Good Chainsaw?

[Wakefield]

I have a Stihl brushcutter that started to act up,like a little lean or starving for fuel when tank was less than 1/2 full. It then quit. Investigated a little bit. Found that the fuel filter and its hose had fallen off inside the gas tank. On close inspection the fuel hose had a little split in it halfway to the filter/pickup thingy. Replaced the filter and hose. Happy brushcutting again. When things go wrong with these things there is usually something that can be fixed. This brushcutter also takes attachments that make it into a pole hedgetrimmer and a "chainsaw on a stick". I have the hedgetrimmer attachment. Way more power than the neighbor's weedwacker.

 

[Wakefield]

On the Ethanol/E15 gas issue a little bird told me that outdoor power equipment dealers might be selling,or might be going to start selling cans of good gasoil mix without destructive ethanol for small 2 stroke and outdoor power equipment although that gas will of course be much much more expensive than pump gas. Very very expensive. Possible that warranty in the future for stuff like chainsaws might require that you not use "automotive" gas with its destructive ethanol. I think some people get airplane or boat marina gas for their small engine stuff.

 

[metal1313]

most companies wont warranty power equipement if you use low octane fuel. i run preium in all my stuff and dont have any issues

 

[impulse922]

On the Ethanol/E15 gas issue a little bird told me that outdoor power equipment dealers might be selling,or might be going to start selling cans of good gasoil mix without destructive ethanol for small 2 stroke and outdoor power equipment although that gas will of course be much much more expensive than pump gas. Very very expensive. Possible that warranty in the future for stuff like chainsaws might require that you not use "automotive" gas with its destructive ethanol. I think some people get airplane or boat marina gas for their small engine stuff.

parts stores around here already sell that.

oreilly to be specific

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I guess I'm lucky, we still have two stations in town that sell real gasoline without ethanol.

 

[Wakefield]

That's great that you have a gas dealer for good gas,I hope word gets around about the need to avoid ethanol so that people will support them even if the gas costs a little more,I guess all the commercial grasscutters,landscapers and tree businesses get gas there. If government gets its way and E10 goes to E15 this will get more important. Also some cars get better mileage without ethanol in the mix. (thas what ethanol is for!!)

 

[catfish]

My diesel engine van specifically states no biodiesel.
Why do they try and mess with something thats not broken? Start working on a better electric car before you start tinkering with fuels that ruin the engines of the vehicles you put it in.

 

[Crank1]

Does anyone think that it's worth it to get the Pro Line Stihl versus the Mid Range line?

A comparable saw of the same size is like 300 more for the pro line... I want the better saw, but 300 extra? Little steep right? no? This is the MS 290 vs MS 362 btw.

 

[therealwormey]

Does anyone think that it's worth it to get the Pro Line Stihl versus the Mid Range line?

A comparable saw of the same size is like 300 more for the pro line... I want the better saw, but 300 extra? Little steep right? no? This is the MS 290 vs MS 362 btw.

goes back to how often you use it,daily go pro,one or two times a month just in the winter go mid

 

[Davefr]

On the Ethanol/E15 gas issue a little bird told me that outdoor power equipment dealers might be selling,or might be going to start selling cans of good gasoil mix without destructive ethanol for small 2 stroke and outdoor power equipment although that gas will of course be much much more expensive than pump gas. Very very expensive. Possible that warranty in the future for stuff like chainsaws might require that you not use "automotive" gas with its destructive ethanol. I think some people get airplane or boat marina gas for their small engine stuff.

I buy my chainsaw and 2 cycle gas at the airport. I will only use AVGAS 100LL gasoline in any 2 cycle equipment. (no ethonol, high octane and lasts a long time)

 

[cashishift]

Does anyone think that it's worth it to get the Pro Line Stihl versus the Mid Range line?

A comparable saw of the same size is like 300 more for the pro line... I want the better saw, but 300 extra? Little steep right? no? This is the MS 290 vs MS 362 btw.

