Chainsaw recommendations

[Fordfixer]

Thawing out from our big for this area snow and ice storm. Running on generator for the last two days. I've got tons of trees and branches down. My little McCulloch might be out matched this time. Will have lots of clean up here soon. What kind of saws do you guys have? Any input is appreciated.

 

[1982fxr]

Stihl. Got a little 16 incher a few years ago with the easy start deal. I never knew a chainsaw could be that good.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,... Ya can't go wrong with a Stihl,...

I've got a new 290, 'n an ole 044,....
20" bars on both to cut down on the necessary spare parts...

 

[Fordfixer]

The 290 looks like a good saw. I'll only be using it for storm clean up(several times a year),yard maintenance and occasional small amounts of clearing. Also looking at a MS391 but it might be overkill and the MS250 but that might not be big enough.

 

[CreteCoater]

Stihl farm boss with 18" bar here. Does everything I need to do.

 

[regguy1]

I have a Husquvarna, it's very good

 

[BHH]

Assuming you don't want or need specialty profesional lumber ones I would go with either any level Stihl or a mid to top model Husqvarna. Stay away from the low end Husqvarna they are just rebranded Poulan (Husqvarna owns Poulan).

 

[seagravedriver]

I am in Puyallup/Edgewood area. I just bought a Stihl at Washington Tractor in Sumner. Cant go wrong with them. A Husqvarna is a close second, but at the fire dept I work at, we work the heck out of them both without problem. Authorized dealers only for Stihl, but Husqvarna you can find at a big box store. That makes me suspect of those models. I bought a "pro" model Stihl, as it has a few more metal parts here and there at stress points, but you can't go wrong with the Stihl Farm Boss. Prices are very firm. If a dealer deviates, they can lose the ability to sell them. Get a long enough bar so you don't have to do a lot of reaching and bending down. And don't go over your head with them, literaly. (I have no idea of your skill level with a saw I have a lot of work on my property, but we got power back and nothing went through the roof.

 

[Larch]

I own several all Stihls.
170 with a 14" bar, good for small stuff, light and powerful for what it is.
310 with a 20" bar, great general purpose saw.
440 Magnum with 28" bar, great saw for the bigger stuff a real workhorse.
056 with a 36" bar, this is one powerhouse of a saw. I use it for felling the big ones.
For general purpose I would recommend the 310 or 290, you will have a saw that will give a lifetime of work for you. I also recommend using sthil brand 2 cycle oil. I have used my saws to make a living for years, you just can't go wrong Sthil. Good luck with the clean up.

 

[Davefr]

The 290 looks like a good saw. I'll only be using it for storm clean up(several times a year),yard maintenance and occasional small amounts of clearing. Also looking at a MS391 but it might be overkill and the MS250 but that might not be big enough.

The 290 is a "pig". (ie poor power to weight ratio). In addition it uses the plastic clamshell style crankcase. It's also not repair friendly.

You'd be much better off going MS260/261 or MS361.

Husqvarna 346XP is also a good choice as is the Dolmar PS-420.

 

[woody 73]

Because I work with several chain saws hear me out:

Instead of saying one brand is better then another lets look at from another point of view; namely FIND THE BEST SHOP IN YOUR TOWN THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST SERVICE!

Ok when your saw needs parts you can call on that shop 24/7 ,need help only a phone call away, like the ghostbuster movie "who you going to call"...

Sure you can buy that other saw and you can find some fantastic deals out there but when it breaks you don't want to be stuck out in the cold so to speak.

Call around and ask your friends for the shop in your town that gives the best service,buy the saw that they sell and sleep better at night.

Woody

 

[pop pop]

What Woodie said as long as it is a Sthil dealer! 029 if you aren't too old - with a long bar so you don't stoop over too much.

 

[seagravedriver]

What Woodie said as well. I am greeted by name at my dealer.

 

[PeterT]

Stihl rules

 

[440D150]

Stihl Farm Boss

 

[road1will]

I had a stihl farm boss and had a lot of trouble with it. I ended up selling it and got an Echo CS450 - it has been a great saw for light/intermediate use around my property. Starts everytime on the first pull and has plenty of power.

