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[Loony661]

I think the takeaway here is: everyone’s saw needs are completely different. Some is obviously opinionated, but what you cut with your saws is different than what I cut with mine. Is it wood? Absolutely. But what diameter, species, time of year (frozen or supple?), etc.. But variety is the spice of life they say, so I think it’s important to have more than one saw, regardless of the situation!

 

[Stump Shot]

But variety is the spice of life they say, so I think it’s important to have more than one saw, regardless of the situation!

If you like saws you'll end up having one of each anyways and you'll end up taking some little bitty saw that ain't on the list anyways.

 

[Loony661]

If you like saws you'll end up having one of each anyways and you'll end up taking some little bitty saw that ain't on the list anyways.

Agreed! Even though I work with 70cc+ saws every day, I still own a little Stihl 025 that does more time sitting on the shelf than anything. BUT it sure is handy 2-3 times a year to take along on a 4 wheeler trail or dice up some smaller fire wood quick before company comes over.

 

[Loony661]

Boiled down: a ported 462 with a 24" bar is the sum of all 50cc-90cc saws

That makes a lot of sense figuring it’s right in the middle at 72cc’s and can handle 24” without breaking a sweat.

 

[whitesnake]

But what about the 572?

on the stihl end it sounds like a ported 400i would do most of what a person needs. Honestly a stock 50cc will do most of what a person “needs” lol. Obviously if this is your living that’s different.

 

[MustangMike]

I believe the 462 is 13.2 lbs, unless things have changed. I've heard there were some revisions. Not sure on the 400.

 

[JimBear]

Googlenet says the 400 is 12.8 lbs and the 462 is 13 even. Is this accurate?

These are not certified scales. I do not own a 400.

440/460, 462, 261
All saws are full of fuel & oil

Best bet is run a variety of saws & see what feels comfortable to you. If you aren’t running it all day a few ounces or even a pound isn’t going to make much difference.

Dealer support & parts availability may be a deciding factor. As stated in an earlier post try to make to a GTG and you will get to try out several saws.

 

[MustangMike]

I hope you don't take offense if I re-phrase your statement:

Unless you will be doing some liming for several hours, weight will not matter as much.

The larger the rounds you are bucking, the less the saw weight will matter.

Also, they younger you are, the less the weight of the saw will matter.

I remember spending a long day cutting on steep terrain with someone decades younger than me, and at the end of the day the lightest saw was the most sought after. Most of what we had to cut and clear that day was not large. My good friend is very large and very strong, and likes his big saws, but we have joked about the end of that day many times, and we were both trying to grab the 261 as much as possible.

 

[morewood]

The lightest saw. All of them are more than adequate for up to 24". In most wood there won't be enough difference to care about. That being said my ported 440 does better with a 24" bar than my ported 400, but I would still take the 400. I have no doubt that the hybrid and 462 are more powerful, but that power isn't very useful for 90+% of firewood usage. On another note, my ported 550v2 and 2253jred usually get picked first. Lightweight and easy to carry up and down the roadsides where I'm from.

Mr Awesome