new chainsaw time

i'm in need of a new saw. something with more grunt than the husky 55 i've been running as it will be used for milling beams and is now toast. recommendations from guys with bigger saws?

i'm looking at the stihl ms 441 or 461 and the husky 576xp or 376xp, with a 28"bar

If I was going to own one saw only I think it would be a 372XP.

Have you checked out your potential choices in a shop yet? Holding the saws made my decision much easier.

Do you think you might ever get an Alaskan mill?

If I was going to own one saw only I think it would be a 372XP.

Have you checked out your potential choices in a shop yet? Holding the saws made my decision much easier.

Do you think you might ever get an Alaskan mill?

i was at arrow last week but didn't handle any of the saws. an alaskan mill might be in my future, but not sure about that.

i'm probably going to rebuild the 55 as i can get a new piston/cylinder kit for $40.

I was going to say - if you didn't want the 55- I could find a home for it. It will last forever.

If you're still going to have a smaller saw I would suggest you consider the 90cc saws too. I think 70cc is good choice for a good do it all saw but 90cc will handle milling more easily.

If you're still going to have a smaller saw I would suggest you consider the 90cc saws too. I think 70cc is good choice for a good do it all saw but 90cc will handle milling more easily.

these are my thoughts as well. One saw = 70cc / two saw, 40-50cc, then 90cc ish.

I like the 372xp better than the 576xp, but I'm more of a stihl guy and like the MS461 best of that bunch. really, it comes down to what feels best in your hands and what the dealer can support.

or just say f-it and work towards a 25, 35, 50, 65, 70, 90cc plan

I'll post these here as my vote. :D

So… What did you end up with?

So… What did you end up with?

390xp with a 32" bar.

^^^ Awesome!

I'm sure you will be happy with your choice.

^^^ Awesome!

I'm sure you will be happy with your choice.

i was hoping to see more blow down out there on the trails on saturday so i could put it to use. if i wasn't working yesterday i would have just driven around town randomly looking for downed trees to buck up.

Hahaha, I know the feeling.

I've got a line on a good deal for a Stihl 170, or about $100 more for a 180. I want something for bucking up some blowdown on a trail I'm working on, and maybe a little stuff around the house. Probably nothing bigger than 8" since I'm in northern Alberta. Is the 170 going to be enough, or should I spring for the 180? 250 is another $100 on top of the 180 and I don't know if I need that much saw.

I've got a line on a good deal for a Stihl 170, or about $100 more for a 180. I want something for bucking up some blowdown on a trail I'm working on, and maybe a little stuff around the house. Probably nothing bigger than 8" since I'm in northern Alberta. Is the 170 going to be enough, or should I spring for the 180? 250 is another $100 on top of the 180 and I don't know if I need that much saw.

learn how to keep a chain sharp, cut wood properly and don't use that saw for significant milling/ripping and the 170 will last you a long time. for $230 that saw is a pretty good deal.

you can also get a slightly bigger husqvarna 240 (38cc) with a 16" bar at canadian tire for $50 more at $280.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/husqvarna-16-in-38cc-chainsaw-0545740p.html#pd-footer