 

[TreePointer]

The 290 is a "pig". (ie poor power to weight ratio). In addition it uses the plastic clamshell style crankcase. It's also not repair friendly.

You'd be much better off going MS260/261 or MS361.

Husqvarna 346XP is also a good choice as is the Dolmar PS-420.

I'm with Davefr on this one.

Before you pull the trigger on a 290, get some other saws in your hands, too. There are saws out there that give you better power, chain speed, low end, better antivibration technology, fuel economy, overall weight, and power-to-weight for not too much more cash.

 

[outlander800]

Heres my saws. Stihl MS362, about a week old and havent even used it yet. Its got a 60cc motor and a 20" bar. My little guy is a echo cs-305, it has a 30cc motor and a 14" bar. You cant go wrong with a stihl or an echo. Both great saws.

 

[blazsawgras]

stihl is the best. my dad bought one over 20 years ago it has been a good saw i bought me a stihl 7 years ago i got a 290 farm boss its a good saw for all around use.

 

[pl_silverado]

Stihl all the way.

MS260 & MS660

 

[Monte]

www.solousa.com

www.dolmarpowerproducts.com

 

[Davefr]

Stihl all the way.

MS260 & MS660

That's a very nice "two saw" plan. You just need to insert a MS361/362 in the middle.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I might be a little biased:

019 Mini Boss for trimming
028 Super Wood Boss (my old saw but a sweet one)
290 Farm Boss (not as much power but a good saw for the average homeowner)
MS660 Just for the big stuff. Unless you need one this size (or the MS440), don't even think of getting one.

I plan on selling the 290 and getting a 361 to replace it next year

 

[briggsguy17]

Husqvarna or Stihl. Unless you have a long time Dolmar or Solo or some other lesser known, good brand dealer around. Service and parts will be important.

 

[1984Datsun]

Just get a Stihl...

BTW, what McCulloch do you have?

 

[pl_silverado]

That's a very nice "two saw" plan. You just need to insert a MS361/362 in the middle.

I'm thinking of putting a 440/460 in the middle for the ultimate 3 saw plan

 

[Greatbear]

Stihl. I have am 034 w/ a 20" bar for general cutting, and an 017 w/ 16" bar for trimming. They have been ultra reliable. I bought the 034 new in '85, and the carb has never needed to be touched to this day.

 

[trboxman]

The 290 looks like a good saw. I'll only be using it for storm clean up(several times a year),yard maintenance and occasional small amounts of clearing. Also looking at a MS391 but it might be overkill and the MS250 but that might not be big enough.

I have an MS250 that I use the **** out of for limbing and for some felling...I grew up using an 029 and while the 250 isn't as powerful I've not really wished for more saw. Power to weight it really good too.

 

[twincam00]

Stihl

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've had my Stihl 290 Farm Boss about 8-9 years. It has been trouble free and we have a great local dealer. We also use Stihl at the fire house and they have been great for use.



I'd also recommend that you use all Stihl fluids and 89 octane gas.

 

[coolguy]

Have had several '"Throw away"saw's in the past.Have a nice 18"
Stihl now. They are the best !!!!!!

 

[Robbie UK]

Another vote for Stihl. I have a couple but its the little MS180 that gets the most use as it is light, easy to use and more powerful than the specs suggest. The only thing I don't like is the quick bar adjust but will swop that out with a normal one at some point.

 

[Sterff]

Ill be the lone guy here that likes ECHO. I have used Stihl saws but, I do not like how much plastic they have on them these days. I have an Echo CS-8000 with a 27" and 36" bar, as well as an older CS-550. I use these to cut around 10-15 cords a year. While the Echo's may be a little heavier at times I find them to be more reliable and powerful. My grandfather still uses his ECHO Kioritz saw which was made in the 80's.

 

[LSU]

Because I work with several chain saws hear me out:

Instead of saying one brand is better then another lets look at from another point of view; namely FIND THE BEST SHOP IN YOUR TOWN THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST SERVICE!

Ok when your saw needs parts you can call on that shop 24/7 ,need help only a phone call away, like the ghostbuster movie "who you going to call"...

Sure you can buy that other saw and you can find some fantastic deals out there but when it breaks you don't want to be stuck out in the cold so to speak.

