Best saw for a small firewood operation?

[bushtuckaman]

Hello, I'm new to the site, so hi everyone ;-) I was wondering if people here would share there thoughts on the perfect saw for a small firewood log sideline I operate.

 

I cut around 50-100 cubic metres of logs a year of thinnings from an young/overpopulated wood, ash, sycamore, willow, hazel, alder and max 15" spruce. No harder oak, beech etc. So not much very large wood and generally dicing it up while its still green.

 

Since I started the firewood a few years I've been using an old Husqvarna 55 which I find just vibrates too much, to the point that my hands are aching the next day after running a tank through it! I've got a 4 new rubber vibration mounts and a new drive sprocket on order to see if it improve the vibration, but looking at the vibration figures of this old saw compared to a newer now I think i need a new low vib model (figs for new models 3m/s vs 7m/s for the Husky55)

 

I run the 55 with 18" .325/58 21BPX and in terms of performance the 55 fulfils my requirements in terms of power (2.4Kw), although it does bog down in thicker wood (not sure if that due to the age or tuning of the saw). If it wasn't for the vibs I wouldn't change but what price do you put on your hands!

 

So to cut a long story short, I'm looking in the £500 bracket something with similar power but low vibes and being a husky man I've been thinking about the:-

 

353 - I like the low vibe figures (3.1m/s), but not sure if it a bit old and i've read comments its got no guts, though the Kw are the same as the 55

 

346xp - great reviews but, not sure if it a bit too punch for my needs

 

545 - I was told this is the new version of the 353 - higher vibes though. Its got autotuning...is that a good thing?

 

450e, or 445e - super low vib - much less robust saws - will this type quickly disintegrate in my hands?

 

Also the Stihl MS241 look interesting, comments i've read on youtube suggest its very powerful for the engine size, cuts like a 50cc and great fuel economy. Not sure about the electronics engine management reliability though - could I bring myself to buy a Stihl though

 

I'd be very interested in peoples thoughts on these and any other saws they think would be suitable. Sorry for the longwinded post...look forward to any suggestions.

[Sburdy]

I would say something like a 455 rancher! or Stihl ms 290/291...... robust saws with a bit of grunt with them!! hope this helps!

 

Shaun.

[Stubby]

The world is your lobster as dell boy once said ! My standard answer is get the best you can possibly afford in size of saw you are looking at .

[normandylumberjack]

Of your short list the 346xp jumps out as the best saw ever made! and I'm normally a stihl man. Get one now, and thank me later!)

[Woodworks]

We also run a small firewood business as a sideline and use a 346Xp can't fault it.

[normandylumberjack]

get the xpg if you can, heated handles, nice!

[mixedangased]

for most of my work i still use a 254 got 3 of them vibs not too bad but not sure of the figures though, but they are old hat now.huskys all the way for ground saws

[Chris Sheppard]

365 - bit more grunt and fairly robust. Probably manage an 8 tooth rim with a 15" bar.

 

346 is a felling saw and won't thank you for ringing up all day.

 

353 isn't a bad saw either but like to eat clutch springs.

 

365 will eat more wood in a dday than the other two too.

 

For firewooding I always prefer a bigger saw with a smaller bar and a fastish chain speed

[Stubby]

365 - bit more grunt and fairly robust. Probably manage an 8 tooth rim with a 15" bar.

 

346 is a felling saw and won't thank you for ringing up all day.

 

353 isn't a bad saw either but like to eat clutch springs.

 

365 will eat more wood in a dday than the other two too.

 

For firewooding I always prefer a bigger saw with a smaller bar and a fastish chain speed

 

That makes sens . If just ringing up big saw small bar combo is a good way to go . The 365 special is a bomb proof last for ever saw and would be ideal; .

[Big J]

50-100 cubic metres a year is a fair work load if you are fully processing it from standing to firewood.

 

I've a 346xp and it's a lovely saw. No issues with it at all, though it would be a touch slow on ringing up 15 inch hardwoods. I would maybe be inclined to get a 357xp or 560xp, though that might be a bit overkill on the felling. Stick to the XP range though.

 

Jonathan