50-60cc Chainsaw Comparison

[Gabriel82]

60cc seems the minimum for the "average user".

 

Probably too big if you're climbing trees 😁

 

But for ground stuff I begin to think a 90cc chainsaw is the right choice. (390/395xp).

 

More power is always welcomed. 

 

I sure am tempted

[5thelement]

1 hour ago, Gabriel82 said:

60cc seems the minimum for the "average user".

 

Probably too big if you're climbing trees 😁

 

But for ground stuff I begin to think a 90cc chainsaw is the right choice. (390/395xp).

 

More power is always welcomed. 

 

I sure am tempted

My 90cc comes out of the workshop about twice a year. 
I use the smallest, lightest saw that will effectively do the job, 80% of what I do on the ground is done with a 550xpg (50cc) the rest 572xpg (70cc), you clearly don’t do this job for a living. 

[Stubby]

1 hour ago, Gabriel82 said:

60cc seems the minimum for the "average user".

 

Probably too big if you're climbing trees 😁

 

But for ground stuff I begin to think a 90cc chainsaw is the right choice. (390/395xp).

 

More power is always welcomed. 

 

I sure am tempted

A sharp chain beats more power all day long . As above . The smallest , lightest that will do the job every time . 

[Gabriel82]

2 hours ago, 5thelement said:

My 90cc comes out of the workshop about twice a year. 
I use the smallest, lightest saw that will effectively do the job, 80% of what I do on the ground is done with a 550xpg (50cc) the rest 572xpg (70cc), you clearly don’t do this job for a living. 

"Do this for a living"?  nope ,surely not. 

 

Just cutting logs ocassionally for firewood. 

 

Sometimes someone asks me to cut a few trees that bothers him. 

 

I ended up on this forum after getting about 4 cubic meters of oak logs, for firewood about 21-22 months ago. 

 

Was baffled by how "stubborn" was to cut by chainsaw yet easy to split by axe. 

 

Was a decision of moment because usually I buy beech or hornbeam. Wich I know what's it about and how long it takes to dry/season. 

 

Then I found out from some individuals that I might wait 3-5 years for this oak to season 🤔😱 

 

Of course I got even more curios and baffled WTF 3-5 years are they talking about...

 

If after 2 years this oak doesn't burns right like beech and hornbeam have done past winters I'm done with oak as firewood! 

 

but anyway, big chainsaws are good for hardwood if you're in a hurry 😁

[Muddy42]

50 cc saw (stihl ms261) and 13 inch bar for most of the work I do - storm clearance.  70cc for felling larger trees, logging or when I get the first saw stuck!  120cc for blocking up "unsplittable" logs on the ground

Edited 13 hours ago by Muddy42

[Steven P]

If I was to set myself up with saws again - firewood use and the occasional tree (that I am happy to do), I would be as Muddy42, MS261 though probably go for an equivalent battery one. No need for domestic users to get anywhere near 90cc, if you are not using a saw most days, occasional once a year type use that power is too much.

 

Smallest bar you need, makes sharpening it quicker and easier - for an occasional user sharpening won't be as quick or efficient (or at all....), faster chain speed than an oversized bar... and how often does a domestic user really need to go larger than 13, 14"? Trying to think, got a couple of tonnes on the drive just now, what is too long to just split will be cut with the little battery saw, 14" bar, nothing larger than that.

[Muddy42]

53 minutes ago, Steven P said:

If I was to set myself up with saws again - firewood use and the occasional tree (that I am happy to do), I would be as Muddy42, MS261 though probably go for an equivalent battery one. No need for domestic users to get anywhere near 90cc, if you are not using a saw most days, occasional once a year type use that power is too much.

 

Smallest bar you need, makes sharpening it quicker and easier - for an occasional user sharpening won't be as quick or efficient (or at all....), faster chain speed than an oversized bar... and how often does a domestic user really need to go larger than 13, 14"? Trying to think, got a couple of tonnes on the drive just now, what is too long to just split will be cut with the little battery saw, 14" bar, nothing larger than that.

 

Great.  Personally having used a few pro battery saws, I don't find them equivalent in power to a 50cc petrol saw, in spite of the fact this is what they claim.

[pleasant]

Any efco saw listed for sale in the uk will be very old stock. Efco ceased to be a brand in the uk well over 5 years ago. The sister brand ...oleo-mac are the only current products sold within the uk now, and as most efco and oleo-mac products were near identical, the parent company in a cost saving exercise couldnt see any good reason offering an identical product, just in a different coloured plastic in the same market. Therefore....avoid any 'brand new' efco products that are still for sale in the uk market unless you want at least a 5 year old saw before youve even used it! All manufacturing dates are clearly marked on a white sticker next to the serial number, so if in doubt ask the seller the year of manufacture.  Just worth noting. 

Edited 5 hours ago by pleasant

[Peter 1955]

11 hours ago, Steven P said:

If I was to set myself up with saws again - firewood use and the occasional tree (that I am happy to do), I would be as Muddy42, MS261 though probably go for an equivalent battery one. No need for domestic users to get anywhere near 90cc, if you are not using a saw most days, occasional once a year type use that power is too much.

 

Oh no you wouldn't! Against all advice on here, I bought the MSA 300 Stihl. It suits my needs, but it's not a pleasure to use, whereas the 261 brings a smile to your face every time you pick it up.