Need Help Please: Buying Chainsaw today

[ducatiti]

This will be my first chainsaw for cutting a poorly maintained front and back yard with hedges, plants, bushes, trees etc with very thick branches that a hedge trimmer cannot cut.

I was originally planning on this Echo CS-370 @ $269:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-16-in-36-3cc-Gas-Chainsaw-CS-370-16AA/100666175

Second choice was a Craftsman 46cc on sale for around $160 but I have points that can bring it down to around $140:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-18inch-46cc-gas-chainsaw/p-07138188000P?redirectType=SRDT

But now I have been researching, I found the Husqvarna:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_110558-8688...sqvarna+450+chainsaw&productId=3725410&rpp=32

comparable to this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-18-in-40-2-cc-Gas-Chainsaw-CS-400-18C/100616233

Please help I would like something that would last and light. Probably one of the biggest reason that I'm going Echo or similar because it seems lighter.

 

[Bobcat753]

I'd go with a Stihl. The MS 271 is an awesome saw. I have one and it never fails to start. Also it will last forever,with proper maintenance.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Echo would probably be the easiest to get parts for - sort of the Chevy of yard equipment.

 

[ss454]

Husqvarna t540xp, end of discussion for small pruning saws

 

[beakie]

will you be using it often?
maintaining it properly?
running fuel through it atleast a few times a year?

if you're not going to use it too often, I'd get the Echo, with the longer warranty, and HD's normally easy return/fix policy.

I have a stihl ms291, father has many stihls and one echo (arborist). I also have a poulan that has never failed me that I bought in a pinch that I expected to be used roughly.

a lot has to do with how often you will use it, and how well you expect to take care of it.


I don't think you will go wrong with echo, stihl or husky... I've used them all (and the poulan) and been pleased with all. the others you posted, can't help you with.

 

[Cope]

I prefer Stihl, but Husqvarna is a good saw. Echo would be my 3rd choice. Avoid Craftsman.

 

[Farmall450]

The Echo would probably be the easiest to get parts for - sort of the Chevy of yard equipment.

Stihl would be the Chevy - dependable and common place. OP I'd get a Stihl but if money counts my uncle has an Echo that has been dependable.

 

[Swan]

Stihl.

 

[kctyphoon]

LET ME HEP YOU HERE - there is about 5 pages of this EXACT debate on another thread.. there is no right answer.. any of them will work fine, the only limitation is your budget or what you like.. buy the most expensive, buy your favorite color..

all 3 you listed will be fine. parts and videos are avaibale online to maintain and fix just about anything you would ever need..


my advice, if the weight is a factor, and if these will only see use at home, and you have an outlet nearby - id go buy an electric one and an extension cord unless your dead set on the gas..

however, of the 3 you mentioned, i would probably rate them Husky, Echo, Craftsman (as im sure price reflects) - but any of them will be more than enough for what you need.

i currently own and use at work electic - Milwaukee, Makita, Husquvarna. ive had a Homelite and Remington too. for gas i own a craftsman at home, and a Stihl at work. other guys have gas Husquvarnas..

if you dont have huge tress to cut down and cut up, the 14" or 16" homelite at HD ($50 and $70) will work just fine.. save a few $$, buy a 2 pack of extra chains if you dont know how to sharpen them. buy at least a quart of bar and chain oil, and keep the blade out of the dirt.

 

[Wamsutta]

Stihl would be the Chevy - dependable and common place. OP I'd get a Stihl but if money counts my uncle has an Echo that has been dependable.

The main thing I don't like about Stihl is you can't download any illustrated parts drawings off the internet and you can't buy a service manual off the internet. They won't let you buy parts off the internet either.

 

[Mastermind]

Just buy an orange one and take care of it for your grand kids. Stihl or husqy. Just buy orange when 2 cycle. That's a life lesson.

 

[firemanast]

STIHL is the only way to go !

 

[CJM8515]

I prefer Stihl, but Husqvarna is a good saw. Echo would be my 3rd choice. Avoid Craftsman.

This. Cant go wrong with any of them for occasional use. I prefer stihl or husky but echo stuff works well too.

Dont buy it at a home depot, but it at a lawn service shop. Trust me, the ones they sell at the lawnshops are not the same as home depot.

 

[kctyphoon]

HD doesnt sell these in the store, but they rent them and they survive all the abuse from people.. i own this model at work, and IMO its one of the best electric's you can buy.. CPO has them as refurbs for like $160 i think..

 

[slyonedoofy]

I prefer Stihl, but Husqvarna is a good saw. Echo would be my 3rd choice. Avoid Craftsman.

I thought Husqvarna made Craftsman saws.

I could be wrong?

 

[Farmall450]

The main thing I don't like about Stihl is you can't download any illustrated parts drawings off the internet and you can't buy a service manual off the internet. They won't let you buy parts off the internet either.

