I have a husky 266 SE for firewood and a Stihl MS192 C I use for trail work. Obviously the 266 is pretty old and still has great compression but at 68 I am looking for something with better anti vib and operator friendly. The back 40 is pretty much treed and I just bucked up some 3ft diameter birch. there are also lots of cottonwood up to 3ft dia back there that I use in my outdoor boiler. Looking for recommendation for my last saw. Light weight, easy of use and reliability is more important than price. I have looked at reviews on the stihl 500i and husky 572 and just wondering what other think. Also on bar size and chain mainly for bucking.
Last saw to buy
- Thread starter Ray Mason
- Start date
That 266 SE is a legend, but I think you absolutely deserve a modern upgrade!
I'd slightly lean towards the 500i since its fuel injection makes starting and running completely effortless.
But honestly, the 572 XP is also super smooth and reliable.. probably try to handle both to see which feels better for you!
For bucking, the 24-inch bar is your sweet spot.
It handles the 3-foot wood easily while keeping the saw balanced and maneuverable.
Then run a full-chisel chain for maximum speed.
I'd slightly lean towards the 500i since its fuel injection makes starting and running completely effortless.
But honestly, the 572 XP is also super smooth and reliable.. probably try to handle both to see which feels better for you!
For bucking, the 24-inch bar is your sweet spot.
It handles the 3-foot wood easily while keeping the saw balanced and maneuverable.
Then run a full-chisel chain for maximum speed.
LogLife
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2025
- Messages
- 77
For those big 3-footers, you need a saw that's both strong and comfy to use. The Stihl 500i and Husky 572 XP are both good shouts. They vibe less and have smoother power than the old ones. When you're cutting logs, go for a 20–24 inch bar with a decent chain keeps things clean and the saw easy to handle.
