which chainsaw?

[Hank McMauser]

O.K. guys heres the deal, just sent our saw Husqy 55 rancher in for tune-up,wouldn't stay idling/difficult to start. they checked it out& the piston/cyl wall is scored pretty bad. +$ to fix. the boss says it's probably time for a replacement anyways as this one is probably about 8 yrs old.They spend alot of time riding around on the back of a forklift in dry dusty conditions.it's a gravel yard & we haven't had any decent rain in 2-3 mos.
right now i'm looking at either a stihl ms290($399.00) or a husqvarna 455
($375.00).
this saw will be used in the lumberyard for cutting I-joists,and lvl's mostly also some 4x or 6x timbers. we've had pretty good luck with the husqvarna and both are well represented/supported in our locale. How would you spend $400 of the companies money?

 

[outcast]

i had this same question about 2 months ago. everyone said stihl or echo.
i bought the stihl ms290 farm boss 18" for $290 new from the dealer.
if it is sitting out in the open, get the case for it. $35

 

[Stick]

I'd give some serious consideration to spending a bit more money on something like a Stihl MS260pro or a Husky 457. Both are pro-level saws that are meant to be repaired, and have a lifespan measured in years instead of hours. Homeowner level saws have a defined lifespan of about 50 hours, which is fine for a homeowner, but pretty short for something used daily in a production environment.

 

[tinbender 66]

I've had my ms290 20" farm boss for 8 years now and have cut a mountain of firewood with it. Never a problem.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Of the two, I'd go with the Husqy. Stihls seem to be a little more sensitive to dirt and dust contamination than the Husqvarnas do.

 

[dharma-bum]

I used a Stihl 035 to cut firewood for two seasons. Four to five cords per week in all kinds of weather and I would'nt use anything else. The Huskies are good but around here (Colorado) Stihl seems to be "the Saw".
All The Best

 

[bmcdowell40]

I've had a MS290 for over 2 years and have had a Stihl 009L for almost 11 years now. Had no major issues with either saw. I've heard good things about the Husky 455, though I've never used one. In my area, the only place to buy Husqvarna is @ Lowes, which means you're on your own if you need service.

 

[Griff93]

It's no hard to rebuild these saws. I would pull it apart and see if you can clean up the bore with some muratic acid. They a nikisil lined. I had a similar thing happen to my 55 in April. The carb vibrated loose and it leaned out. I was cutting some large oak at the time so I was wide open. I put a metoer piston kit in it, smoothed the ports, opened the muffler, and put it back together without a base gasket. It made a noticeable difference over a stock saw. www.baileysonline.com is a good place to buy parts.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've owned both a similar Stihl and a Similar Husqvarna - you can't go wrong with either one - they are pretty competitive. The Husky will start easier, the Stihl will likely have better parts availability.

Depending on what you're looking for I would also recommend the Makita/Dolmar 50cc, which is rated at about the same horsepower with less cc's - and costs a bit less. I haven't run that one, but I have a 64cc Makita that is a monster. You can buy them and Husqvarna online at Baileys. The Stihl, of course is only sold at their dealers - which is a pretty good thing too.

 

[diggerrick]

Homeowner level saws have a defined lifespan of about 50 hours, which is fine for a homeowner, but pretty short for something used daily in a production environment.

I don't know about the 50 hours, but I just bought another 14" Poulan Woodshark to replace the one that I had stolen a couple months ago, and the first page of the manual says "For Occasional Use Only".

How do you define that???

After about 15 years of "Occasional Use Only" my dad's (same model) recoil mechanism broke. Mine was 5-1/2 years old and did a lot of "Occasional Use Only" work.

To the OP - If I was spending the company's money (or my own for professional use) I'd go with the Stihl, and like another guy said - get the case if it's outside on a forklift a lot.

 

[Tim_in_NC]

i had this same question about 2 months ago. everyone said stihl or echo.
i bought the stihl ms290 farm boss 18" for $290 new from the dealer.
if it is sitting out in the open, get the case for it. $35

Did they have some sort of sale going on ... I can't ever find one that low ...

 

[mooseracing]

How would you spend $400 of the companies money?

Training the employees on how to run & maintain the saw and/or make sure it goes in for a yearly maintenance. Make sure they understand how to mix the proper ratio of clean fuel.

It's shouldn't need those repairs already.

 

[Davefr]

I wouldn't get the MS290. It's a pig in terms of power to weight ratio and is not built like a pro quality saw. It's also not user friendly for repairs.

For a commercial operation I'd get a MS260 or MS361. They're both professional quality saws. The MS361 will require more $'s though.

 

[Tim_in_NC]

How about a Dolmar PS-5105 ... seems like a great saw for the cash

 

[camarotoolman]

I have an 029 super and 036 for sale. Both are in good condition. The stihls seem to sell better than The husk. Ckeck ebay for used parts, much cheaper then new. I always try to buy the same as the old one so I can use the old one for parts.

 

[pl_silverado]

Stihl.

 

[mrholeshot]

Stihl

 

[Stick]

I don't know about the 50 hours, but I just bought another 14" Poulan Woodshark to replace the one that I had stolen a couple months ago, and the first page of the manual says "For Occasional Use Only".

How do you define that???

50 hours is what was quoted at the Stihl school I went to when I worked at a dealer. It's also what's on the emissions label of the Husky in our shop currently.

