In the market for a chainsaw

[pl_silverado]

So im in the market for a chain saw. My 16" McCullough is serving me well for branches and smaller tree's, but i just bought a piece of property with about five trees that the McCullough absolutely doesnt have a chance with.

Its pretty much going to be one of these saws:

Husqvarna 385XP or Husqvarna 575XP


Im still trying to figure out what bar length would be best suited for my purpose.

Any one have experience with either of these saws or can reccomend any others.

 

[GearHead_1]

You've already picked the right brand. Just pick a model that suits your needs. Husky makes an awesome saw.

 

[eschoendorff]

Well, if you are set on Husqvarna, then I ain't go much to offer. But if you are still listening, please consider Stihl. Even their lower end saws are better than the rest - by a couple miles (IMHO). I have used Stihl saws and power equipment (trimmers, brushcutters, blowers, other chainsaws, etc) and will never consider anything else.

BTW... I have either an 023 or an 025 (both are home owner saws), I can't quite recall. I'd have to go and look. But even this model is more saw than I've ever needed.

 

[KeukaDan]

I have used many brands of chainsaws and have got to say that my favorite are my stihl saws. I agree, go with the homowner or midrange stihl and you will be happy. I have an 029, 031av and an 044 magnum and they are all great saws. I have used Husqvarna's and they are good but I prefer Stihl's. Other great saws are Jonsered (I have a saw from the 80's that is still running strong) and Sachs Dolmar(manufactures the saws for Makita, a very good saw if you can get a dealer in your area and if you have a good way to get parts). Essentially you cant go wrong with any of these brands for a homowner type user.

For bar size make sure that the saw you buy can run the chain and that it will have enough power with it. I prefer to run a shorter chain on a higher powered saw to give more power to what I am cutting. It kills me to see a cheap saw advertized with half the engine of one of my smaller saws and it has a bar that is 22 inches and I am running my saw at 16 inches. I wouldnt go with a big bar just because you have a few big trees, as long as you can work through the saw from all around it you should be fine with a smaller chain.

One other note to think about, always wear safety equipment. Eye protection, ear protection, and get a good pair of chaps. I have seen to many people hurt with chainsaws because they dont know what they are doing, or they just get careless. I know it is really easy to get the saw and just make a cut but it only takes a minute to put on a chainsaw helmet and chaps and you will be so much better off if anything ever does happen.

 

[Jared]

I would say you cant go wrong with stihl or husky they are both a good saw, althought i prefer husky but see which dealer in your area is better.

 

[toolman]

I am a proud owner of a stihl 025 and this thing rocks!!!!!!!!! Plenty of power for the homeowner. You can get the saw setup with either a 16” or 18” bar. I got mine with the 16” for my needs. If I would ever need to buy a saw again I would go stihl all the way.

 

[KeukaDan]

I would say you cant go wrong with stihl or husky they are both a good saw, althought i prefer husky but see which dealer in your area is better.

Your dealer comment is very correct, check around to see what brand has the best dealer in your area. I have the choice of multiple dealers (3 for each brand) but the stihl dealer is by far the best

 

[bmwpower]

I've got an old 20" Poulan. Heavy as hell, but cuts down everything Ive tried. Can't say much for the new Poulan stuff - looks rather cheap. Looked at the Stihl stuff and I'm impressed. They're so light. Unfortunately, they're pricey too. Just can't justify that much money on a saw I use 1 week out of the year.

 

[eschoendorff]

For bar size make sure that the saw you buy can run the chain and that it will have enough power with it. I prefer to run a shorter chain on a higher powered saw to give more power to what I am cutting. It kills me to see a cheap saw advertized with half the engine of one of my smaller saws and it has a bar that is 22 inches and I am running my saw at 16 inches. I wouldnt go with a big bar just because you have a few big trees, as long as you can work through the saw from all around it you should be fine with a smaller chain.

One other note to think about, always wear safety equipment. Eye protection, ear protection, and get a good pair of chaps. I have seen to many people hurt with chainsaws because they dont know what they are doing, or they just get careless. I know it is really easy to get the saw and just make a cut but it only takes a minute to put on a chainsaw helmet and chaps and you will be so much better off if anything ever does happen.

Damn! You hit the nail on the head on both counts!

 

[Rothaus]

In my opinion, there is only one Chainsaw out there.... Stihl.

I have a small one M021 with a 16" bar for small stuff and a MS390 with a 20" bar and the more aggressive chain on it. This thing work for 3' trees.



If you buy the right chainsaw you buy it only once !

