385 husky.......opinions?

[MountainWood]

I am about ready to pull the plug on this saw.  Before I take the dive, what should I watch for, if anything?

As for how it will be used, I'll attach it to my chainsaw mill occasionally, but intend to use it for falling 30" plus hardwood, plus softwood firewood.  I think this saw is somewhat of a compromise, but I'm not above listening to advice.

MW

[lucky_cutter]

The 385 is a bit heavy for the power. I believe that Dolmar has a better power to weght ratios for this size.  The stihl 560 is even heavier than the 385 for the same power.  The 385 will give you years of good service. Not the strongest, fastest, or lightest saw, but it will get the job done.
 
There has been speculation that the new 575 could be a platform for a 85 cc-ish saw in the future. Hopefully husky can get more horspower and less weight than the current 385. Once again that is only speculation and may never happen.
I guess it all depends on how much weight you want to haul around when cutting those large trees. A slightly bigger saw might be better for the mill, but worse for you. I do not know if a smaller saw like a stihl 460 or a husky 372-575 would hold up to the mill application, but they would be easier on you for cutting firwood. Its a shame we all can't afford two saws (one for the mill and one for the firewood.)

[MountainWood]

So does that mean that you are not a fan of Husky........or of the 385?  Have you used the saw?  Anyone have experience with this saw?

Just wondering.......

Thanks

[lucky_cutter]

I have not owned one, but I have used one on occasion. They are heavy duty saws that are built to last. Considering your alternatives, the 385 would be your best compromise for the two jobs you have in mind. If I am not mistaken, most people would prefer to use the 395 or 3120 for the mill application, but they would also be overkill for falling the trees you have in mind. For mostly cutting and occasional mill use the 385 should be fine.
There are other good saws out there, but when I have to pay for it. I've gotten a husky every time. For the weight, I would rather do the cutting with a modified 372, which would give you the same power as the 385, but I do not think it would hold up to the mill work as well as the 385.

[Lobo]

The stihl 560 is even heavier than the 385 for the same power. 
 

I think he may have ment the Stihl 460 as there is no 560 Stihl.
The Stihl MS460, if that was the case is lighter.


The published weights are:

Husky 385 weight is 15.4 lbs / 7.0 kg   and   MS460 weight is 14.4 lbs / 6.5 kg so it would be 1 lb lighter than the husky. The equivalent Dolmar weights in at aboout the same as the Stihl an ounce or two lighter I believe.

[Ron Scott]

Many of the cutters working my timber harvests use the 385 for cutting hardwood sawlogs. Some use the 395 also. Both do well and have little or no down time with every day use. They usually get a new saw every year though whether they need it or not.

[lucky_cutter]

Lobo. Thanks for the correction. My mind said 650 stihl, but the fingers had a mind of their own.

Stihl 650-  84.9cc   6.4 hp   16.5 #s

[Ironwood]

I have had Huskies and Stihls, 394xp's (2 currently) and 066. Both good but the Huskie just graps you and won't let go, sold the 066, only need two big saws REID

[timberjack240]

i personally dont like the 385s. there is one thing that i like about them and htats the handles  other than that im not impressed with what they are and how they perform. my pap and my uncle really like them and can cut alot with them but i prefer my old 288 over the 85s.

[Gypo Logger]

 The 385 is my favourite saw for commercial cutting, although I had mine modified. They perform flawlessly and are lighter than an 066 and pretty much the same power depending on the mods.
 John

[jokers]

Hey John, That`s a pretty nice stick of firewood that you`re dumping there, how much will you get for that? $150/cord split and delivered?

I initially didn`t think the 385 was all that good either, mine was even modified, but then I found out that the first guy to work on it really didn`t do anything to it so I was able to have EHP modify it, now it runs even better than I`d hoped for. Who built your`s John, Ken Dunn? If he built it anything like my 372, it must be a monster.

Russ

[Ironwood]

Can someone post the info on Ken Dunn? I may have my 394XP's Mod'ed at some point. Thanks Reid

[Gypo Logger]

 Hi Russ, yes those pesky stovewood trees get in the way of the good firewood, but hey the saw is fast and the stump jumping is a breeze. Mine was KD'ed and I have two of them.
 Reid, Ken has been laying low due to a resent stroke, so your best bet would be Ed Heard as I doubt that Ken will be doing saws anymore till he recovers but you can call him and say hi at XXX XXX XXXX
 John

[Wolfer]

Mine was also a 385 KD, I knew there was a putz that needed one in short order. It might be the last saw Ken Dunn ever built since his sroke. So John has the last 385 and I am stuck with the last 066 from Ken what luck.

[jokers]

Hi Wolfer,

Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Russ

[ehp]

Wolfer you still come out good on that deal, I know most would not agree but I like the 066 for falling with 

[woodsjunkie]

I initially didn`t think the 385 was all that good either, mine was even modified, but then I found out that the first guy to work on it really didn`t do anything to it so I was able to have EHP modify it, now it runs even better than I`d hoped for. Russ

Hey Russ is this the same EHP385 that John and I both beat with basicly stock 066's at your GTG?
Ok whats the excuse?

[jokers]

Hi Eric,

To have a 385 beat by a couple of 66s doesn`t seem so shameful does it? If that is truly what happened. Basically stock and on plain pump gas? Hardly!

As you well know, I didn`t run my saws because I was busy hosting, but as I recall Paul ran the 385 and I wasn`t even in attendance to witness what happened. I tried to look up the times to confirm what you are saying but all I could find is that Paul W. cut out in that class. Sure, I guess you could say that you beat him, but I can`t find where you can honestly say that you beat him in a head to head speed contest. His cut out is the same as a DNF, there was no time listed.

The fact that he cut out should be on your video tape.

Nice talking with you Eric, glad to see that you haven`t changed. 

Russ

[woodsjunkie]

Yes Russ it was to bad you couldn’t have ran your own saw then at least you would have know who ran what.
Yes the video dose show Paul Woodland DQ and cut out but he wasn’t running your EHP358 he was running a EHP9010. Ed him self was running the 385 so as I see it we did beat your EHP385 with a basicly stock 066’s in a heads up speed race.
As far as fuel would you like me to post videos showing Ed him self fueling my saws? Ask him if he remembers me saying that’s enough fuel and him saying lets put enough in then to cover the filter?
Glad to see you too Russ, I see your still have your whining attitude, to bad you can’t just admit you boys aren’t  all that!

BTW have you found the XPG yet? email me this fourm dosn't need this crap!?

[Busy Beaver]

woodsjunkie...Gypo's 066 was dead stock, but if you remember, you said yours was modified. BB