Need advice on a larger chainsaw for an older guy.

[IndyIan]

For logging I think you should have a much smaller saw than you would for firewood. 550xp with a 20" bar should cut anything up to 36" or so. Sure a 572xp will be faster for the 3 bucking cuts, but for limbing and walking around with, you will be much less tired after a couple trees. Also you're probably not going to be cutting a semi load at a time. Also if you just want to have one good saw, probably the 550xp would run a 30" bar with full skip chain pretty good too.
I started off with a 372xp and its an amazing 20-24" hardwood firewood saw, and not a terrible logging saw when you are 26, but for most of my logging in softwoods it was way over kill. 20 years later for cutting fence posts I now use a light cheap plastic husky 141 with a 18" bar with the narrow chain and it cuts up to 20" softwood pretty decent really. The big saw comes out for hardwoods above 12-14" or firewood.

 

[4570Man]

For logging I think you should have a much smaller saw than you would for firewood. 550xp with a 20" bar should cut anything up to 36" or so. Sure a 572xp will be faster for the 3 bucking cuts, but for limbing and walking around with, you will be much less tired after a couple trees. Also you're probably not going to be cutting a semi load at a time. Also if you just want to have one good saw, probably the 550xp would run a 30" bar with full skip chain pretty good too.
I started off with a 372xp and its an amazing 20-24" hardwood firewood saw, and not a terrible logging saw when you are 26, but for most of my logging in softwoods it was way over kill. 20 years later for cutting fence posts I now use a light cheap plastic husky 141 with a 18" bar with the narrow chain and it cuts up to 20" softwood pretty decent really. The big saw comes out for hardwoods above 12-14" or firewood.

I got a Makita 6900 for a woods saw. My 372 was on the heavy side for dragging around but my 50 cc saw really wasn’t doing it for me.

 

[N80]

A three saw line up makes sense. Given your latest posts, I would amend your new saw to a Woods Ported 60cc Husqvarna or Stihl professional series saw. Then you have performance and not burdensome weight.

Okay, I'm going to throw a bomb into this discussion. I wasn't going to talk about brands, but what about an Echo? I had a small one that was stolen and it was excellent. Their higher end ones are about 10-15% less than comparable Stihl, within a few ounces of the same weight with similar power. The reason I'm asking is that our local Farmer's Exchange (imagine a feed and seed from the 1930s and run by a local family for 100 years. I have known 3 generations of them)

Other than the wall of new Echo gear in the back you'd think you'd walked into the 1930's in there.

 

[MossRoad]

Actually that is a valid question that no one here can answer and maybe I can't either. I sharpen the chain regularly as mentioned. But is my technique good? I don't know. The Stihl jig makes it hard to get wrong and I was decent with a just a file in years past. The electric sharpener is all set up in a fixed position and it does no better than the Stihl sharpener.

When I start sawing it cuts like a champ. Fast, clean and straight. But even after those three pines it was getting slower.

So maybe I know enough to get it sharp but not enough to put an edge on it that will stay on it? I doubt it but it might be possible.

True. You could buy a new chain, make some cuts, and switch to a chain that you sharpened yourself and see what your seat-of-the-pants feel for both of them are. That might ease your mind as to if you're getting them back to factory sharp or maybe better or maybe worse.

For the past 12 years I've been using a Poulan 42cc 18" saw to cut about 6 cords a year plus other trees for family and friends. We have a locust forest. I cut about 60 telephone pole size trees a year. Bases are usually 12-14". Some over 18, but most not. Even in locust, never a problem with the 18" 42cc saw. I have probably 6 chains that I sharpen myself with both files in the field and a Harbor Freight sharpener. I have an extra bar in case I pinch one. And an older Craftsman 18" 42cc saw as a backup.

