20"-24" Saw Opinions

I'm currently running a Husqvarna 350 18" chainsaw. I am fairly happy with it but could use a longer bar and a little more power. In Wyoming, we don't get many Ponderosa or Lodgepole Pine over 20". Occasionally I'll come across Ash or Elm in the 24" range but it's rare. Looking to spend less than $600. Thoughts? Too many times I shake my head when I hit a rock/metal and don't have a back-up saw.

 

If you are happy with your 350 how about a 365 or 372 to compliment it? If you can find a clean used one. Both will pull 3/8" chain on a 24" bar with ease.

 

Echo 620 is a heck of a saw for the money. Will pull 24” buried in dry elm with authority. Occasionally run a 28” on it just for chits and grins. I have gutted the muffler and removed the carb limiters. It is loud as hell, but it pulls hard.

 

I bought an Echo CS620P a couple of months ago. It has a 24" bar and cost a little over $600 out the door. The dealer tried to talk me into its sister saw the CS590 since that is what he sells the most of. It would have saved me almost $200.
Yesterday, I was cutting Ash with a neighbor who was giving us the wood. He was running a Stihl MS362. It ran great, seemed easy to start. He was running a 25" bar. We were not competing, but both saws appeared to run "neck & neck". A quick Google search shows MS362's selling for $900.
The Echo CS620P is an incredible value!

 

I have a ported 350 (18") and it now has a companion, a 372 (24"). It's a great combo. Both saws have plenty of power. The 372 runs an 8 pin and still pulls hard when buried in hardwood. The 350 just screams all the time.

 

Husqvarna 562

 

If you are buying new, the Echo 620p or 590, can't be beat for the money.
I run a 24" bar on my 620 in all kinds of hardwood, and it works just dandy.

 

If you want to stay Husky, I agree with Simon. 365/372 makes a great 24" combo. Can do a 28" on it if needed. Scour CL/FBM and find a deal. I just searched my local area and there's one for $450. Jonsered equivalent is a 2065/2172.

Couple years ago I bought my son a 365 special on CL for $300. It was in need of a few small items but all in was still under $400.

 

Similar situation here, I found an older saw on here (my 288) that can handle a 24" and up bar. If you don't need it right away just start keeping an eye out.
Keep an extra chain or two with you so if you do rock it, you can swap chains.

 

Don’t know how brand loyal you might be but I purchased a Stihl MS 400 Mtronic last year and equipped it with a 25” Stihl light bar. I couldn’t be more pleased, plenty of guts in hardwood and well balanced. This is the longest bar in my saws and have others with 20”, 18” and 16”. You could get a 20” bar as well if this is to be your go to saw.

Oops, just reread your post and the 400 comes in well north of $600.

 

620. I know many like the Timber Wolf, but I gotta have a metal crank case on my stuff...loop handle too.

If you like Husqy, get the 555.

I don't know anything about Stihls except that some folks really like them.

If it will be only very occasional use, you could get a farmer tech or whatever name they put on the clones.

 

A coworker recently picked up a 500i at a pawnshop for $600.

 

I started a thread here needing a 70cc saw.. a member shipped me a 576 husky that will pull a 28” bar in sugar maple all day for less than budget..

then you grab a 20” and 25” bar for it and that thing is fun with 20” bar… brother uses 55 rancher.. I cut my 10 pieces with 576 and go on break make a show out of it waiting on him too finish

 

What's the opinion on the Husqvarna Rancher line? particularly, the 460?

 

As much as I like my MS362, I would recommend you spend the extra $150 and get the MS400.

 

Husky 562 is twice saw..

 

Ranchers are home owner line, so plastic case. While I won't say they are useless, you would be much better served with a metal case model. I started out with a 450 and it was a turd. 460 not as much from what little feedback I've heard and read about. I had a good friend that had the 455 and a 445 and that's what he cut with for years till he moved and got away from burning. He felt that 445 cut faster in everything but the biggest wood. I took him to the orchard's with me a lot back then so about 18-22" trees at the base.
The thing with Stihls is they are spendy, as are parts. I believe a 400 is over 1k.


American Pride Power Equipment

 

Both Stihl and Huskys are expensive.
I've run mostly Stihl's, but our dealer switched over to Echo. Got a Echo 4910 for Christmas. Paid $375 for it new, got huskihl to put XS in it. Lightweight and PLENTY of power. Close to if not more than 5hp now. 20" bar, 8 pin sprocket. Echo has better warranty than either of the big names, 5 yrs.
The Wood Wolverine ran it at the GTG.

 

Being you are young and if you plan to cut a lot of firewood for many years a pro model saw would be the way to go. Consider buying new unless you are good at fixing them. Take good care of it and it will give you many years of reliable service.

A 60-65cc saw (pro model) will suit your needs just fine as they can run a 20-24" bar. My normal two saw plan on a cut is the Stihl 261 (50cc) with a 16" bar and one of my 60+cc saws with a 20" bar. Longer bar on higher cc saw if needed.

Be patient and do your homework. Ask away on here. We're always glad to help spend your money.

Until then, id suggest buying a couple extra chains for your current saw. A scrench and the chains in a small take along toolbox should be SOP for a cut. Nothing is more frustrating dulling a saw at a cut, but the five minutes it takes to swap out the dull chain is worth it and will have you back in action.

 

What is this world coming too??? Jason mustve had heat stroke or something!