I'm in the market for a new chainsaw. 24 inch bar.

Scut 4 Big Bucks · Mar 1, 2016

I bought a Stihl 029 back in 1994 with a 20" bar. The saw has been unreal as far as reliability, with only general maintenance items to fix. It's getting tired, and so I'm in the market for a new saw. I have many big oaks that I'd like to cut, but just pass on them now because of the 20" bar, and lack of power. I looked at a Stihl 391 today, and it looks good. Price was about $590. The Stihl 362 was a couple hundred more, but apparently is a huge step up.

I'm looking for a saw with a 24/25 inch bar. What are you guys using, and you're happy with.

Mike

EddieWalker · Mar 1, 2016

I have three Stihl Chanisaws, one Echo chainsaw and an Echo weedeater. Echo is much nicer and when I replace my Stihl saws, I'm buying Echo for now on.

s219 · Mar 1, 2016

I'd say 441 or 461 for running a 24" bar on a regular basis (I run a 461 myself with 20" and 28" bars).

You could run a 24" bar on a 60cc saw like the 362, but I wouldn't do it as the everyday bar on that saw -- it's better with a 20" bar.

In the 60cc class, the Husky 562 is a better option than the Stihl 362. I wouldn't even bother with a Stihl 391.

murphy1244 · Mar 1, 2016

I too went with echo as they are the easiest to start 2 stroke I ever had.

4570Man · Mar 1, 2016

I have a Husqvarna 372 XP. I am satisfied with it. I bought it with a 28" bar but that was to big for most of my cutting. I bought a 20" bar for it which I use for 95% of my cutting.

Sawyer Rob · Mar 1, 2016

372 is a GREAT saw, but I wanted something lighter that still has enough power to run a 24" bar...

I bought a Jonsered 2260 but the Husky 562 is the same saw with the exact same motor/power.

It's absolutely an amazing saw and I think it's still the best saw of this size made.

Try a Husky 562 before you buy a saw, and see for your self.

SR

Tompet · Mar 1, 2016

I have a 362 with a 20" bar. Once broken in the strato engine is excellent. I will say if you put a 25" bar on the 362 it doesn't feel as well balanced as the 20" bar.

I agree with s219 for regular use with next size up bar (24"-25") get next size up power head no matter the brand. I stayed with Stihl and the 362 purchase because I have a couple older saws in similar size with extra es 20" bars etc., and a smaller 14" bar stihl saw for limbing so it keeps things simple. You can cut a pretty large log with a 20" bar, but I understand your point on wanting a larger bar for what you described....just get a power head to match.

I agree with Eddie on checking out the Echo saws. Other than chainsaws, about every other small gas powered tool I have is Echo so I would have confidence in their saws.

4570Man · Mar 1, 2016

You could in theory cut a tree twice as big as the bar length, but I can cut a 25" tree MUCH faster with my 28" bar vs the 20". It is also nearly impossible to get a smooth and straight cut which makes splitting more difficult.

motownbrowne · Mar 2, 2016

I had an ms361 that I bought out West. It came with a full wrap handlebar setup, big felling dogs, and of course, a 25" bar. Out west they cut almost entirely softwood, so this is a very common setup. It's not unusual to see 50cc saws with 20" bars, and 70ccs with 32" bars.

Back here in the Northwoods, people see a 60cc saw with a 25" bar and basically start laughing. It seems like the logging in this part of the country is usually done with a 90cc saw (stihl ms660) with a 20" bar, so seeing a smaller saw with a big bar is almost comical. Since moving back i have decided to try setting up my lineup of saws more in the local style. I have a 50cc limbing saw with a 16" bar, a 60cc 036 with a 16" bar for 75% of firewood cutting, and a stihl MS460 with 20" and 25" bars for felling and bucking anything over 15".

Personally, if I were in your boat right now I'd be wanting a something in the 70-80cc range. I think I got a good deal on my 460 for $600. If it ever fails, it's worth rebuilding, and I'd probably pay treemonkey near Eau Claire to port it at the same time. A 391 with a 25" bar is a joke compared to a 70cc+ pro saw. If you don't want to drop the coin on a new 441 or 461, which I can certainly understand, try looking for used saws. That 391 will lose value as soon as you bring it home. My used 460 for example will pretty much always be worth at least $600, maybe more, assuming I don't abuse it.