Bucking Saws

Mine works great.

 

Yes

 

Then flip a coin. I still like the fact you can reset an m-tronic without a computer. I'd feel the same way no matter who the maker was, I buy what gives me the best dealer support.

 

I don’t know what kind of volume you move, but the additional cost of the 70 cc saw is two to three cord of wood. After that it becomes a revenue saw. I operate a 462 and love it. It’s a dependable tool that has all the power I need. I like the 572 as well but have not operated one.

 

You could always get a MS550i. Great power/weight numbers on paper.

 

Have you used one yet? Still none on sale around here. One dealer said a couple months maybe. They did have one and sold it. Considered a demonstration saw by them. (demo)

 

I run my 460 (77cc) for BIG wood over 20" and up. It will wear 20", 28", or 36" depending on what im cutting. My 361 with a 22" bar chows through anything smaller. I bucked some 24" sugar maple with the 361wearing the 28" bar and it handled it fine. Ive never used a 462 or 362 but for your needs id go 362.
I dont know how a 361 compares with a 362 performance wise.
I prefer non Mtronic. My dealer doesnt like them.

 

Thanks for the re-assurance. I agree I think a 362 is in my future. I'm still stuck on the M vs regular carb. I talked with the dealer local and they said (I think I remember correctly) they don't have many come back in. I asked the guy if he would buy one for his personal saw an he said yes. I think deep down I would like to buy a a regular carbed version

I'd love too! I asked the dealer here about them and he said they can't even really get them yet, not offered. But I know the "Back 40 Firewood" YouTube channel out of EauClaire (2.5 hrs SW of me) had one that he ordered way back when and finally got it a month or two ago.

 

What bar lengths on the saws JB?

 

16” - 18” 3/8”on 261
20” - 25” - occasionally 28” on 462

 

Haven't seen/touched one in person.

 

Sorry shouldve been more specific...one the scale pics?

 

Just a public service announcement for Stihl saws. If it’s not on the shelf, your dealer can order the current production saw you want. I’ve never asked for nos, but if it’s in the warehouse I bet they would sell it. They have regional warehouses to order from.
I have also noticed My local Ace Hardware keeps a healthy stock of Stihl pro models.

 

Forgive me, what is "nos"?

My local Ace hardware has Stihl, but haven't seen pro models. The Stihl dealer is only a half mile down the street though.

 

No b/c on those saws just saws filled with fuel & oil. I had weights with standard bars & LW bars but seemed to of lost them somehow.

 

New Old Stock

 

Not weighing in on brand, but if you are cutting logs from truck loads, I'd recommend the 70cc saw all day. Working on flat ground bucking up logs, I don't think you'll notice the weight.

 

Well, don't take my advice too seriously, as I don't have near the chainsaw experience of many on here, but I do have an MS 362 carb version. I have used it quite a bit in the last couple of months. I am getting pretty used to it now, and I do like it a lot. I am running a 25" Stihl Bar on it with full chisel chain. It's a good running saw, but might be it's best with a 20" bar, however, I love the 25" bar for the reach and would not want shorter. I feel it could still use a little more power, and will try a muffler mod, maybe even a porting in the future.

I have cut up a trailer truck (40ft semi-truck) load of saw mill log ends up with it. Some logs were a little bigger than 25" diameter. The saw did great, but you can't really crowd it if you have all of the bar buried in the wood, and must let the saw do the work, but it cuts pretty fast with a sharp chain. Most of my other wood cutting is smaller diameter, and a 20" bar would be more then enough, but I love the reach it gives, and I hate bending over too far.

But that being said, the point I wanted to make is: If I was cutting up logs in the 20 to 25" range, I would go ahead and get a bigger saw with a 25 at least and probably at least a 28" bar. I would get a 70 cc saw, and since there are way more Stihl dealers in my area, it would be a Stihl, and I am eyeballing a 462 with maybe a 28" bar. And I will say, that as good as my MS 261 CM runs, I don't think I would hesitate to try the 462 CM. Nothing against Husky, except we don't have the needed dealer support, really, in my area for the Husky. I wish we did. There is the big box stores that probably sell Husky's, and even Tractor Supply, but they can't work on them, and they mostly only have farm and ranch saws.

Bottom line: 70 cc saw for sure, if I was doing what you are wanting to do. Just my humble opinion, based on my limited experience.

 

Lastmohecken Thanks! Appreciate the comments! I'd love to pull the trigger on a 462. I told my wife that the forums are recommending the 462 and the price, and she laughed at me . I think she would be more on board with the price of a 362.

I'm inclined to buy the 362 and see how it goes. I'm sure I will be happy with it.

 

I bet you will be happy with it. I do like mine a lot. And they are cheaper to buy. I could go buy a 462 if I wanted one or thought I needed one bad enough. But in reality, I don't need one for what I do. I might end up with one later, but it will be based on the fact that I just want one. The 362 will do the job, in my humble opinion.