Chainsaw recommendation

[NUTTSGT]

I'm always going to recommend Stihl. However, I know many that like their Husqvarna saws, so I can't say you would be wrong to buy one.

However, A good used saw, if taken care of will last you a long time. That being said, Home Depot has some rental saws for sale. Check the Richmond stores online. They have a 16" Makita/Dolmar at the SW store and a 20" Makita/Dolmar at the in town store.

 

[classic70]

Sounds like the stihl MS250 would be a great choice. Plenty of power for your use case and small enough. Stihl dealers are in every town for service. Parts are very cheap (aftermarket). Common parts should be available locally since it is a very common saw.

 

[mike93lx]

That will cut a 36" tree, albeit slowly. You can even push it further if needed by taking out sections.

****, is that how math works? What would I do without you?

 

[mike93lx]

I'm always going to recommend Stihl. However, I know many that like their Husqvarna saws, so I can't say you would be wrong to buy one.

However, A good used saw, if taken care of will last you a long time. That being said, Home Depot has some rental saws for sale. Check the Richmond stores online. They have a 16" Makita/Dolmar at the SW store and a 20" Makita/Dolmar at the in town store.

I've heard great things about the dolmar saws, but don't think I want to deal with a used rental saw, I also believe dolmar stopped making them in the last couple years, which if that is true, may pose a long term support problem. Not sure if makita is going to keep parts available long term

 

[dcg9381]

****, is that how math works? What would I do without you?

Even if the math works, I'm not comfortable taking a 3' diameter standing tree with a small saw. Nope. Just nope. Especially some of those monster trees you guys have up north.

 

[mike93lx]

Even if the math works, I'm not comfortable taking a 3' diameter standing tree with a small saw. Nope. Just nope. Especially some of those monster trees you guys have up north.

I'm just busting balls.

I'm not dropping any 3' trees unless I have absolutely no choice, so the math doesn't matter much.

I've dropped trees larger than my bar, but I don't think anything that large

 

[hobie18]

Love to sharpen with a file, makes a huge difference.
At my age, and such, no saw. Nope.
But if I had to...
a, i would have gone with a small electric, or even hand saw. But! The last electric someone gave me, fell apart when I was holding it. Bad!
b, a very reliable gas version with spare parts and someone else to use it.
c, battery with a lot of batteries, and a generator.
For all you manly types with full use of all parts and connected, get what you are most comfortable with, keep sharp, extra parts, clean carb.

 

[Hohn]

Batteries definitely degrade with cycles and can fail unexpectedly, plus are quite expensive for the larger ones and can be damaged

Not saying this rules it out, but it's not some perfect solution

agreed.
There's a reason lumberjacks and professional arborists aren't clamoring for an industrial battery saw.

But short of that, there's a lot to recommend a battery saw.

 

[jblnut]

Having already replied with a bit of a novel .....

A small saw will have very similar issues to lack of use that a larger saw will have so if initial purchase price isn't a huge concern get something you can put a 20-24" bar on and use a battery saw for anything "around the yard" and to cut out the larger saw if it gets stuck somewhere.

If you won't using it much and storing it is a concern I'd get an older saw and go though it. I have the 041 FarmBoss that my Pops purchased new in the 70's and it still runs like a champ. It's not a speed demon but it absolutely gets the job done. It's honestly one of my favorite saws to use. It's a big heavy tank that has a unique sound and is a joy to run.


Once you get one you need a few so you have a backup ... or two ... or 23 lol

 

[Jwallace1]

i was in a similar situation needing a saw for occasional use but i did need to drop a few trees at the time but knew it wouldn't see a ton of use after that and landed on a Husqvarna 450 rancher. i know that bigger than what you're asking for but wanted to throw my 2 cents in that it hasn't given me any trouble and work great whenever i have needed it. i always look at who is around to service them usually everyone has the big names in town for service but its always something to consider.

 

[finn]

Gas because you can't charge a battery if you have no power. I am going to say Still MS 211 or even smaller. Why? If you are not use to using a chainsaw, they get really heavy fast so lighter is better.

He has a generator.

