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  

[jokers]

Yes the video dose show Paul Woodland DQ and cut out but he wasn’t running your EHP358 he was running a EHP9010.

My mistake then Eric. On Friday when we discussed what we would be running I thought that it was agreed that Paul was running the 385.

Stock appearing 066, maybe. At any rate, my 385 runs good and I`m happy with it. I never claimed to be a racer so what do I have to admit?

Russ

[Gypo Logger]

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

Ed's right, I'm always on the fuzzy end of the lollipop. First I end up with Barky's 385 then I end up with Jokers 346PP. There just has to be some sort of conspiracy going. No big deal though, I just bought FMC's 680 so now I 'm all dressed up and going to Penciltucky. Whazzup!
  John

[Gypo Logger]

 P.S. Eric, what are you doing over there on the tree ape forum? This place is much better.
  Anyway, I forgot the chainsaw related picture.
 John

[ehp]

Yes I didnot cut well with the 385, because I just grabbed the saw and took the falling spikes off it, I was to lean and withnot running it before we made that 1 cut I was dead in the water, if you would of hung around after the GTG Eric you would of seen that saw cut over 1 .5 seconds faster its next cut but that didnot matter or count. But this thread was about the 385 not the 066 , 2 different saws,

[jokers]

I respectfully ask that my friends who have replied to this thread please refrain from any further responses, one may even go back and clean house a little. The person who is playing antagonist received reasonable and factual answers to his questions and he knows how to reach me off forum if he would like to discuss anything further. Let`s not beat a dead horse nor create a mess in this forum.

Thanks, Russ

[Wolfer]

Dearest Gypo don't forget I have a 680 also we can just cut with them and leave the racing to the real pros. Melvin will be at both shows coming up I would put my money on him if I had any.
[img width=400 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--.com/albums/v639/sunlover3/02658inch.jpg[/img]

I like the hat who made it?

[woodsjunkie]

My mistake then Eric. On Friday when we discussed what we would be running I thought that it was agreed that Paul was running the 385.

Stock appearing 066, maybe. At any rate, my 385 runs good and I`m happy with it. I never claimed to be a racer so what do I have to admit?

Russ

Russ the only thing you have to admit is that your saw’s aren’t all what you talk them up to be that’s it. let me see 346,2159,385 those are the only ones I seen run.
As far as stock appearing that 066 I ran is a work saw from the get go has 3 million board feet under its hood don’t believe me bring you 385 come on over will take it apart and you tell me.



Ed,
Sure I would have like to have stuck around for a while after the GTG. But I thought it was over and I had to pick my wife up at the airport early the next morning but trust me if I had know all the fast stuff was coming out after the show was over? I would have tried to stay but normally you inter your best stuff in the race rite?. BTW Ed do you remember fueling my saws? I told you that’s enough and you said I at least want to cover your filters do you remember this? If not I have video of it but I don’t want to stoop to others level and try and attack you integrity unless you would like me to. Maybe time to set your lap dogs straight eh?

[jokers]

Russ the only thing you have to admit is that your saw’s aren’t all what you talk them up to be that’s it. let me see 346,2159,385 those are the only ones I seen run.
As far as stock appearing that 066 I ran is a work saw from the get go has 3 million board feet under its hood don’t believe me bring you 385 come on over will take it apart and you tell me.

Eric,

I still don`t think that I have anything to admit. I haven`t bragged up a saw since I put my foot so deep in my mouth that I had a bump on my behind when I bragged up the PP346 before I really ran it. Are you saying that my Walkerized/EHP346 isn`t fast though? It is the one that beat your PP346 at the GTG. My 2159 isn`t my fastest ~60cc saw but it isn`t bad by any stretch(and it does have heated handles), and oh, BTW, it was one of only two saws running in that class with an actual work chain, round hand filed to boot. I don`t think that I have any admissions to make on that one either. Another BTW, my EHP359 also won it`s class, beating your 357xp from MI. Hmmmm. I guess I got stuck with another dud!

The 385 did not run to it`s potential but that has already been explained for you. Operator error, sometimes that happens, but there is no chance for redemption in a one cut race. You`ll see the 385 again if we ever cross paths in the future.

The fast saws that came out after you left would have been run in a race had I not been preparing and setting up the chow. I fully intended to run the 372KD and the 361 was completely overlooked in my haste to make the 60cc and under class, I thought it had already been run by someone else and I was keeping with the one race/operator per saw rule. Meanwhile it sat on the floor of the woodshed all decked out in a decent chain, waiting to race. Oh well.

