Limbing saw opinions

[Simondo]

I'm in the market for a nice and light pro limbing saw. So I'm curious if people could share their experiences and opinions. Right now my smallest saw is my 562 and would want something lighter then that. I prefer ported saw's so if a saw wakes up really well and not so much a good saw stock. I still would like to hear about it.

Thank you for any help

I assume you dont want a Softwood limbing saw as your requirement would be a little different from hardwood work. If i was looking for a adaptable hardwood limbing saw then speed off the trigger for the smaller branches plus a decent chain speed under load with a bit of toque to help keep the speed up when you tackle the larger diameter limbs would be on my list. I prefer smaller cc saws for this job rather than a larger saw on a smaller bar.
Possibly" the most costly would be the 550xp... a smaller version of what you have or a really good example of the 346xp ne. You could go with a Sthil ms 241 as they punch above what you may expect along with a late ms 260 ,this being a bit more CC and by no means heavy. The Dolmar ps 421 is a semi pro saw that isnt like some other ones that use clam shell builds. Its good value without feeling like you have bought a toy IMO ...a basic muffler mod works a treat. All the saws i would put on a 15 " bar and .325 full chisel chain for balance and overall weight. All the saws iv mentioned should give good performance without major work but a muffler mod for better breathing and heat expulsion wouldn't go amiss.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

The new rebranded echo/shindaiwa 491 is the smallest 50cc saw you'll find. It weighs about a pound more than a 200t.

 

[Tor R]

If you can find a nice example of 242XP/XPG it would be my first choice. I use my 242's with 13" bar, thats where I feel they balance best, I also love the way 242 is build, it is extremely fast to twist around.
The only thing you need to worry about is that lots of parts is NLA now.

 

[DSS]

Ya you are right my bad!



I could only wish. Maybe I should go and speak with the old husky dealer and see if he wants to get rid of his 242xpg.

They're around, Adam. I stumbled onto a 242XPG about a month ago. Never thought I'd find a 242 much less a G model. It's amazing what's out there

 

[Tor R]

Never thought I'd find a 242 much less a G model. It's amazing what's out there

you found a very nice 242XPG also.
They are out there, in Norway too, they are just difficult to find, same goes to parts.
It's a year since I've started to stock up parts, it's the only Husky model I am willing to sacrifice so much bucks on.

 

[Toad22t]

I assume you dont want a Softwood limbing saw as your requirement would be a little different from hardwood work. If i was looking for a adaptable hardwood limbing saw then speed off the trigger for the smaller branches plus a decent chain speed under load with a bit of toque to help keep the speed up when you tackle the larger diameter limbs would be on my list. I prefer smaller cc saws for this job rather than a larger saw on a smaller bar.
Possibly" the most costly would be the 550xp... a smaller version of what you have or a really good example of the 346xp ne. You could go with a Sthil ms 241 as they punch above what you may expect along with a late ms 260 ,this being a bit more CC and by no means heavy. The Dolmar ps 421 is a semi pro saw that isnt like some other ones that use clam shell builds. Its good value without feeling like you have bought a toy IMO ...a basic muffler mod works a treat. All the saws i would put on a 15 " bar and .325 full chisel chain for balance and overall weight. All the saws iv mentioned should give good performance without major work but a muffler mod for better breathing and heat expulsion wouldn't go amiss.

I'm just a firewood cutter with a obsession with ported saw's. So 99% of my cutting is oak and maple. I think your spot on with what I want in a saw. In my area it's mainly stihl for support. With these forums and friends I've met the other brands aren't out of the question though.

Does anyone have any experience the stihl 180's or husky 543xp?

 

[Toad22t]

They're around, Adam. I stumbled onto a 242XPG about a month ago. Never thought I'd find a 242 much less a G model. It's amazing what's out there

Man congrats Chris, what a find!

you found a very nice 242XPG also.
They are out there, in Norway too, they are just difficult to find, same goes to parts.
It's a year since I've started to stock up parts, it's the only Husky model I am willing to sacrifice so much bucks on.

Tor how hard is it to find the closed port cylinders? Just thinking if I can find a 246 project and go with a 242 cylinder on it. That is unless I'm over looking something else.

 

[Simondo]

I'm just a firewood cutter with a obsession with ported saw's. So 99% of my cutting is oak and maple. I think your spot on with what I want in a saw. In my area it's mainly stihl for support. With these forums and friends I've met the other brands aren't out of the question though.

Does anyone have any experience the stihl 180's or husky 543xp?

Iv serviced and run a few Stihl 180 saws and there really only a lite use clamshell saw of aprox 32 cc so i think you may find you like something with more grunt . Second hand market you could get a lot more saw than a 180 for same or less cash I would think.

