{moderator mode on} First off, I hope we can all mellow out a bit and be more civil to each other - I don’t like having to use my moderator hat very often, but this thread is getting a bit heated, so let’s cool it down a bit. {/moderator mode}

My cutting is mostly bucking up grapple loads of log-length, with occasional scrounging and a few tree drops thrown in - nearly all hardwoods, mostly red oak, maple, etc. (Similar to the OP’s situation)

My first saw was a 36cc Pull-on; with the stock 16” bar and “safety chain” it was a lousy cutter.  I applied the 3cc of engine per inch of bar rule; rebarred it with a 12” bar, and switched to full chisel, non-safety chain, and turned it into a little wood eating monster, but it now wasn’t big enough to deal happily with a large amount of the wood that came my way, though I could with effort handle about 60% or so.

So I went new-saw hunting, initially was thinking Husky / Stihl, pro-grade.  I wanted to be able to run around a 20” bar normally, with the ability to run a bigger bar occasionally as a desirable bonus.  Per the above sizing rule, this meant at least a 60cc saw.  After asking here and on ArboristSite, I got interested in Dolmar, which appeared to be offering more saw for the $, and also had fewer mixed reviews (there were people w/ bad things to say about H & S, but everybody seemed to agree that Dolmars were good...) After shopping around, I got a really nice price on a Dolmar 7900 w/ 20 and 28” bars, chains, etc. from Amick’s - very shortly before Dolmar made the (IMHO stupid) move of keeping Amick’s and a few other dealers from shipping saws.

It is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made!  The saw runs fantastic, and goes through logs like a Ginsu knife goes through vegetables in a TV info-mercial....  Mostly I use the 20” bar, but recently I had a neighbor give me some 40+” maple trunks, if I’d cut them up and help move them away - With the 28” bar, it was no problem, and even burying the 28” bar full depth in a log the saw didn’t slow down appreciably…

I also use the 7900 (w/ the 20” bar) as a limbing saw when I drop a tree.  The Pull-on is a little lighter, and a bit more agile with the short bar, but the difference isn’t that great, I don’t find it enough to justify swapping saws.  In short, if I know that all I’ll be cutting is small stuff and brush, I’ll grab the Pull-on; but if I’m planning any cutting of wood over 8-10” diameter, I grab the 7900 - it’s overkill on that size, but the saw cuts so much better I don’t mind the extra weight. 

I also find that if I’m cutting wood that is on the ground, the 20” bar saves me from a fair bit of bending over - much easier on the back…

Gooserider

Gooserider - 19 May 2008 12:12 AM

{moderator mode on} First off, I hope we can all mellow out a bit and be more civil to each other - I don’t like having to use my moderator hat very often, but this thread is getting a bit heated, so let’s cool it down a bit. {/moderator mode}

They started it. 

My cutting is mostly bucking up grapple loads of log-length, with occasional scrounging and a few tree drops thrown in - nearly all hardwoods, mostly red oak, maple, etc. (Similar to the OP’s situation)

I wish you’d have been around here a couple of weeks ago. It sounds like your situation is alot like mine. I could have used you in my corner. 

My first saw was a 36cc Pull-on; with the stock 16” bar and “safety chain” it was a lousy cutter.

Mine was a 33cc. Craftsman. It got stolen when some punks broke into my tool shed 6 or 7 years ago. 20” bar. Very gutless.
Not knowing any better at the time, I took the insurance money and bought another Craftsman but a 55cc. 18” bar this time. A lot better cutter, but still too small for the bigger stuff. I wanted to buy a Dolmer 7900 too, from what people had to say about them, the price at Amicks and what research I did on them, but I LET the guys on here talk me out of it. I found a nice used one on eBay that was going for $299. at the time, that ended up selling for $471. + $65. S&H;.  I ended up buying a brand new Stihl MS361 on there instead. I hope I won’t be sorry I didn’t go for the bigger saw, and hope the 361 will handle the big stuff when I have some more of that come my way. I figured I’d get a 25” bar and chain for it next time I get some big stuff. My idea was to get a little bit bigger saw than I might need, just in case I got another big tree trunk to cut up. I’ve been scrounging a lot of wood this Spring, free for the taking, and I don’t image that anyone would be too thrilled if I cut up all the “prime cuts” for firewood and left a big carcase of a trunk in their yard because I didn’t have a big enough saw or want to bother with cutting it up. Only time will tell at this point.

Didn’t ask who started it, don’t really care as multiple people were involved - I just want it to stop…

I’ve been off line for a bit, had to go out of town for several weeks to deal with my father’s memorial service and some estate issues, and will be leaving tomorrow for another week to be a delegate to the Libertarian Party national convention, but will then be back for a good while.

In terms of the saw, I agree that the 361 is a nice unit, and hope that it does well for you.  It probably won’t handle the big stuff as well as a 7900, but it should be able to do the job.  Certainly you will find a big improvement in going from a home-owner grade saw to a pro model, you can feel the difference as soon as you pick one up.  I also figure the big trunk peices ARE the “prime cuts” for firewood - many more splits per round.  Of course they are a bit of work, but not that bad once you get them started, or if you have a hydraulic.

Gooserider

Gooserider - 19 May 2008 08:00 AM

Didn’t ask who started it, don’t really care as multiple people were involved - I just want it to stop…

It was meant in jest, hence the smiley. When it comes right down to it I don’t really even care about the whole thing. There’s more to be concerned in life with than crap like that. 

I’ve been off line for a bit, had to go out of town for several weeks to deal with my father’s memorial service and some estate issues, and will be leaving tomorrow for another week to be a delegate to the Libertarian Party national convention, but will then be back for a good while.

Go Libertarians!! I hope someday that they might be the next viable political party and someday have a shot at the White House. A much better choice than the crap the 2 stinkin’ parties have been handing us over the last 20, err 30, err 40 yrs., oh hell for as long as I can remember.

In terms of the saw, I agree that the 361 is a nice unit, and hope that it does well for you.  It probably won’t handle the big stuff as well as a 7900, but it should be able to do the job.  Certainly you will find a big improvement in going from a home-owner grade saw to a pro model, you can feel the difference as soon as you pick one up.  I also figure the big trunk peices ARE the “prime cuts” for firewood - many more splits per round.  Of course they are a bit of work, but not that bad once you get them started, or if you have a hydraulic.

I agree about the prime cuts. What I meant was if you were cutting someone’s tree down for the wood they wouldn’t be very happy if you cut and hauled away all of the easy cutting large limbs and branches, and left the trunk there for them to deal with.

Hi sidney I have a 16” Stil farm boss and a 20” 272xp Huskey and both are good saws...had both for quite awhile.  Either manufacturer will deliver the goods. I started buying Huskey cause there’s a dealer close by and if there’s a problem he will fix it asap and he has.

I don’t want to tell you what to do but I wouldn’t buy either saw from a big box store. Service and support from dealer that knows you and has an investment in you can be a big leg up...just say’en. (I am in no way disparaging big box stores or the people that shop there)

downeast - 07 May 2008 08:15 AM

Get the tool that does what you need to do. If you’re up for a macho experience, then it’s another matter.
Most cutting by loggers, producers, arborists--the professionals--work with the most efficient tool they need. No macho “muscle car” stuff. -

Small saws are fine if you’ve lots of time & take pride in getting the absolute most from one.  But time does count to most of us more than the cost of a larger saw.  It’s not a macho thing, it’s a time issue.

And where I’m at the pros use larger saws than mine or what you suggest.

Beyond that I’ve deleted the rest of my original post as I should have read the whole thread first.

A good saw, my father in law has had a 036 for years and it just keeps on cut’n.