Limbing saw opinions

[Simondo]

No...have'nt a clue what you saying there

 

[Gunn]

The newest ms261 is just a few oz heavier than a 241. I'd be giving that one a good finger banging at a dealer.

 

[Locust Cutter]

Only a few ounces heaver than a MS241C or did you mis-type 242xp? If there's only a few ounces difference now between the MS241c and MS261c, (aside from the price difference) I'd definitely NOT consider a 241 and simply opt for a 261 in that case. An "old" 261 is sitting in my barn right now and is a hell of a runner w/unnatural torque for a 50cc saw. Unfortunately it handles more like a 60cc saw (to me) hence the MS201T, 346xp and 550xp in my sig line as I prefer all 3 for limbing and bucking smaller stuff. The 261 really doesn't pull away until about a 12-18" log (depending on the chain and wood species) from the stock 550 and the Mastermoobed 346 will hand it it's lunch in any contest you give them. Either way variety IS the spice of life and I like having options and backup.

 

[Jon1212]

I don't know what that is.

I do know that a top handle is the most dangerous saw there is,a rear handle cuts wood and a top handle cuts people.

Ugh! A rear handle is no safer when combined with stupidity.

They're only as dangerous as the guy holding it, like any other tool.

"Thansk!"
I've never understood the argument that a top handle saw is more dangerous than a rear handle.

Absolutely correct.
A rear handle makes you keep both hands on the saw is what I'm talking about.

Nobody has ever taken there hand off the wrap while in the middle of a long bucking cut, right?

I'd say running saws while not wearing appropriate PPE is far more dangerous than either type of saw. Even while shooting videos of modified saws to show off ones work.

 

[Jon1212]

@Toad22t the modern 40-50cc Dolmar's are nice, and the same can be said for the "Pro" Echo's in that class.

 

[Toad22t]

I have been doing some research on both brands and watching videos. Very interesting might I say.

 

[CoreyB]

Just to many good saw to just pick one! Lol

 

[Tor R]

The newest ms261 is just a few oz heavier than a 241. I'd be giving that one a good finger banging at a dealer.

I just checked Stihl Norway, it's not only MS261 who got updated, the same goes to 241, if I remember correct the old 241 M had weight 4.7kg
New weight: 261 vs 241, 4.9kg vs 4.5kg.
They have not updated the 241C M VM version yet.

http://www.stihl.no/STIHL-produkter/Motorsager/0130/Motorsager-for-skogbruk.aspx

 

[Wilhelm]

Really good reply's from fellow OPE members!

My post won't really be of help to the OP, but:
- if I know I just have to cut up small diameter wood and branches I'll grab my PS-6400 even though I have two 40cc saws
- if I know I'll be taking down a whole tree I'll grab my PS-7900 and do the whole damn thing with it, from cutting up the thinnest branches, over limbing, up to bucking the trunk and possibly noodling the rounds
Both saws wear a main 20" B&C setup, 3/8" chisel round filed.

I am able to endure high work load so it is more a choice I make to increase the fun level rather than preserve a few calories of body energy.
Having done this often enough I don't mind the weight of my PS-6400 & PS-7900 anymore.

Recently I used my 40cc Sachs-Dolmar 108 to take down some small diameter willow and it was nice, but I still missed the mean bite of my 64/79'er.

I was ogling the little top handle Dolmar's (PS-221; PS-3410) out of curiosity and they are really cute, but I realized I would never use them actively and dismissed the "I want" feeling in favor of the "I don't need" factor.

My saw lineup goes: 40cc(2x) => 64cc => 79cc
There is a huge gap between my smallest saw and my mid range cc saw - I never felt the need to fill in that gap.

I don't cut wood on a daily basis so I don't crave for the perfect tool for the job at hand!
I just try to get some joy out of the work that needs be done.

 

[Locust Cutter]

I think a lot of it comes down to what type of trees, how much and for how long you're cutting that goes into the decision calculus. We have a lof of large, hard wood trees where I'm at. But, most top out between 30-50' and have very large canopies due to (usually) not having to fight for light. I may start a tree with my 9010, 372, 262 or 562, but will usually switch to one of the 50cc saws or the 201 for the end because I'm simply faster that way. Plus I can let the main saw heat up and cool down slowly rather than having constant heat cycles which is usually easier on the metallurgy.

