Chainsaw help

[AROTTY]

Recently my father and I purchased a property in klickitat county. Unfortunately our Ponderosa Pines have been hit hard by beetles and I’m going to need to fell 18-20 trees of up to 30 inches in diameter with the average being 20 in. I have a Stihl 025 that runs well currently but it’s not suited for the amount of work I have in front of me. Need some recommendations. From my research I think I need a saw that is at least 60cc, 20-30 inch bar, and not super heavy. Been looking at used Stihl 044s. What other recommendations do ya feller’s have? Budget is 1k or less.

[hunter399]

Recently my father and I purchased a property in klickitat county. Unfortunately our Ponderosa Pines have been hit hard by beetles and I’m going to need to fell 18-20 trees of up to 30 inches in diameter with the average being 20 in. I have a Stihl 025 that runs well currently but it’s not suited for the amount of work I have in front of me. Need some recommendations. From my research I think I need a saw that is at least 60cc, 20-30 inch bar, and not super heavy. Been looking at used Stihl 044s. What other recommendations do ya feller’s have? Budget is 1k or less.

I've been running 044 for over 12 years,just for firewood or whatever ,bought brand new, run it a little rich,guess we will see but that saw might out live me.

[spoonman]

Can’t go wrong with a 044/440. Some of the newer saws are awesome as well but you’ll pay dearly for them.

[fowl smacker]

 
The older saws are better than the new emission saws.  I can't remember what year Stihl and the rest started changing stuff.

[Jingles]

My MS390 has served me well for I can't remember how long and has cut anything I put it up to, think widest was close to or over 40 inches in diameter and used to cut between 7 and 10 cords a year.

[C-Money]

My family runs Husqvarna. They run great!!
https://north40.com/husqvarna-450-rancher-chainsaw?msclkid=3b06d4765ab01772be26b52624392ec6

[Naches Sportsman]

If you can find an 044 for a decent price, they are worth it. Finding parts on the other hand has been brutal. Buying new I’d look at the 362 with a full bar wrap and 25” bar. 362 would treat you well especially if there is thinning you want to do and not falling lots of bigger trees. I use / 362 while doing thinning and leave the 044 for bigger stuff. 391s aren’t bad at all either.

You mentioned beetle problem, you’ll want to be proactive about it and if you have pine saplings, I’d recommend thinning them out to at least a 10 foot bole spacing and go through and leave the best looking ones. Pile it and burn it or there may be chipping programs still in WA.

[GASoline71]

My 044 has been running strong for over 20 years and is my main falling saw.  It usually has a 28" bar on it, but it can work a 32" if needed in softwoods.  I also have an 028 that has a 20" bar on it for smaller stuff.  The 044 comes in handy for me while bucking too, as I'm 6' 5" tall, and can use the longer bar so I don't have to bend over as far. 

If you can find a used 044 or 046 in good shape, snag it.  You'll be glad you did.

[Dale Gribble]

Agreed to all the above statements, the 044 is probably one of the more versatile saws out there. I’ve had mine since new and regularly do 10 cords a year with it, used to be 20/year. The older ones with a 10mm wrist pins will run forever, if I were to come across one I’d buy it no questions asked no matter the shape. You can tell the difference by the choke lever being red vs black and the fins on the jug will be at a 45* angle rather than upright. Mine is a 12mm but it has since gone through a rebuild with a port and polished big bore kit, dual port muffler, and a filter mod, she rips through anything I’ve put it up too. To the OP, you’d have no problem on your place using an 044

[Tenkara]

If you can find an 044 for a decent price, they are worth it. Finding parts on the other hand has been brutal. Buying new I’d look at the 362 with a full bar wrap and 25” bar. 362 would treat you well especially if there is thinning you want to do and not falling lots of bigger trees. I use / 362 while doing thinning and leave the 044 for bigger stuff. 391s aren’t bad at all either.

You mentioned beetle problem, you’ll want to be proactive about it and if you have pine saplings, I’d recommend thinning them out to at least a 10 foot bole spacing and go through and leave the best looking ones. Pile it and burn it or there may be chipping programs still in WA.

362 with 28'' bar is what i use and would be a perfect saw for what the posters looking. 

[AROTTY]

Thanks everyone for the help! I’ve been stacking burn piles and will begin as soon as the ban is lifted. Does anyone have experience with the pheromone treatments?

[lewy]

I’ve got the 362 with feller handle it’s a great saw

[257wbymagkiller]

Can’t go wrong with a MS461 bought mine from madsens and could t be happier. I’m stock they have a ton of power and are just a solid saw. I had mine ported and polished and a west coast saw pipe and she rips. It’s a life saver to buy a saw that’s a size up or to than what you think you need and it’s easier on you and and the saw.

[T-Dozzer]

MS 461/462. Then just buy a 26" & 32" bar.

[AROTTY]

Wanted to give an update. Came across a screaming deal on a 362 with the wrap, 25 inch bar and m-tronic. So far it’s been great and I’ve been running her hard every weekend. With the amount of timber I have down, I’ve been saving some choice logs to do some milling. Now I’m looking for a 660 or bigger to run a mill. Almost got a pioneer p62 but it got sold when I was on the way to get it.  :sry:Anyone have milling tips they can share?

[lewy]

Are you stuck on a chainsaw mill? I’d be looking at an actual bandsaw mill if it was me

[Skywagon_185]

044 is the best saw Stihl ever built!!  Many built but nothing  better !!

[Limhangerslayer]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/d/mukilteo-stihl-ms-461-chainsaw-32-bar/7422506311.html

[AROTTY]

Are you stuck on a chainsaw mill? I’d be looking at an actual bandsaw mill if it was me

Not stuck on it but haven’t come across a decent used one for less than 5k. Even the harbor freight one is almost 2k now. Feel that I could get a used 090 or similar and a mill for under a $1000. Tough choice. The beetle infested wood that hasn’t rotted is beautiful. Would be a shame to use it all as firewood.

[BigGoonTuna]

The problem with finding one of the big old torquey saws like the 090 and 076 is that they've been out of production nearly 30 years, and there's a collector premium on them now.  Even in the "big wood days" not everyone was packing one of those pigs around (back then the 056 was king).

Nowadays for serious chainsaw milling, the go to powerheads are the 880 Stihl and 3120 Husky, with some going with the 660 Stihl or 395 Husky.  I wouldn't bother with anything under 90 CC or so, need that power for ripping.

I've seen some 880 "clone" saws (built from chicom aftermarket parts) for around $1000, but kind of suspicious about long term reliability (we never used aftermarket parts when I worked for a saw shop, lots of problems with quality control).

[T-Dozzer]

I milled quite a bit with my 461 just fine. Keep it stock except the exhuast. Had a project 066 that sold in about an 10 minutes on arbour site forum.

[KFhunter]

The best way to chainsaw mill is converting a riding lawn mower engine to drive the chain

[KFhunter]

skip to 7:50

[GWP]

I have a good running lawn mower v twin (you would have to take the whole mower) and new pillow block bearings if you want to go that way.