50 hours for an average homeowner is quite a long time, usually measured in a span of years. For a production user it's pretty easily approachable in 3-6 months of daily use.

 

[ert01]

Get a used stihl pro series saw. Parts to rebuild are easy to get when needed and it'll last a long time.

Also look into the dolmar saws. Very good quality for the price. My dad has a 510 and it is one of the smoothest saws I've ever used.

 

[Treeman]

I, too, am very pleased with the Stihl MS260 pro. It is a simple, rugged saw with good power, yet not too heavy. A 16 inch bar is perfect on it......bigger is just more to bog down the engine.

Parts and service is tremendous. I like the chain brake mechanism and chain tightening system. Simple and effective. Built like a tank.

However, if you really mistreat your saws, maybe throw away ones are more appropriate.

 

[2oolhound]

Remember and once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When fuelling up always clean the filler cap especially at the seal before loosening and after loosening clean the sealing area again, then clean the area around the fill orifice carefully so you don't wash contaminants into the tank. Although there is a good filter on the fuel pick-up in the tank it's not worth contaminating inside the tank. These areas are prone to gathering debris and dirt so it's the #1 source of foreign matter into the engine. Next is the air cleaner. When cleaning it you have to be extra careful to keep the sealing areas clean on re-assembly. If it's the 2 piece type it has to be spotless inside before you reuse it. The same habits should be followed when mixing the gas. Most of the guys who can't keep their saws running usually are pretty unhygienic in these areas.

 

[toolz]

For what you use it for, either of these saws would work great! Doesn't seem as rough duty as is working them hard in the woods all day, or that being extra-light in weight or having serious high power is a must.

I'd choose based on your confidence in your dealer to fix you up if there's a problem. These tools don't last forever, when it's worn out, replace it. Of course you could put in a new cyl/piston kit.

I have cut 5-6 cords yearly for 20 yrs, I like my old husq 55 and 357xp, sometimes use a stihl ms440; my friends 455 is a sweet saw too, and quiet...

As in all chainsaw work, the real secret is learning to file the chain, and having it sharp for each task - you want to throw chips, not sawdust!http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

[rkevins]

I would go with a Stihl but stay away from the easy start saws, dad bought one and traded it the next day for a regular saw, the easy start did'nt start right away but has a short delay and was afraid one of us would get hurt going from the easy start to the other regular saw.

 

[Kev442]

Sounds like they are both throw away type saws, buy the one that's cheaper. 50 hours is a long time if you are only running it 5-10 minutes here and there, but I think most of these saws make it past 50 hours pretty easily. I have a friend that heats with wood and he got 2-3 years out of various Poulans. That's more like 120 hours and the Stihl and Husky have to be better saws.

 

[Griff93]

Keep in mind a new stihl may have the quarter turn flip caps for the oil and fuel tanks. I absolutely hate these personally. My neighbor has an MS362 which other than the caps is a very nice saw. I borrowed it as an extra when doing storm cleanup when we had the April 27th storm. I filled it with premix and oil, thought I put the caps on and promptly had a pocket full of premix.

Depending on what you're looking for I would also recommend the Makita/Dolmar 50cc, which is rated at about the same horsepower with less cc's - and costs a bit less. I haven't run that one, but I have a 64cc Makita that is a monster. You can buy them and Husqvarna online at Baileys. The Stihl, of course is only sold at their dealers - which is a pretty good thing too.

How do you like that Makita? I've been eyeing on with the 84cc bigbore kit. I need a larger saw as my 55 is a bit overwhelmed with a 24" bar in 2'+ hardwoods. I'm wondering how it compares to a husky 372xp.

 

[5lima30]

IMHO I don't think you would go wrong with a Husqvarna, Stihl, or Echo. It boils down to which one is more comfortable and has good dealer support in your area. YMMV.

 

[weadjust]

Husqvarna 445 18-Inch 45.7cc Gas Powered Chainsaw (Refurbished) $236.95 shipped.

http://www.vminnovations.com/Browse_550/Home-and-Garden/Yard-and-Garden/Power-Tools/Index.html

I have Husqvarna Refub saw from Northern Tool. Looked brand new when I got it. Runs great.

 

[j-easy]

Did they have some sort of sale going on ... I can't ever find one that low ...

Stihl is going to be running a special this fall if you buy a saw you can get a case for half off. I'm not sure if it has been released/advertised to the public yet. I think it starts in the next couple weeks iirc.

The MS260 has mentioned a couple times, it's been replaced by the MS261. It's essentially the same saw, but with a newer more efficient engine.

 

[Hank McMauser]

Thanks for all your input I decided on the stihl ms290 farm boss w/ a 20 " bar. There is a pretty good dealer just accross the river in Oregon We paid 399.95,no tax as it was purchased in Oregon, got a dvd along with the saw, will treat this one much better than the husqy had been for the last 8 yrs or so, I plan on keeping a closer eye on the mtc than the previous yard bosses had. hopefully we get plenty of years of service from this one, we may even go ahead at a later time, and rebuild the top end in the husqy and use it as a back-up machine.

gotta get going I'm here at work posting while the Fruitland home football game has just started, and my DD will be on the field playing her clarinet in the marching band.....go grizzlies

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think you will be happy with that saw. That's what I have been using to cut fire wood for the last 9 years and am very happy with mine.