 

[Locust Cutter]

Plus, I'm usually cutting with my now 60yr old Father who likes the big toys, but truly uses the smaller ones. Normally the routine is I fell and buck the larger stuff. He grabs a smaller saw and starts working on the small end of the canopy and we meet in the middle. If there's a lot of brush, the I'll have Him cut and I'll clear the unwanted limbs as that's a younger man's game anyway. By myself, I'll start with whatever size I need and switch to a smaller one after the larger one runs dry on fuel.

 

[Toad22t]

Plus, I'm usually cutting with my now 60yr old Father who likes the big toys, but truly uses the smaller ones. Normally the routine is I fell and buck the larger stuff. He grabs a smaller saw and starts working on the small end of the canopy and we meet in the middle. If there's a lot of brush, the I'll have Him cut and I'll clear the unwanted limbs as that's a younger man's game anyway. By myself, I'll start with whatever size I need and switch to a smaller one after the larger one runs dry on fuel.

How does the 346 compare to the 562 for running weight?

 

[Locust Cutter]

It's a lot lighter and more nimble. Mind you the 562 handles VERY well but it's weight isn't too far off from my 372xp... The 346 is a saw that's truly hard NOT to love. Other than needing a kickstand for when its on the ground. I do like the purge bulbs on the newer saws, but a stock 346xp is like a motorized scalpel. Handle it lightly and it will greatly reward a deft touch. Handle it heavy and you'd be better off with a 500p, 5105 or MS261. Now, when you're talking about a ported 346xp, then you get the bonus of RPMs AND torque, and it truly punches above it's weight. There were a lot of trees that I cut completely from felling to bucking with my old stock 346 (before it was roasted in a truck fire) simply because it was a rewarding experience, I was surgically precise with it and it weighs very little. The a/v was very nice too, although the 550xp and Dolmar have it beat in that dept. I love my 562 dearly and actually like it better than the 262xp that Dad and I share. It's also a damn fine saw and a little screamer, but the 562 is so smooth in the cut and it's balance of throttle response/power/weight is very nice. It and the 346 are very complimentary of each other and there is some overlap in capability but they're very different saws with different tasks in mind.

 

[CoreyB]

It's a lot lighter and more nimble. Mind you the 562 handles VERY well but it's weight isn't too far off from my 372xp... The 346 is a saw that's truly hard NOT to love. Other than needing a kickstand for when its on the ground. I do like the purge bulbs on the newer saws, but a stock 346xp is like a motorized scalpel. Handle it lightly and it will greatly reward a deft touch. Handle it heavy and you'd be better off with a 500p, 5105 or MS261. Now, when you're talking about a ported 346xp, then you get the bonus of RPMs AND torque, and it truly punches above it's weight. There were a lot of trees that I cut completely from felling to bucking with my old stock 346 (before it was roasted in a truck fire) simply because it was a rewarding experience, I was surgically precise with it and it weighs very little. The a/v was very nice too, although the 550xp and Dolmar have it beat in that dept. I love my 562 dearly and actually like it better than the 262xp that Dad and I share. It's also a damn fine saw and a little screamer, but the 562 is so smooth in the cut and it's balance of throttle response/power/weight is very nice. It and the 346 are very complimentary of each other and there is some overlap in capability but they're very different saws with different tasks in mind.

Great informative post! I will take them all!

 

[bryanr2]

I hope they do a 241cm 2.0 like the 261II.

 

[sawmikaze]

362c or the 290 are my pick for stihls.

 

[maulhead]

362c or the 290 are my pick for stihls.

 

[jake wells]

echo cs-310 couldn't ask for a better limbing saw.

 

[drf256]

I limbed for years with an Echo CS330-T top handle. Totally stock, not even a muff mod. The saw served me well for more than 10 years and never had any issue that was its own fault. I finally sold it, but probably shouldn't have. Damn CAD, I'm down a saw.

 

[sawmikaze]

I hope they do a 241cm 2.0 like the 261II.

Me too mang