Limbing saw. What to look for?

[bogydave]

Light weight for sure, then what?

Husq T435 - 7.5 lbs, a good place to start for comparing?
http://www.husqvarna.com/us/forest/products/powerful-robust-saws/t435/#specifications

Currently using a 2010, 20" Husqy 359 for everything.
Finding it to get heavy at the end of the day for liming.

I have an old 14" craftsman & an old Husq 61. Neither have chain brakes.
I take the 14" with me as a back up & the 61 to hunting camp for trails & wood.

 

[Realstone]

Just looked at the T45 Dave. Looks good. I've got the next size up (in the homeowners version). No aching shoulders at the end of the day

 

[jlightning]

I now have a ms460 for anything over 12" and use a ms180 for all the small stuff. I feel the 180 is plenty of saw for limbing as long as you dont push it too hard.

 

[JOHN BOY]

I like a good power to weight ratio, balanced saw for all day limbing. The 346xp made by husqvarna or the stihl ms260. Both with 16 inch bars.
I like a fast limbing saw. Thats just me

 

[amateur cutter]

MS 200 T

 

[Lumberjack]

I second the stihl 260 (261 is the latest if you are buying new). The 346xp is considered by many to be the "best" 50cc saw out there. The dolmar 5100 is also a good saw. I would not recommend anything under 50cc's. I have a 25 year old 024 AV stihl which is my go to limbing saw. sometimes wish it was an 026.

you want a nice balanced saw that is easy to handle as you cut off small branches. another thing to consider is its nice to be able to swap bars and chains between your saws (run same pitch, gage and bar slot size). sometimes its fun to put an 8 pin on the big saw with a 16" bar and rip through logs.

 

[Flatbedford]

I like my little MS180. Cuts pretty nicely for a little (light) saw.

 

[jlightning]

The price is certainly rite for the ms180 also!

 

[Flatbedford]

I paid $80 for mine.

 

[jlightning]

WOW great deal Flatbedford!

 

[Flatbedford]

It was used but in nice shape. Somebody just didn't need it anymore.

 

[jeff_t]

MS 200 T

I have been seeing those on craigslist lately going for $500+ in nice shape, 3-400 kinda beat up. One had a NIB for $1k The 201 must really suck.

 

[MasterMech]

I have been seeing those on craigslist lately going for $500+ in nice shape, 3-400 kinda beat up. One had a NIB for $1k The 201 must really suck.

It's more like the transistion from the 440 to the 441 and the upcoming 460 to 461 switch. When you build something that achieves legendary status (as the MS200T has), the replacement has big shoes to fill. People resist change, especially where machinery is concerned for some reason. I've not heard anything to negative about the new MS201T other than it can be a bit finicky on a cold start but that's true of any stratocharged 2-stroke.