...Neither?

Looking for a bigger saw that what I have. I have a Stihl 025 and it's served it's purpose. I'll keep it around but it will be used for what it was designed for. Pretty much small stuff and limbing. I'd like a bigger one for firewood, trail work, and possibly screwing around with an Alaskan Saw Mill a little bit.

I’m a husky guy so that’s what I’d get. As usual the answers will be what people like. Get whatever has the best dealer support near you if you use a shop for maintenance and repair. If you like to tinker and can wrench a little yourself then Husky parts are available online where Stihl is not.

I would add that I don’t believe either saw is big enough to mill with.

When I was researching saws the 562 XP was more than impressive. It is a beast but was out of my price range for the little I was going to use a saw.

Sam Olson has one. He'll probably hit you up when he's done chopping holes in the cow ponds.

We've used a 562xp on a 24 inch mill works fine, also have a 572xp. These saws are very good in my opinion never had anything happen to either one. We cut a lot in the winter, we farm, I'm not a logger.

There are a few big box dealers around, Northern Tool and Fleet Farm. But they're dealing with the 455 Rancher and 271 Farm Boss style saws. Not much of a jump from what I have IMO. I'm going to check out a dealer after work that has both. But, that is a factor for sure.



That's good to know and why I asked. That's nothing that's going to happen in the next year, but definitely high enough up the list to keep in mind. Thank you!

What length bar did you have on either of them? The 572XP is on the list as well. But the 562XP seemed like a lot of saw for the money.

Stihl

I heard that the updated version of this with the new carb is model 555.
I never used it to rip boards, but think it's up to the task with the right chain.

Why?

Buy the dealer, not the saw. I have Stihl . I like them but my dealer had my 026 in 2 times and it still does not run very well. I know a Husky dealer 12 mi. away and that is close for around here. They are very good mechanics. My next saw would be a 346XP and a 372 XP if mine were lost ruined or stolen.

I've been really pleased with my MS 362. Stepped up from an MS 310 and so glad I made the jump. Never a single problem with it and I've had it about 5 years now. Local Stihl dealer is great too and like already said, part of the reason I went Stihl.

I found a decent place tonight. Not far from home either. They sell Stihl, Husky, and Echo. As well as toro mowed and snow blowers. They also repair all brands.

I fondled both saws tonight and the 572XP. The 562 is kind of a hot rod compared to what I’m used to.

I also dropped off my saw to see what they can come up with. Whoever said coil in my thread last week sounds like they might be the winner.

Tzone, mostly use 24 inch bars on both saws, had a huge ash last winter had a 36 inch bar on the 572. The 562xp is an amazing saw we've it several years now.

The 562xp is like a Corvette to me!

If you're using it for a mill you need a 660 or 880. Other that that a MS261 would be excellent for the work you describe. If you want something bigger that can handle a bar longer than 20", a MS462 would be an excellent choice.

If you're using it for a mill you need a 660 or 880. Other that that a MS261 would be excellent for the work you describe. If you want something bigger that can handle a bar longer than 20", a MS462 would be an excellent choice. I purchased a 462 a little more than a year ago and it's a Hoss, then again, so is the 261.

Well I don’t want a 36” bar but would consider a 24”. Although, I probably don’t need it. The one I handled tonight was a 20” bar.

Does it really need to be that big?

If so, I’m not ready for that yet.

I would figure out the percentage of work you will be using for the mill and how much for trail work, etc.
If it's just a little of this and a lot of that.....
It will determine how much weight you want to carry, how much $ to spend, etc.
The tree sizes and hard wood type may be a factor too. Ask around at an arborist forum. Youll likely find more experience for millwork there.

I was wondering how that worked out for you.

If yer just milling small schidt, no, but you will kick yourself for not getting a bigger and more powerful saw if you move up at all in size. Remember that you're milling with the grain rather than cutting across the grain - more power is always better in such cases. My logger Bud in OR cuts & mills BIG Western Red, Doug Fir, Maple, etc. and has some impressive rigs:

Custom 96" double-ended bar with dual 880s:




His small rig:


Also, if you are going to mill, do yourself a favor and learn the Humboldt bottom/undercut.

