If you had to choose one saw, and only one saw, what would it be? Why would you choose that one? Post pics if you want!
An MS 460. . Big enough to run a 36" skip tooth or put a 16" and be a great limber. All joking aside, the Stihl MS 362C or the Husq 562xp would be the 2 best choices. The 60 cc class is great for a one saw type of guy. The 562xp may have a slight speed advantage, but the outboard clutch would make your pinched saw, a pinched saw. With the Stihl, you can just take the powerhead off the bar, put a different bar on, and retrieve your pinched bar.
A 60cc saw - can I have more than one bar size? If I had to keep only one of my saws, the 262xp. But I'd give the Husq 555/562xp if I had to choose new (still leery on autotune, but.....). I liked my MS362, but didn't get enough run time on it to really have a solid opinion - my 262xp fell in my lap soon after I bought the MS362, so sold the Stihl. I cut enough larger wood that I'd want a saw that could pull a 20" bar well - but I don't need (yes, I do want) 70+cc for what I cut. They are still light enough to work smaller logs and limb without too much trouble (but I'd miss a smaller limbing saw). Since you asked for a pic, here's a pic of my 262xp when I thought I might sell - luckily decided to KEEP! Cheers!
I have my MS-361 and it is a good fit for me, but if I could choose a different one, I'd take a 461. I've never ran one, but I want more power.
I'd love a 461 too - would be great to have a bigger saw in the line-up, but not sure if I'd want a big saw as my only saw. Haven't ran one though - if I did, might make a convert! Cheers!
My 360 Pro would be the choice for me. A little big for a limber, but big enough to "eventually" handle any trees remaining on my property. The question is sort of moot though ................ what person in their right mind would only own one saw, no one saw can be the best for all situations. Sort of like only having one wife .
Depends on the variables each person comes across...... But in mine I could get away with my 034/036/ or 362 for most 98% of the wood I come across. But it wouldn't be ideal in the too 25-30%, but do able. The 046...What I got to run of mine it would compliment a 2 saw setup. Just a bit big and heavy in my hands, great power, but not my choice for a one man band saw.
The 361 and the new 362C don't compare. I've had over a dozen 036/360's and 2 mint 361's and ran 2 Old edition 362's. The new C model (Mrontic) 362 is an amazing saw! Wil run a 24" bar if needed, but is also a pretty light saw with a 16" bar on it.
I am shrinking my line up down to 4 saws. 3 are Mtronic. The 460 I am keeping just because it's one of the best running saws I have ran. Period. Even before porting, it ran better than the other 2 460's I have owned. 261C (need to buy) 362C (needs ported yet ) 441C (Wow!!) 460 Mag (Triple Wow!!!!!! )
Had to laugh at this one Joe... All I could think of was CADS slamming the chainsaw guys with 10 or more saws... deciding which saw was THE ONE... you gudda be kidding... ... gonna be a lotta therapy hapnin now...
Jonsered 2171/Husqvarna 371. The only time I "needed" a second saw is when trimming 9 acres of overgrown apple orchard from the ground so that it could be brush hogged. Only had the 371 with me and that sucked.
Having run (for the 60cc class anyway) the stihl 034 s, echo cs600 and husky 460 I think if I had the choice the echo wins. The stihl has the best power but in my experience I have to constantly fiddle with the fuel air and it drive me nuts... The husky is nice no question and comes close second for me however I hate the feel when using it. The echo is less power no question but having a lot of echo equipment I can say they just work without a lot of tuning. All that said I really like the nearby service from stihl since the new shop opened and for that reason I have been keeping the 034s. Going way off topic my favorite saw ever is the 021 it just gets better every time I use it!
For those of us without our own woodlots, I think one of the more convincing arguments for a big (70+ cc) saw is that they're uncommon enough that having one gives you a big advantage over other scroungers. The average guy with an MS290 looks at a 3' oak trunk, then down at his saw, then back at the 3' oak and says, "nah." Even though a smaller saw is nicer to carry around and would suffice 90% of the time, not having to rush to get there first is worth quite a bit.
After seeing birddog's ported 562, that would probably be my choice for a single saw plan. Is the 562 a small or large bar mount?