Finding the right chain saw

I used one about that size a lot, but if I only had one saw I would go bigger. Stihl 026 is roughly the same size as the ms260 and ms261 models, updated versions of the same basic saw if I understand it correctly.

 

Sounds like a fair deal for a decent 026. That's a 50cc saw, and a good one.

 

What's wrong with your current husqvarna? If you're looking to step up to a new saw id say a 545 would suit you quite well for 18" trees. The 026 is a nice saw too

 

This is a lot of great jnfo. Thank you guys
My current saw is a friend of a friends so I want to get away from that just incase something happens.

 

If you want new, 3-400 bucks would get you an ms251, which is not a bad firewood saw. Plenty of people cut all their firewood with a similar saw. Bump up your budget a little and you could get a husqvarna 545, or if you want stihl: a 271 or 291. These aren't really pro saws, but will serve you well if you take care of them. I cut a good deal of wood with a 291, and it works just fine for me. And that includes some pretty large (30"+) oak

 

stihl model numbers don't really tell you the size in cc like husqvarna (husky) does.

huksy's will have 3 or 4 digit numbers. if its older it will have just 2 or three.

for example, husky 51 is about 51cc, and the husky 55, or 55 rancher is the tad bigger model at 53.7cc and both are fairly old now, about the same age as the 026. most of the two digit models are homeowner or mid range farm type saws in that era. Now, where there are 3 digits, such as a 262, 261, 268, 272xp the 2 means its the second generation, then the last two are the size in CC.

same thing with the 3 series saws, the 350 is the 3 generation, 50cc (or fairly close depending on year). 351, 353 are heavy duty version of the same saw.
365 would be 65cc and the 3rd generation.

the homeowner models in the 4 series are not that fantastic of saws, such as the 440, 455 and 460 rancher. the 5 series is the newest, XP designates a pro model, but there are quite a few that are almost identical,

such as the 545 and 550xp. by husky standards you'd think one was 45cc and one was 50cc, but that is not the case here, they are the exact same saw, except a couple minor difference and 100-150 price difference, and the non pro 545 has all orange vs the 550 that has silver covers.

the 562xp is the midrange pro screamer.. its also expensive, this would be ideal for only having one saw. Get a shorter bar for most use and have a longer one for those instances where you need a bigger bar.. now the 555 is the "homeowner" version of the saw, just like the 545 and 550, the 555 is the same saw as the 562 minus a few difference and 100-150 dollar price difference.

same thing in the 365XT and 372xp. They are the exact same motor, but there is a restrictor on the 365 that makes it run darn good, but 5 minutes worth of work will turn it into a 372xp for 200-250bucks cheaper.

Depending on your size of the average trees you'll be cutting, will determine what size saw you will need and want. A lot of us here are crazy and have way too many saws so it is hard for a lot of people to suggest just one saw. I will say this, I cut firewood for 12 years with a 365 husqvarna. Its still made today. I used an 18" bar for most of my duties, and had a 28" for a few huge trees I had to take down long before I found forums on the internet. that still is a great saw, but the 555/562xp have both surpassed the value and performance. it is also lighter, and as a firewood cutter a few pounds here and there make a difference after all day cutting. likewise, if you are cutting smaller stuff on average, the 545/550xp would be excellent also. it jut depends on what you think you will realistically be cutting, but after you hang around here for awhile, you'll have small, medium and large saws and will be cutting more wood just to justify your saws...

