Best saw on the spar

[BRT]

Not much to compare, but this is what I use.

I bought a Husky 455 rancher when I bought a home--before I got into tree work. I've used it constantly for the last 5 years now. R/r the jug, piston and rings. Piston twice.

I find it great on spares. With a 20" bar on a sharp Stihl chain, it'll "do the thing".

I've also used a Husky 55 rancher w/ 18" bar--little lighter; worked a charm.

Stihl 026 I borrowed from my father-in-law also seemed to be a good fit for me. (18" as well I believe)

When they get bigger--it's fun to drag an 066 with a 28" bar up the spar.

 

[RyanCafferky]

I always go from the 200T up to the MS362 with a 25" bar. After that it is straight to the 660 with the 32". Knocking down logs or big tops with the 362 is fun.

 

[ArborMan23]

Id think a 25" bar would be a little much for a ms362

 

[RyanCafferky]

Id think a 25" bar would be a little much for a ms362

No way man! One of my good friends runs a 28" which I think is a bit much but he loves it.

 

[JasonRoland]

All orange on our crew.
Lately we have gone from trim saw to 550Xp, 562Xp, 372xp, 395Xp depending.
Certain people say they are noisier than their Stihls, but....

 

[JasonRoland]

The above mentioned 562Xp has a 24" bar and it has excellent power / weight balance on the spar in my opinion....

 

[ArborMan23]

I think I narrowed my decision down to the ms362 and the ms261

 

[Z'sTrees]

I think I narrowed my decision down to the ms362 and the ms261

If it were me I would choose the 261 to compliment your 461. The 362 would be a bit of a half step down. I would recommend a 261 w/ 18 or 20" bar and your 461 with 24 & 32" bars. That would handle 90% of east coast trees.

 

[evo]

If it were me I would choose the 261 to compliment your 461. The 362 would be a bit of a half step down. I would recommend a 261 w/ 18 or 20" bar and your 461 with 24 & 32" bars. That would handle 90% of east coast trees.

I agree... I run a Ms 020t, 361, and 044 mag.
If I had to do it over again, I would much rather have a 261. Either that or skip the 044, and would have gone with a 660
The 361 was my first saw, and I do really like it. However, it feels like a under powered 044/441. I picked up the 020 from a friend when I started climbing and I freaken love this saw, it will cut all day with out complaint.

I also run a 25" bar on the 361, it does pull the chain just fine, but not zippy enough when bucking firewood. Blocking down it's just fine, and limbing too. Recently though I put the 20" bar back on it, to pretend it's a 261...

So in my perfect dream world I'd be running a 020, 261, 044... OR 020, 361, 066....

I'd like to pick up a batt top handle or a 150 soon too.

 

[ArborMan23]

Yea I've been tempted to try out one of the little ms 150's. They look pretty sweet for pruning and small jobs

 

[treevet]

Since all my saws were stolen recently (except couple of 200's and an 088) I have bought an ms 241, ms 261, ms 461, ms 150. All these saws are just amazing how they run but all have been modified by Brad Snelling to enhance them and it is substantial the difference. None have been ported yet.

Next will be a replacement for the 660 they got (and the ported 461 w/ wrap) in a 661 Brad will port. If you all have not tried modded saws, you are missing a lot. The porting is amazing but little costly and takes time to do. But the basic mod is relatively easy, inexpensive and quick turn around and significant improvement.

This is how my stolen ported 461 sounded. Only down side is likely more gas usage.

 

[treevet]

Yea I've been tempted to try out one of the little ms 150's. They look pretty sweet for pruning and small jobs

This saw is a dog unless it has the basic mod...muff, advance timing, remove limiter. I don't understand the process as I am not a saw mechanic. I can adjust a carb with skill, but it will take Brad to explain further.

 

[ArborMan23]

This saw is a dog unless it has the basic mod...muff, advance timing, remove limiter. I don't understand the process as I am not a saw mechanic. I can adjust a carb with skill, but it will take Brad to explain further.

That would make sense that its quite under powered, but its really not meant for anything big

 

[ArborMan23]

Since all my saws were stolen recently (except couple of 200's and an 088) I have bought an ms 241, ms 261, ms 461, ms 150. All these saws are just amazing how they run but all have been modified by Brad Snelling to enhance them and it is substantial the difference. None have been ported yet.

Next will be a replacement for the 660 they got (and the ported 461 w/ wrap) in a 661 Brad will port. If you all have not tried modded saws, you are missing a lot. The porting is amazing but little costly and takes time to do. But the basic mod is relatively easy, inexpensive and quick turn around and significant improvement.

This is how my stolen ported 461 sounded. Only down side is likely more gas usage.

How do you like the ms 261

 

[Pelorus]

Even just removing the spark arrestor screen from a MS15o and MS200 helps.

 

[treevet]

That would make sense that its quite under powered, but its really not meant for anything big

You can take more out with it than you think....this is a 100' eab killed wt ash in the woods that I am dropping tops into the canopy of other trees that are about 50 plus feet tall. This is a modded 150 that I used for a bit while not modded (so I know how much dif there is). I had the ms200 sent up for the very last cuts before slamming the stem between trees. I am on my 3rd 150 now, last 2 stolen.

Pls. note the chunk toss onto the hanger dislodging it with one shot lol. chaching

 

[treevet]

How do you like the ms 261

It is just an amazing saw with the basic mod and I tried it out prior to giving it to Brad. I have heard negs from 2 sources on the 362 so I am holding off on that for now.

 

[ArborMan23]

You can take more out with it than you think....this is a 100' eab killed wt ash in the woods that I am dropping tops into the canopy of other trees that are about 50 plus feet tall. This is a modded 150 that I used for a bit while not modded (so I know how much dif there is). I had the ms200 sent up for the very last cuts before slamming the stem between trees. I am on my 3rd 150 now, last 2 stolen.

Pls. note the chunk toss onto the hanger dislodging it with one shot lol. chaching

Looks like it rips! is it modded in the video?

 

[treevet]

yes

 

[ArborMan23]

I think i got me one of those bad lil boys