50 cc saw

[Rough Hewn]

Stihl 261 get a new one,(2016+) .older models have issues.
Cracking saw

[Will Ingleton]

Definitely recommend a Stihl 261, had no issues with mine since buying it a few years ago. Light and plenty of poke

[drinksloe]

I might be looking for a similar saw shortly

I've cut with a few boys with 550's recently and all rate them.

Got an older 353 and its a cracking little saw

 

Wot puts me off them (husky's in general) is the external clutch, esp for forestry work, not that it happens often but if u stupidly get ur saw stuck in a tree an external clutch is a real pain to get bar/chain off. And usually happens at the furthest point form ur van so a long walk for ur spare saw

So thinking might look for a small stihl instead

[nemcc]

35 minutes ago, drinksloe said:

I might be looking for a similar saw shortly

I've cut with a few boys with 550's recently and all rate them.

Got an older 353 and its a cracking little saw

 

Wot puts me off them (husky's in general) is the external clutch, esp for forestry work, not that it happens often but if u stupidly get ur saw stuck in a tree an external clutch is a real pain to get bar/chain off. And usually happens at the furthest point form ur van so a long walk for ur spare saw

So thinking might look for a small stihl instead

That clutch is a pain

[gary112]

If your happy with the 550 get another i would great little saws

[Jon@CareFell]

353.?.?
And why your 550 on its last.? Not worth replacing with a piston kit..?
 
 
 

Plus one for this. Send it to spud to port it while you are at it. I needed a bar in a hurry so put a 20” from a 560 on one of our ported 550s. I could not believe it but it pulls it with no problem fully buried in knotty Oak you can even lean on it a bit. [emoji15] they are animals but seem to bust clutch springs quite a bit.

[shavey]

Yes there’s two offerings from Dolmar / makita 

the Dolmar ps-5105 and makita EA5000

both are identical pricing the Dolmar is more expensive 

at the moment bar and chain  are from 13” up to 20”

3/8 or .325 

 

[Daniël Bos]

I have a couple of the dolmar 5105's.
Bought them as I often had other people using them (which my 550's didn't like) This worked well, they're everybody's friend.

They're strong, super easy to start (easier than an ms180!) And no electrickery carbs.
They do feel a little clumsier than the 550 and are a bit fatter, as well as a tad heavier. I've also found them a bit more thirsty.

But, if it's a one man forestry saw, I'd definitely get a 550xpg.
It's quicker, nimbler and lighter. The disadvantages of it being slightly less user friendly aren't really an issue if you're the only one using it.
And it'll earn more money by being the quickest.

[Martin du Preez]

261 love mine if your using it everyday you want a pro saw

[dan494]

just changed my 550 for a ms362, little extra weight but running 18 inches very happily