O/T Chain Saw Advice

I'm in the market for a new saw. I'm leaning toward a Stihl either a 270, 290, or 361 with a 20" bar. I'm cutting mostly larger walnut and oak. Is the 361 worth more than the other two or is it just hype? Thanks.

Larry in Michigan

Get the 361 if you want a long lasting fast cutting saw. The 270 is a bit small for a 20" and the 290 is a great saw but 20" is the max. Especially in hardwoods. Husky makes a few good saws too but I prefer the Stihl's. I'd port the muffler if it were mine, just wear ear protection.

My recommendation is to go with the "Pro" saw. The "homeowner" saws are not up to the constant usage in my experience. Pete

Get the 361 or whatever the equivalent of the old 039 is.I use mine heavily.Ive had it near 12 or 15 years.its like a Caterpillar,just replace normal wear parts as needed and keep running it.

I have an 036 pro that is 10 years old and I have never touched it other then routine maintenance. I heat my house with wood so it has seen alot of use.

Pro saws are definitely worth the money.

Just get a 044 and be done with it.

I cut alot of firewood every year enough to supply two households. I've used a Sthil MS460 for the last six years.Plenty of power but not so heavy it wears you out.

361

I have a STIHL 290 and the thing is great. We've had it for about... 3 years now. Kind of a bear to start when it's really really cold or damp, but when she is running with a sharp blade, she does all you ask of her.

Of the three you list and with a 20"bar go for the 361. I'd have one if I didn't already have a 026 20" and 044 24".

361 is a great saw, good friend has one, I've used it while were cutting together, I have a 390, both are pretty good, about = in power, just that 361 is professional grade, 390 is homeowner, and though my 390 has it's quirks, which I think is fuel quality or similar-related, it does perform great, I've cut a fair amount with it now, since new and can say it ought to go the distance.

I can also say with both, a longer bar may or may not be a good or great match, they'll handle it, friend has a longer bar for the 361 but I'm of the opinion that you may need a little more power, depending on the chain, what you are cutting etc. If you are cutting larger hardwoods, you might want to consider a few models up, like the 440-460, especially for felling, I've used my 390 with a 20" bar on trees that I really needed a longer bar and or HP, just have to work with what you have, in an ideal world based on what I cut, one of those larger saws would be justified, along with the size I have now and a smaller limbing saw, for now, and due to budgetary considerations, 1 will have to do.

I took a 86-100 year old oak down, thing had to be 120 feet, probably close to 36" diameter at the base, was in the way, in a ravine that was being filled, longer bar would have been great, face cut went fine, but the back cut, left enough where I had to go back in, after she moved a hair, plus it had an extra trunk, on my side, so that extra weight had me thinking, could be balanced or maybe unpredictable, the trunk was parallel with the main trunk, once I severed that last bit holding it, the face cut acted like a hinge and she dropped right on target, guess I did not like working in the ravine with only one way to escape, situation like that I wish I had a longer bar to make that one continuous action. I took photos, one of the more intimidating ones I've cut, no one else would touch it, they needed it out to put a drain pipe in before they fill the ravine.

I also have an 044-best investment I ever made ! mike

FWIW, I"ve been very pleased with my MS 310. I heat with wood, almost exclusively hickory, ash & oak and the 310 with a 20" bar & full chisel chain have been great over the last several years.

We have an 044, and it's as little a saw as I'd own. I also have a 371XP Husky, and it's a heck of alot faster. Actually, been around a 670 super Jonsered, and it was a better saw than either of the others. It would be the same as a 272XP Husky.

we have sold both for a total of 40 years after you leave the husky just buy a good axe

Thanks for the great advice everyone. I think I'll take a serious look at the 361.

Larry in Michigan

I've got a 361 with a 24" bar, it's not a bad saw but I'd trade it for a good Husky in a heartbeat. Mine burns through sliders for the bar like crazy, the little gears in there are just way too light and strip easy.

Yes, buy the 361.
The 290 will probably have more power but the 361 is a higher grade saw.

Rod

opps... I was thinking of the 390 being bigger.
Anyhow, go with the 361.

Rod

Screw the 044 and find a 041 Farmboss. More power than the 044 and its a lighter weight saw. I'm pulling a 24" bar on mine and it will out cut my buddies 046 any day.