Zoner,:take the time and cruise some you tube vids on milling. Lots of helpful info on it by guys who do it. 20" bar won't let you mill much 24" minimum just because of the way you have to set up the mill on initial cuts. From what I saw on those vids most go for a pro saw 70 cc minimum and 30"+ bar length and a chain made to cut with the grain.
Mb

Oh it won’t be much on a mill. That would be mostly to screw around with.

There isn’t much left for me to look at. Carb, coil, and a rebuild are about where I’m at.

That double is wild!!

Thank you. That’s on the list for tomorrow. The 572XP is a 70cc saw. Salesmen told me today that the 562XP is a high reving SOB, especially for a 60cc unit. He said it will hang with the 70’s in all but the biggest wood.

Really, I may need to revisit the mill and how much it would actually get used. It would be just for screwing around. No real plans for it at this point.

tzone;
Good evening to you sir, I trust other than the current chainsaw quandary that life is as good as possible these days with you.

From what I read, the 572XP is a beast, but I've got no personal experience with one. My current "big saw" is a 14 year old 372XPG with a 24" bar and full chisel chains.

We don't have hardwood here really, but I do get into some bigger wood sometimes and the power of the 72cc is nice then.

They're not super light, but certainly lighter than some 90 and close to 100cc saws I've used, both Stihl and Husky. The heavy ones got pretty taxing when bucking on side hills, but not too bad on flat spots.

That said, when it came time to buy my own, I went with the 372 and haven't ever really felt I wanted a bigger saw.

It replaced an older Husky 61 - the ones that had a white top so maybe an '82 or about there. The extra 10cc is noticeable, but the newer saw also revs higher.

Hopefully that was useful for you sir, good luck whichever way you decide and all the best to you in 2021.

Dwayne

I've got a 362s, with 20" bar. It's used mostly for large trees that storms leave in less than ideal position. What I like about this particular saw is that it is very responsive. You can usually get it out of a tree when it starts to bind. I'm sure some others do the same thing, but I know this one does.

What I say every time this comes up, and others have said it also, is buy the one that has good dealer support with trained mechanics and parts availability. Both Husky and Stihl are great saws.

Rooster, I have a 550xp.

When it was brand new it wouldn't idle. I just kept using it and it snapped out of it and has ran fine for the last few years.

I would buy another.

I've got the 562XP - the thing is an animal and hasn't let me down yet. Would buy again.

I have ran both Husky and Stihl extensively, I run Huskies mainly because I have a small fortune in husky parts here.
I recently bought a new 395 Husqvarna, when I got home I looked and it said made in Brazil. I was a bit pissed, its a great saw and don't notice anything different. The parts may be made in Sweden, not sure. The smaller Huskies are made in China, check into it.
The Stihl is still made in Germany as far as I know, that should tell you something.

Out of the > 10 saws I have, the Stihl 250 and 361 are all I really need for felling, bucking, limbing, and milling of trees < 20” in diameter.

I prefer a 0.325” 18” bar/chain on the 250, but a 16” works fine.
The 361 wears a 20” bar most of the time, but will also pull a 25”. I like to mill with the 25” when on my Granberg, as it is long enough for me to use an extension ladder section as the mill guide.

For large milling or extremely hard wood, my 044 is a little faster. When milling, saw weight doesn’t really matter - but for felling and bucking, I seldom break out the 044 as it wears me out. In fact, I’d rather use my 250 than 361 for most light/medium duty for that same reason. Oddly, I often find myself reaching for the 250 rather than 026 for the same reason.

673;
Top of the morning to you sir, I hope the winter's been okay for you folks up the valley and all else is more or less where you need it to be in your world.

If I can be forgiven for telling this one again, it goes like this. About 4 years back I needed a smaller saw for doing a bit of limbing out of a basket truck - it was a one day job that a co-worker and I were doing in our respective yards - I went to the local shop in Penticton which sells both Husky and Stihl.

Our eldest daughter happened to work there at the time and the owner offered to extend a nice family discount on whatever saw I wanted. We've known the owners since we went to pre-natal class with them before our kids were here, so we go back a fair distance.

