Looking for new saw

[BHMC]

Well in my last post I got input on a new splitter...Now I'm looking for a new saw. I have a twenty year old Husky Rancher 61 and a Husky 350. Good saws, however I would like a bigger one to get into a log-truck pile of wood. I am looking at Husky 372 (newer EPAsaw) the Stihl 441 or 460. I have also seen the red-headed sister to the Husky - Johnsered 2172. I would like your thoughts on these saws for the intended use. Also, have I left out a saw that I should be looking at. I also have a good network of dealers in the area that can service all brands. Thanks.

[3rdgen.maple]

I ave a 372 xp and just love it. I also Have a 460 rancher and a 031 stihl. The stihl gets little use if any at all some years. Husqavarnas being a higher rpm saw cuts alot better in my opinion. Both Husqavarnas have a 24 inch bar on them. The 460 is a tad undersized for the 24 but it handles it pretty slick. I mainly put the bigger bar on it for saving the back and not bending over as far. There are three Husqavarna designs that my dealer explained to me and I will pass along. The first one is the box store lineup that is the cheaper of the three and meant for the casual home owner, the second line is the rancher lineup that is made for the farmer and the 3rd lineup is the xp line that is for the professional logger. Of course they get pricier the higher you go up the line but I would highly recomend getting into the rancher or the xp if you are cutting alot. I owned 2 Jonhsereds before I got into the huqavarna and like them also. I trade my saws in every 2 to 3 years now as it only cost me about 100 bills plus the trade so my saws are usually still on warranty or just ran out. Only had one claim on a 350 husqavarna and that was my fault, too small of a saw for what I put it through but they replaced it with a brand new one and before I left I traded it for the 460 lol. Cant figure out how the dealer an afford to trade like that but Im not going to question it at all. My dad works for a stihl dealer and is there saw mechanic and all I will say is he runs Husqavarnas as well. Besides they are alot lighter hp for hp. Now after giving you that opinion I will say if you are not the type to maintain your own equipment, enough cannot be said for having a local of any brand with good customer service to take care of you. My pennies for ya.

[gmcooper]

After asking on here and checking with a few friends I bought a Husky 346xp. Love it. I needed a saw I could cut on the pile with as our wood comes 8' and I needed a saw to use in the sugarbush thinning and clearing. Dad has a 55 Rancher that is about equal hp but is heavier. My 346xp cuts as well or better and is lighter to carry. I wore out my old 350. I looked hard at Johnsered but did not get much positive feed back from people who own and use them. Stihl was an option but I don't really like the dealers near me.

[xyz5150]

The 372 husky and 2172 jonsered are the exact same saw internally the only real difference is the color. I sell both saws but i sell more 576 auto tunes. The 576 is a little bigger, ( 75cc versus 72cc ) little heaver (1.1lbs) but it has more horsepower (5.3 hp 372 5.7 hp 576). By far the best feature on the 576 at is the auto tune carb it will adjust fuel mixture for altitude changes and fuel quality. Here in Michigan we dont worry about altitude changes but boy can we get some poor quality fuel.

[Dill]

I have a 372xp, 55 rancher and a 288xp lite. The big saw is just for chunking up really big butts. But the 372 and the 55 make a good combo. I used to own just Jonsereds and I swear the handles are at a better angle. And they usually do the 150 dollar trade in deal. I bought the 372 and the 288 both from local loggers, they were back up saws so they didn't get heavy use.
I'm surprised that your selling more 575 than 372s, most people I've talked too prefer the 372.

[xyz5150]

The front handle on a husky is on a 10 degree angle for ergonomics. The front handle on Jonsereds are straight. You are right i would prefer a old 372 over the latest epa cylinder 372, the new 372 is not the same saw. I didn't sell many 575's, the 575 was a joke only lasted 2 years it was heavy and slow ( i think Stihl made it for them ).:lol: That was replaced with the new 576 and the 576at ten times the saw than the 575 was. Ethanol and incorrect octane rating are killing these saws (jonsered, husky, stihl) thats whats nice about the auto tune. Face it nobody wants to spend 800.00 + dollars on a chain saw and have to buy a piston and cylinder a few years later. Alright stihl guys let me have it I'm ready for you i got my gloves on.:lol:

[adk1]

I have a Husquvarna 357XP. I love that saw

[xyz5150]

I do most of my firewood cutting with a jonsered 2156 ( red version of the 357xp) they run a lot better when you port and polished them, put a 8 tooth sprocket on a ported and polished 15000 rpm saw and all you can say is run forest run.

[CBOYER]

I got a Stihl Ms361, (new one are ms362), and love it. Needs super to run, very high rev. 441 will be a good choice ratio hp/weight.

[xyz5150]

All small engines need super or premium not to run but to last.

[mrgriz]

If you have a dealer nearby check out Dolmar saws
2 years ago I bought a 7900 and 420 and my neighbor bought a 5100s
I run my 2ft and 3ft bar on the 7900 and absolutely love this saw(someday I will buy the 9010 just to put my 3ft on) the 420 is for just limbing and under 6in or so. My neighbors 5100S is great I think it is an 18in but could be bigger no problem.
Also check out Hearth.com they have some great info as this site does.

