Good Firewood, ringing saw

[arhfirewood]

Hello,

I currently have a Stihl 038 & 064 both with 20" bars. As they are getting on a bit I am thinking of changing to a modern saw. I have just had a new clutch in the 064.

I buy timber by the trailer load and currently have about 50 ton to log up, size range from 5" upto 30".

There is 2 of us that work together, cut into 40" lengths then split then cut on a saw bench.

Looking for something to cut quicker than my current saws, I have only ever had Stihl's but would contemplate a Husqvarna, my short list is made up of MS362, 440, 441 or 555, 357, 372xp

Thought about a 560xp but I am not sure about all of the "High Tech" on it.

I just want a good reliable saw that is lighter than the 064 as that seems to be the saw I pick up first, possibly thinking bigger saws cut quicker which I know isn't always the case.

What are your suggestions?

Thank you Andrew

Edited October 14, 2014 by arhfirewood
Additional model added

[Logit]

How about an MS461 ? I use my 046 with a 30 inch bar from time to time, a reasonably powerful saw and not too heavy and great for ringing up firewood. The 046/460/461 saws all seem to be generally well liked by their users.

[mendiplogs]

How about an MS461 ? I use my 046 with a 30 inch bar from time to time, a reasonably powerful saw and not too heavy and great for ringing up firewood. The 046/460/461 saws all seem to be generally well liked by their users.

 

Hi log that's a good saw mate the 461 I have my one on a 20ins bar mate thanks Jon

[Woodworks]

Love my 460 for ringing up and from what I have read the 461 is even better. It lives with a 25" bar on it.

 

Welcome to Arbtalk Andrew

[Stubby]

When you said up to 30" I was thinking Husqvarna 390/372 . a bit of weight but if just cross cutting then not so much of a problem . Depends on the ratio of small stuff to big and do you put the small stuff in a horse of some description so cutting in bundles ? I think 372 could run 15" bar up to 24" bar .

[arhfirewood]

Thank you for your replies.

 

There isn't much 30" wood and most can be cut in 1 pass with a 20" bar, it is also just cut where it is tipped and the small stuff isn't bundled. Only buy hardwood loads.

 

I was thinking as I have just spent some money on the 064 I would keep this saw for any big stuff as it isn't very often, and then get something lighter and faster with perhaps an 16"/18" bar to replace the 038.

[Petemate390xp]

Dolmar 7900 loads of power can handle 15"-36"bars have a look on youtube loads of vids.

[arhfirewood]

I cannot find a UK based Dolmar supplier so would be worried about spares and service backup.

[Stubby]

Thank you for your replies.

 

There isn't much 30" wood and most can be cut in 1 pass with a 20" bar, it is also just cut where it is tipped and the small stuff isn't bundled. Only buy hardwood loads.

 

I was thinking as I have just spent some money on the 064 I would keep this saw for any big stuff as it isn't very often, and then get something lighter and faster with perhaps an 16"/18" bar to replace the 038.

 

Something lighter and faster would be Husqvarna 560XP . I run mine on an 18" bar .325 driven by an 8 pin sprocket . Easely converted to 3/8 though if you wanted to keep the same pitch as the bigger saw . ( Same files )

[arhfirewood]

Thanks Stubby, would a 555xp be as good but without the Tech?