Been thinking I'd may get a tri-axle load of logs at some point as firewood has been harder to get and getting expensive so just considering my options..
Think you're referring to MM's Stihl at $550.00? Yeah that's an awesome saw but that's more than I want to spend.. I would absolutely love to own that saw though!
My brother married a gal up in michigan and takes care of a 40 acre farm. wood is his primary heat.. he bought the 455 rancher without calling me, basically he needed a saw quick. He didn't like it. It worked for cutting some of his stuff, but complained it was heavy and slow. I told him to look for a 50cc saw in pro grade for what he wanted and he bought an 026. I did a small port on it and he loves it. last year when he came down for Turkey day, I sent a husqvarna 365 home with him with a 20" and 24" bar... He uses that for anything over 18-20" and the 026 for anything under. The 455 got sold. A used pro grade 60-70cc saw will do you much better imo, but I also cut a lot of wood. for a normal person only needing one saw, it might be ok. he also ran my 550xp last year and couldn't believe how strong it was stock... well he bought a 545 this summer and stock they are almost identical in power in 16" wood or less.
The 455 is pretty much the same saw. I have one on my bench that has what looks like a bunch of time on it. The piston is scored, and the bearing cage is busted in the crankshaft. It's not worth repairing. What looks like a lot of time on that saw turned out not to be that much either. The owner told me it's still on the first bar......so it didn't last too long. Shop around for a good used saw. These guys will help.
Ray, I have something else coming if you aren't in a hurry. Not new, but it's a little bigger than the 261, and should be a little less $$.
No hurry here just thinking of the future.. I do like Stihl equipment as the 023 has served me well..
I had a 455 (same saw as stated above, just a few less cc) and it was a heavy saw for the size. The 460 may fit your needs and last numerous years. But... For $350-$400 you can have a very nice mid size (60 cc-70 cc) pro saw. Several different places to look if you really want one. I have seen a Husq 272 recently for under $300. MasterMech will have a saw coming up soon and I will have a couple 036's coming soon. Well, one may be spoken for. Both for less than what that 460 is. And all the saws mentioned will pull a 24" bar better and be lighter while doing it (and worth rebuilding 10-20 years from now).
If a guy wants a 'new' firewood saw, there is no better than a 545 or 555 for the money... No way I'd buy a 455 or 460!
Very true Don. The 545 is a bargain. Also worth mentioning is that I've never seen any of the 545/550 saws with carb issues.
For the big stuff... 98cc! Not many of those big ones left around here, either. Those trees in the picture are Douglas Firs... I'm only 100 miles from the redwoods if I want to see some really big trees!