Which new chainsaw to buy?

Depends on how much you are looking to spend. Im partial to Stihl, but the three big mfrs' (Echo) are all good saws from what ive seen and read. A Stihl 311(59cc) or 391 (64cc) are good mid range farm/ranch saws.
If you desire more power a pro model Stihl 362 (59cc) or a 462 (72cc) are the way to go. If you are going for the long haul these are my suggestion. Better power to weight ratio, but pricey of course
Ive owned Stihl's for 35 years and have always been very reliable saws.

 

Or you can just amass a collection so you have a few to pick from depending upon the job at hand. Can’t wait for that 044 to sow up

 

I haven't used that dolmar model, but I've heard nothing but great things about all the dolmars.

 

Then Makita 7900.

 

One option to consider, ebay has a couple dealers with NEW Husqvarna 372XP's , and PayPal is offering 24 months Interest Free on purchases over $600, just make sure that you select the paypal credit option, and the 24 month program at check out. I just this morning ordered a 372XP from Guy's Hardware, he has One left, 20'B&C $899.99/Free shipping, Schulz_Cycle Shop has one w/24" B&C $919.95/Free Shipping.

A Lot of guys Swear by the 372XP, they are being replaced by the 572XP, if you Like the Auto Tune the 572XP may be the way to go, if you prefer manually adjusting your carb, the 372XP has a Lot of Believers and they are getting hard to find new, Don't wait to long if that's what you want.

Makes it about $37-38/month, I have bought several saws that way, we don't have any Husky dealers nearby anymore. You don't get the option to extend the warranty by buying the 3 cans of fuel, but Honestly, I have 9 Husky saws and a Husky Blower in my Garage, and I have NEVER needed the warranty on any of them, "Old Reliable" my 266XP is still running strong after 29 years, No problems at all

A homeowners 60cc buried a lot with a 24" B&C, Not Recommended, a Pro 60cc, Not a Problem, what kind of wood are you cutting, being in Washington State, I'm Guessing mainly softwoods. Over on the AS Forum Skeans is a Professional Faller, and He Loves and MAKES HIS LIVING using a 562XP with 28" Bars all day long, he is mainly cutting Douglas Fir, Cedar and Alder, he has me curious enough that I will eventually get a 562XP, because of his opinion of the saw, I shouldn't have bought the 372XP, but the supply is dwindling, and the interest free offer made it too good to pass up, not that I Really NEED it, Serious case of CAD, and I admit it. At 66.7cc, I don't know if you would consider the 266XP an "Honorary 70cc" or a Heavy 60cc saw, but it pulls a 24" B&C just Fine, and is almost 30 years old, it has always had a 24 mounted, and spent plenty of time with the 24 BURIED, Like Tim Allen, MORE POWER is always Better, (I have the 3120XP, 395XP and 390XP when I need to Tim Allen Grunt) but unless you're cutting a LOT of 24" hardwoods, I wouldn't worry about a 60cc PRO saw being up to the task, already having a 50cc, a 70cc does make a lot of sense

Stay Safe and Healthy, and let us know what you decide on,

Doug

 

I'll give a second vote on the 372 xtorque and 266xp. I own both my 372 is a 2012 model, it's cut around 60 cords with a 28 and 24 in bar. The coil went bad on it in 2017, and that is the only problem I ever had with it. I bought the 266 in 2014 from the original owner who said he only ever used it on hunting trips so it has pretty low hours. Other Husqvarna saws I have owned are 51, 272xp,394xp and 550xp.

 

Best advice of the whole thread

 

Once you get into owning multiple saws, it's just about impossible to ever only have one ever again.

 

Yep, Temptation WON Again Yesterday

You would THINK that 8 saws would be Enough, Wait did I REALLY just say that?

I'm waiting for , supposed to be Tuesday the 28th


Hi, I'm Doug, And I have a Problem

Actually TWO,
My Garage isn't Big Enough
My BUDGET isn't Big Enough


Doug

 

What do you have coming?

 

I may need to buy some more soon as my father with his Alzheimer’s keeps giving mine away

 

Husqvarna 372XP, I shouldn't have, but the stocks are dwindling, and PayPal is offering 24 Months/0% , so $37.49/Month for 24 months NO Interest, I gave in to Temptation



Doug

 

Oh yeah.... I guess I read that a little further up the thread, sorry about that

 

If an XPG. I would give in to temptation

 

Sorry to Hear about your Father's Alzheimer's, watched my Grandmother go through that several years ago, it is Very Hard watching someone that you Love lose recognition of even their own Spouse and Children

I Wish You and the rest of your Loved Ones to stay Healthy

Doug

 

XPG, would be Nice, but I am Rarely cutting when it would be used.

There was a listing for a full wrap set, with Junk Yard Dawgs (OEM) for about $28/Shipped, that I saved but haven't bought yet, but probably will. The Full Wrap, would get much more use than the Heated bars would


Doug

 

That's Okay, I will Forgive you, THIS Time,

Do it Again..................


Doug

 

Well it’s snowed 4x this week I would turn them on as I hate gloves!! Dads doing OK but it’s early, asked me several times my birthday, keeps forgetting to self isolate

 

For us, it would be Storm Clean up, or clearing a downed tree from the road, not firewood cutting, so not very often, and usually limited cutting, we surprisingly don't get too much storm damage where we live, even though we are surrounded by trees.

Doug

 

you're a BAD influence!