Lightweight ground saw?

[SimplyArbor]

I was BSing with a husky rep the other day. His story was they sell bulk HO saws to chain stores, which in turn keeps prices down for their pro saws... You never know, cuz he's a rep, but that could make sense I suppose.

 

[Bermy]

wood working boy, you have me very interested in these zenoahs saws....

I think the Stihl 200 series ( new, old??) would be the best if you go with Stihl. I wouldn't recommend a Stihl 193 though, in case you were looking at it, only because my husband uses one daily in a bucket and has to get a new chain every week.

Hey, we got another girl! Welcome to the house, chime in when you can, they are a nice bunch here

 

[Al Smith]

If you could find one in decent shape an 024 Stihl is not a bad light weight .

 

[HolmenTree]

I demoed a 42 cc MS241 CM last summer and really liked it. According to the Stihl USA website it's 9.9.lb. PHO
It's about $150 cheaper then the MS201, only about 1 lb. heavier and has alot more power.
I'm seriously thinking of getting one as it's the right size I need for my stable of saws. I gave my 346XP NE away to my F.I.L because my 562XP wasn't much heavier and puts out much more power and my 562 has over 1500 hrs on it now BTW.
Still running my 338XPT, still strong and won't quit.....plus I'm attached to its balance and compact design.
The MS241 CM would look good sitting beside it in my truck.

 

[Cut4fun]

You guys need to remember he was wanting lighter then 450 and close to weight of 355. Most of the latest choices are 450 weight in 346 261 etc.

Just comparing 450 11.2lbs pho

355T 8lbs pho

 

[woodslinger]

weight is the main factor, which is why I'm currently looking at the echo cs361P or something simlar from stihl, 201, 210, not sure of the weights on those.

 

[HolmenTree]

You guys need to remember he was wanting lighter then 450 and close to weight of 355. Most of the latest choices are 450 weight in 346 261 etc.

Just comparing 450 11.2lbs pho

355T 8lbs pho

I see 3 choices for the lightest professional grade rear handle ground saws.
Stihl MS201 CE 8.82 lbs 2.41 h.p.
Stihl MS241 CM 9.9 lbs 3.1 h.p.
Husqvarna 543xp 9.921 lbs 2.95 h.p
I think the MS241 wins the best power to weight ratio and low price

 

[cory]

Willard, you mention hours on a saw, how do you calculate or know the hours on the saw?

 

[Burnham]

I meant 201, sorry.

Me, too. A typo.

And I know you're correct on the much improved performance now over the early 201's...but to me, even the better 201 version doesn't match the old 200, that being the point of my dis .

 

[Cut4fun]

I see 3 choices for the lightest professional grade rear handle ground saws.
Stihl MS201 CE 8.82 lbs 2.41 h.p.
Stihl MS241 CM 9.9 lbs 3.1 h.p.
Husqvarna 543xp 9.921 lbs 2.95 h.p
I think the MS241 wins the best power to weight ratio and low price

You forgot the echo 361 8.4lbs. Just like the 355 he already has but in rear handle. http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-361P

Compact rear handle design - based on the proven CS-355T $399 retail, so we know we can beat that price.

 

[Cut4fun]

weight is the main factor, which is why I'm currently looking at the echo cs361P or something simlar from stihl, 201, 210, not sure of the weights on those.

I just ask the echo dolmar jonsered dealer on my site to get me a price for one new.

HD has them new and ship to your door for free. Highest retail though $409 and they take paypal.

 

[Cut4fun]

@ woodslinger PM in bound. Best price so far.

 

[HolmenTree]

Willard, you mention hours on a saw, how do you calculate or know the hours on the saw?

Cory, my 562XP has worked 4 years (seasons) now.
I approximated averaging working it 3 hrs a day ,20 days a mth X 6.5 mths a yrs X 4= 1,560 hours.
Some years I worked 8 to 9 months.

