Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Equipment => Topic started by: D2082 on January 18, 2015, 10:51:53 AM
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I'm in process of putting in an outdoor wood furnace and will be cuttin a lot of wood this year. I've got an older Husquavarna 262 and a smaller Jonsered saw (not sure what model). I'm thinking of buying a little bigger saw for the larger trees and see a lot of discussion on here about Stihl 271 and 291 saws. I've looked at a 362 and love the looks of it but not sure I need to drop $700+. What are some thoughts of similar size Huskys and Echo, etc? Lots of wild cherry, poplar, locust firewood around. Thanks!
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Buy the Stihl , feel the balance of the saw.
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Leaning toward it. Thanks. Enjoy reading your posts on here.
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All depends on the user. I own both Stihl and Sachs Dolmar.
Love my 362 though. The hired man has Stihl's and a Husqvarna, he prefers the Husky while both his boys hate it and prefer the Stihl's.
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Thank you, some think I might be a bit over the top but I do call it like I see it, the balance and feel of the saw is great and reliability can't be beat!
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The Stihl 362 is a professional saw, can be rebuilt. I have a 361 and like it.
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NO DON`T DO IT.GO WITH THE HUSKY OR JONSERED!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hehehe i think u should go with your gut.i prefer orange and red but if u buy a saw
your not keen on you`ll always find a problem with it!!!!! :)
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I've never been a Stihl guy and I slung chainsaws of all sizes professionally for 13 years. I'm not saying it's not a good saw, I'm just stating my preference.
I'm a big fan of Husqvarna XP series saws. Look at the 371XP for a bigger saw. Jonsered and Husky is the same brand.
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at work i run a 365.O.k saw but i find it vibrates itself to pieces.plenty of power
there are always screws loose somewhere on it.
i got a 2165 jonsered and its a sweet running saw its probably 5 years old
and i have never touched it.
although the 365 runs 4 to 5 hours a day 5 days a week
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Can't help much now, but just went thru the process and bough a 600P Echo. Supposed to be a professional saw and about $200 cheaper than the comparable stihl. Only cut one tree down so far, can't comment too much neighbor has one and said it was good for him.
So far it is quieter than the stihls I have and hardly vibrates and that's about all I can say. My stihls are an 032 and MS250.
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I'm on season 3 with my Stihl 290. Haven't had a lick of trouble with it. It's fine everything I've asked of it for what I do. I'm looking at a 441 for the future. The 290 can get through a large tree, but I want something with more muscle to chow through those 24" trees a little faster. My main saw will still be the 290, but I'll use the 441 in the big trunks.
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I appreciate all the insight, fellas. I'll be researching them for a little bit and trying out my buddy's 362. The smaller Jonsedred is the CS2150 and I like it for limbing for sure. I'm going to have it and the Husky 262 cleaned and tuned up. They've not been used regularly for probably 3 years. All of the suggestions are helpful, thanks!
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Husqvarna - 455 - I have three of these and one 460 - I left Stihl for Husqvarna
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Try them see what you like, any decent dealer will let you demo a saw I demo'd my saws most of the time its not a power thing because all manufacturers have a line up of saws to choose from. It's more what feels good in your hands.
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See if the dealer has a used Stihl 441 you can try. Run that and then run a 290. The 441 will be coming home with you. I have (2) 441's and they're all I use. Good for cutting and limbing.
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Hadn't considered the 441 but will give it a shot. Is the 290 last years model, and replaced by the 291? Thanks for the suggestion.
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I just got the 291 haven't used it but a few times but it seemed to by a good saw I paid like 650 for it
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Jonsered owner here..Own three of them 2050, 2165, 2188..Well balanced professional saws..
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Bought an Efco165 4 year ago have cut put it through 300 cord so far liked it a lot so i though I might buy a spare went back to the saw shop that sold me this one and no more thanks to big brother EPA i have looked into the stihl might be next but maybe I will find a leftover some where
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There are a lot of good saw's out there.
What everyone is missing is the weight of the beast.
I have two Sthils, 038, 026
I can not use the 038 for any length of time, as it is too heavy.
I have an 18 inch bar on the 026 and that is all I need.
I was on the couch with a sprained back for two weeks, cause of the 038.
026 is a little under powered but I try and cut trees 14-18 inches in dia.
Who wants two roll 30 inch chunks on to the splitter anyway.
So get what you need/handle , it's not a race.
My experience anyway.
Cheer's
KK
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echo cs 590 , lot of saw for a little bit of money , 399, has a little weight to it but i found the saw does all the work , second echo i've had , 5 year warranty
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A sharp blade, quality fuel/oil mix, and a saw that you can easily handle (size-wise) makes a world of a difference. Brand is hardly worth debating... it'll never end.
