Picking a new chainsaw?

[SD51555]

I’m getting to the point I need two saws. I need a lighter one for brush, and a powerful one for logging smallerizing.

I have a Stihl MS250 now, and it’s been workhorse, but that saw isn’t meant to hog thru thick hardwood logs. That’s an 11 pound saw and 45 CC with a 16” bar.

I’m pondering going up to a Stihl 462 with a 25” bar. It’s about 2 lbs heavier, but 60% more power at 72 CC.

I’m wondering if the increase in power will speed things up and offset the fatigue from not fighting an underpowered saw on stuff too big for it. I’ve also got maybe 20-30 years of cutting ahead of me. Kinda wanna have a real saw.

Feedback?


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[Ben.MN/WI]

I have a MS 362C and I'm really impressed with what it can do. I don't know the bar length, but I know it is probably a little undersized/underpowered to deal with 20"+ hardwoods. I typically have to clean up a large, downed oak every year or two and that's the only time I wished I had a larger saw.

 

[bigboreblr]

I have a ms261 since 2011. Great one saw machine. Oldest kid has a 391. That thing is a beast. Farm boss used to be a 59cc, now is looks similar to the 261. The 261 used to make more powe than the 59cc farm boss. Was their little pro saw in my opinion. magnesium case.

The 261 has a really fast brake too. Was a big selling point for me. I like using as little bar as you can get away with for safety. I have a 16 on my 261.
ONly problem I had was a fluke. Ignition coil. Local dealer never took one out of stock ever. He was trying to talk me out of buying it. Only beef is no priming bulb. Once she seems out of gas, shut if off. Otherwise you got to pull the cord 10 times for the pump to prime the carb.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I've had a hankering for a 462 as a bigger saw for a while so I say do it! Seems like a beast of a saw for the weight. I have stihl MS180, MS261, and MS391 and a little Echo 355t top handle saw currently. I wouldn't recommend a 391, it works but is heavy for the power.

I really like my ms261 C-M - fires up like a champ and runs like a top. If the 462 runs like that with M-Tronic it should be an awesome saw.

 

[Foggy47]

I have a MS 362C and I'm really impressed with what it can do. I don't know the bar length, but I know it is probably a little undersized/underpowered to deal with 20"+ hardwoods. I typically have to clean up a large, downed oak every year or two and that's the only time I wished I had a larger saw.

I had a Stihl MS 360 (? I think) some years back. That saw screamed through any kinda wood you could throw at it. I think mine carried a 20" bar....but not sure it was needed.....EXCEPT that I could nearly stand up to cut downed logs with the longer bar. That saw was a great balance of weight and power.....IMO. I sold it some years ago and now have but an MS 180 and an EGO electric saw.....and an old Huskavarna that I have not started for a few years. Mostly now....I use my tractor and a grapple to deal with down trees and simply get them out of the way. My camp fire needs are down to 1/2 cord / year or so.

Somewhere about 75 + years of age....chainsaws become your enemy.

That little Stihl 180 and the EGO and a little hand-held 9" saw are all I need anymore. My EGO battery powered saw can cut allot of wood on a single charge. Kinda fond of it for most things. Quiet too. But if you're gonna make allot of wood.....gas power is your friend.

My limiting factor now....is a 78 year old body. lol Any saw can take me down.

 

[BuckSutherland]

I also have a MS250. Great saw. I have used a 271 a fair amount. With a sharp chain it will run circles around my 250. I would say that a 362, 391 or 462 will be a MASSIVE upgrade to what you have. I think the 462 would definitely be way more than you would need. Keep a sharp chain on the 300 saws and they are gonna destroy anything you encounter. My vote would likely be a 362. Thinking about one for myself.

 

[SD51555]

Foggy nailed it with the cutting with your back straight with a longer bar. That’s one big point.

The second is how hard you have to work the saw to get thru stuff. I can cut 14” dry ash logs with my 250 and a sharp chain, but I’m down there using the guide teeth to maintain torque in the saw. With the bigger saws, I’ve seen guys fly thru big dry oak and ash and not even use the guide teeth to push the saw thru.

The real choice is adding 1 pound for the 300 series saws, or 2 pounds for the 400s and an extra $700 to have an ass kicker for 10-20 years and get more done in those precious few habitat days between the end of deer season, and feet of snow shutting down winter work.


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[SD51555]

Here’s one of a dude cutting standing up with a long bar. Also not using the guide teeth to have to lever his saw into the log to cut thru. Granted, he’s cutting Doug fir which probably ain’t that hard, but I’ve had my saw chokin an smokin to get thru 22” of frozen pine. I’m afraid I’m gonna burn up my 250 workin the piss out of it on big stuff like that.

Here’s a video of the dude cutting big ash and also not having to use the guide teeth to push an underpowered saw thru big hard logs.

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[Westwind]

I have a 500i. I believe it is the same size and weight as the 462 you are looking at. My old saw is an 039 which was the old Farmboss with a bigger piston. Has been a great saw, early 90’s vintage?

Ask your dealer what he thinks of the 500i. I personally love running that saw. When you hit the throttle it snaps. Full power right now. The first tree I cut with it was a hedge and I was piecing off a branch as big as my waist. I was through it so fast I wasn’t ready for it.

I bought it with a 20” bar but it has a 24” on it right now, buddy and I cut up a large elm tree last weekend. I run the 24” more than the short bar for the same reasons you guys mentioned above.

Get the saw you love. Saws are meant to be abused but if you take reasonable care of them they will last a really long time. That also means you are stuck with the saw you buy for a really long time.

 

[356]

For the larger stuff, I am more than satisfied with my Echo 28” X series pro saw. I like that I can run 20-32” blades. It’s a great saw that blows away anything else I have used. For smaller stuff the Stihl MS250 with a 16” blade is the one I leave on the ATV.

 

[Stubborn1VT]

I have no experience with Stihls, but I do cut lots of hardwood and a fair amount of brush. I've landed on a 60ish cc turbo saw as my favorite. I run an 18" bar day to day, but it will run a 24". I fell with it, limb with it, cut brush with it, and block most logs with it.
This saw weighs 12-13lbs. I've found that balance matters as much as weight. A well balanced bar/saw combo is more comfortable to run.
Just my 2 cents as a more than casual saw owner. Buy pro grade saws, use good gas/oil, and keep your chains sharp.

 

[Turkey Creek]

I have seen a number of people recommend the Stihl 261 lately. I am due for a new saw this Winter. I have a smaller Echo (starts easy, but now seems to be losing power when I push it hard and it leaks bar oil worse than the Exxon Valdez) that has served me pretty well for the last 10 years, but want to upgrade to something with more power.

 

[RGrizzzz]

If you're looking for more power but lighter, look at the fuel injected saws. @Westwind mentions the 500i. Husqvarna is releasing the 564xp now in the USA. It may have been out in Europe previously.

In the spring I picked up a MS261 for my cousin who does a lot of cutting for us. He was using a Husqvarna 257 and wanted something lighter.

On a whim, I picked up a barely used Husqvarna 540i XP electric saw from FB marketplace back in the spring. It only has a 14" bar but it's super light and great for small stuff. You are limited by the battery capacity vs how much gas you can carry, but it's handy to have. I thought it was a steal for $350 vs the $979MSRP.

540i XP® (battery and charger included) Battery Chainsaw

Husqvarna 540i XP® is a high-performance 36 V battery cordless electric chainsaw with oil indicator, power-equivalent to a 40cc petrol saw if using our high-capacity

www.husqvarna.com