It wasn`t my idea to run all the races back to back with no breaks in between, in fact I didn`t even know of this change to the plan until I tried to get in on the action, well after most everything had been run. The fact that only the DD camp was in any hurry to leave town that night supports what I was told when I asked why everything was run back to back. I was told that the guys who were driving wanted to get everything over with and get on their way.

Had you not hit and run by racing, slugging down a beer and some food and then bolting, you could have run any saw that I have, in fact I wanted to take a look at some of your saws. Maybe that was the problem huh?

None of this back and forth would have ever started if Dan didn`t come out beating his chest and crowing about how his saws cleaned up when there is absolutely no evidence to support his claims. One saw, the 2171 with the Greffard signature muffler, was really fast, the rest weren`t anything extraordinary.

About your 066, are you saying that you harvested 3 million board feet with that saw? The guy who was begging Ed to build him a small saw because of his bad back less than six months ago?

If I am to understand that you are referring to me as one of Ed`s lapdogs, then you are practicing some canine hygiene on Dan.

You're are stinking this place up Eric, I'm done replying to this continued antagonism by you.

Russ

[Jeff]

I am going to step in here and remind some of the new members to the Forestry Forum, that you are in a totally different atmosphere then where ever you may have come from. This is my house. Treat it as such. Before some of you post again in this thread I reccomend you  explore the rest of the forestry forum and you will find that the attitudes within this conversation are way out of line. This chainsaw board is NOT a forum of its own. It is a category of interest of something much greater then this given part.

The Forestry Forum is about sharing information with guests and friends. In my house, if friends have a disagreement that can not be discussed without temperatures rising, they dont need to be asked to take it somewhere else. They just know they better. If they turn on me, then I will bounce thier rear end down the steps and up the road. Believe it. Count on it. This forum is a family site that has created hundreds of friendships around the country and around the world, Its not a place for heated conversation. Spirited yes, certainly. People have differing ideas, but there are ways to express those and discuss them without giving me reason to make a post like this.

[Gypo Logger]

 Ya Russ, you have stirred up enough trouble as it is! Don't make me come down there to New Haven!
 Anyway, here's one from the archives.
 john

[logger]

I'm with john, you have stirred up enough trouble with the other fourm members and me!!!  This fourm is about chainsaws and forestry, not for arguing on!!!!!!!  If you are going to argue, E-mail it to them!!!!!  Thanks!

[logger]

Hey john, I like your pictures.  Keep them comming buddy!!!!!!!

[jokers]

Ya Russ, you have stirred up enough trouble as it is! Don't make me come down there to New Haven!
 Anyway, here's one from the archives.
 john

Hi John,

I see that you found another stick of firewood, don`t you know that you should leave those to me? You should spend your time looking for highgrade.

 

Russ

[jokers]

Hey "logger", what species of tree is gypo showing in his pic? Is it yellow birch or quaking aspen?

 

Russ

[logger]

Hey "Jokers" if you're going to ask me what kind of tree it is then ask me at the "tree identification" section of the fourm.  And it is sugar maple!!!!

[jokers]

You gotta relax logger! 

[Jeff]

Russ, when are you going to return from Afghanistan?
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=10695.0

[jokers]

Russ, when are you going to return from Afghanistan?
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=10695.0

I just got home today! 

Thanks Jeff!

Russ

[Wolfer]

Thanks Russ for standing up for our country

[Chris J]

Thanks, Jeff, for putting your foot down.  The atmosphere here is pretty laid back, & it's nice to see people disagree without any long term grudges being held.

[SawTroll]

I think it is appropriate to post some test results from an independent test lab (DLG/Germany) for (stock) saws mentioned in this tread:

MS660; 5.2 kw/9500 rpm; 6.0 Nm/6000 rpm; 7.3 kg
385xp; 4.7 kw/9600 rpm; 4.9 Nm/6000 rpm; 7.1 kg
D.7900; 4.7 kw/9500 rpm; 5.1 Nm/7200 rpm; 6.4 kg
MS460; 4.4 kw/9500 rpm; 5.4 Nm/6750 rpm; 6.5 kg.

Personally, I have no experience with any of this saws, as a 20" dbh tree is a very big one where I live.
I even had trouble justifying my MS 361W.......