 

[Cut4fun]

I think you put them new husky on the computer with husky hook ups and they will give you all the exact hrs in full throttle, idling and everything the saw has done while running. Pretty cool, but I balked at buying one for $200

 

[woodslinger]

Just off a quick lookup it seems that a 201 rear hande is like 700 bucks? My local stihl guy can sell me a 461 power head for just a tad more than that. Did I find an inflated price? At that range the echo 361 is looking real good

 

[HolmenTree]

You forgot the echo 361 8.4lbs. Just like the 355 he already has but in rear handle. http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-361P

Compact rear handle design - based on the proven CS-355T $399 retail, so we know we can beat that price.

Just off a quick lookup it seems that a 201 rear hande is like 700 bucks? My local stihl guy can sell me a 461 power head for just a tad more than that. Did I find an inflated price? At that range the echo 361 is looking real good

I didn't overlook the CS-361P, Echo doesn't specify their kw/hp ratings so I don't bother comparing it to the others.
Their h.p. ratings are low that's how they can offer a 5 year warranty on them. We know the 35 cc Stihl MS201 cm has 2.4 h.p and we know the 355/361 Echo is less or quite a bit less h.p. .I'm estimating under 2 h.p.
They advertise them as a professional grade 2-stroke but their a plastic clam shell design .......all for $410.

You can buy a MS241 CM, 42 cc, 3.1 h.p. under 10 lbs at any US dealer for $550
Here in Canada Stihl has a fall sale on and the MS241 CM is going for $549.95 CDN and our CDN dollar is presently at .75 cents US.
Plus their throwing in a $85 Wood-Pro Kit in free. The saws regular Canadian price is $649.95.

So you guys in the US have a little negotiating power with this information

 

[shesthebaum]

Hey, we got another girl! Welcome to the house, chime in when you can, they are a nice bunch here

I intend to thanks

 

[Burnham]

Welcome!

 

[Chris E]

I see 3 choices for the lightest professional grade rear handle ground saws.
Stihl MS201 CE 8.82 lbs 2.41 h.p.
Stihl MS241 CM 9.9 lbs 3.1 h.p.
Husqvarna 543xp 9.921 lbs 2.95 h.p
I think the MS241 wins the best power to weight ratio and low price

I did the power to weight ratio sums on those, the 201 is .27 hp per pound, the others are approx .31hp. Currently happy with an ms 291 as a ground saw which comes in at .31 hp also, it weighs 12.3 and was affordable.

 

[Grendel]

I didn't overlook the CS-361P, Echo doesn't specify their kw/hp ratings so I don't bother comparing it to the others.
Their h.p. ratings are low that's how they can offer a 5 year warranty on them. We know the 35 cc Stihl MS201 cm has 2.4 h.p and we know the 355/361 Echo is less or quite a bit less h.p. .I'm estimating under 2 h.p.
They advertise them as a professional grade 2-stroke but their a plastic clam shell design .......all for $410.

You can buy a MS241 CM, 42 cc, 3.1 h.p. under 10 lbs at any US dealer for $550
Here in Canada Stihl has a fall sale on and the MS241 CM is going for $549.95 CDN and our CDN dollar is presently at .75 cents US.
Plus their throwing in a $85 Wood-Pro Kit in free. The saws regular Canadian price is $649.95.

So you guys in the US have a little negotiating power with this information

Welcome back Willard!

 

[HolmenTree]

It's good to see you Sam!
I like your new avatar picture.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Thank you! ;>)

 

[Cut4fun]

Prices are off. 349 retail for 355 and retail is 399 for 361 but I know I can get the 361 for 40 less then that.

Being the OP already owns a 355T and his dad likes it. I have no problem passing info onto him about the rear handle echo 361P. Which is the 355 in a rear handle version.

 

[woodslinger]

The lightness of the 261P is what's pulling me toward it. Plus I have been reliably told that opening the muffler a bit on that engine makes a big difference. I'm going to see what my local saw shops can come up with, but I'm currently leaning toward the echo.

 

[Steve Mack]

I don't think you'll go wrong with the 361P, looks perfect for what you want. (And at Kevin's price looks even better)

I'm mainly Stihl but I've got a couple of Echo's, no complaints.