Best saw with 20" bar??

I'm sure this has been a previous thread but I cannot make up my mind here. I have both a Stihl and Husky dealer where I live and cannot decide which I like better. So the question is do I buy a 562xp, ms362cm, or just a ms362. Any thoughts and your experiences with the autotune or mtronic would be great, thanks!

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I have the ms362cm and it's a beast, its 2 years old and has enough power for anything, what dealer is close to you would also be good. I heard great things about the husqvarna 562xp also, you cant go wrong with either one, both great saws

 

Husqvarna 365 with 20" will last a guy for ever if taken care of. Easy to work on and parts everywhere. Same as a 372 xp just different transfer and air filter. Nothing a firewood guy would ever miss. Also don't leave out the 555 Husqvarna save yourself a $100 over the 562 and not give up much on the performance side, exact same build quality though.

 

Welcome Josh Formanek! Nice to see another PA member. They are a few members in your area.

 

No experience with the Stihls, but I talked a buddy into a 562 last year and he is blown away with the saw. Absolutely loves it. He was previously using an MS311.

I don't think you would regret any of the listed choices. As stated above...got a *good dealer for either nearby to take care of any issues?

 

I don't think you could go wrong with either husqvarna or stihl, I own one of each and like them both. Some good suggestions here though.

 

Both top quality saws, pick the best dealer & go to it. I'm a Stihl guy, but have nothing against the Huskies. Welcome BTW! Glad you found us!

 

I have a Husky 562 and feel it was one of the worst chainsaw purchases I ever made. It is beyond just a lack of power, it is a top heavy saw so it constantly flops over when it is sitting on anything that is beyond absolutely level (think sitting on a log idling to move limbs or mark a log length for bucking). It also has been a rattle box, it is missing (3) original bolts until I re-loctited the rest I could easily get too. I not so affectionately call it my "Forever-Crank" for a reason as well. If a person loves to have a chainsaw start up the first or second pull at the house, but crank and crank forever when they are out in the woods, it is a perfect saw to have.

As for the Stihl, I cannot vouch for the size you mentioned. I would go up a size and get the Stihl MS462 when it comes out, or go for the currently available Stihl MS461. They might be on sale as the 462's are poised to hit the shelves and are worth buying. I liked mine for all around logging: felling, limbing, bucking, etc. Sadly I had to use past tense there as it died prematurely when I ran over it with my skidder. I go to church, but admit I said some foul words then.

 

Here's a vid I found.
No too much different than what was said above. Although this guy said there were some dependability issues with the 562, I believe they are good saws.

 

Welcome Josh. I'm not to far from you in Gettysburg! Is there any chance you could run one or both of these saws before you buy? A good test ride may sway your decision.

 

Thank you all for your responses and kind welcomes! Especially to my PA folks out there!

Just a little background info - This will be my 4th season heating my home with wood. I've been using a Fisher Papa Bear stove that my dad gave me, I love the thing. Makes my house real warm. Currently using my Stihl ms250 for small stuff and had a ms271 that I sold and hoping to get something bigger (60cc or so)

Both dealers are pretty good and are each a mile down the road.. I was looking at the 562xp last night and really like the way it feels. With the 562 being on the 3rd generation I think they have become pretty reliable. The stihl dealer says that they see a lot of the 362cm in for issues.. So I think the Husky will be my choice. I'll keep ya'll posted! Thanks again for all the input.

 

Josh Formanek welcome to the land of BTU's.

As others have said dealer support is very important. Unless you don't mind working on things yourself or you're going to get the saw ported.

I have been running a 562xp for 4 years now and have had zero issues. I'm only a firewood cutter so my saw doesn't get used everyday, but when it does come out it gets run hard. The only thing that has ever fallen off of it is sawdust and wood chips. I'm running a sugihara 20in light weight bar and I find the balance to be just right! To me the 562 XP is a 60cc saw that runs much stronger than that. I did have some hot start issues early on, but found that to be my own fault as I wasn't shutting the saw off, or even starting it correctly. Husqvarna has made several updates since then to help that issue.

Good luck and whichever one you choose, be safe keep a sharp chain and let the chips fall where they may.

 

Welcome aboard Josh Formanek

I'm afraid I can't offer an opinion on either saw, but it seems you may have made your decision.

 

Don't know much about the Autotune saws. Did run a Husky 550 at a GTG seemed like a nice saw.
I have a Husqvarna 357xp w/20" bar. I ran a Sthil MS390 at work many times I prefer the Husky. My son has a Husky 460 nice saw but I don't care for it.

My advice would be to try out as many 60cc saws as you can and pick the one that feels the most comfortable and well balanced in your hands.
Any of them will serve you well and a good dealer close by is a good thing.

 

Any auto tune saw make sure the dealer has the hardware and SOFTWARE to correct any issues that might arise. With the current trend of MFG. concerning auto tune /control of air / fuel mixture and who owns what when it comes to repairs/ parts I am extremely leery.

 

I'd personally go the dolmar/ Makita way. When my buddy says my 6421 dolkita out cuts his magnum 460 that it's a bigger cc saw both using a 20" bar and we use the same 3/8" chain, and it weighs less than the stihl, that's saying something. I thought the same thing when I borrowed his 460. I used my neighbors new Stihl 362 a couple years ago and it wasn't any faster than my 029 super.

 

I really like my Dolmar 6100 with a 20 in bar. It eats oak and hickory all day long. Best saw I have ever owned.