 

[pl_silverado]

Ive used a few stihls and an echo or two... but the closest three dealers all sell husqvarna, the closest one being a quarter mile down the street...

i'll make up my mind shortly..

 

[Krodad]

If it's a tool that has a 2 stroke engine, it's a Stihl in my shop. If they made a dirt bike, I'd have it, too.

 

[tubeman]

Another vote for Stihl! I have one of their biggest saws and the thing is like a motorcycle engine! Poulan is owned by Husky now or the other way around I think. My next favorite is the Echo. I go thru 2-3 saws a year so I have tried all the cheapies and decided to step up to one that would last. My Stihl cost $800 but it is ten times the saw a Poulan is.

 

[milly]

My Dad has had the same Stihl saw for the last 20 years or so. Best saw he has had. It starts up every time and he hasn't had any problems with it other than normal maintence.

 

[the intimidator]

i myself don't really like the stihl saw's i have used (all rental's) i find the anti vibe handle really anoying as it move's alot now i have been using old saws since the first time i was shown how to use em but i just dont like the feeling that the handle is not attached were my old saw's are one piece rite threw don't get me wrong if i were in the market for a new saw it would have to be a stihl or a husqvarna just because they are the best saws out there and you can get part's for them basicly anywere in the world but they are made to work and made to last from the cheap home owner to the top of the line there saw's will still be cutting in 5-10 years from now

 

[Willy Victor]

I've got a Stihl 028. Have had it for about 15yrs. and would'nt have anything else. I do have a Huskvarna garden tractor that I'm quite fond of.

Willy

 

[ranger_dood]

You could also look for an older Homelite saw... My dad has had one for darn near as long as I've been alive, and it's seen a TON of wood (we used to burn a full truckload a week). Here it is in all its glory:

 

[eschoendorff]

Homelite used to be a decent saw back in the day.

 

[Gregdoo]

I've got an old Homelite 360 Pro that just won't quit. Other than premix, chain oil and a new bar, it has never needed anything. Used to do a LOT of cutting, and it just keeps going. Probably have had it close to 20 years.

An old Homelite XL is another saw that will cut for a long, reliable time. I saw one recently at a garage sale in great (like new) shape for $40. If I had had a good excuse, I would have bought it....but I need space more than 2 chainsaws now.

 

[jordantii]

A long Time ago when I was in grade school I used to help out my neighbor who was a lumber jack. This guy had about 5 saws including an eight foot Alaskan Saw Mill. This is a portable saw mill. His saw of choice was Jonsereds. By far the finest quality saw produced. They are not cheap but are used by lumber jacks throughout the world. If you just need an every day saw I would say the second best is going to be a Stihl.

Jordan

 

[ranger_dood]

That's what my dad's saw is... a Homelite XL. It's getting beat to **** now, but it still runs great. It's had trees fall on it and everything else, it's even fallen off the back of the truck a few times going down the road

 

[pl_silverado]

well it seems like most of the dealers in my area are husqvarna dealers, meaning parts and service would be easily attainable if it was ever needed, so i guess my decision is easy.. The main building supply place and equipment rental place thats down the street i deal with is a Husky dealer, id like to keep the locals in business so they're there when i need them

I found a stihl dealer 15 minutes away, but i rather keep the store right down the street in business.

Im gonna go with a Husqvarna.

 

[eschoendorff]

ed, sowell it seems like most of the dealers in my area are husqvarna dealers, meaning parts and service would be easily attainable if it was ever need i guess my decision is easy.. The main building supply place and equipment rental place thats down the street i deal with is a Husky dealer, id like to keep the locals in business so they're there when i need them

I found a stihl dealer 15 minutes away, but i rather keep the store right down the street in business.

Im gonna go with a Husqvarna.

Well, you've got some good reasoning there.... And Husky's not a bad machine. At this point I'd say go for it.

 

[pl_silverado]

Thanks for the help guys. Pics will be posted when i get it.

 

[pl_silverado]

So i finally picked up a Husqvarna 359, got it used, barely used, for $ 200 , with i think a 20" bar. I'll post some pictures of it tomorrow.

 

[ImportTuner]

So i finally picked up a Husqvarna 395, got it used, barely used, for $ 200 , with i think a 20" bar. I'll post some pictures of it tomorrow.

Excellent choice; a neighbor of mine has a Husqvarna and it can't be beat ..

 

[pl_silverado]

Yea, this thing is nice.