 

[Hohn]

If something in the 40-50cc range with an 18" bar can't do it, I have no business cutting it, which means that I am either being dumb or things got really, really bad

That will cut a 36" tree, albeit slowly. You can even push it further if needed by taking out sections.

You can weld 6" plate steel with a only 90a on a small 7018. But how many passes do you want to make? There a reason instead we crank up the current and electrode size and switch to a flat-only rod like 7028 or 7024.

I think that's the same logic with chainsaws. There's practically no upper limit on the tree size you can take down with a 16" battery saw, but productivity and safety often dictate that this is a bad idea. It's the old eat-the-elephant-one-bite-at-a-time thing.

 

[finn]

One more data point: I had a local arborist, a former logger, come and drop two trees that were too close to the house for me to tackle earlier this summer. The guy has a bevy of Stihl pro saws, but all he and his crew used to drop and buck a tall spruce and a maple, and trim an oak, were battery powered Milwaukee saws. He said he likes how quiet, light, and maintenance free they are compared to his Stihl gas equipment. They are easier to start when up in a bucket or climbing a tree. ( just pull the trigger). He said he rarely uses the gas Stihl saws in his tree removal business these days.

Even the power company contract trimming crews are switching to battery.

As for Dealer Support, Stihl effectively eliminated the local ma and pa saw shops when they moved to the box store / John Deere dealer sales model. The hardware stores that replaced the ma and pa dealers have high school kids doing any saw work.

Only Husqvarna and Echo have servicing dealers here now as far as I can tell, and this is logging country. It is odd to see large professional Stihl saws alongside the string trimmers and other homeowner products in the Ace or Tru Value stores, though.

As far as charging batteries goes, the arborist I hired was recharging batteries off the inverter in the back of his Ford Super Duty pickup truck.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've heard great things about the dolmar saws, but don't think I want to deal with a used rental saw, I also believe dolmar stopped making them in the last couple years, which if that is true, may pose a long term support problem. Not sure if makita is going to keep parts available long term

From what I understand, Makita bought them out.

You might be surprised at how little the HD rental stuff gets used. I've bought a Honda 2000 & 3000 generator from them. They both looked almost unused with the 3000 being just under 2 years old and sold for about 50% off.

If one of those stores is close to you, swing by and take a look at it, it's not going to cost you anything.

If not, I would recommend Stihl.

 

[rancherbill]

I am late to the thread.

Husqvarna consumer chainsaws are not in any way a good value.

I have two that I took in for 'carb problems'. The answer came back from the dealer they are worn out and the cost of repair for the carb and the chain sprockets are higher than a new one. I don't have an hour meter number, but I would guess under a 40-50 hours runtime. I cut brush and it's a cut / trim and turn off and drag out the wood. Each cycle is less than 20 seconds.

I now use my Makita recip saw and Diable (Freud) Pruning blade. For the type of work I do, I take and extra battery and I am good for 5-6 hours. There's no gas mixing and filling hassle. The Diablo blades are the best I have used over the years. They are seemingly twice as good as Milwaukee and the other no name ones I have gotten.

 

[Rinspeed]

I'm using a dual battery Makita 16" and honestly the only gas chainsaw I'd consider now would be a very large one like a Husky 572 or a that fancy fuel-injected Stihl Ms500i--something with enough power to pull a very long bar long enough to need a full skip.

The 500i is an amazing saw, nothing even close in regards to power to weight. The 500i actually weights less than the Husky 372XP yet has 1.3 more HP.

 

[mike93lx]

From what I understand, Makita bought them out.

You might be surprised at how little the HD rental stuff gets used. I've bought a Honda 2000 & 3000 generator from them. They both looked almost unused with the 3000 being just under 2 years old and sold for about 50% off.

If one of those stores is close to you, swing by and take a look at it, it's not going to cost you anything.

If not, I would recommend Stihl.

Fair enough. I've rented some pretty clapped out **** from HD, but other times it's as you described.

Both are very close... I'll see what I can get to this weekend.

