choice of three saws - help/advice required

[david wood]

Hey there,

 

Having just sold my 266 i am looking to replace it with a new saw. 99% of its life its for firewood. The local husky dealer to me has 3 i looked at yesterday.

 

All 18 inch bar as its for logs up to 3-4 foot diamater max.

 

the cheapest was a 365, then 359, then the most expensive was the 357.

 

I have never used any of these saws before so all advice greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Davie

[Husqvarna King]

Hey there,

 

Having just sold my 266 i am looking to replace it with a new saw. 99% of its life its for firewood. The local husky dealer to me has 3 i looked at yesterday.

 

All 18 inch bar as its for logs up to 3-4 foot diamater max.

 

the cheapest was a 365, then 359, then the most expensive was the 357.

 

I have never used any of these saws before so all advice greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Davie

 

all of those saws would handle an 18 inch bar fine, the 357xp is a brilliant saw, had mine for years and its never let me down, but if its just for firewood i would say the 365 would be fine, a good raw power saw.

but if you're cutting wood with 3-4 foot diameter, surely you would need a bigger bar?? a 4ft log cannot be cut up with an 18" bar, unless you cube it, which is a pain in the arse

[david wood]

the 4ft is biggest log i have ever had - borrowed a saw for it then, most is around 3ft or less. just get the odd large butt end and yeah they are a pain! more concerned that if required i could just get larger bar/chain and stick on for a while without stressing the saw. Cant understand why the 365 is cheapest yet largest saw.

 

Its not commercial firewood, just for myself and family but sure get through plenty in a year.

[C.J]

The 359 should be the cheapest as it has the least power and the lowest RRP.The 357xp is a professional higher reving saw giving it more power and a lower weight and therefore should be the most expensive.

 

I was looking for a new saw in september and thaught that the 357xp would be an ideal saw for up to 20" fire wood but could take a longer bar for any thing bigger.Husqvarna only recommend this saw for upto a 20" bar and don't seem to make a longer bar in this motor mount.Oregon make bars upto 28" in K095 but only 24" seems to be available in UK

 

In the end I went for a 365 with 20" bar which seems to have plenty of grunt even in old oak.Oregon make bars upto 36" in the D009 mount which will fit this saw - O.k not ideal I know but if you take it steady it got to be quicker than continually swapping sides especially if your cuts don't line up:blushing:

[david wood]

Another saw has been suggested, the 372. How does this one compare?

 

Got a while before i buy,but want to get before the vat goes up so the more opinions the better!

 

Davie

[Ian C]

MS 441 job done.

[dandkgroundcare]

MS 441 job done.

 

i agree ms 441 with 20ins bar cuts really well:thumbup:

[combined tree services]

i would say give the 372 a go , they are great saws and ideal for hours and hours of logging , i would not bother with the 441 , we had one here for a short while , both myself and the guys that work for me wanted to use it , we would all much rather take the old husky 288xp out to site . if you want a little more power again then why not go for the 390 xp ? i was using tommers last sunday and now i MUST have one , it seemed to have bag loads of power and bottom end grunt .

[ecolojim]

if its within budget, id go for the 372. Best saw I own

 

if you're gonna be out in the cold all winter ringing up, get the xpg version. keeps the circulation going and effects of vibration minimised by the heated handles and keeps your hands toasty and gloves dry at the same time. it's made of win!

[blue beastie]

Of the saws suggested i'd say 372XP too although my opinion's only based on using a mates not owning the saw.

 

Like Combined Tree Services said if there's any way you can stretch to a 390XP do it - I love mine.