Saw recommendations - 24 inch Bar and Alaskan Mill capable

[Jambx]

I hope all had a nice safe holiday.

You guys have seen me post the “should I get a MS361 to replace my MS270 that I bought new a few years ago. Well the saga continues but now I am off in another direction (and no I never did get a 361).

To date I have gone thought maybe 20 cords with the 270 - the biggest tree bucked was a 38 inch red oak (which had to ram it with the tractor bucket to break off the pieces since my 270 only has a 18 inch bar - took a while but it worked). I am now getting wood delivered in log length and while most are easily manageable with the 270 I do wish for a larger bar for those bigger logs. I decided to stay with the 270 because I am a small guy and the weight to me is perfect for my go to saw 80% of the time and it so friggin smooth. I just didn’t see a huge return in performance if I was to replace it with a used 361.

So, here is where I am - my 270 cuts like butter for rounds in the order of 12 - 15 inch however it does struggle for the 20+ ones - initially this was where I felt I should look into getting the 361 with a 20 inch bar (and sell the 270) but now I am thinking augmenting the 270 with a big boy (like a 461 with 25 inch bar on it). I did consider the 660 but I have read these are quite heavy and thirsty) for your average homeowner / wood processor.

One other reason I was thinking of going with a larger more powerful saw is that I recently had some nice black walnut and was thinking of making some slabs out of it with a (not yet purchased) Alaskan Mill - the 461 may come in handy for those times.

Is my direction sound?...is the 461 a nice “big boy saw” for the big boy logs?...will a 461 run a Alaskan Mill for the “odd times I want to use it”…

Any comments are greatly appreciated and as always thanks in advance!

 

[Jon_E]

Only recommendation is, don't just look at Stihl. All of the major manufacturers have saws that will run a 24" bar and work adequately on an Alaskan Mill.

I would be leaning heavily toward a BIG powerhead - a 461 will buck with a 24" bar just fine, but is almost underpowered for milling. If only used occasionally, it will work but slowly.

EDIT: I should say that my experience is limited to a Logosol M7, and I used a Stihl 066 w/ 25" bar for milling. It was never very fast, but it was smooth and accurate.

 

[ironworker]

Your best best will be a 90cc saw for milling, you will regret getting anything smaller. A husky 390 or 395 cost about the same as a 461. Check Ashokan turf and timber near Kingston New York, he is also Spike60 on Arboristsite.com, he will give you a good deal.

 

[Firewood Bandit]

Your best best will be a 90cc saw for milling, you will regret getting anything smaller. A husky 390 or 395 cost about the same as a 461. Check Ashokan turf and timber near Kingston New York, he is also Spike60 on Arboristsite.com, he will give you a good deal.

Spike 60 will treat your right.

 

[petes_sakes]

I hope all had a nice safe holiday.

You guys have seen me post the “should I get a MS361 to replace my MS270 that I bought new a few years ago. Well the saga continues but now I am off in another direction (and no I never did get a 361).

To date I have gone thought maybe 20 cords with the 270 - the biggest tree bucked was a 38 inch red oak (which had to ram it with the tractor bucket to break off the pieces since my 270 only has a 18 inch bar - took a while but it worked). I am now getting wood delivered in log length and while most are easily manageable with the 270 I do wish for a larger bar for those bigger logs. I decided to stay with the 270 because I am a small guy and the weight to me is perfect for my go to saw 80% of the time and it so friggin smooth. I just didn’t see a huge return in performance if I was to replace it with a used 361.

So, here is where I am - my 270 cuts like butter for rounds in the order of 12 - 15 inch however it does struggle for the 20+ ones - initially this was where I felt I should look into getting the 361 with a 20 inch bar (and sell the 270) but now I am thinking augmenting the 270 with a big boy (like a 461 with 25 inch bar on it). I did consider the 660 but I have read these are quite heavy and thirsty) for your average homeowner / wood processor.

One other reason I was thinking of going with a larger more powerful saw is that I recently had some nice black walnut and was thinking of making some slabs out of it with a (not yet purchased) Alaskan Mill - the 461 may come in handy for those times.

Is my direction sound?...is the 461 a nice “big boy saw” for the big boy logs?...will a 461 run a Alaskan Mill for the “odd times I want to use it”…

Any comments are greatly appreciated and as always thanks in advance!

I got my 461 this spring, and it has all of the power promised. If you would keep your 270, I think they would compliment each other nicely. I have considered milling a bit myself, and I think it would do just fine (taking my time of course, and understanding I don't have the capacity of a woodmizer..). But what csm does? I have a 20" and 28" bar for the 461. The 28 likes a half or full skip to stay fast, but it hasn't let me down. Let me know if you have any other questions about the saw, I know it can be a headache to find 'the one'-