[collinsmapleman2012]

after using a few saws, i gotta say ive had good luck with box store saws, and they take a good amount of abuse for the price. this, of course is when they are properly maintained. i believe this is key to any saw. however, the best saw ive ever used and still use is a john deere cs56 i got from my uncle. i dont know if they are still made but its a high rpm saw that practically cuts the wood by itself. i do like husquvarnas though they are great saws, had good experiences with them

[Gravel]

I have a 357xp and a 372xp, both are great saws, if you do a lot of small stuff or limbing I would say the 357xp but if you do bigger wood or a lot of blocking you will not regret spending the extra for the 372xp!

[Bruce L]

We purchased a 576 XP autotune this past winter after our old saw blew it's piston.Heavy saw but won't back off on anything,drops through the log while our Jonsered chews at the bark.

[mike z]

At work we run Stihls, Huskys, and Dahlmars. I always reach for the Huskys. But I think mainly because they are the lightest of the bunch. I got a Husky 346XP (small saw) for cutting/peeling Pople. Perfect size for that. However, if you are cutting larger hardwood you will def. want something bigger. I say get two saws. Either Husky or Stihl. I would never be without the Husky 346XP, great for everything except bucking big oak logs. Get the longest bar you can for it.

[xyz5150]

The 346 is all rpms (15000 max with a black non limit coil ) no torque the longer the bar the more rpms and horsepower is restricted. I dont even pick my 346 up if the wood is over 12" dia. Put a 16" bar, full chisel chain, and a 8 tooth sprocket on your 346 it will cut like no saw you have seen before. Oh and if you using more than 3/4's of you bar use a bigger saw.

[mike z]

I like the longer bar so I don't have to bend or reach as far. I'm old. That's why I also prefer the lighter saws for most of the work I do. If you got the back and arm strength get the 576XP. Or if you can afford it get both. I have both and find I use the 346XP more often. But it is not the saw you want if all you cut is >16" hardwood logs.

[jtiefert]

I just picked up a Husky 359 from Severson's in Park Falls. I couldn't justify going all of the way up to a pro saw. I'm quite happy with it, so far. No complaints after 3 tanks of gas - cutting oak and soft maple.

Good upgrade from my 55 rancher - which had to be put to rest. :cry:

It caught on fire and the crank mysteriously sheared between bringing it home from the shop and cutting a single piece of wood.

[bearair]

I couldn't justify a pro saw so I bought the Poulan and put a pro chain on the thing. It chews through the wood and costs about a third of a pro husk. Plus it's made by the same company.

[xyz5150]

bearair

I couldn't justify a pro saw so I bought the Poulan and put a pro chain on the thing. It chews through the wood and costs about a third of a pro husk. Plus it's made by the same company.

Poulan brand is owned by Husqvarna not made by Husqvarna, Poulan is made in the USA for the disposable box store market and they do make a few disposable Husqvarna's all under $250.00. All Husqvarna saws over $300.00 are made in Sweden to European standards (Machining tolerances to the millionth of a inch). I have said it before and i will say it many times over if a chainsaw costs less than $300.00 new, i dont care who makes it, the saw wont last unless you only use it for yard storm damage. If you want to cut firewood buy a saw that costs over $300.00 it will out last at least three $159.00 saws. Just my 2 cents as a chainsaw dealer for over 10 years.

[adk1]

Husquvarna 357XP. period

[SapZilla]

Poulan brand is owned by Husqvarna not made by Husqvarna, Poulan is made in the USA for the disposable box store market and they do make a few disposable Husqvarna's all under $250.00. All Husqvarna saws over $300.00 are made in Sweden to European standards (Machining tolerances to the millionth of a inch). I have said it before and i will say it many times over if a chainsaw costs less than $300.00 new, i dont care who makes it, the saw wont last unless you only use it for yard storm damage. If you want to cut firewood buy a saw that costs over $300.00 it will out last at least three $159.00 saws. Just my 2 cents as a chainsaw dealer for over 10 years.

You've gotta stop saying they are achieving tolerances of a millionth of an inch. I've been in machining all of my life and the Ruby probes of high end inspection machines can't find such increments. The grinding machines are the most precise machines on the shop floor and we don't even dream of accuracy of 100,000th of an inch. What are they using to hit 1,000,000th????

And do you think the competitor is using a tape measure?

[Potters3]

I had a 55 rancher and loved it, used the heck out of it for 12 yrs. The newer Rancher models do not seem to be close to the same thing. Bought a 368 hate it heavy saw for in the bush but good power for on the pile. Wanted the 372XP but cheaped out. My mistake. From what I have seen spend the extra $ and get a XP, more power less weight. I also have a Stihl 180 (bought for the wife) great little saw for cutting brush lite weight and good RPM. But it has a very small gas tank.