Anyways when I said I'd always been a Husky guy since converting from Pioneer, they refused to sell me any of the non pro grade small Husky saws. These would be the made in China ones of which you speak and no they weren't getting good results in the field whatsoever.

They pointed me to a little MS170 Stihl which other than needing a $1.35 gas tank vent has been a wonderful little saw. I might convert it into a .050 bar to run better chain on it someday, that's how much I like it. On the side it's marked Made in USA - which surprised me and I'm guessing it's German parts assembled in the US, but honestly have no clue.

One never knows where anything is made anymore I'm finding. In the 2 strokes I've had good luck with Bosch plugs which used to be made in Germany, then I believe it was Spain, then one of the Slovak countries and the last ones I bought are made in China.

Do you have any recommendations for 2 stroke plugs not made there by chance?

Oh - based on your recommendation I've picked up some WorkSafeBC certified kevlar pants too sir - thanks for the feedback on that one, I do appreciate it and very much respect your opinion on such things

All the best to you all in 2021.

Dwayne

I didn't know about the plugs, I like the Bosch ones.
Look me up when you know your coming up this way!

I wouldn't rule out the Echo CS-590, mine has been a great saw[3 years now]. Already owned a .028 and 021 Stihls

I bought it solely on price figuring I wouldn't need another 30 years of full on firewood cutting at my age.

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chainsaws/CS-590-Timber-Wolf

I keep forgetting about the Echo saws.
I was looking at them just the other day and I see there is a new model, its about 75cc IIRC, and it comes with a 5yr warranty.
I would sure like to try one for a day or two, great reviews from those who run them.

I currently have red saws but color doesn't make them cut. I have a couple of 71cc saws and they are getting a bit heavy. I love them for tearing into a pile of wood but way too much for tipping and limbing. I was actually thinking about selling one and getting a 55cc or so pro saw. I had a 95cc at one time but I was an animal back then. You mentioned a mill. Thanks, now I have another project and an excuse to keep them both.
I do like the 24" bar so I don't have to bend over while cutting. A 62 would probably be on my list if I owned just one saw. I thing my neighbor ND has one about that size.

'twas useful sir and I think you. It looks like we've come to the same conclusion. Being the 572 is a beast of a saw. Probably much more than I'll ever need. So, being a man....it's in the running.

That is one thing the 'ol ms 250 won't do. That's get out ahead of a bind. I've had to get creative a time or two.

Good to hear you like the MS250. I like it a lot and don't have any plans to get rid of it. When I bought it originally, it was to be used for cutting trails and limbing/cutting shooting lanes. The weight was ideal for that. I didn't need a saw with much power for that either. That little saw has been through a lot. Much, much, more than it was intended or designed for. It's not going anywhere if I can help it.

Dwayne,

Do you have access to NKG plugs in your neck of the north? We've had pretty good luck with them on most anything I've needed them for. 2 stroke bikes, outboard motors, and chainsaws. They're made in Japan. But like most Japanese products, they seem to be a good quality item.

Back then? The Bear is not to be messed with!!

Why am I not suprised that you had a 95cc saw?




We don't have any Red dealers anywhere near. That was what I looked for first since you and ND have and like them so much. Using Dave's saw before, I do like it.

The mill would be strictly for F'n around with. Nothing serious and no real plans for it.

tzone;
Thanks for the information sir, I do appreciate it.

Back when I used to be able to actually find the spark plugs on vehicles we owned, NGK were my go to plug in them and in 4 stroke motorcycles or generators.

It's funny how we - I anyways sir - make decisions based upon decades old experience which may or may not have any bearing whatsoever on current reality.

We had great luck with a couple Datsun/Nissan cars, but our youngest daughter's partner has had transmission issues with his newer one already at very low mileage.

Things change faster than I apparently keep up!

Yes though I do believe there's a purveyor of parts where I can source NGK plugs and will look into them.

All the best to you in 2021 and thanks again.

Dwayne

You dont want to mill with a saw below 80cc IMO.

I had a 562xp. Great saw, but mine was an early one with some electronic issues. I believe they now have these issues sorted out.
Stihl is coming out with a new saw called the MS4000 which the specs on it look impressive. The also have a 5000 with impressive specs.

From what I understand those electrical issues have been fixed.