I'd get a 545/550xp with a 16" bar and have a 20" for bigger stuff, or if you think you'll normally be cutting 20"+ trees, go with a 555/562xp with a 20" and get a 24" or 28" bar for those rare instances. A lot of what you buy will depend on what you have for supporting dealers close to you. Nothing wrong with Stihl, Husqvarna or dolmar, or echo. Echo is probably the best bang for the buck. Dolmar saws are sized similar to husky's 5105 is 51cc, 6401 is 64cc, 7901 is 79cc. echo uses a 3 digit number, CS400 is 40cc, CS450 is 45cc, CS590 is 59cc, CS680 is 68cc and likewise as I"m not up on the current models. you want a minimum of 50cc for a useful firewood saw, and I'd get into the 60cc myself. there is extra power to cut bigger stuff when needed. 70cc and larger is expensive pro stuff that most firewood people don't really need, but all of us here do. lol.

oh, and for size comparisons on stilhl's. the Zero models are older than 2003. in 2003 stihl changed their numbering system, so a 026 in 2002 was an MS260 in 2003, or 044 turned into a MS440 (MS is motor sagen, however its spelled in german, meaning chain saw). There is nothing wrong with an older pro saw in any brand, but the older it is, the more maintenance work will need to be done. For your first saw, I'd look into buying new just because a lot of people sell saws when they have problems with them and you don't want someone else's problem to be yours when you are trying to cut down a tree or put wood in the woodshed. once you have a grasp, then buying used is a good way to get a lot more saw for your money.
026/MS260/261 is 50-51cc
036/360/361/361 is 62-64cc
044/440/441 is 71cc
046/460/461 is 76-77cc.

Sorry for the long winded post. Welcome to FHC. just call me Freak, or Steve

 

If one saw & varying trees sizes
I like a 20" bar on a 60 cc saw
IMO , the all around , middle of the road saw for firewood.

60 cc :
Ms311 , I think is the Stihl &
the Husqvarna 555,
Real good in performance & midrange in price .
Husqy might be a bit lighter in weight.

New , you might have to come up $100 or so but
if you cut as much as you plan, a good mid range 60 cc &. 20" bar will
do almost anything you'd need. Good power & reliability.
With some general maintenance, last 10 to 20 years

Used is a good way to go if you are a little saw savvy
New you get a warrantee & service for a year.

we have several saw gurus here.
When you narrow it down , one of them probably has one or had it.
They can give you the pros & cons

 

If your handy enough to change the fuel and impulse lines I'd say get that 026. But not for more then 150.

Then look for a 372xp or 440/044.


If you want new the 555/562 or ms362 -- over budget but awesome one saw plan

 

I would ask dexterday if he's ready to part with one of the 036s he just picked up. 60cc and will run a 20" bar fine. It will compliment the husky you're using right now.

 

If you have a Dolmar dealer near by check them out,just as good as Stihl or Husky but a lot less money.

 

You are in my CL area, so I've seen that saw and it looks rather used. It is a good saw, but I don't know about dropping $200 on a well used 026 unless you know what you are looking for.

There is a guy in Freetown, MA (southcoast CL) who always has a bunch of saws to sell, and he does this as his hobby so he rebuilds properly. I think he posts on AS, so he knows what he is talking about. If I were a one saw plan on a budget I'd be looking for a used Husqvarna 365 all the way. Can be had for a reasonable price ($300+-) and can handle 18" bar regularly and up to 24" when needed. With your budget I think stepping up to a new pro grade 60cc class would be hard.

My 2 cents, good luck and welcome.

 

Welcome to th FHC I have a nice husqvarna 55 in the FHC classifieds for 250 shipped if interested send me a PM

 

To the OP - if you are considering the used route (best choice for me personally), you need to assess your mechanical skills - if you are looking to buy a saw to use and not work on for a long while, go new - many used saws will need a little work here and there and diagnosing those fixes is a big part of the solution - most of the wrench twisting is pretty straightforward with some experience. Cheers!

 

This is good advice. I can fix things, my problem just comes at the diagnosis stage, which kind of stops the process cold

Luckily though, you've signed up on a fantastic site with lots of good info, and I'm sure these guys can help you through working on any saw you buy if you aren't 2 cycle inclined, like me

 

You won't hear that from me.

Best bang for the buck is the Echo CS590.

If you are budget minded, Husky 545 or 555.

My choice, Husky 550XPG or 562XPG.

 

I think the pertinent question for the OP would be "how much?"