The Proline saws are gonna be just that, pro level.

easier to service for the average joe, will have features that the other models don't.

what sort of wood are you going to be cutting?

the 362 also has a decompression valve, where some of the cheaper saws dont. this will make starting easier.

there is quite a bit more power in the 362 also. a better comparison would be the 391 and the 362... which only vary in .2 hp.. but the 362 is a few lbs lighter. which if you are cutting alot of wood might matter.

 

[Davefr]

Does anyone think that it's worth it to get the Pro Line Stihl versus the Mid Range line?

A comparable saw of the same size is like 300 more for the pro line... I want the better saw, but 300 extra? Little steep right? no? This is the MS 290 vs MS 362 btw.

Absolutely!! The professional Stihls are great saws. The low end saws like the MS290 are pigs. The MS290 has a terrible power to weight ratio, is poor value and is hard to work on.

I'd buy an Echo or Dolmar over a homeowner Stihl but a professional Stihl over anything else. (ex: MS260, 361, 440, 460 and 660)

 

[Wakefield]

Do newer MS 260 run more sluggish than older ones or 026's I wonder?

 

[IndyGarage]

I don't cut a bunch of wood, but do a lot of trimming and spent a couple weeks cutting after a tornado a few years ago.

I have a small homeowner Husky - 340, about 8 years old I think, and it cuts great, starts well, and is an overall great saw.

While were cleaning up from the Tornado, a rental store was clearing out some tools and they had a Makita/Dolmar DCS 6401 for $200, so I bought it. Monster saw - kinda heavy, and the bar oil leaks out of it over time, but it'll cut anything. I think those run about $550 new - made in Germany - very nice.

 

[Davefr]

While were cleaning up from the Tornado, a rental store was clearing out some tools and they had a Makita/Dolmar DCS 6401 for $200, so I bought it. Monster saw - kinda heavy, and the bar oil leaks out of it over time, but it'll cut anything. I think those run about $550 new - made in Germany - very nice.

For about $200 you can transform that 6401 into the equivalent of a Dolmar 7900 that'll outcut a Stihl 660. You can get the big block kit at Baileys. All you need to install it is a T27 Torx driver.

 

[bindernut]

Does anyone think that it's worth it to get the Pro Line Stihl versus the Mid Range line?

A comparable saw of the same size is like 300 more for the pro line... I want the better saw, but 300 extra? Little steep right? no? This is the MS 290 vs MS 362 btw.

An MS 290 is not equivalent to an MS 362. The 362 is a bigger, more powerful saw, will take a bigger bar. If you want to compare a 290 to a pro saw, comepare it to a 260. Cashishift is correct, an MS 391 is the mid level that's comperable to a 362.

Come to st. louis & see how much Husky stuff there is. NOT MUCH! I can only think of 2 or 3 & most have a bad rap for not carrying parts. I don't know of 1 Dolmer dealer in st. louis, and the nearest Jonsered dealer to where i live is an hour away in IL. And that IS something to consider. You can have the best saw money can buy, but if you can't get parts or service for it when you need it, it's worthless.

Mark

 

[cashishift]

An MS 290 is not equivalent to an MS 362. The 362 is a bigger, more powerful saw, will take a bigger bar. If you want to compare a 290 to a pro saw, comepare it to a 260. Cashishift is correct, an MS 391 is the mid level that's comperable to a 362.

Come to st. louis & see how much Husky stuff there is. NOT MUCH! I can only think of 2 or 3 & most have a bad rap for not carrying parts. I don't know of 1 Dolmer dealer in st. louis, and the nearest Jonsered dealer to where i live is an hour away in IL. And that IS something to consider. You can have the best saw money can buy, but if you can't get parts or service for it when you need it, it's worthless.

