Best Oregon chain for Husqvarna 372XP

Will be having a load of logs as large as 22" diameter delivered within the month. Will probably also purchase a Husky 372XP w/20" bar to be used almost exclusively as a bucking saw for this "dirty" wood. This great saw is overkill for this purpose but I prefer some overkill to some underkill. I do not know how many teeth are on the drive sprocket on the 372XP. My only other saw is the Stihl MS250 which is also excellent for its intended purpose.

Some questions: 1) Should I purchase the saw with a 24" bar instead of the 20"?; 2) What is the best Oregon chain to use for this wood considering its diameter and dirtiness?; 3) Which Husqvarna bar is best for this purpose considering the pitch and gauge of the chain and the compatability of bar length, gauge, nose sprocket and saw drive sprocket? 4) Any other advice which I may have forgotten to ask about.

This is a lot of saw for me to handle even when wearing all the necessary PPE. However, I have a younger and stronger buddy who would love to buck these logs using my new saw, I hope.

I have already checked out the various saw candidates from Stihl and Dolmar dealers and have settled on the 372XP as having the best combination of features, dealership support and proximity, etc. for me.

Best wishes,

John_M

Thanks for the help, guys. When the time comes I will order the 372XP with standard Husqvarna 24", 3/8"pitch, .058 bar/chain combo. Will then order the matching 20" Oregon bar with 73 LGX chain and a 73 JGX full-skip chain for the 24" Husky bar. I'll double check this figure but I believe the 24" bar takes an 84 link 73 JGX chain.

Spent much of today doing the background checking for this purchse. My closest dealer, a really nice guy, is about 15 minutes away but he has very limited knowledge about this saw and chain. He didn't have a 20" or 24" bar or the necessary chain in stock. However, he could get them "in a day or so". Service and guarantee work would probably be a questionable success with his service guys. Another dealer (also a nice guy) is about 35 minutes away. He and his staff are very knowledgeable about the saw and the various bar/chain combos available. They have multiples of everything in stock. For reasons of warrranty and service I will probably purchase the saw through him.

First things first, though. I will purchase the saw when I know the logs are on their way.

Again, thanks for the recommendations.

Best,

John_M

A very embarrassing follow-up: Went to GK Sales (thanks , Savageactor) and they were very helpful. Assembled a 372XP for me to run and I was unable to start it - numerous times. Needless to say, I was ashamed of myself. One younger logger asked to give me a hand and he started it with the second pull. This "kid" was built like The Terminator with hands like grapefruits. He handled the 372XP as if it were a popsicle stick. My male identity was totally destroyed for the remainder of the day and in front of so many other guys. Some days, life just ain't fair.

Because of some medical problems I have lost much of my strength in the last three years. I thought I had recovered enough to resume a somewhat normal routine. Guess I just have to work harder at it.

I am not certain of my next step. Might just have to use my MS250 as efficiently as possible and try not to abuse the clutch too much. As usual, the members here came through with reasoned opinions based on their real world experiences. Much appreciated!

Best,

John_M

Hittin, Thanks, I have recovered from the embarrassement and my attitude is as good as ever. Heck, I might even gain additional strength. I'll certainly try.

thinkx, The most I will ever cut is seven to ten full cords a year. The reason for looking at the 372XP was that I like to have the right tool for the job. I felt a saw with a longer bar and about 60 cc's of displacement would be more appropriate for the load of logs, all of which would be 24" or less. You are right about the MS250. It is a great little saw. Starts very easily and almost immediately, is light, maneuverable, and a real blast to use. I do not see the day when I would want to sell it. If I do purchase another saw it would make sense for it to have approx. 1/3 more cc's then the MS250.

For the time being I am abandoning my search for a larger saw. Who knows what I will attempt 6 months from today.

Best,

John

Goose, The service tech who assembeled the saw ran me through the entire starting routine. The compression release was engaged as he described. Of course, the compression release stays in the engaged positon until the saw is started. It then relases automatically. The process of starting the 372XP is really pretty simple. The problem rests in my ability to pull the starter rope far enough, fast enough, and frequently enough.

However, contrary to my earlier announcement, I have not yet fully abandoned the search for a larger saw. It seems this effort has morphed from one in which I was looking for a larger saw to one in which I am trying to achieve a personal goal which, for the moment, appears to be slightly out of reach. I am now on a mission. Today I will finish constructing what I call a "large saw starter bench" using treated lumber. This assembly will allow me to get a longer pull on the starter rope with the saw held in a stable position at about knee height. This position allows me to stabilize the saw without having to bend over for a ground start or hold it between my knees for a more uncomfortable start. The bench weighs about fifteen pounds (edit: 30 lbs. and it looks great. Tomorrow or Friday I'll see how it works) and is easily moved with the built-in hand-hold.

Because the larger saw was intended to be used mostly for bucking purposes I will transport the bench to the bucking site for each cutting session. Transporting the assistant to the bucking site will be a minor inconvenience but provide a grand benefit-starting the saw. In the next 3-4 days I will take the creation to a local Stihl dealer to see how/if it works starting a MS362, which also has a compression release.

It seems I have this remarkable (and perhaps undesireable) ability to turn what should be a trivial pursuit into a compulsive disorder. But, c'est moi. We'll see what happens.

I'll post again when this pursuit is brought to closure, probably within the week.

Best wishes to all.

John_M

Goose, My current thinking is that this stand will be my last effort to develop a starting aid. If this works, and I believe it will work handsomely, I will probably purchase the 372XP or the MS362. I would be delusional thinking I need a saw larger than the 372XP at 70.7 cc's. I might go my trusted Stihl dealer tomorrow or Friday to try starting the MS362 again. I am very optomistic about the stand being exactly what I need for starting the saw. I might even visit the Husqvarna dealer again (much farther away) because they treated me so honorable the first time. I fear either dealer might want to steal the bench/cradle from me.

If I were to pursue a more sophisticated starting aid I might be tempted to purchase a saw I have no reasonable right to be using. Ken is very correct in suggesting I not bite off more than I can chew.

Ken, Thanks for the heads up about not biting off more than I can chew. I believe I am okay in that regard. The great state of Texas is worlds away from upstate NY. I am told the people and climate there are most cordial. I still enjoy four distinct seasons and have not yet had the urge to become a "snow bunny". For those who are unfamiliar, a "snow bunny" is one who heads south when the weather turns cold and snowy.

I'll post the outcome of all these efforts within the week.

Best,

John_M

Jim, The 372XP is a terrific saw. That is why I went to the dealer 1 hour away to purchase one. However, I wanted to be certain I was capable of starting the saw before I purchased it. I am familiar with the Stihl starting routine but needed information on the Husqvarna starting technique. The good people at the dealership showed me the procedure and I tried 3-4 times to start the saw but was unsuccessful. The guys watched every move I made and said I did everything right. They were surprised it didn't start.

Then the guy built like The Terminator with hands like leathered grapefruit picked up the saw and started it on the second pull. The saw is great. The problem lies with me - not the saw.

I have not yet given up on a larger saw.

More to come.

Best,

John_M