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Most Dependable Big Saw (90cc-94cc)?

Which of these saws are the most dependable?


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RIDE-RED 350r

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Don't forget saws that get used as wheel chocks...I have fixed a few saws for a local tree service, one was a nearly brand new 576 that got wheel chocked. Both cases were junk.. first time I had to tell him it wasn't cost effective for him to fix that saw. Only parts that were salvageable were the little things.
 

sawmikaze

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Don't forget saws that get used as wheel chocks...I have fixed a few saws for a local tree service, one was a nearly brand new 576 that got wheel chocked. Both cases were junk.. first time I had to tell him it wasn't cost effective for him to fix that saw. Only parts that were salvageable were the little things.

Seen that too.
 

blsnelling

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I can burn up any saws clutch lugging it too low. Makes sense. They’ll lug down to 7500 but won’t cut as fast as they do at 9000+. If I have to push on it that hard to get it to cut, the chain isn’t good enough.
+1000. As already mentioned, that's 100% operator error, and no fault of the saws.
 

Normzilla

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If we can vote for one not on the list HOORAY 288!!!!!!!!!!!
I second that. The 288 is top shelf maybe underated by some. Any of the saws in the poll, could be accidently left at home, with a 288 on board you lack nothing. As for my poll opinion Id take a 066 394 or 5 any day. Run all of one's I mentioned all proven. 661 can hit the dumpster:)
 

Keith Gandy

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I second that. The 288 is top shelf maybe underated by some. Any of the saws in the poll, could be accidently left at home, with a 288 on board you lack nothing. As for my poll opinion Id take a 066 394 or 5 any day. Run all of one's I mentioned all proven. 661 can hit the dumpster:)
Whats wrong with the 661? Are they not dependable?
 

FergusonTO35

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I can't speak for everyone or every area but the guys underneath me only make 12 bucks an hour..asking them to supply over a thousand bucks in saws would never happen, finding help is hard enough...add "must supply tools" to a wanted AD would make it a long shot at best.

It's strange how auto repair is an industry with a similar workforce and salary, yet the techs are required to have their own tools in most places. In 1999 I was making $8.50 an hour but already had over 2k in tools, and I was typical of most techs my age and salary.

I once spent a summer mowing grass for a school system and all the machinery was just in awful condition. It had been nice at one point, we had Green Machine weedeaters and Snapper walk behinds that dated to when those brands were top of the heap in lawn care. Years of use by 18 year olds trying to earn enough money for saturday night had taken their toll, it was a real testament to how well made those machines were that we could usually get them to work well enough to finish the job. If, my employer had offered me a modest pay raise on the condition that I had to provide my own weedeater and walk behind and they provided the fuel I would have jumped on it.
 

mdavlee

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I can burn up any saws clutch lugging it too low. Makes sense. They’ll lug down to 7500 but won’t cut as fast as they do at 9000+. If I have to push on it that hard to get it to cut, the chain isn’t good enough.
Usually milling is where they slip for me. Everyrhing gets so hot. Milling you want it loaded down to max torque like 9k or so and not screaming at 10-11k. Hit a knot or something and the chain slows but engine doesn't. Not many times you'll make a 10 minute cut without ever letting off the trigger either
 

srcarr52

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Usually milling is where they slip for me. Everyrhing gets so hot. Milling you want it loaded down to max torque like 9k or so and not screaming at 10-11k. Hit a knot or something and the chain slows but engine doesn't. Not many times you'll make a 10 minute cut without ever letting off the trigger either

I did some 12' long 32" wide oak planks that where 1.5 tanks of fuel per cut on a 395. Heat on the bar wasn't bad, aux oiler helps a lot. The saw took it better than my body.
 

mdavlee

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I did some 12' long 32" wide oak planks that where 1.5 tanks of fuel per cut on a 395. Heat on the bar wasn't bad, aux oiler helps a lot. The saw took it better than my body.
I done a lot of that size stuff one summer. 96 in the shade. 6' into a 9' cut the saw died. Thought it locked up. It was just out of fuel. After that at halfway I stopped to refuel with it running. Aux oiler was used on anything over a 32" bar. I burnt 3 gallons or so in 2.5 hours.
 

srcarr52

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I done a lot of that size stuff one summer. 96 in the shade. 6' into a 9' cut the saw died. Thought it locked up. It was just out of fuel. After that at halfway I stopped to refuel with it running. Aux oiler was used on anything over a 32" bar. I burnt 3 gallons or so in 2.5 hours.

Yup refuel while idling, it sucks restarting them in the cut.
 

Normzilla

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Whats wrong with the 661? Are they not dependable?
I don't like the feel or balance. My saw shop is due hard Stihl. I'm die hard Husky, we have our friendly arguments. They are even saying don't buy am. We like the 461. But they are not selling many 661 saws, they are getting bad feedback. I have a friend pro faller bought one. Has been running a 395. He said the 661 made him quit on Stihl. Dependable wise my opinion, they are to new need to be around longer. I don't like where Stihl has been headed, felt that way for some time. None of their saws run as good as the the run of the magnums.
 

Keith Gandy

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I don't like the feel or balance. My saw shop is due hard Stihl. I'm die hard Husky, we have our friendly arguments. They are even saying don't buy am. We like the 461. But they are not selling many 661 saws, they are getting bad feedback. I have a friend pro faller bought one. Has been running a 395. He said the 661 made him quit on Stihl. Dependable wise my opinion, they are to new need to be around longer. I don't like where Stihl has been headed, felt that way for some time. None of their saws run as good as the the run of the magnums.
Was curious. Thanks!:) I hadnt heard much on here about dependability from mtronic saws but heard good and bad from guys away from this site. Not sure what to think:confundio1:
 

Jimmy in NC

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Well of course if you lug it down that hard it's gonna slip. Makes no sense to run one down that far at all. Too much load will also cause more issues than just a slipping clutch.
I agree... you havent worked around many laborers that run saws though either I can tell. Tree service, mill operators, skidder operators, etc.... it's just a tool and if we trash it the boss buys another. Those are the saws that us saw collectors find cheap and buy to fix.

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