Lacking a Ballsy Chainsaw

Take this fwiw, I'm a Stihl guy all the way because they're good saws, hold value & I have a really good dealer close by. MS 261 is a fine saw that will serve you well. All that said, Echo, Husky, & Makita all make fine saws also. In my experience, dollar for cc for longevity Echo is a very good buy. CS 590 as stated is affordable, makes good power & very reliable. Dealer quality & support is a huge factor unless you do your own repairs.

 

The echo cs 590 is probably the best saw for $400 ... however imho you just can’t beat a PRO STIHL ... especially if it has undergone “surgery”

 

Or a Makita 6421. Remember, you can get a good used one from home depot for about $300.

 

I'd rather have a slightly smaller pro grade saw than a larger farm and ranch saw. The 211(9.55lbs) is close in weight to a MS261(10.8lbs). Those two don't make a good 2 saw plan. So you could sell the 211 and use the extra money to get MS362. If you want keep the 211 and stay in the $600 range the 261 is going to be the biggest pro saw in that budget. If you are willing to get a used saw you could find a 044/MS440 or 046/MS460 or maybe a 066/MS660.

 

Some good advise here. Lots of folks have been where you are and have bought a variety of saws, and there are several two saw plans combos that you will keep seeing surface from time to time. A common Stihl two saw plan is the 261 and 461. There are other manufacture combos. These are the 50cc and 70 cc range. All I can tell you is that you will be satisfied with a added expense of a 261. Sticking with pro saws are expensive, compared to the homeowner and farm saws. Look back at your experience with the 211. When initially purchased the 211 was sufficient, but now its leaving you wanting a better saw. I would suggest looking weight and hp and what combo will fit your needs. What bars do you want to run, what powerhead will give that flexibility. You may want to decide what suits your needs, does a one saw or two saw plan work better for you. With some thought and research you can come up with a good plan and start building toward that goal.

1 saw plan ms362
2 saw plan ms 261 and 461

While in a totally different place, I found myself with 3 pro saws-034 super and 2x 036's. They are great saws, and have earned their keep season after season, worth the dough. I found my way of gathering wood changing some. I bought a 261 back in October, its a great saw, then I turned around a bought a 441 for bucking. Liked the 261 so much I found a super nice ported 026 hustihl here on FHC, liked that saw so much that I stopped using the 261. The ported saw bug caught me, so I bought a ported 461 MMWS here on FHC. I sent the 261 to hustihl for porting, just so that I can start using it again. The 441 with take a ride to be ported, soon enough.

While a ported saw is not for everyone, they are impressive. Not sure how long you have been part of FHC there are good used saws from reputable stand up members for sale. A little research and asking (like you have) you can get some great advise, and maybe a good deal if your looking for it.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Wherein upstate ny are you? I can make a few recommendations on where to buy. If you can wait, the summer logging shows have great discounts on new saws.

 

I really like my Husqvarna 555 but I have not owned the other saws to compare to it. The 555 is a 60cc saw and mine is carrying a 20" bar with no trouble at all.

 

What’s the difference between the 555 and the 562 ? Seems like they share the same cylinder

 

They share a lot. The 555 is an auto tune variation that is not quite as highly tuned as the 562. If you check the stock power ratings the 562 is slightly higher rated although they share displacement. I chose not to pay the extra for the 562 when I bought mine.

 

I wouldn’t even look at 50cc,go to 60cc and you can be under $600 with some and a little over with others.I would tell you to go to 70cc but they are out of budget for you

 

I agree. Using the term " ballsy" to me means 60cc at the bare minimum.

 

Located in Rochester. I'm not aware of any of the logging shows nearby, other than an annual lumberjack festival I've never been to but I think that's more competition type stuff.

 

What is this get together you speak of?

 

Doubt i'd need to get into the 70cc class. I'm cutting firewood and taking down the occasional small or manageable tree. 50cc class would be fine but if I could get into the 60cc range for not much more $$$ then why not.

 

60cc pro-saw with 20" bar is the ultimate 1-saw plan firewood machine. If you have one of these, I doubt you'd ever pick up that 211 again (unless you were physically unable to hoist the 60cc saw). Unless you are regularly getting into 30"+ trees you don't "need" a bigger saw.

If it were me, I'd dump the 211 and put that money toward the budget, which would easily get you into a nice 60cc saw in your favorite color.

 

Mint STIHL MS362c available ... big-dogs ,chain catcher , buckshot tuned exhaust , comes with x-tra Razer chain !

 

Here’s the saw with 18” bar buried in wny red-oak ... it’s a “ballsy saw” for sure !

 

You are in NY, we have lots of ways of getting firewood. Tree services dump larger sections off their trucks for free, in your yard. It would be a missed opportunity if you didnt have a saw to use for the larger stuff.

The upstate NY GTG happens to be one of the best places for you to get to. You can try every single saw that anyone brings ............ and there is going to be a boatload of them there.



The GTG is held at:
Ashokan Turf and Timber. Bob is the owner and he has great deals happening all of the time. You can call or stop by anytime as well

For your leisure time ..........
Upstate NY GTG 2017 - Sunday April 23rd - Greenwich, NY (Albany)

 

I scrounge all my wood, I have relationships with tree services around town and not lacking in that dept. Just looking for saw suggestions in the mid range. That event sounds cool, would like to check it out but quite honestly I'm not going to drive the nearly 300 miles to get there. I'd be more likely to buy used from a trusted member of this forum.