Small Professional Chainsaw Recommendations

After the boys get done with their feller buncher, it looks like I am going to have a lot of clean up to do. These will be smaller sized trees that are only a few inches in diameter...so think saplings her. I think my larger professional saws are going to be too heavy, and overkill for what I need, so was curious as to what to get for a chainsaw? I am well versed in the bigger saws, but smaller sized saws I have no experience in...

I am looking at clean up on about 80 acres in all. they all look pretty much like this when teh mechanical loggers are done.

 

I've been really happy with my Echo 355T. A lot of hoo-ha about using a TH saw on the ground but I've never had any issues. Also have a cs360t and a cs3000t again no problems whatsoever .

 

Stihl ms241

 

New, used? 50cc in your choice of colors.

 

Or. Husqvarna 550xp!

 

Since I really am only familiar with Stihl Saws I think an ms241 is a great option but in all honesty for the size of wood you are looking at you could probably get by with an ms170. I know it’s a homeowner level saw but there are a lot of guys out there with a lot of hard miles on these saws and it’s tough to beat the $180 price tag.


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Small, professional saw...for a Stihl I'd recommend MS241 and for a Husqvarna I'd say 543xp.

 

I'd second the 261 if it's in your price range. I've ran my 026 and 260 all day a never felt it Like I need a lighter saw.

I am curious about a top handle, I've never run one, but sometimes it would be nice to have a free hand.

Let us know what you end up with

 

haha, yes indeed they do still offer it. Just looked on the website to verify. But I am certainly not against off white. I have a Stihl MS250. Which I really like! I would have recommended that one but he said he wanted a pro saw.

 

With 80 acres to clean up....261, converted to 3/8 is your answer. Plenty of power, good on fuel, square ground chain.

 

I believe you're a husky guy, right? What about a 550XP with a 14 or 16" bar on it for this small stuff?

Without dozers and skidders to menace it, it could live a nice long life!

 

No........

 

I'll give another vote for the Echo 355t. Great little saw. I was hesitant on a top handle but this is quickly becoming my favorite for limbing and small cleanup.

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I use a 200t and a ported 026 depending on how much crap that I need to climb through. If it's really tangled I reach for the 200t it is nice to have that extra hand free when you're in a tangled mess!
When it's a little more open the 026 gets my vote has plenty of grunt in my opinion and your back and arms will thank you at the end of the day.

 

Rent a Hydro Axe for a week? If the whole 80 acres looks like the pictures, it would seem a bit daunting to go after it with a saw.

As far as small saw advice goes, I have had an Echo 3400 Top handle for nearly 20 years now. It was my first and for a time, only saw that I owned. The ignition coil did go at one point about 8 years in, but was replaced free of charge. (lifetime warranty that I was unaware of). Other than that and having to replace all the rubber one time, it has always served me well. I run a 14" with the pico chain on it. She aint a fast cutter, but she always starts without fail and has done what I needed. I do not think the Old series of Echo top handles is available anymore....

Looks like one surviving model, 30cc. This is almost identical to the one I bought two decades ago. Figuring they must've got something right for a production run that prolific.
ECHO CS-303T 30.1cc Top Handle Chain Saw - ECHO USA | ECHO USA

This thing blew my mind when I picked it up at the Bunyan show. "Lightest gas powered chainsaw in North America"

Chainsaws, Professional-Grade Chain Saws, Top Handle Chain Saws | ECHO USA

 

And if you're just cleaning up small stuff, save a few extra bucks by running one of your longer bar and chain on a 260 to save bending over when cutting the small stuff. A 260 isn't going to pull a 24" bar and chain in 20"+ logs very well but it great for cleaning up small stuff on or near the ground.

 

For cleaning up piles where you are constantly moving stuff around the clutch driven oiler is awesome.