Call around and ask your friends for the shop in your town that gives the best service,buy the saw that they sell and sleep better at night.

Woody

I've got to agree with Woody on this one.

I own a Stihl (can't recall model # but it is about a 20" bar). I also own a Stihl Combi (which is basically a weedeater motor which one can change the heads on. For mine I have a string trimmer, edger, tiller, and a tree trimming chain saw). One motor - all these attachments.

The dealer I use is a Stihl dealer who has the trained repair folks, the parts and the help I need. My dealer handles other branks (husky and one other one).

I'm not a cast member on Axman. I needed some advice, went and talked with these folks and got a Stihl. I've been happy with it.

Woody is right, when you buy something you're going to need to rely on in storm situations, you need something that is not only going to work but can be repaired if it gets broken, etc.

Go with a good dealer on this one. A good indication of who the good dealers are is to look and see if the professional treee and lawn folks shop there. At my dealer, you'll see the trucks and trailers of these guys on any given weekday buying their tools and supplies there. To me, this is the best indication of a good place.

I'm not a Lowe's or HD hater, but you buy a chainsaw there, you're going to be on your own for repairs or trying to find a small engine shop to get it fixed if (and often when) it breaks.

 

[Griff93]

I'm going to vote for Husqvarna. I have 4 of them and have been very pleased. That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Stihl. I have run an MS362 quite a bit and it's a very nice saw. Dolmar's are rebranded as Makita chainsaws a lot in this country. Their dealer support network seems to be lacking. That's the only downside I can see with their stuff. The only reason I refuse to buy a Stihl is the local dealer *****. Our Husky dealer is much better. It's kind of like which truck, Chevy, Dodge, Ford? All of them will generally do the job it just comes down to personal preference and dealer preference.

 

[TonyCH]

I have both Stihl and Husqvarna. Stihl is maybe 7 years old and the Husse 15. Both are good makes. No problems with either. My use is not professional though.

 

[cundifc]

The 26 pro is the best little saw made. Spendy but worth it.

 

[buildmyown]

I cant keep up with all the Stihl love going on in here.

Im a Husqvarna fan boy have a 30 year old 266se and a 345. At the time the 345 was the only saw you could buy at Lowes that was made by Husqvarna in Swedan. Now im pretty sure all Husky saws sold at Lowes are rebadged Poulons. If you can find one grab it its a great homeowner grade saw. Light weight and good power pulls an 18" bar just fine. If you want to step up to a pro level saw the 346xp is a great saw and one that is on my wish list. At the top of the homeowner line is the 460 rancher a frined has one and has a 24" bar on it personally I think its a little to much bar for the saw would be better with a 20".

As has already been your said what do you have for dealers in your area? That really makes a difference.

Also what is your budget?

 

[seagravedriver]

I will chime in one more time. If you have a stocking Husqvarna dealer, that is not a bad way to go. There is a good one in Sumner. I am on the Wildland fire team at our fire dept. So in addition to structural work, in the Summer, I go out to wildland fires. Working with WA State Dept. of Natural Recourses, (DNR), Dept. of Forestry, and varrious Hot Shot crews from around the Western United States, as well as private contractors such as PatRick and others, I have seen 85% Stihl, 15% Husqvarna. In over 12 years of Wildland work, NO other brands.

 

[marslawn]

Here is my opinion.

I have always bought used saws off craigslist, and had good luck. I never buy them from loggers(sorry guys). I like the mid 90's Stihl the best, but I also have had some old boys that work great too. Heck I have even had an old shindiawa that sat for 5-10 years and fired on the third pull. I don't know how well you know a 2cycle engine, but it is never bad knowledge to have.

Here is a few things I have picked up of the years from guys wiser than I.

If you only use the saw a few times a year, use airplane fuel.

If you are buying a used saw inspect the muffler, you can tell allot about one by the condition of the muffler.

If you only use in winter spend a few minutes in the late summer/fall inspecting the chain, cleaning the air filter, inspecting fuel lines make sure there is no leaks or cracks, and clean or change the spark plug.

Always start the saw full of fuel and oil.

Never put it away dull.

And.... THe most important rule of all NEVER LOAN IT OUT!