Mark

Winner Winner Chicken dinner

 

[DaleK]

You should be ok as long as you find a good dealer. My saws right now are a Husky 55 18", Husky 359 18" (replaced another 55 that my father somehow dropped a tree on), and a Stihl MS 460 with a 24" bar which was the last saw I bought. The 359 is the one I always go back to. The Stihl will be disappearing soon in trade for a bigger Husky. Not a BAD saw but I don't like the switch set up on it, I have to take my right hand partially off the grip to turn the engine off where with the Husky's I can just flick my thumb. Also the bar adjustment screw on the Stihl is way underbuilt for the amount of power it's putting out and keeps stripping its threads.

 

[AussieDan]

My 026 has adjustable high and low mixture screws and a less restrictive exhaust than the newer MS260 version so it probably makes a bit more power, but you don't get some of the newer features like the tool-less tensioner.

There are a few other things Stihl changed through the years like the fuel tank breather, but overall the differences are very small and if you can pick up an older saw with a gummed up carb cheaply you can make out very well.

One thing to watch on the older saws is that E10 gas will eat the rubber fuel line. You can buy a new factory line & filter, or just use 3/16" clear fuel line, a universal filter and a rubber grommet to make your own replacement that works as well or better than the factory piece.

 

[demographic]

Has anyone mentioned the great "Flippy cap" debate yet?

Personally I thing Stihls make some good saws but I wont be buying one with a flippy fuel and bar oil cap in a hurry.

 

[Monte]

how about the new Stihl 36 Volt chainsaw

 

[RonM3]

Fire wood used to be my only source of heat. Thank God those days are over. But I have cut alot of fire wood through the years. I have owned Homelite (JUNK), 2 McCullochs (OK not great just OK), and my current saw a Husqvarna 55 rancher (Awesome). The Husqvarna has given me no problems through the years (8 I think I hate I took so long in buying one). I have never owned a Stihl but have heard good things about them.

Keeping a good chain on the saw is critical! I don’t care how good the saw is if you don’t have a good sharp chain then it won’t cut worth a dang. Keep a good set of files or electric sharpener handy for those cursed occasions when you hit something besides wood.
I will also second the safety equipment! I don’t have chaps (which is probably stupid) but I did buy a wood cutters helmet at Tractor supply. The helmet has a mesh face shield to keep trash out of your face and built on hearing protectors. This helmet saved my life or at least my looks once. I was cutting away some underbrush that was in my way when one sprung up and put the running chain saw in my face. The helmet now has 3 deep grooves where the saw cut into it. That could have been my head!

 

[Wakefield]

Old McCullochs and I think Homelites were different than todays', had some big Paul Bunyan muscle saws. I think the names were sold.

 

[IDASHO]

Ive always been a Husky owner. Not because of any brand loyalty or BS "Stihl *****" reasons. Its just how the dice have rolled.

My dad had one when I was growing up. He gave it to me when he got a new one. That was a cobbled together Husky "61" that he pieced together when he had his small engine repair business.

It ran great, and had decent power, but it was a chore to start. Some sort of carb problem, but as I said, the saw was cobbled together from parts. The carb probably wasnt a proper match for the saw.

After that I picked up a second hand Husky 266.

Nice little saw, but the firewood gods took it. The poor saw got crushed by a log that fell out of the back of the truck while loading.

So I broke down and picked up a brand new saw a few years ago.

And as it happened, the place I work is a Husky dealer. So I picked up a brand new 455 Rancher. Great saw, with loads of torque. A bit on the heavy side, and has a small fuel tank.

After it was broke in, I modded it. Port job, opened up the exhaust, and tweaked the carb a bit. Runs like a scalded cat now, and has the power to match the weight. My only saw now too.

Dad took his old 61 back, now that I have a brand new saw

And this is what it helps produce every year. Nearly 5 cord of firewood.

And as much as I like the new Husky saws, I do have to say that the carbs they come with now are JUNK. Very finicky, and non-adjustable unless you modify them.