I am in need of a chainsaw with a minimum bar length of 24". I am considering the Stihl Ms391 (14.1 lbs., 4.4hp, $535.00), Husqvarna 460 Rancher (12.8 lbs., 3.7 hp, $470.00) and the Husqvarna 359 (12.1 lbs,3.9hp, $564.00). The Stihl hp looks good but the weight looks very substantial. The contender right nows looks to be the 359 Husqvarna as the power to weight ratio looks a little more manageable plus this saw this some pro features added to it that the 460 Rancher does not have like magnesium case. Any opinions on these 3 saws?
Saw needed with 24" bar
- Thread starter mjonesnh
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Will_C
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24" bar? I would certainly opt for every bit of horsepower you can get...so my advice would be the Stihl 391. Will you be cutting hardwood or softwood? I would opt for a 372 Husky or a 460 Stihl if cutting hardwoods and a 24" bar was needed.
Will
Will
milkman636
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The Stihl MS460 is a very nice saw with a standard 24" bar. It does a great job cutting anything. I've had mine for 10 years now and have never regretted the making the investment. It is a workout for the left bicep, but makes real short work of big trees.
westbrooklawn
Platinum Member
The Stihl/Husky debate is just like the Chevy/Ford debate... both are great saws... I just happen to be a Husky/Ford person! I own 4 Husky saws, one being the 359. I have a 20" on mine, but think it would pull a 24" fine. The real secret is to keep your chains sharp and let the saw do the cutting... don't force it.
Having said all that, if I was looking for a dedicated 24" saw it would be the Husky 372... a little pricey at $800, but it is a hoss, and will last forever.
Having said all that, if I was looking for a dedicated 24" saw it would be the Husky 372... a little pricey at $800, but it is a hoss, and will last forever.
skipmarcy
Veteran Member
I bought the 460 Rancher new a couple months ago and got the 20" setup, have cut quite a few larger red & white oaks and several very large hickory trees and cut them up for firewood. I don't think I'd want the 24" on this saw, it cuts very well but can bog fairly easy, especially with a good sharp chain - it cuts so well the weight of the saw wants to push it thru too quick and will bog it some. I find myself having to hold the saw back a little on larger pieces ( over 20" in dia) and it wears me out quicker. Maybe it's my technique - I'm definitely not a pro, and I'm also no spring chicken anymore so maybe the saw is doing better than I am !! On top of that most of this cutting has been during the break-in period on the saw so it might get better as I go along - I've got maybe 15 hours on it and Husky says the break-in period is 10 hours. I'm definitely pleased with the saw in every other aspect - starts & runs very well and fuel & oil economy is good and I like the adjustable oil flow, I just think 20" would be about the max for this power range.
arrow
Super Member
All of the above mentioned saws are small for 24". Here is why and perhaps clarification as to why you feel the need for a 24" saw would be helpful. Any of these saws will turn a 24" bar but the problem arises when the bar is fully or mostly buried in the cut. If you were limbing and wanted a longer bar to save your back, any of the saws mentioned will do the job but unless you approach 5 hp or more, saws get sluggish when using an oversize bar too large for what the chainsaw was intended no matter what the advertising copy might say. Thicker trees call for longer bars and thus engine sizes move up. If you do not care how long it takes to go thru a round, then any of the saws would work but if you are looking for any kind of efficient production for such trees because you have many, you need larger saws than mentioned. Husky 372, Dolmar 7900, Sthil 441, ( or even a 362 CQ if you were just occasionally needing a 24" bar),Echo 600 series etc. Much depends on how you are going to use your saw and more importantly,how often the need for a longer bar presnts itself and of course your patience factor.
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Rustyiron
Super Member
What Arrow said.
70cc + to bury a 24" bar in hardwood.
70cc + to bury a 24" bar in hardwood.
Piston
Elite Member
+1
but if you don't need to bury the bar all the time, my ms361 and ms 362 do just fine with the 25" bar. I bury it on occasion and just took down a 30" dbh white oak with it 2 weeks ago, no problems but had to go a lot slower than a larger saw.
90% of the time i'm not using the full length, probably more like 95% of the time. I prefer the smallest saw I can use efficiently and still be able to pull the 25" bar when needed. If your gonna go with the 391 I would step up to the 362. I've been very happy with both of mine and they've done a lot of work :thumbsup:
You may be able to get more power for your money from husky.
