Which new chainsaw to buy?

Um..... Get your checkbook out

Dats a significant amount of cutting. 15 to 20 cords at 128cuft per cord?
Gulp. Must look like Popeye!

 

Husky 562 would really suit your needs.

 

Ya its a pretty good workout. I'm at 15 cords since last october. Still have at least three more I have to get done for this season.

 

I have a few of those PP5020/Craftsman saws...price was right, but 20" bar is on the large side for about any 50cc saw if the bar is fully buried...would do better with a 60cc on 20"...and I second the suggestion to go to 70cc for a 24"

 

I agree with the majority here. 24" bar needs 70cc to pull effectively. I'm a Stihl guy, but have run some really nice Echo saws. Go pro grade if you can. Husky makes good saws as well, I'm just not that knowledgeable about them. Good dealer support is key.

 

Cool topic that I never get tired of talking about. So if you already have a 50cc saw, a 60cc saw usually isn't that big a step up from a 50cc in power. Any multisaw approach usually works best if the saws are roughly 20cc apart in size. So a common 3 saw plan might look like 50cc, 70cc, 90cc or 30cc, 50cc, 70cc. Start on the tree with the small saw and switch as the wood gets bigger.

I totally agree with you likely needing a 70cc saw for 24" work, and 15-20 full cords of wood a year would be pro saw territory. Any of the pro style saws from Stihl, Husky, Echo, and Dolmar would fit the bill and last a long time.

Comes down to what your used to and how good your dealer is (if you don't wrench on your own stuff). A lot of it is personal preference though.

I personally don't care for the 60cc saw class. It's a do everything adequately saw size. A tweener or a good 1 saw plan if you will. Are they bad saws? Heck no. It just doesn't fit my philosophy of use. Why use a stihl 362 or husky 562 when a stihl 462 only weighs a half pound more and has more power.

 

Because of the sticker price of that 462. What they ask for it, I could buy a 395 (@94cc).

 

Yes that's about the only reason not to though. You and I have a use for a 395 most fellas don't though. 572 would be another saw I'd recommend in this situation. Great saw! Dolmar/makita 7301, 7910 would get ya a lot of saw for the money too.

 

I'd be looking at the Echo CS-590. It's quite a saw for about $400. I don't own one, but a friend does.

 

I couldn’t agree more with Barcroftb
Cutting 15-20 cord a year and needing a 24” bar is pro saw 70 cc all day long!

I personally can’t believe how your 50cc craftsman is still alive after that much use!

 

This is the second year I have done over 15 cords, previous years probably around 10, and I think the saw is starting to feel it. I burn about 7 per year and have enough buyers now that to sell as many as I can fit on my property, which is about 8 to season and then a couple quick moving green cords. A new saw will come when I sell off my cords in October. Need the 24" bar and sounds like I need to think about 70cc.

 

What size bar?
I’ve hear many guys say it’ll wear a 24” no problem.

 

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be in pro saw. You are certainly processing enough and then when you add noodling you are just adding even more saw time. Every manufacturer has pros and cons, but Husky and Stihl seem to be the go-to saws for most. However, Echo gets many favorable comments and I was told has a five year warranty. You can probably buy 2 Echos for the cost of a new 70cc Stihl. (Stihl MS462c 25 inch bar is $1139.00) I just jumped into the same saw with the 28 inch light bar for $1199.00 and added a 25 inch bar/chain for less than the other way around. If interested, ask your dealer for the package price. For me, it's all about the closest dealer with the best reputation. The closest Husky dealer is 40 miles away and I have 4 Stihl dealers within 15 miles. Dolmar and Makita are not heard of in my area. I would love to try a Dolmar.

 

I had a 24” on it when I got my 562. It will pull and oil it well enough but probably asking quite a bit from it for extended use. I really like it with a 20”. So a 572 if you’re running a 24” a lot. Or 562 with a 20” and a spare 24” bar for occasional “need” more bar times

 

How about I suggest the "Toyota" option too?

Makita/ dolmar.

A dolkita 6100 might be a really nice saw for you.
I really like my Makita 6421, but but it's a little heavy for a 64cc saw, it won't we any more as an 80cc saw and be light for the class. A 6100 would be light for the class.

Take a look at home Depot, they sell ex rental saws for good deals. I got my 6421 there, it looked barely used for $300. This 64cc saw cuts as quickly, if not a little quicker than my buddy's magnum 460 which is an 80cc saw. It weighs less than that magnum too. Both these saws have 20" bars with the same chains.

 

These are my 3 saws - 390 xp 36" Bar, 562 xp 24 " bar and a 439 16" bar.
Use the 390 for wood over 24".
I like the 24" bar on the 562. That way I don't have to bend over on the smaller stuff.
The 439 I use for limbing.


On the 562, in some 24 to 28" rounds, I use skip tooth chain. The dealer says if the saw is not lugging down, the 24" bar is not a problem.

 

Well then, take a look at the dolmar/ Makita 6421 or the 7300 series. You can always buy a home Depot ex rental 6421 and if you need more power ( probably doubtful unless it wears that 24" bar) you can throw in a 73cc or 80cc top end kit for not much money, and have a saw that is I believe lighter and definitely less money than what used 462 will run. I think it will cut faster than the 462 as well.

 

Well, dolmar is owned by Makita. Find a Makita dealer. Should be pretty simple. I had no issue finding them. home Depot sells them.

 

Good looking saws. Wish I was looking at a few big logs to cut, I'm in need.

 

Juniper Hill since your making money cutting a new saw is definitely a need not a want. Get the best 70+ cc saw you can afford. You might be able to find a good used on with some time. Having a bigger faster saw should make you much more productive and potential for more &&&&. Save the 50cc craftsman for trim/limb. A good pro saw should last you through your cutting years!!!