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:post:
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Agree to the above. I will be the odd man out and say that I love my Dolmar. I have a PS7901. Its 79cc's with plenty of power and I run a 20" bar. When I cut logs its like im on tv cutting to win a race lol. It is also a heavy saw. When im cutting small stuff I sometimes wish I had a small saw for the smaller tasks.
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Thanks for all of your all's input. I've decided on the Stihl 362 (standard, no bells and whistles). Going to pick it up tomorrow. I'm seeing saws in my sleep with all the researching I've been doing. I'm going to hang on to my Husky 262xp and Jonsered CS2150 for now. Probably won't need all 3 but we'll see how it works out. Now, time to cut up some down trees on the farm. Next question, it'll come with the "green" chain, as the dealer said all saw going out the door must have them on. Not sure if I need the "yellow" chain? Guess I'll be dreaming about chains tonight.....
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When you pick it up just tell them you want to buy a rapid chain for it those are the chisel chains. Let everyone know how you like it once you use it!
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I believe you can always "sharpen" the green chain for a deeper cut.
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Green chain and bar are basically for "homeowners" who don't have a lot of chainsaw experience, low kick back and not very aggressive.
A yellow bar and chain makes it a different machine. However a semi chisel chain (green) stays sharp longer in dirty wood, or at least it seems too.
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Thanks for all of your all's input. I've decided on the Stihl 362 (standard, no bells and whistles). Going to pick it up tomorrow. I'm seeing saws in my sleep with all the researching I've been doing. I'm going to hang on to my Husky 262xp and Jonsered CS2150 for now. Probably won't need all 3 but we'll see how it works out. Now, time to cut up some down trees on the farm. Next question, it'll come with the "green" chain, as the dealer said all saw going out the door must have them on. Not sure if I need the "yellow" chain? Guess I'll be dreaming about chains tonight.....
Green will be fine for awhile but you will likely want yellow before too long. On a side note a 362 is a professional saw I am surprised they won't sell it with yellow chain, my echo came with yellow chain.
You will be dreaming of chain tonight, just went thru that ended up buying some of ebay along with a smaller bar. Now I have to wait for it to arrive ???
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I never saw a yellow marked chain I work for the state dpw and they only use the green ones!
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Bought an Efco165 4 year ago have cut put it through 300 cord so far liked it a lot so i though I might buy a spare went back to the saw shop that sold me this one and no more thanks to big brother EPA i have looked into the stihl might be next but maybe I will find a leftover some where
I use to get Husqvarna/ sthilbut I did not" lifting weights" while out cutting !! >my Shindaiwa 488 got outlawed to......any time I ask for stuff for my 488 the "shop" wants to buy my banned saw !! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shindaiwa-488-Chainsaw-/331436891740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2b2d9e5c (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shindaiwa-488-Chainsaw-/331436891740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2b2d9e5c) >>>>> seems they have to much power and run the chain with amore torque..... .gov don't like ...so they banned them!!
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I went through this same thought process this past summer. I already had a smaller saw, and needed a larger one. I ended up spending more than I wanted, but purchased a Stihl 461 with a 25" bar. Not a day has gone by where I haven't been happy spending the money. It cuts wood like a beast!! It's heavy, but its a huge time saver.
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Bought an Efco165 4 year ago have cut put it through 300 cord so far liked it a lot so i though I might buy a spare went back to the saw shop that sold me this one and no more thanks to big brother EPA i have looked into the stihl might be next but maybe I will find a leftover some where
I use to get Husqvarna/ sthilbut I did not" lifting weights" while out cutting !! >my Shindaiwa 488 got outlawed to......any time I ask for stuff for my 488 the "shop" wants to buy my banned saw !! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shindaiwa-488-Chainsaw-/331436891740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2b2d9e5c (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shindaiwa-488-Chainsaw-/331436891740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2b2d9e5c) >>>>> seems they have to much power and run the chain with amore torque..... .gov don't like ...so they banned them!!
I love those Shindaiwa 488's for a limbing saw. We've got three of them and I run the snot out of them. They run at near constant WFO until they run out of gas, then they go again all day long. You're right, though. You can't get them anymore. I forget the comparable Husky XP version, but we've got a couple of those now. They're just a wee bit faster with just as much torque but cost a bit more too.
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I run a Poulan Wild Thing.. :) People laugh but going strong for third year cutting...
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If you run a wild thing wait until you jump up to any saw with isolators you won't know why you didn't switch to the top 3 brands earlier.
