Recommendations for Search & Rescue chain saw?

A 241 would be another good little saw.

 

Hmm, that 241 looks intriguing. I will have to read up on it.

 

With a grand to spend? I'd go with a 40cc pro then like the Stihl 241 or Husqvarna 543xp and get a good port job on it.

 

For 6" stuff, lugging around for long distances, I'm not sure why you'd want a rear handle saw of any type. I guess I'm missing something here. I would think the lighter the better, the more compact the better etc.

 

Top handle is hard on wrist and forearm . I am a fan of light and compact but I wouldn't want to use a top handled all day long.

 

My guess is he will be packing this saw a lot more than using it. For me, if I have to trudge a mile in deep snow, cut 20 tree tops less than 6", trudge a mile back, no way I'd have anything other than a top handle, hence my confusion. He's not an arborist, he isn't running it all day.

 

543 XP? It is rear handled , light and sold by Husq. It comes standard w .325 narrow kerf. I have one and like it, for what it is. It's way overpriced at MSRP. If I were you , I'd still probably would consider T540/MS200 T

 

I have run top handle saws before and they worked pretty well. I prefer a rear handle because for me I feel like I have more control over the saw with my hands further apart. I have not totally ruled out a top handle, I need to do some more research.

 

With saws like the MS201T you only give up a half pound or so to get the real handled MS201, and it's no secret that a rear handled is safer and less fatiguing to use than top handle. If I was out hiking late at night in a rush to save someone, dealing with rain/mud/snow I'd want to give myself every edge for safety available.