STIHL crane saw?

hl_tree

hl_tree

Location
New Fairfield, CT
I want / need to buy another chainsaw and am wondering what to get. I'm a STIHL person, and need something that I can use for the bulk of a crane job cutting down 2 100' pine trees. They are 3 footers at DBH, but I have my 66 for that. I'm not sure what to get for a saw for up in the air though. Any input would be appreciated.
 
I have both of the above...plus yours. MS200t for the top and branches. Use that till you need a bigger saw, then switch to the ms361 with a 20-22" bar. Save the 660 for the stump cut.

Used to pull up the 660, but hat got old fast. so I bought a 361 for large in tree cuts. Plus it makes a great ground saw too. Another cool thing is the bars can be swapped between the 361 and the 660. So, I have a 20",24" and a 32" bar that will fit on either saw.
 
I've also got a 44, 200, and a 26... but I don't like the 260, and I'm not sure I want to take the 44 up there. I used the 66 with a small bar up a tree a few times and it ripped big time, but it's very heavy. I was debating between the 360 and the 460 / 660
 
Before I bought my 660, I owned a 044 (then it dided on me). But I used to used that up in trees alot on big wood (this is before I got the 361 too). It is better then the 660...but the 361 beat both hands down IMO. Power to weight it the best for a large wood up in tree saw.

For a short period I had the stihl farm boss for ground/chunking saw. I didnt care for it...i would just end up using the ms200t for longer. With the 361, I dont mind switching to it on the big wood.
 
I AM ALSO A STIHL GUY BUT FOR CRANE USE YOU CAN'T BEAT A HUSKY 346XP WITH A 20" BAR THE SAW IS LIGHT WEIGHT AND RIPS TRY ONE OUT. I DID AND BOUGHT ONE AND IT IS THE ONLY HUSKY I OWN. GOOD LUCK.
 
i own a 361 and it is awesome, i brought it into work one day to show my crew, i made a couple of cuts and they all had there jaws on the ground and asked, "what is that thing". i love it, right now i have a real small bar on it, only 18inch, but thats because i use it in the tree with me, i love it, if it broke tomorrow id buy another one
 
I don't do any crane removals, but after getting a GRCS which is close enough because now larger and bigger wood is coming down in one piece from the tree. I have done away with the 2 series saws for ground work as they just don't have the power of a 3 series saw like a 34 or a 361 (a favorite of mine)for increased speed for limbing and power for cutting the bigger limbs faster.

I would also go 361 for up in the tree for a crane removal, a bit heavy to be hanging off your saddle but the superior anti-vibs for smooth cutting and the fast chainspeed will make up the difference, especially with square chisel chain.

A 200 is a good choice but a little on the weak side if your going for bigger cuts that are the same diameter or slightly smaller than the length of the bar in hardwood. A stock 26 would be a poor choice to me that saw is a POS unless it has had some mods done to it, but still lacks some thing to be desired to me. Go with the 361 and if it lacks do some mods to it, I have heard good reports from those who have modded their 361's.

I have yet to run into a Husky saw I like so no comment.

Had to get my 100th post in here somehow.

Larry
 
Hey Axman, I've been running a Dolmar 5100 For brush picks during crane rmvls. It's a few oz. heavier than a ms260, but has much better torque than anything H or S makes in that class. The stock hp is right in between a 260 & 361. (Mine's ported by EHP so it runs like a saw 15 cc's larger.) You might see if Ed can get that kind of power out of a 260!
 
Hi Mike,

Ed is a good builder for sure, if anyone can get the most out of a saw he is the man for the job.

I have never even seen a Dolmar let alone run one, it sounds like you have found a good saw for doing crane work. Kind of a happy medium between Sthil and Husky. I have been watching your posts and if anyone would know it would be you. You have a nice operation going with that big brute of a crane.

BTW, you probaly don't remember but we have met,it was many years ago. Just to give you an idea of how long ago it was, you were a backyard specialist climber so to speak with a fancy 1-ton dump. Good to see that you have really progressed over the years.

Larry
 
In order, on the video, piped saw 4.0, stock saw 5.85, then two more, but close to a knot, piped 5.7, stock-8.15.

stock saw with ported muffler 7.9, piped 5.6 bogged a bit, and 5.5 higher revs.

The piped saw is 16 months old, and was woods modded by Ed Heard. It is running 16 inch bar/3/8th chisel, half round ground and half square--I forgot to square file the first half--new chain just a bit dulled.

Stock saw is 16 inch bar, and .325 chisel, round filed (more)

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Depends on the size of the cuts as to what saw is best for crane work. Most of my saws are modded, so a smaller size will cut fast and handle a longer bar. The 5100 will easily pull a 20 inch bar, and would handle a 24 as well.

If the trees are larger, I prefer a modded 372 or 7900, 24 to 32 inch bar.
 
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