the exact model, 390 or 395. But the ad said it had a new 372 clutch in it. I would think that would be way under scaled for a ported 80- 90 cc class.
Just strikes me odd that with all the improvement to saw technology the clutch is overlooked.

 

Yeah I’m not worried about a one pound difference for the type of cutting I do. Almost all of what I cut is at or near waist level sitting on the fork of the tractor. That makes for an easy way to sling a heavy saw around and yes, the 395 is only 1.1 pounds heavier. Interesting about the clutches though. These are the things I don’t know about so that’s good information to have. a
And since porting has been brought up, roughly how much does it cost to have done? Would a 72cc saw run more like an 80cc? Does it have more power or is it just faster? Would a long bar big it down any different?

 

Give huskihl a jingle on the porting. Great builder even betterer person.

 

Yes, a 72cc would out cut an 80cc. Typically about 40% gains. More power and faster go hand in hand. Mine have cost anywhere from $200 (no shipping involved) to $250 + parts (swapped out intake tract from a larger cc model) and shipping. I milled with my 394 before porting w/ a 50"bar. It cut through maple pretty easy. After the work, I was able to run the rakers lower so it cuts much faster.
I have quite a few Huskys and have run more than I can count @ GTG's and such. I've never run one that was under clutched. Even ported...

 

This^^^^
He has done 2 of ours. Our STIHL 362 pulls a 28" bar really well.

 

Just be aware I’m not a professional saw guy, not even an apprentice. I’m just spitballin here

 

Lets consider the following:

*Jrider gets most of his wood from tree service companies in log form. So he will be mainly just bucking. Holding a heavy saw sideways to fell trees sounds like it will not happen very much. Also, much of his wood will be large diameter stuff.

*He processes 150-200 full cord a year. A lot of wood for any saw

*He is already used to a heavy 80cc saw.

*He has smaller saws I believe for small bucking and occasional limbing

*He is pretty set on a Husky for dealer support and initial purchase reasons

With these considerations in mind, lets get down to brass tax.

We can skip over the "casual/homeowner" and "all around" lines and jump right into the professional saws lineup.

We can conclude the 70ish cc class is probably going to cause buyers remorse. So out goes the 365, 372, 565 and 576.

The 3120 is too big/heavy and expensive for what he is looking to do.

That leaves us with the 390 and 395. I don't see the 385 in their new lineup, so that may not be an option.

The pros to the 390 are:

*1 lb less weight, so slightly easier handling
*Approx. $100 savings in cost
*Will use slightly less gas, although cuts will take longer, so maybe not

The cons to the 390 are:

*Less power to pull big bars
*Not as good in milling if he does any of that
*Not as time proven as the 395

The pros to the 395 are:

*Bigger power, so better for longer bars and milling
*Long Proven history of putting smiles on peoples faces

The cons to the 395 are:

*More weigh to handle
*More initial cost
*Possibly more fuel consumption

At the end of the day, they both weigh within a lb of your Echo, but will both easily outshine the Echo in performance. Personally, if you were doing more take downs, I would recommend the 390 due to lighter weight/easier handling. Since you primarily buck, the 395 will put a huge smile on your face.

The winner for me would be the 395. A ported smaller saw is also an option, but the 395 has the cool factor. If your going to get a 70cc saw and spend 200-300 to have it ported, I'd just buy a 95cc saw and be done with it.

 

You sir have seemed to hit the nail on the head. While I’m intrigued about the possibility of a ported 372, if I’m going to spend the same money then I like your reasoning of why not just get the 395. If anyone else has more to add to this, I would appreciate it. My knowledge on chainsaws isn’t nearly what some of yours are.

 

I’m a fan of the 572 and 395. The ported 572 will have more hp and chain speed than a stock 395 with up to a 24” bar or so. Above that, it’s hard to beat the 395

 

Just sayin’

lol

 

I have an idea.


Shaun does awesome work with big Huskys.

 

Lol

 

I like the second video. He gives zero F’s and cuts in shorts like I do! Haha

 

I have a ported 562xp that has good power for a 60cc. I also have a ported 390xp and a ported 343xp, all good saws but I IGH they a 572xp sometime and get it ported and maybe sell the 390. I’ll see. Oh and I cut in shorts in the summer. I usually don’t mention it though. It’s not safe I know.

 

Im in the shorts and no socks club with jrider too. Spent a month in Mississippi three years ago and havent worn socks since. If the snows over a foot deep I will but have t seen much of that lately.

 

Sawdust in my boots drives me crazy!