Best saw on the spar

[ArborMan23]

just wanna get everyone thoughts on their favorite saw for chunking down the spar

 

[Z'sTrees]

Depends on how big the wood is.. (that's what she said)
I really like my ported 550xp with a 20" bar for most of that sort of stuff. It's light and plenty powerful.

 

[JeffGu]

Stihl MS-261C-MQ with 20" bar, for me. When the wood gets real big, anything with a ton of power and a longer bar... but there's really not any of those that are fun to operate off the ground, as near as I can tell.

 

[ArborMan23]

I've had my eyes on the 550xp. For the weight and power, and it's price. But I also saw the stihl 261 i think, which is around the same weight and power. Price is gonna play a little factor in my decision.

 

[Z'sTrees]

I haven't run the 261 but I am sure it's neck and neck with the husky.
I had a dolmar 5100s before the 550xp and it pulled the same 20" 3/8 great too, but felt about a half size bigger than the husky or an 026.
I run husky/dolmar purely for parts interchangeability and the fact that my husky dealer is great. The guy I work for runs stihl. They both make good saws in all sizes so pick what works for you.
I'll add that another combo I like is an 036/361 with a 24" when stuff gets a little bigger. A 562xp is on the wishlist for sure, being able to run up to a 28"...

 

[monkeylove]

Depends on size of course but I like my 241 w/16" when I can.After that I am stuck with dragging the Echo 590 w/20". Not a bad saw just heavy compared to Stihls.

 

[Drewtree]

Usually if my 200t can't handle the log, next in line is my ported 460 with pro safety dogs and full wrap. I will go out of my way to use my 460 even if it's overkill just because I love that saw.

 

[ArborMan23]

yea im using a 461 right now and i just hate throwing it around up in the tree if i dont have to, but the power is wonderful

 

[ArborMan23]

Is the weight difference between the 461 and the ms 261 that noticeable?

 

[southsoundtree]

Sharp, clean air filter, good raker adjustment.


Considerably heavier, but means less time standing in spurs.

 

[CanadianStan]

The 460 is my favourite 'light' saw for blocking down spars...
For small logs, 562 is nice.

For bigger stuff, 660 or 3120

 

[chiselbit]

562 with a lightweight 28" bar. And for big wood I'll break out the bigger saws but I will use the 562 until it's just too much of a pain in the ass before I switch to a bigger saw

 

[TreeCo]

When my 200T isn't enough I switch over to a Stihl 036 with a 20" bar. Next up would be a Stihl 460 with a 28" bar but I hate it on a spar as it's rather heavy.....but does cut circles around my 036.

 

[southsoundtree]

Similarly, I go from a top-handle to a ms361/ 20", to ms460/ 28", t0 ms660/ 36".

 

[Magnum783]

I have a 550xp stock w/ muffler mod and I couldn't ask for better unit. The balance on the unit is super. I run a 18" bar w/ 3/8"

 

[colemanjessenz]

200t, 14" ........ 460, 18"......... 661, 28"

 

[Nish]

201TC, 16"; 261, 20"; 372xp, 24"

 

[Simpleiowaguy]

I really like to use my 268 with a 20 inch bar.

 

[TreeVB]

T540xp w/ 14", 562xp w/ 20", 372xp w/ 28". After that, if we can't drop it, off to the 395xp with 36"

 

[Steve Connally]

201tcm 16", 361 20", 441 28". The 361 is my favorite. My only original saw left from when I first got into tree work. Been runnin that baby for 15 years and still starts on the well, 5 pull