My dad has microfiche for the older ones and our newer Farmbosses have yet to need any parts besides those you typically replace.

 

[Farmall450]

I thought Husqvarna made Craftsman saws.

I could be wrong?

Some. Homelite made others.

 

[slyonedoofy]

Some. Homelite made others.

I bought 3 of them at $60 bucks each when I worked there.

Craftsman 42cc 18" extra chain and case included.

I gave one to my dad and one to my brother.

I still haven't used mine. I just couldn't let the deal go.

 

[BTMSUP]

I am a Stihl believer also, however I own the echo you listed and use it as my climbing/limbing saw and it has yet to let me down. If I get s few jobs lined up this summer I would like to replace it though with a top handle stihl.

 

[kctyphoon]

although i think this guy is an idiot and is biased before he made the video - i still think "the video, not the commentary" is a good comparison of a cheaper gas saw vs a cheaper electric saw.. seems pretty even to me considering , and even this being a "cheap" electric - it still demostates (in my eyes) how little of a difference there is between them cutting, using similar style chains on reasonable sized trees.. obviously the electric isnt for the guy with a 2 acre lot, but most people (at least not where i live) have that to contend with.

ps - someone should tell him that craftsman isnt suppose to have run after, what did some guys say, 3 or 5 uses??

 

[saryon7]

I was going to add a few things. My first chainsaw was a craftsman. It was fine when it worked, but they cut a few corners and it never seemed up to the work. About a year later I bought a Huskvarna like you pictured. I think my is the rancher 55 or something like that. Has started easily every time and runs all day long when I need it. It is a beast and I have been using it for 12 years. Nothing but praise for husky.
One other thing. I also bought an echo chainsaw once for my landscaping business (one of the tiny gas ones) because I wanted something light and easy to lug around for small stuff. I ended up returning it within a day. The small saws would bounce around so much they didn't feel safe to me. Nothing wrong with the saw and typical great echo product, but just didn't feel safe using it.

 

[Wizzard]

This is one thing where it is more than worth it to pay a bit more. I had a box store Husq (not a pro model, since Lowes/HD don't carry the pro versions) and brought it back to Lowes after a few uses for a refund due to not being happy.

Picked up a pro version Stihl (don't get the homeowner line) and glad I did. Just look to see if you have more Stihl or Husq dealers in your area and then pick one of the pro models from one of the two, you will be glad you did. And don't go crazy on the bar size, my Stihl 'came' with a 20" bar and based on professional advice I had them put an 18" bar on it and it rips...many saws come with one size to big of a bar. A pro lawn equipment shop will do things like swap out bars for you when buying new at no charge, another advantage over box stores.

 

[Davefr]

Never buy a chainsaw from a homecenter!!

If it needs service after the return period has expired they'll send you off to an authorized service center.

The service center will usually be an independent dealer. They'll put your repair at the bottom of the stack. Their own customers will get priority treatment and go to the head of the line.

This might not matter in off season but in high season you can wait months for your repair. Just when you need it most.

Pick the best dealer in your area and it won't be Home Crapo, Sears, KMart or Lowes!!!

I'm a big fan of Stihl pro saws but not their homeowner saws.

 

[stikman56]

A homeowner saw will be fine for what you're intending to do....that is unless for some reason you want to spend as much money as possible and use what they use on Ax Men cutting trees every day all day. OVERKILL is what you will hear in every thread about every tool you are looking for, no matter how often or how hard you intend to use it.
This is what I have learned from my own experiences- Craftsman tools that have an engine ****. Poulan Wild Thing's ****. McCulloch ,which BTW was something like $139.00 shipped to my front door, runs great, starts well, cuts like crazy. My last one did as well and lasted for years, was old when I got it. I'm not joe average homeowner, I own land, 2 pieces of land, where I live trees like to grow along with dense underbrush. I have run the **** off the CS380 saw in the last 6 months, clearing my land where i will be building our next home, BIG trees were cut and removed with this saw,it runs well. Get as much as you need, put the rest back in your wallet, unless you're just looking for some sort of bragging rights about your chain saw.

 

[Elginz]

Started out with a Stihl may years ago, like late 70s. After a few years (maybe ten) I didn't need one and sold it. Now after having a couple of other brands last year I got a Stihl so it would always start.

 

[Cope]

The main thing I don't like about Stihl is you can't download any illustrated parts drawings off the internet and you can't buy a service manual off the internet. They won't let you buy parts off the internet either.

You can buy the service and parts manuals, just not direct from Stihl. I lot of companies do not allow internet sales to protect themselves and their customers.

 

[Cope]

I thought Husqvarna made Craftsman saws.

I could be wrong?

Poulan used to, but at any rate it is Craftsman and when Sears drops support, parts will be non-existent.

 

[Davefr]

The main thing I don't like about Stihl is you can't download any illustrated parts drawings off the internet and you can't buy a service manual off the internet. They won't let you buy parts off the internet either.