 

[bassJAM]

You have a generator, so a battery saw seems like the best option by far here. Get one that already uses the same batteries you're already using (Makita, Ryobi, Dewalt, Milwaukee, etc). If this saw sits for 5 years, even if you fire it up once a year the chance is high that a gas saw going to be stubborn once you actually need it. But batteries are easy to keep charged (we just went without power for 72 hours and I had six 18v bosch batteries ready to go to keep the house lit up, and charged on the generator as needed.

I'll say again that I don't think gas is the right option in this situation but otherwise, there's no realistic difference as far as quality between Echo, Husqvarna, and Stihl. All 3 have saws that are homeowner grade and others that are professional grade. Stihl commands an unwarranted premium except that there's almost always a dealer nearby who can work on them. An MS250/250 with a 16" bar can tackle a 30" tree in a pinch and my BIL has used his for 15 years to cut 3 cords/year to heat his home. So I don't think an MS180, MS170 (or echo cs3510) is underpowered for what you're wanting.

I heat my home with wood also and run 50cc and 80cc pro saws and they're absolute overkill for your needs unless you want to find a used MS260 or 026.

 

[mike93lx]

The 500i is an amazing saw, nothing even close in regards to power to weight. The 500i actually weights less than the Husky 372XP yet has 1.3 more HP.

Only 83hp/liter... Needs a turbo

 

[jar944]

I'm always going to recommend Stihl. However, I know many that like their Husqvarna saws, so I can't say you would be wrong to buy one.

However, A good used saw, if taken care of will last you a long time. That being said, Home Depot has some rental saws for sale. Check the Richmond stores online. They have a 16" Makita/Dolmar at the SW store and a 20" Makita/Dolmar at the in town store.

I like dolmar/makita as much as anyone (I came up with the first oil pump modification for 28+" bars, and made the first billet pump adjuster) but parts availability is meh mostly because the dealer network is non existent..

The rentals are 6400 series saws which for a 64cc saw has fantastic torque. The problem is they are 79cc saws with 64cc cylinders. Meaning they are over weight compared to 60cc class and under powered compared to the 80cc class. The only person I'd recommend a hd rental to is someone who likes to tinker and has free time but low on cash. Otherwise there are better options.

 

[seber]

I have a corded, battery and Stihl. I can say with authority that cutting a medium tree down to manageable pieces with a battery saw would really ****. Over the years I've run a lot of different Stihl saws. They were all great and reliable. Never got to run the 500i but would love to try one. The saw I keep going back to and the one I have in my garage now is an 026. But that is really more saw than you need for the expected purpose. The 180 is a very good choice. Another good choice would be 250.

 

[IRQVET]

I over bought, back when I had 3 acres with a ton of trees. I went with a Husky 460 Rancher, which worked awesome. I work for the forestry department, where the Husky vs. Stihl agreement is as old as the Ford vs. Chevy argument.

Mine has done me well and never let me down. However, now that I've downsized to a 1.5 acre property with zero trees, it just sits. But for some weird reason, I still can't part with it. I admire the quality and performance, and I keep telling myself, "one day."

 

[Treeman]

As for Dealer Support, Stihl effectively eliminated the local ma and pa saw shops when they moved to the box store / John Deere dealer sales model. The hardware stores that replaced the ma and pa dealers have high school kids doing any saw work.

Only Husqvarna and Echo have servicing dealers here now as far as I can tell, and this is logging country. It is odd to see large professional Stihl saws alongside the string trimmers and other homeowner products in the Ace or Tru Value stores, though.

Stihl got upset with you Yoopers when you tried to become your own state, so they pulled out all of their support.

 

[finn]

Stihl got upset with you Yoopers when you tried to become your own state, so they pulled out all of their support.

That movement peaked in the 1970s, when I was living in metro Chicago.

 

[finn]

I am late to the thread.

Husqvarna consumer chainsaws are not in any way a good value.

I have two that I took in for 'carb problems'. The answer came back from the dealer they are worn out and the cost of repair for the carb and the chain sprockets are higher than a new one. I don't have an hour meter number, but I would guess under a 40-50 hours runtime. I cut brush and it's a cut / trim and turn off and drag out the wood. Each cycle is less than 20 seconds.

