I process about 5-6 cord a year & have been using a Echo CS-345 (16" bar). I have done this for the past 3 years & the Echo works but it has a hard time with some of the bigger logs. Been thinking of upgrading for a while now & I have an opportunity to get one of the HD Rental saws, Makita DCS6421. Seems that many of you like the Stilhl saws for weight to power ratio. The biggest logs I work with are 18-20". What do you guys think?
Chainsaw Advice
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The makita saws are very nice. From a rental perspective its all about condition and price. I've had good luck with a Stihl MS 290 with an 18" bar. Not too big or too small. Good for medium to larger logs I get. I also have a smaller limbing saw. IMO, buying used is the way to go.
Those 64xx saws are one of the all time greats for firewood production especially if a one saw plan is in place. A 20" bar with a sharp chain will put a smile on your face.
bassJAM
Feeling the Heat
Get the Makita if it's in good shape and you get a price your happy with. They're great saws. Just keep that Echo around for lighter stuff, the Makita is a little large and heavy for limbing IMO. Also, dump the chain HD sells with it and get something a little better. When I got mine it had safety chain, I only used it for 5 minutes before shutting it off and ordering a couple new loops.
mstoelton
Feeling the Heat
Thanks Guys. Ended up getting it for $255. Seems to be in good shape. Looking forward to the weekend!
ugh, ive been searching off and on for years and nobody has them around me. You go out and find a good looking one for $255? Lucky!
Wildo
Minister of Fire
Now spend $200 more for the 79cc p&c and you'll have screaming banshee on your hands.
bassJAM
Feeling the Heat
I just ordered the 79cc kit 2 nights ago along with a 28" bar and chain. I can't wait to install it!
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whatsgnu
Member
How do you get these from HD? I've never seen one there and they don't list them on-line that I've seen.
I walked up to the rental counter and almost tripped over it setting there on the ground with a 275$ tag hanging from it. It was beside another tool also used and for sale. I picked it up by the pull start cord and it didn't drop at all, great compression. Can't wait to test it out. I would love to do a 79+ cc conversion, hd air cleaner, and 24" bar but that stuff would cost more than the whole saw and the dang thing is like new.
whatsgnu
Member
Thing is, the 6421 could very well last forever without breaking and all that time I will be depriving myself of running an 80 cc saw!
bassJAM
Feeling the Heat
Home depot must be unloading these now, one of the stores around me had a couple listed on craigslist yesterday.
I bought my 6401 three years ago for $194+tax. It was two years old, rented 37 times, straight gassed, rebuilt, and rented twice after that. It had been marked down twice. I don't know why nobody wanted it.
I wish I could kill it so I could have another 7900, but it is perfect. I ditched the HD branded bar and chitty chain for a new 20" Oregon b&c, and use it all the time.
That is VERY nice. Get rid of the cat muffler.
28" bar is perfect. It could definitely pull more, but the oiler is getting near its limit. I love mine. Even bigger grins with an 8 pin and 20" bar.
I wish I could kill it so I could have another 7900, but it is perfect. I ditched the HD branded bar and chitty chain for a new 20" Oregon b&c, and use it all the time.
That is VERY nice. Get rid of the cat muffler.
28" bar is perfect. It could definitely pull more, but the oiler is getting near its limit. I love mine. Even bigger grins with an 8 pin and 20" bar.
I keep a 24" bar on my 79cc version. The large bucking spikes take up some length, so it's effectively a 22-ish inch bar.
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bassJAM
Feeling the Heat
The 8 pin sounds tempting! I fully intend on leaving a 20" bar on mine 90% of the time, I just got the 28" for those few time I'll need/want it.
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