Need (want) a bigger saw

I dont see a signature line. What saws do you own/run?

 

I have a dozen or so old McCulloch's, mostly 10-10's, a few 610's and a couple Super Pro 60's. Then I've got a couple 461's, a couple 660's, a 500i, a MS 390, a Huskihl ported 394, a Husky 3120, and a couple Echo 355T top handle saws.

All the pro saws are only muffler modded and Maxflow air filtered, besides the 394.

A bit of a variety.

 

I haven't picked one up yet. My signature line is way outdated. It would take up too much space with all my stuff. 5 trucks, 6 trailers, 6 tractors,15 saws,3 splitters. You get the idea. I may have a hoarding issue beyond firewood.

 

We your friends amateur cutter, understand your addictions. In our ongoing efforts to be supportive please remember to keep posting

 

Quite alright AC...we're your support group here.

 

I think you’d be really impressed with the Husky 585/592. Operating platform should be similar to what you already have and from what I’ve seen they are built like tanks ready to cut for years.

I like Stihl saws just as much as other saws, and my line up is predominantly stocked with Stihl saws, but the 500i is hideously over priced/rated in my mind. It’s hard for me to get with all the hype on it. Probably has something to do with the fact that my ported 7910s cost less and out perform the 500i. Sadly I cannot recommend a Dolmar/Makita either since they have foolishly decided to discontinue gas power saw production. I’m glad I have 3 7900/7910s and plan on those saws lasting me a very long time.

The 592/585 will out perform both the 500i and 7910. That’s at hundreds less than the 500i for 13.5 extra cc of power with the 592.

For all you Stihl heads pass on the creamsicle flavored 500i koolaid and grab the tried and true 661. Of course all this assumes we are talking 28+” wood. Sure a ported 500i can hang with the bigger saws in smaller wood but when you start talking bigger stuff there really is no replacement for displacement.

Having said all that you can read other folks opinions online until your blue in the face, but you’re best served trying before you buy. If you have a few dealers in the area that have wood for testing that’s the easiest, but otherwise making it to a gtg is the best way to try a variety of saws in a friendly environment.

 

I thought I was going have to hit the dislike button until I read the last seven words here.

 

Meh hit the dislike button all you like. I run my saws daily all day to make a living. That shadow hanging from the tree in my avatar is me. Heck the only reason I’m even on here right now is it’s a rainy shop day here.

I’ve put many hours on just about most every pro saw out there and many non “pro” saws in my 25 year career. It’s just my opinion but it certainly isn’t based on a lack of experience or a keyboard cowboy attitude either.

I probably have as many hours running a saw in any given year as most do in ten. I’ve certainly spent enough time with the saws I mentioned to make an informed judgment. I don’t own a 500i, and it isn’t for a lack of funds either. So what? If it’s the greatest saw ever the way you fellers seem to think, then why can’t it out cut a similar sized saw that was designed 30 years ago?

It’s cool that you really like the 500i. They are nice saws. Maybe we’ll cross paths sometime at a gtg. I’d happily put my 7910 up against your 500i. Better yet we can run my Tree monkey 066 or heck even a xs661 straight up against your 500i in big wood with long bars. Then we can laugh about it over a frosty beverage after. I'm happy to have what I wrote proven wrong but I’m sure it won’t be.

At the end of the day there probably isn’t anything I can say to change your mind and I highly doubt you’ll change my experience informed opinion either, however, those who don’t know any better have a right to hear both sides of the tale.

 

You are obviously a pro , I am just a no body and obviously have no clue.
Do you drive a ford too?


Go easy on me , just messing with you! All in fun.

Seroiusly , I am just a guy who cuts to offset my heating cost and the fun that goes with it being outside , running saws ( even though it might be a Stihl ).
I give you credit where credit is due and give you a thumbs up for being able to do it all day long. It is not an easy job and does have it's hazards to go with it.

Stay safe.

 

I priced the 500i, deffinitely not happening. Those things are spendy!
I m going to try BuZZsaw BRAD's saw, and see where 70cc takes me, maybe with an eye toward having it tweaked if need be.
If thats not an option, then yes a foray into 90cc 585/595 range sounds like a blast.

The idea of using the smallest tool with the most pepper, is a good one. I dont ragularly encounter a log deck of large trees like I have in front of me now, and I may not again. But if this new saw gets a smaller bar, I bet she will see some use beyond this job.

Thanks for some awesome wisdom and advice. And redirection.
That is what makes this forum awesome.

I will try to take before and after pics of above mentioned experiment with a 70cc saw.

Sca

 

Thats great you can try his to get some idea of what you are up against.
Keep us posted. I am sure that more than just myself would be curious on what you decide to do.

 

I don’t mind the ball busting. It was expected, and I’ll happily return serve. I have all the respect in the world for all you weekend horders. You fellers are out there mostly on your free time living it up. Even though I do split and stack in my free time the last thing I usually want to do is touch a chainsaw.

Sirchopsalot a 572 might serve your purpose as your “big saw”quite well. The 462 is a great choice but the 572 is going to have a little more grunt than the 462 and a better oiler. If you can find a 460/461 to run that would do it as well. Don’t sleep on a ported ms400 on the small end of that scale. While technically a 60cc size saw it has small 70cc saw power.

 

No replacement for displacement, eh ?


200 CC's of teeth loosening raw power!!

 

Got it. I'll reread this thread as things progress.
Thank you for your time and expertise.

 

A ported 460/461/462 sounds like a real light saber...my brother just gave his 460 to huskihl for a "tuneup"...Kev said general expectations should be to go from a 30 second cut in a given size log, to 18 seconds afterward I can't wait to borrow it

 

Like any other Job where people would say " That guy climbs trees and cuts with a chainsaw , I want his job ".
Well after doing it day in and day out it does indeed become a job and the last thing you want to do is work your day job on your time off. I get it.

Like myself , I make stuff in a machine shop with very few things I can't do and build race engines at my second job but yes, they are both great gigs but on my time off I really don't want to do either one.
I would rather cut, split, mill and even stack wood just for a change.

 

Maybe buZZsaw BRAD will let you demo all the stihl saws. I’ve run a 460 for years and like it. Works great with a 25” bar and will pull a 36” full skip when you need it to.

 

Yeah a ported 460 has a lot of giddy up for sure! A good 460/61 should be right there with a 500i for power. The 500i has superior anti vibration and a better filter. The 460 oiler is about as good is it gets for modern Stihls.

 

Oh I 100% love to climb trees and will on occasion do it in my free time for the helluvit. Running saws, dragging brush, and feeding a wood chipper not so much. We’re on the same page though.