[VTwoodsbum]

I would have to agree with xyz(don't know about the millionth thing). if your gonna buy a saw buy one that repairable and tunable. alot of the new 2 strokes can't be tuned pure junk! also buy a saw your comfortable with any good dealer will let you demo one. any of the big three are fine you can buy replacement parts cheaper than a box store saw those are made to throw away.

[xyz5150]

SapZilla

You've gotta stop saying they are achieving tolerances of a millionth of an inch. I've been in machining all of my life and the Ruby probes of high end inspection machines can't find such increments. The grinding machines are the most precise machines on the shop floor and we don't even dream of accuracy of 100,000th of an inch. What are they using to hit 1,000,000th????

And do you think the competitor is using a tape measure?

Sorry its the truth i have seen the machines with the readout to the 6th decimal place. i too have been machining and working on chainsaws all my life. I can honestly tell you that to install a crank bearing on a Swedish saw all you have to do is lightly heat the crank case and the bearing will fall right in place. On a German brand made in the USA you have to put the bearing in a freezer for a day heat the case and and drive it in with a press. You know as a machinist its pretty tough to put a round object on a hole shaped like a egg. Check out Husqvarnas history 322 years of precision machining.As a manufacture they started in the late 1600's making guns for the Swedish army, in the 1800's they started making sewing machines, and what made them world famous was their 2 cycle motorcycles that had no gaskets. That right no gaskets on a 2 cycle now that kind of machining cant be done with a tape measure.:lol:

[latewood]

Have both Stihl and Husky---like 'em both,they are reliable and the dealers are supportive. I can't comment on the other brands, as I have never used anything other than these two companies, and the old time McColloughs.

[saphead]

I've have an "old school" Husky 372 XP. Unfortunately the new ones are " emissions compliant" and weigh about 4 lbs. more, too bad.In it's day my saw had the best power to weight ratio of any saw,I've even had a professional logger try to buy it from me! NOT! Do
your research in buying a saw,power to weight ratio is very important,a pound or two makes a huge difference after a few hours in the woods.Just my 2 cents.

[maple flats]

I used to use Poulan Wildthings at about $120 each and never got more than 18 months out of one, but I thought I liked it. That is until I finally bought a Husky 359. It was 10 times the saw. With that saw I have cut or had my help cut about 25 full cord a year plus trimmings on logs for my sawmill for about 7 years now. The saw still runs like new. I bought a second Husky about 18 mos ago, I got a 365. They were on special because the model was being replaced with a new emissions compliant unit about the same size. I got a 34" bar for that one to both trim big logs for my sawmill and to fell larger trees. That saw is understandably heavier but there is no stopping it. The chips really fly when that one cuts. Whenever I need a new saw in the future it will be a Husky, in the Rancher or most likely pro class. I finally wised up to the real costs of the homeowner saws.
But whatever saw you get, make sure the chain is sharp, most inexperienced users ruin a chain before taking it to get sharpened. Try to learn to sharpen and if not, have several chains, change at the first sign of slowing or curving in the cut. Another thing, get safety training. I have logged and sold firewood in the past for several years and thought I knew the proper methods, but I then took a Game Of Logging training course, levels 1 and 2. Wow, did I find better, safer and faster ways to do every aspect. I highly recommend Game Of Logging. Most insurance companies require logging crews to take the course, in fact some insurance companies even pay for the training for GOL.

[xyz5150]

saphead

I've have an "old school" Husky 372 XP. Unfortunately the new ones are " emissions compliant" and weigh about 4 lbs. more, too bad.In it's day my saw had the best power to weight ratio of any saw,I've even had a professional logger try to buy it from me! NOT! Do
your research in buying a saw,power to weight ratio is very important,a pound or two makes a huge difference after a few hours in the woods.Just my 2 cents.

Its a real shame the EPA is beating up on our 2 cycle hand held power tools that on a good day would only burn 1 or 2 gallons of gas. But i guess the new epa saws are still lighter than a 4 stroke, man i hope it never comes to that.

[Typical8]

I have a 372xp that 11 years old and never had a single issue with. It just runs and cut like a million dollars.

The EPA allows Husky to import a certain number of "Non Emission" saws into the USA every year. See if your Husky dealer can get him hands on one of these, most all of them go to professional loggers.

[xyz5150]

Typical8

I have a 372xp that 11 years old and never had a single issue with. It just runs and cut like a million dollars.

The EPA allows Husky to import a certain number of "Non Emission" saws into the USA every year. See if your Husky dealer can get him hands on one of these, most all of them go to professional loggers.

The 272-372xp is arguably the best saw Husqvarna ever made i have the red version the Jonsered 2171 and i have another brand new one in a box in case i ever wear this one out and no its not for sale. Unfortunately about the only dirty saw's ( non emission ) left in production in Sweden is the 365, 395, and 3120 all of the old 372's are long gone.:( Husky has a couple of new saw's coming out this fall the 555 at 4.3 hp and 562xp at 4.7 hp. The 562xp will be Husky's new hot rod i will be getting a demo very soon i will keep you posted.