I now use my Makita recip saw and Diable (Freud) Pruning blade. For the type of work I do, I take and extra battery and I am good for 5-6 hours. There's no gas mixing and filling hassle. The Diablo blades are the best I have used over the years. They are seemingly twice as good as Milwaukee and the other no name ones I have gotten.

If you’re wearing out sprockets in 50 hours, that tells me you’re cutting a lot of dirt.

No chainsaw will live if you’re cutting dirt with it.

 

[Firebrick43]

Even the power company contract trimming crews are switching to battery.

As for Dealer Support, Stihl effectively eliminated the local ma and pa saw shops when they moved to the box store / John Deere dealer sales model. The hardware stores that replaced the ma and pa dealers have high school kids doing any saw work.

Only Husqvarna and Echo have servicing dealers here now as far as I can tell, and this is logging country. It is odd to see large professional Stihl saws alongside the string trimmers and other homeowner products in the Ace or Tru Value stores, though.

Mario outdoor power products in Iron river
Midcounty small engine in Stephenson
Johnston performance chainsaw in Menominee
Bergdahls in skandia
Wards power dollar bay
Ok rental Ishpeming

All servicing non John Deere dealers in the UP.

 

[rancherbill]

If you’re wearing out sprockets in 50 hours, that tells me you’re cutting a lot of dirt.

No chainsaw will live if you’re cutting dirt with it.

I do not cut close to the ground. The lowest cut was probably a foot off the ground. I always had lots of chain oil in the machine. I do not find their consumer machines to be of the highest quality. I am not impressed with the 'factory' service techs at the dealership. Most are hired in the spring and they are gone by August and may be the god guy is offered a year round job at low wages in our booming job market.

 

[mrbill55]

Mario outdoor power products in Iron river
Midcounty small engine in Stephenson
Johnston performance chainsaw in Menominee
Bergdahls in skandia
Wards power dollar bay
Ok rental Ishpeming

All servicing non John Deere dealers in the UP.

Husqvarna 455 Rancher (mine with a 20" bar) gets my vote. A real workhorse with less hassles and headaches of the cheaper units from Husqvarna and Stihl . Stick with the commercial and not retail versions of whatever you decide to get as that does make a difference in longevity .

Bill S.

 

[Firebrick43]

I am late to the thread.

Husqvarna consumer chainsaws are not in any way a good value.

I have two that I took in for 'carb problems'. The answer came back from the dealer they are worn out and the cost of repair for the carb and the chain sprockets are higher than a new one. I don't have an hour meter number, but I would guess under a 40-50 hours runtime. I cut brush and it's a cut / trim and turn off and drag out the wood. Each cycle is less than 20 seconds.

Yea, cheap spur sprockets are not that great compared to a nice rim sprocket. The few mid range saws I owned performed significantly better once I switched over to rim sprokets and chisel chain. The pro saws come with rim sprockets

 

[Firebrick43]

Husqvarna 455 Rancher gets my vote. A real workhorse with less hassles and headaches of the cheaper units from Husqvarna and Stihl .

Bill S.

They are a decent mid range saw, my dad has one. Yes its better than the cheaper husky or stihl units but so is its stihl equivalent mid range, the farm boss. The echo equivalent CS-590 is a very decent midrange saw as well.

Unfortunately echo does not offer a pro line of saws like Sthil and Husqvarna.

 

[mike93lx]

Unfortunately echo does not offer a pro line of saws like Sthil and Husqvarna.

Isn't that the echo x series? Pricing is certainly higher

CS-620PW ECHO X Series Chainsaw with Wrap Handle | ECHO

Power for professionals. Learn more about the CS-620PW and other chainsaws today at ECHO.

www.echo-usa.com

 

[Firebrick43]

Isn't that the echo x series? Pricing is certainly higher

CS-620PW ECHO X Series Chainsaw with Wrap Handle | ECHO

Power for professionals. Learn more about the CS-620PW and other chainsaws today at ECHO.

www.echo-usa.com

It weights 13.7 lbs and 4.5 hp compared to a stihl MS362 that is 12.3lbs and puts out 4.6 or 4.7 hp depending on which carb you get. 1.4lbs on a pro saw is significant

It doesn't have stratified air charging like the Stihl and Husqvarna pro saws do either which means it will use more fuel as well.

