Help Me Make Up My Mind!

[moorhead]

First post here, though I've been lurking a bit!

 

I'm not a professional but I'm doing land maintenance and cutting firewood for my family. I'm looking to buy a new chainsaw to supplement my old 364xp. This is the old version I've had for about 11 years which has given me sterling service but hasn't got enough grunt for the things I'm doing right now, which is clearing storm-felled oak, ringing up some largish oak, ash and beech which has been lying a while and eventually felling more oak and ash off our Devon banks. I need something with some torque to turn an 18" bar in hardwood.

 

I was thinking about the Husky 365 X-torq, but when I picked up the new Stihl MS441 I decided it was the nicest saw I've ever held. However... I think it might be more saw than I need. Ditto the 560xp. Thinking about the Husky 555 or possibly the Stihl MS362c-m instead...

 

Anyway, the more I think about this the less I can decide, so any advice will be gratefully received!

[miker]

365 x torq, im sure i wont be alone on this

[miker]

its always better to have more than you need, maybe 372 xp, blinder of a saw, will pull 15" like a mad man but more than happy on a 20" and will pull a 24" for the bigger stuff if needed

[moorhead]

Thanks, Miker - the price is right for the 372xp. For a 70cc saw, though, the 441c-m feels like a whole different (better) beast. 372xp = time-tested and reliable, though?

[miker]

best bet is to have a go with both, im a husky fan for saws, but use stihl for hedge cutters and blowers so i cant say im a true husky follower, personal choice i suppose, what dealerships have you got near you ? might swing it either way , id still go 365/372 tho lol

[moorhead]

Local dealers are pretty equally divided between Husky and Stihl, so it doesn't really matter. One of the nearer Stihl dealers advised the 460 over the 441 but that seems like overkill for what I need.

[miker]

460 is tried and tested ! another blinder of a saw, but maybe overkill, adds a bit of weight and a few cc's, plus a few £££'s

[miker]

leave it 24 hours, see what others say lol

[CJM]

All great saws they'll serve you well, just want to point out one thing the 441 has a slight weak spot and that's its front av bush if that goes you'll either have to bodge it or replace the chassis of the saw. If it was me it would be a 461 it's one the best saws I've used stihl managed to get a saw right straight out the box

[Mortimer Firewood]

362 or 461 if you want the extra punch we use both and cant fault them

Edited October 15, 2014 by Mortimer Firewood
Having a moment