Need a new saw

[Woodpecker]

Hey guys,

I just sold my stihl 362c…. Hated the way it balanced and felt (like a fat pig) just felt awkward using it.
So now I’m looking at 4 saws echo 590, husqvarna 550mk,555xp, or 562xp. Most likely 18 inch bar. I have a stihl 500i for the big stuff and stihl 261c/echo 2511t for the small stuff. So I need my most of the time saw for felling and bucking.

The 550 felt good but I think it’s too close to my 261c. The 555, 562, 590 felt pretty much the same.

Just need some opinions.

The 550 is the same class size saw as your 261. If you thought the 362 was a turd you may as well mark the Echo 590 off your list. It’s a quality built saw, but it’s not as ergonomically advanced as the 362.

Of the saws you have listed you sound like a 562 mk II kinda guy. Hit @Gentleman up via pm and he’ll set you up with one.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

The 562XP MKII

He just got rid of a MS 362. No point in getting Husqvara's version of it.

STIHL over-bored the 362 and put in a bigger yet lighter piston, raised the rev ceiling, and sells it as the MS 400. @julie wolf and I brushed out a bunch and cut 13" trees with it this weekend, it's a great mid-size saw--a bit big for brush, a bit small for big trees, but it pulls a 25" bar through 30" trees great for its size.

 

[Stump Shot]

He just got rid of a MS 362. No point in getting Husqvara's version of it.

STIHL over-bored the 362 and put in a bigger yet lighter piston, raised the rev ceiling, and sells it as the MS 400. @julie wolf and I brushed out a bunch and cut 13" trees with it this weekend, it's a great mid-size saw--a bit big for brush, a bit small for big trees, but it pulls a 25" bar through 30" trees great for its size.

Because it was ill handling and felt like a fat pig. How does the 400 going to change this scenario? I have had both here at the same time and if I didn't look at the model tag on the starter I couldn't tell the two apart from one another.
I believe Randy had the assessment correct the first time under the parameters given.

 

[Woodpecker]

Because it was ill handling and felt like a fat pig. How does the 400 going to change this scenario? I have had both here at the same time and if I didn't look at the model tag on the starter I couldn't tell the two apart from one another.
I believe Randy had the assessment correct the first time under the parameters given.

I really like my 400 that Randy ported, but I bet the 562 mkII is pretty good. The op wasn’t asking about a 400 though so 562 it is.

 

[Stump Shot]

I really like my 400 that Randy ported, but I bet the 562 mkII is pretty good. The op wasn’t asking about a 400 though so 562 it is.

What I was referring to was the fact that the 362 and 400 are identical in size and shape, so if one doesn't handle well, neither will the other.
Has nothing to do with the performance of the saw.

 

[Woodpecker]

What I was referring to was the fact that the 362 and 400 are identical in size and shape, so if one doesn't handle well, neither will the other.
Has nothing to do with the performance of the saw.

Yep totally agree. How a saw feels in the hand is totally subjective and different person to person. If he thought the 362 was a brick the 400 wouldn’t feel any different. To me the 562 and 362/400 feel pretty similar so I’m not sure a 562 solves the op’s problem. But I have yet to run a 562 mkII. Who knows maybe the color will make it feel different

 

[sawmikaze]

He just got rid of a MS 362. No point in getting Husqvara's version of it.

STIHL over-bored the 362 and put in a bigger yet lighter piston, raised the rev ceiling, and sells it as the MS 400. @julie wolf and I brushed out a bunch and cut 13" trees with it this weekend, it's a great mid-size saw--a bit big for brush, a bit small for big trees, but it pulls a 25" bar through 30" trees great for its size.

Randy knows that.

I still wanna see your parents.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Randy knows that.

I still wanna see your parents.

My parents were from the Old Country so there's none of that softy stuff you're interested in. Maybe try Pornhub.

I just weighed up a 25" STIHL Light vs the Sugihara 24" Light (same actual size) for the MS 400 and the STIHL bar is almost 10% lighter (41.5 vs 45.5 oz). That and the displacement make for a great saw. Maybe the OP wouldn't like it, I get that, but then again maybe he would, just throwing it out there as an option.

 

[drf256]

Get your 261 ported. You don’t have enough of a gap to fill between your existing saws. The 261 will come alive and fill the void.

You have the same setup I do, except my small saw is an 020T. The 261 and 500 can do it all, both of mine are ported though.

I’d get a 395 for the really big stuff (Like I have as well). You can also treat yourself to a heated handle saw.

I just don’t see a gap that will make you want to grab a different saw when the 261/500 are sitting there.

 

[Moparmyway]

If it were me, I'd run the 500i with 25" & 32" light bars as the main saw; 261 with an 18" bar for everything else or if the 500i gets pinched. I don't climb. Skip the cost of a new saw plus the extra maintenance.

Exactly
I usually just pack the 500i & the MoFo261, same as Doc !!

Don’t really need anything else

 

[Catfishclark89]

Out of those saws you have listed I’d have to vote for the 562 as well.

 

[Loony661]

I would agree with the suggestion to get your 261 ported. You’ll spend less than a new saw on it, and it will step up in power like adding a bigger saw, yet retaining its smaller, lighter handling stature.

Unless of course, you’re just looking for another excuse to buy a new saw..

 

[Stump Shot]

I would agree with the suggestion to get your 261 ported. You’ll spend less than a new saw on it, and it will step up in power like adding a bigger saw, yet retaining its smaller, lighter handling stature.

Unless of course, you’re just looking for another excuse to buy a new saw..

Port one, buy one and have a good time I say. Lol

 

[Loony661]

Port one, buy one and have a good time I say. Lol

Best of both worlds, for sure!

 

[nbbt]

Port one, buy one and have a good time I say. Lol

And IMO, if getting a new saw, hopefully to get some porting, spring for one with auto-tune.
I've only put about 5 tanks of fuel through the 572XPG that @srcarr52 massaged and couldn't be happier.
These new saw just sip the fuel. Did I say I'm impressed.

 

[sawmikaze]

Yep totally agree. How a saw feels in the hand is totally subjective and different person to person. If he thought the 362 was a brick the 400 wouldn’t feel any different. To me the 562 and 362/400 feel pretty similar so I’m not sure a 562 solves the op’s problem. But I have yet to run a 562 mkII. Who knows maybe the color will make it feel different

You must be some kind of woodcutter ?

 

[drf256]

Port one, buy one and have a good time I say. Lol

Agreed. If just the itch for a new one, do it.

These are just the 2 that do 95% of my work.

 

[Woodpecker]

You must be some kind of woodcutter ?

Nope total burbtard like everyone else on here