Just as I said about the CS590, they are good saws, they just don't have the features/weight advantage that stihl pro line does.

There would be a very valid argument that the echo are a better value to a prosumer that isn't using them professionally due to the difference in purchase cost, and they do have a mag crankcase which if you step down to a mid level Stihl such as an MS391 it will have a clamshell crankcase.

 

[Mandres]

So there's another option that's at least worth being aware of.

There are Chinese companies selling clones of popular pro saws all over Amazon. A couple of months ago I picked up a "neotec" clone of the Stihl 038 magnum for cleanup after hurricane beryl. The thing is an absolute beast, I ran it for a week with zero issues and now it's sitting up in storage just in case I ever need a 70cc saw with a 28" bar again. It was less than $300, and this is their "upgraded" version with Taiwanese cylinder and a Walbro carb. If you're comfortable doing a little tinkering to dial it in it's not a bad option.

 

[mike93lx]

So there's another option that's at least worth being aware of.

There are Chinese companies selling clones of popular pro saws all over Amazon. A couple of months ago I picked up a "neotec" clone of the Stihl 038 magnum for cleanup after hurricane beryl. The thing is an absolute beast, I ran it for a week with zero issues and now it's sitting up in storage just in case I ever need a 70cc saw with a 28" bar again. It was less than $300, and this is their "upgraded" version with Taiwanese cylinder and a Walbro carb. If you're comfortable doing a little tinkering to dial it in it's not a bad option.

I'm not going to act like I don't own any cheap Chinese knock off tools, but anything I do have are not products that I would have to depend on. For this use case, it's not an option for me.

 

[f121]

Only 83hp/liter... Needs a turbo

Ask and the internet provides:

 

[PopcornSutton]

I have an Echo CS-400 with a 18" bar. Going on 7 years now, and it has performed very well. I cut wood only for myself to burn, I hate cutting huge trees but I have. I never even looked at a Stihl cause I don't agree with their closed dealer/service/sales.

 

[Sadboy]

Hard to argue against a Stihl.

 

[finn]

Yea, cheap spur sprockets are not that great compared to a nice rim sprocket. The few mid range saws I owned performed significantly better once I switched over to rim sprokets and chisel chain. The pro saws come with rim sprockets

I’d had chainsaws for thirty four years, everything from throw away box store saws to Echos to Husqvarna and a wide range of Stihls. I have worn out bars, but only one sprocket in all those years. It was a saw I used for grubbing roots and cutting up a tree that fell into the lake, so much of the cutting was with the sprocket and half the bar submerged. The OP is buying a chain saw just in case he needs it. I doubt if roller or spur makes a difference.

 

[Firebrick43]

I’d had chainsaws for thirty four years, everything from throw away box store saws to Echos to Husqvarna and a wide range of Stihls. I have worn out bars, but only one sprocket in all those years. It was a saw I used for grubbing roots and cutting up a tree that fell into the lake, so much of the cutting was with the sprocket and half the bar submerged. The OP is buying a chain saw just in case he needs it. I doubt if roller or spur makes a difference.

The rule of thumb by the manufactures in the industry is 4:2:1.

4 chains to bar replacement

2 chains to a sprocket replacement

The two chains should be alternated until worn out with the same sprocket. Sprocket replaced and two new chains ran.

If you run a sprocket longer then you unduly wear out the new chains due to the pitch being off from wear.

A rim sprocket makes it cheaper as you don’t have to replace the whole clutch drum every time.

Quote from oregon

"How long should the drive sprocket on my saw last?​

You should replace drive sprocket systems after every two chains, or sooner. It's important not to run a new chain on a badly worn drive sprocket."

Oregon chainsaw sprockets

And from Stihl



Page 17

Something must of been really wonky to require bar replacement before sprocket replacement.

 

[tak1313]

I have a Husqvarna 257 (or something like that), a Worx corded, and a Ryobi 40v. We have a wooded 3 acre property, but I've only used a chainsaw for a felling a few trees, and clearing the driveway when something falls across it.

Since getting the Ryobi, I've never touched the other two, and they have been in the shed for a few years now doing nothing.