With that said, I recently purchased a 92cc saw and 25" bar + 2 chains. On occasion, a friend or family member will offer me a LARGE tree, and while I can do it with the 18", it takes a very long time. The 92cc saw is heavy, but I find it takes less physical labor and time. I feel less worked over after an hour with the 92 than I do after an hour with the 42.

I'll be 61 in a few months. I'm in fair shape, run the stairs 4-5 stories multiple times a day. Have had back trouble since I was a kid, but keep it in check with specific exercises. You sound in better shape than me.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Being in the "old guy" range--10+ years on you, I vote with the guys who told you to let your son in law do the heavy cutting and you can do the limbing and run the mill. By my mid 50s I was not nearly so nimble as I was in my 40s. Think safety even above the fatigue factor.
All I cut now are Christmas trees, some dead softwoods and other stuff that clutters up my tree farm. Most of it is small and my Stihl MS 211 with the 16 inch bar does the job. For heavier things an old 034 with a 20 inch bar does the trick--though it's too heavy to lug around much.

 

[MossRoad]

Okay, I'm going to throw a bomb into this discussion. I wasn't going to talk about brands, but what about an Echo? I had a small one that was stolen and it was excellent. Their higher end ones are about 10-15% less than comparable Stihl, within a few ounces of the same weight with similar power. The reason I'm asking is that our local Farmer's Exchange (imagine a feed and seed from the 1930s and run by a local family for 100 years. I have known 3 generations of them)

Other than the wall of new Echo gear in the back you'd think you'd walked into the 1930's in there.

I've never heard anyone complain about Echo power equipment.

 

[gswallow]

My big saw is a Stihl MS462C with a 25" bar. Its about 72cc, 6hp, and the powerhead is only 13 lbs. I've dropped and bucked 3 foot plus red oak and maple with it no problem. I've limbed with it but it will wear your arms out swinging it around for that. I usually limb with my old 18" Poulan but its getting tired and I'll probably get a Stihl for that in the near future.

 

[ndavis]

I'm about your age and I swear they are making saws heavier than they use to! (just kidding.) I use the biggest engine that is comfortable to work and the shortest bar that will do what I need. I can always put on a bigger bar. My favorites, so far, are a Stihl 044 with a 20 inch bar and a Stihl MS200 top handle saw. Let the SIL do the heavy lifting.

 

[ericm979]

No yellow Stihl chains are made for this model.

here ya go:

https://www.baileysonline.com/stihl-26rs-325-x-063-rapid-super-chainsaw-chain.html

Your local shop should have it in stock or at least be able to get it and make you some loops.

Though I often use Bailey's house brand. It does not stay sharp quite as long but it's close, it costs less and is easier to sharpen. None of it is safety chain. Which cuts just as well as regular chain except for bore cuts.

 

[airbiscuit]

A three saw line up makes sense. Given your latest posts, I would amend your new saw to a Woods Ported 60cc Husqvarna or Stihl professional series saw. Then you have performance and not burdensome weight.

Okay, I'm going to throw a bomb into this discussion. I wasn't going to talk about brands, but what about an Echo? I had a small one that was stolen and it was excellent. Their higher end ones are about 10-15% less than comparable Stihl, within a few ounces of the same weight with similar power. The reason I'm asking is that our local Farmer's Exchange (imagine a feed and seed from the 1930s and run by a local family for 100 years. I have known 3 generations of them)

Other than the wall of new Echo gear in the back you'd think you'd walked into the 1930's in there.

What I gather from your posts, I gather that you want performance, and you mentioned your age, so I'm guessing weight matters.
I used to chase horsepower, but as I've gotten older, I like less weight more.

I have an Echo, 3 Husqvarnas and a Stihl. I like my echo, but watch the Youtube head to head cuts. Husqvarna and Stihl are always neck and neck, and Echo never wins. That said, they are a fair bit cheaper.

What I really like is having a saw with a ported muffler so it can breathe. Noticeable power improvement without added weight. I wish I had woods ported saws, but for my limited use, I've settled for just having ported mufflers.

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