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I never saw a yellow marked chain I work for the state dpw and they only use the green ones!
I never even heard of this colour coding , but I'm not in the wood cutting business.
Does this system of grading chains, exist in Canada?
I bought a chain last year and there was nothing on it except, STIHL??
Learn something new on here everyday :thumbup:
kk
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I would recommend a 60-70cc saw. They are a little heavier, but will cut so much faster and save you time. I got by with the 260, but regret not getting a larger saw sooner. I have a stihl 362 that does quite well for me, but am about ready to get a 460 for bigger wood and a little milling.
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I went and picked up the saw today. Got the 362 with a 20 inch bar. I went ahead and got the yellow chain on it and an extra one as well. I didn't get the quick stop or mtronic carb upgrades, just the standard 362. I'm anxious to get this thing into some wood. Question, the chain feels a little tight on the bar, what's the rule of thumb of chain tension? Again, I'm pretty much a chainsaw rookie but have this one and the others I mentioned (Jred CS2150 and Husky 262xp) that were my Dads. Not sure if I need to keep these others or sale 1 or both of them and get a smaller Stihl saw and maybe a larger 441 or 460? Give me your all's opinions! Thanks in advance
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I have 6 saws from little light limbing saws up to a 660 Stihl. If you are heating with wood, I would say keep at least one of them around for a spare. If your main one goes down, its always a good plan for a backup! ;)
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from canada and never seen color coded chains!!!
just oregon or windsor or whatever u use
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I never saw a yellow marked chain I work for the state dpw and they only use the green ones!
I never even heard of this colour coding , but I'm not in the wood cutting business.
Does this system of grading chains, exist in Canada?
I bought a chain last year and there was nothing on it except, STIHL??
Learn something new on here everyday :thumbup:
Looks like you don't have the color coding up there, reference these two links from oregons catalog.
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/lookups/selguide.aspx?BusId=OCS&SellReg=USA&LangId=ENG (http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/lookups/selguide.aspx?BusId=OCS&SellReg=USA&LangId=ENG) US
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/lookups/selguide.aspx?BusId=OCS&SellReg=CAN&LangId=ENG (http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/lookups/selguide.aspx?BusId=OCS&SellReg=CAN&LangId=ENG) CAN
Notice how the US one has colored triangles next to the chain description.
Edit tried the link you will have to put a saw in for it to work.
For the OP on chain tension read your book, mine say as long as you can drag the chain by hand with a good glove on its not too tight.
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On a 16" bar or so, I like to be able to pull the center up about 3/8" and still be able to spin the chain by hand. If the chain is new, I tighten it on a good bit more because I know it'll stretch. For the home saw user, there's no reason to do that because you can stop and adjust it and pay better attention to it getting slack.
Usually when I fire up the saw, it's WOT until it's out of fuel and I grab another or do a fast refill and keep going. Throwing a chain really slows me down and I usually toss the saw aside and pick up a backup saw. We try to take three identically setup saws to a job for each task (3 climbing saws, 3 limbing saws, 3 log saws, and at least 2 pole saws). It's a great system where you can just throw aside a saw having a problem such as out of fuel, thrown chain, broken parts, not running right, crushed by a tree, etc. until you get to a convenient stopping point or the end of the job and can address the issue without holding up the job or getting frustrated with the saw.
As a homeowner, I'd keep at least one backup saw for that reason as well because you never know when something is going to not work right on your new saw, but I can guarantee it'll be after the equipment store is closed on a holiday weekend with 12' of snow falling on the ground and you have three trees down across the driveway and you need to get out to buy your pregnant wife a jar of pickles or she's going to rip your nuts off for putting that wretched baby in her belly.
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JUDDSPAINTBALLS haha great point! I believe I'll hang on to the other saws I inherited and just figure out how much I use each of them and make that decision next year. I took a couple pics of the new 362 today and am going to try and attach them here in a minute.
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if the bureaucrat regulators that dictate this say the green chain is good :), yellow chain is bad >:( (can't put it on a saw for the customer after all!) then a red chain must be pure evil >:D Anyone have any we can buy 8)
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I would recommend a 60-70cc saw. They are a little heavier, but will cut so much faster and save you time. I got by with the 260, but regret not getting a larger saw sooner. I have a stihl 362 that does quite well for me, but am about ready to get a 460 for bigger wood and a little milling.
I have a 362 as well as a 460, love both. Don't really notice the 460 being that heavy for the work it gets done.
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Husky all the way
Ive had a 445 455 a 55 a 262xp a 372xp a 372xpg a 395xp a 359 all great saws. oh and a 365
The 395xp is for sale 800 bucks all yours with a 32 inch bar.