 

[Simondo]

Man congrats Chris, what a find!



Tor how hard is it to find the closed port cylinders? Just thinking if I can find a 246 project and go with a 242 cylinder on it. That is unless I'm over looking something else.

By the way...Dont discount the 42 special just because its not closed port....standard they are 2.9 hp and 14000 rpm. Same family and pro mag case as the 242 246 . I have a few that are mildly worked over and they are strong plus they rev free as a bird.

 

[Toad22t]

By the way...Dont discount the 42 special just because its not closed port....standard they are 2.9 hp and 14000 rpm. Same family and pro mag case as the 242 246 . I have a few that are mildly worked over and they are strong plus they rev free as a bird.

Same with the 238 also correct?

 

[Simondo]

Same with the 238 also correct?

I know the 238 se was before the 42 242 and is less common . I dont have personal experience of the 238 ...think Tor has one ?

 

[Tor R]

Tor how hard is it to find the closed port cylinders? Just thinking if I can find a 246 project and go with a 242 cylinder on it. That is unless I'm over looking something else.

it's almost impossible Adam.
I check ebay daily, US, UK and Germany, I've seen three new oem jugs for sale the last two years, guess who won one of them
Pistons are NLA in US, but they are still avaible in Norway.
246 is easier in some ways since Meteor make pistons for them.
If you choose to go the route with 42,242,246 there is a few parts you should hunt down, gasket set, seals, PTO bearing. Special one PTO bearing since it's NLA or will be NLA in short time.
42 special vs 242, I feel my 242's has faster throttle respons, and as limbing saw it's important after my opinion.

How much do I appreciate a pretty 242XPG? I am willing to drive half Norway to pick up one!

 

[Tor R]

I know the 238 se was before the 42 242 and is less common . I dont have personal experience of the 238 ...think Tor has one ?

No, I miss one 234 and 238 to have my serie complete, before or later I hope to find one 234SG and 238SG.
Husky made those saws in this order, 133->234->238, the two first was only made a few years, would think it's easier to find 238.
They changed the crankcase&crank when they develop the 42/242/246 serie.

 

[Simondo]

No, I miss one 234 and 238 to have my serie complete, before or later I hope to find one 234SG and 238SG.
Husky made those saws in this order, 133->234->238, the two first was only made a few years, would think it's easier to find 238.
They changed the crankcase&crank when they develop the 42/242/246 serie.

238 is not a true 200 group saw then Tor ?

 

[Tor R]

238 is not a true 200 group saw then Tor ?

it is a true 2xx serie Simon.
From the start with 133 until the end with 242 Husky did upgrades, but the whole serie is same in size, handle, and so on, and they share most of the parts.
133 vs 42 crank, piston bearing size is 13 vs 14 mm, 133 crank is a bit more slim compared to 42, those changes is what I speak about Simon

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I'm just a firewood cutter with a obsession with ported saw's. So 99% of my cutting is oak and maple. I think your spot on with what I want in a saw. In my area it's mainly stihl for support. With these forums and friends I've met the other brands aren't out of the question though.

Does anyone have any experience the stihl 180's or husky 543xp?

Based only on handling one at a dealer, not nearly enough "saw for the money" in my opinion. In your circumstances with your stated wants/needs, I would go 550xp every time... And if the price of the 550 is a bit much, I would look at the 545. The 545 is to the 550xp as the 555 is to the 562xp. Same saw in terms of construction, displacement, and materials, just a de-tuned version.

 

[Simondo]

it is a true 2xx serie Simon.
From the start with 133 until the end with 242 Husky did upgrades, but the whole serie is same in size, handle, and so on, and they share most of the parts.
133 vs 42 crank, piston bearing size is 13 vs 14 mm, 133 crank is a bit more slim compared to 42, those changes is what I speak about Simon

That is true Husqvarna at there best ..a one hundred numbered saw that is actually a 200 group saw !

 

[Toad22t]

That is true Husqvarna at there best ..a one hundred numbered saw that is actually a 200 group saw !

Just like the 181,162,61/66. The start of the 2 series.

 

[Tor R]

That is true Husqvarna at there best ..a one hundred numbered saw that is actually a 200 group saw !

yup, it doesnt need to be labeled 2xx to be put in 2xx group saw.
234 has the same p&c, crank, crankhouse, non adjustable oil pump as 133 has.
About 85 238 got adjustable oil pump, exactly the same as we find on 242.
It's ages since I quit taking Huskies IPL's for beeing true also, for each old saw serie I get there is always surprises lol.
Do you have one 42 special or 246 on your bench now?

 

[P.M.P.]