Finally upgraded and boy what a difference!

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herdbull

herdbull

Member
Dec 31, 2010
132
Wisconsin
I've been searching high and low, cruising CL's, calling all the back country "shops" for weeks but today I finally found what I've been looking for. I traded in my 3 year old 290 Farm Boss (16") on an older 044. It's got a new jug and piston with a few hours of run time on it. Older, not as pretty, but way more productive.

Originally it had a 24" bar on it but for my use a 20" should be sufficient so we downsized that and put a full chisel chain on it. I ran it through some 14"-15" diameter oak and holy moly, why didn't you guys tell me to do this sooner - lol!!!

I wanted something in the 034 super on up range and he had a couple others, a 360 & 038. Neither of which had any work done on them. Cheaper of course but having this much more saw sitting next to them I couldn't say no. The good news is my time actually cutting is drastically going to be cut down. Bad news is I'll probably just find more to cut - lol.

Thanks to all the guys that have been around here for a while. I searched this forum and a couple others mentioned here and it really help me narrow the search and what to look for.
 
sounds like you are happy.
I know a couple shops around me are tired of me asking what they got in on trades.LOL
I guess persistence pays off.
How did the 290 serve you. I just recently got a 280 and hope that keeps me smiling for a while.
 
Ran a buddies 44 last year.
Lots of power for sure.
Was just to heavy for me to use all day.
But if you can wing one around all day, they will eat. Pull the trigger & hold on. :)

Sounds as if you have a new friend, should last many years ;)
 
mecreature said:
sounds like you are happy.
I know a couple shops around me are tired of me asking what they got in on trades.LOL
I guess persistence pays off.
How did the 290 serve you. I just recently got a 280 and hope that keeps me smiling for a while.
Click to expand...

280 is a nice small saw to cut firewood with. Durable & decent power. I traded a nice 290 for a nice 026, & would not ever trade back. Best small saw I've run to date. Still wanna run it next to a 261 just for comparison though.

Herdbull, you'll love that 044 great machine, now start looking for an 046 top end for it. LOL A C
 
The 290 was a great running saw. I never had any issues with it at all. It just wasn't enough saw for me. It would go through anything you wanted it to, if you wanted to wait. No more waiting!

Honestly I didn't cut that long with the 44 yesterday but it doesn't appear to be all that heavy. Maybe it's because I was all gitty with excitement over the new toy.

That's funny about the new top end. First thing I thought to myself driving away with it was "I can muffler mod this thing right away", "wonder what else I can do?" LOL.
 
bogydave said:
Ran a buddies 44 last year.
Lots of power for sure.
Was just to heavy for me to use all day.
But if you can wing one around all day, they will eat. Pull the trigger & hold on. :)

Sounds as if you have a new friend, should last many years ;)
Click to expand...

That is my problem I have a Husky 455 with a 20" bar and after a few hours it does get heavy. Considering getting something smaller for the smaller parts of trees etc. Any suggestions?
 
RORY12553 said:
bogydave said:
Ran a buddies 44 last year.
Lots of power for sure.
Was just to heavy for me to use all day.
But if you can wing one around all day, they will eat. Pull the trigger & hold on. :)

Sounds as if you have a new friend, should last many years ;)
Click to expand...

That is my problem I have a Husky 455 with a 20" bar and after a few hours it does get heavy. Considering getting something smaller for the smaller parts of trees etc. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

top handles are great for that application
 
HittinSteel said:
RORY12553 said:
bogydave said:
Ran a buddies 44 last year.
Lots of power for sure.
Was just to heavy for me to use all day.
But if you can wing one around all day, they will eat. Pull the trigger & hold on. :)

Sounds as if you have a new friend, should last many years ;)
Click to expand...

That is my problem I have a Husky 455 with a 20" bar and after a few hours it does get heavy. Considering getting something smaller for the smaller parts of trees etc. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

top handles are great for that application
Click to expand...

+ 1 on the top handle, or even an 024 or similar will save you a lot of energy limbing trees. I like my MS 192T, but the ideal would be a 200 T. A C
 
HittinSteel said:
RORY12553 said:
bogydave said:
Ran a buddies 44 last year.
Lots of power for sure.
Was just to heavy for me to use all day.
But if you can wing one around all day, they will eat. Pull the trigger & hold on. :)

Sounds as if you have a new friend, should last many years ;)
Click to expand...

That is my problem I have a Husky 455 with a 20" bar and after a few hours it does get heavy. Considering getting something smaller for the smaller parts of trees etc. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

top handles are great for that application
Click to expand...

+1
 
I upgraded from my trusty 029 to an 036 last summer. I know how you feel. WOW! Not to knock the 029/MS290, but making the move up to a pro saw is awesome! Enjoy.
 
One saw for all around cutting is tough.
I have 3 saws now. 30 yr Old Husq 61, New Husq 359, & 40 yr old 16" craftsman-pre chain break.
I've thought about upgrading my old 16" I use for liming & pruning.
But then I'd have 4 saws & can only run one at a time. :)
 
I wonder how much of the difference in performance is due to the chisel chain? (Assuming you didn't have that on the old saw.)

Ken
 
Ken45 said:
I wonder how much of the difference in performance is due to the chisel chain? (Assuming you didn't have that on the old saw.)

Ken
Click to expand...

The MS290 is a good, reliable saw in the way that a 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup with a V6 is a good, reliable, and economical work truck. Doesn't mean that we don't drool over someone's 1-ton diesel rig or brand-new 400+hp V8 half-ton.

The difference between semi and full chisel chain is quite subtle compared to the nearly 20cc kick in the a$$ upgrading from the 290 to the 044.
 
MasterMech said:
Ken45 said:
I wonder how much of the difference in performance is due to the chisel chain? (Assuming you didn't have that on the old saw.)

Ken
Click to expand...

The MS290 is a good, reliable saw in the way that a 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup with a V6 is a good, reliable, and economical work truck. Doesn't mean that we don't drool over someone's 1-ton diesel rig or brand-new 400+hp V8 half-ton.

The difference between semi and full chisel chain is quite subtle compared to the nearly 20cc kick in the a$$ upgrading from the 290 to the 044.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up. I would say that the 029 is like a 1/2 ton 4x4 with a big old Ford 300 straight 6, nit one of those newfangled V6s.
 
Flatbedford said:
MasterMech said:
Ken45 said:
I wonder how much of the difference in performance is due to the chisel chain? (Assuming you didn't have that on the old saw.)

Ken
Click to expand...

The MS290 is a good, reliable saw in the way that a 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup with a V6 is a good, reliable, and economical work truck. Doesn't mean that we don't drool over someone's 1-ton diesel rig or brand-new 400+hp V8 half-ton.

The difference between semi and full chisel chain is quite subtle compared to the nearly 20cc kick in the a$$ upgrading from the 290 to the 044.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up. I would say that the 029 is like a 1/2 ton 4x4 with a big old Ford 300 straight 6, nit one of those newfangled V6s.
Click to expand...

Even better. Long live the 4.9L.
 
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