 

[Down Under Bloke]

For me its Stihl or a bow saw, The only chainsaw I am game to pull apart on the back of a Ute (pick up) in the mud etc. I also find that Stihl chainsaw are well balanced, many others are waited to one side too much.

 

[Junkman]

Now that you have the chainsaw, do you have the other safety equipment to go with it? As a retired EMT, I have seen the damage that a chainsaw can do. Owning it is the easy part. Knowing how to properly use it and the safety issues are another. Last month, a experienced tree cutter had a tree fall on him, killing him as a result. The tree got hung up with another and fell back at him, pinning him to the ground. Bad things happen to good people when they least expect it.

 

[bmwpower]

Now that you have the chainsaw, do you have the other safety equipment to go with it? As a retired EMT, I have seen the damage that a chainsaw can do. Owning it is the easy part. Knowing how to properly use it and the safety issues are another. Last month, a experienced tree cutter had a tree fall on him, killing him as a result. The tree got hung up with another and fell back at him, pinning him to the ground. Bad things happen to good people when they least expect it.

Man, talk about bringing us down.
I had a close call once. All I can say is don't wear baggy pants when cutting wood.

 

[Junkman]

Not trying to bring anyone down, but I am trying to get people to realize that life is short enough when you die at 80 or 90. Why rush it to a premature end? I am safety conscious all the time. When I was 30, I thought that I was invinceable.... that is, until a car fell on me. I was using jack stands, but the concrete under the stand broke through, and the car came down on me. I learned a hard lesson that day, thinking that I might not see another day. I want to see everyone here stay alive as long as possible. I don't mean to offend, and if anyone finds this safety message offending, I apologize to them. We are all here to learn from other experiences. Lets make them safe experiences also.

 

[eschoendorff]

Not trying to bring anyone down, but I am trying to get people to realize that life is short enough when you die at 80 or 90. Why rush it to a premature end? I am safety conscious all the time. When I was 30, I thought that I was invinceable.... that is, until a car fell on me. I was using jack stands, but the concrete under the stand broke through, and the car came down on me. I learned a hard lesson that day, thinking that I might not see another day. I want to see everyone here stay alive as long as possible. I don't mean to offend, and if anyone finds this safety message offending, I apologize to them. We are all here to learn from other experiences. Lets make them safe experiences also.

Offensive? Hell no! Sobering? Oh yeah....

 

[Major Ramifications]

Yes, Husqvarna is now owned by the same company that owns Poulan (Electrolux) and they are starting to paint some of the Poulan stuff orange and put Husqvarna stickers on them and call them Huskys. Very sad.

 

[pl_silverado]

^ Very sad indeed.

 

[george4]

Homelite used to be a decent saw back in the day.

Yes they were. My brother has my father's old Homelite, well over 30 years old. Not a lot of use and he feeds it a new plug and chain occassionaly but it runs great.

 

[pl_silverado]

Now that you have the chainsaw, do you have the other safety equipment to go with it? As a retired EMT, I have seen the damage that a chainsaw can do. Owning it is the easy part. Knowing how to properly use it and the safety issues are another. Last month, a experienced tree cutter had a tree fall on him, killing him as a result. The tree got hung up with another and fell back at him, pinning him to the ground. Bad things happen to good people when they least expect it.

The most important piece of safety equipment is common sense. Give an idiot a chainsaw and all the safety equipment in the world and he will find a way to hurt himself.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[pl_silverado]

so here it is...

 

[the intimidator]

hmm looks like a 18 inch bar to me probably just the pic though lol good deal on the saw hope you get alot of trouble free use out of it. I just recently got a used saw too although much smaller then you're husky it is more powerfull and alot lighter then the old homelite and pioneer saws I am used to running. I picked it up from the service manager at my stihl dealer for 230$ with a new 16" bar/sprocket and two new chains it is a 017 stihl couple years old but looks like new

 

[Bdsumner]

I notice some very good comments about the Stihl saws - I'm happy others have had good experiences with them. I bought a new MS 390 Stihl a couple of years ago - biggest disapointment I ever had in a saw. Dealer can't seem to fix it. Hard starting and sometimes no starting. Quits between cuts. Last incident I almost crushed the thing with my backhoe on purpose. All in all a piece of garbage and a waste of money. First and last piece of Stihl equipment for me. Expecting my Husqvarna 370XP to be delivered in a couple of days. Close to same weight but 1 more Hp. So long Stihl. Anybody want to buy a chainsaw??

 

[Larz]

I have a Poulan. Therefore, I recommend a Stihl !!!!!!!!!!!