For parts lists and service manuals, (including Stihl's excellent workshop manuals), just go to the "beg for manuals thread" at Arboristsite.com. I've rec'd every manual I've ever needed very quickly.

Yes, Stihl is stuck in the past for buying parts and has yet to embrace the internet. You have to waste time/gas and hunt down a B&M dealer. However Ebay is full of Stihl parts. (new/used OEM and aftermarket).

I think Stihl's antiquated parts distribution system has backfired. I bet a big chunk of the Ebay parts sales is from dealers who are ignoring the dealer agreement.

 

[Pattonky]

Local small engine shop recommended a Dolmar several years ago. It wasn't really cheap, but I ahve been pleased with it.

 

[slyonedoofy]

Poulan used to, but at any rate it is Craftsman and when Sears drops support, parts will be non-existent.

I'm pretty sure parts will be around.

 

[rice rocket]

I'm pretty sure parts will be around.

Right, and you'd just buy them from Husqvarna anyways. Since they're all stamped from Husqvarna. Though I think they're assembled at the Poulan factory in Kentucky?


edit: This guy has gathered all the details on the rebadging:

http://www.amazon.com/review/RX5FA6IVB7CWP/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

 

[cheechi]

This will be my first chainsaw

It is my opinion many of the saws you linked are a bit big for the task.

..for cutting a poorly maintained front and back yard with hedges, plants, bushes, trees etc with very thick branches that a hedge trimmer cannot cut.

All of these can be done with a 35-45cc saw with anywhere from 14-18" bar. Take your 450 Rancher. The 440 is smaller, lighter, has less expensive chain & bar, at 18 instead of 20. The 435 is the same saw as the 440 but with a 16" bar. You could just buy the 18" later on if needed.

You picked a big *** saw for some little tasks. You could even fell a moderately sized tree with any of the smaller saws I mentioned above. If you want to go Stihl or Echo instead, I would side with Stihl. You know what in fact go to a Stihl dealer, tell them what you told us, and see what they recommend. I bet you it will be both smaller than 50cc and shorter than a 20" bar.

 

[justme-]

... Poulan Wild Thing's ****. McCulloch ,which BTW was something like $139.00 shipped to my front door, runs great, starts well, cuts like crazy. My last one did as well and lasted for years, was old when I got it.

Bad news for ya... same saw different sticker on it. Husqvarna owns both those brands, among others. Mc Culloch stopped making anything worth owning 20-25 years ago. My go to is a PM610. Nothing you buy these days will compare to the Macs of old, but will compare directly to the Poulan Wild Thing on the low end and the Jonsered/Husqvarna on the Macs high end.

For parts lists and service manuals, (including Stihl's excellent workshop manuals), just go to the "beg for manuals thread" at Arboristsite.com. I've rec'd every manual I've ever needed very quickly.

Yes, Stihl is stuck in the past for buying parts and has yet to embrace the internet. You have to waste time/gas and hunt down a B&M dealer. However Ebay is full of Stihl parts. (new/used OEM and aftermarket).

I think Stihl's antiquated parts distribution system has backfired. I bet a big chunk of the Ebay parts sales is from dealers who are ignoring the dealer agreement.

Stihl is against the internet parts/service model for several reasons, but the biggest is liability. You repair the saw yourself with a part you looked up (possibly an incorrect part) and bought from an unauthorised source and then get hurt suing Stihl...Now add the epa regs and the fines for not complying with the limiter caps and carb settings that we all hate...and how about when someone fixes it himself, and doesn't really know how to repair it causing it to run poorly then blames Stihl for making a piece of junk... or worse taking out the cylinder because the left an air leak or tuned the carb wrong. I'm singling Stihl here because you did - same could be applied to any brand, but Stihl is very sensitive to liability issues.
Sthil, I'm told from a reliable source, actively watches the internet for not only stolen units and violating dealers selling parts and units. Now the flip side is, I believe if you call a dealer they could mail you a part without issue just as walking into the building.

 

[ducatiti]

Thanks all. I'm looking for a local Stihl dealer as we speak.

But from I read from this thread, an Echo would be better than any entry level Stilh at around the same price point. Would this be the case?

 

[cheechi]

'better than a Stihl' is a tough thing to prove.

I personally would not choose an Echo. At least not a new one. At almost the same price as Stihl I would just buy a Stihl. However, I have chosen to buy a Husq as it was the sweet spot for me. I'm sure others with other preferences might say Echo is the best whatever whatever.

A good working saw and the support behind it is the best saw for you. And that support starts with a thorough introduction to the specific saw you are buying, something a Stihl dealer will take the time to do and something an HD employee won't have the ability to do.

 

[Arbybe]

Re:KCTYPHOON posts,

Do you recommend an electric chain saw sharpener?
Do you prefer hooks or bucket truck?

Do you have any alternate uses for Linemans' Pliers?

RBB

 

[Arbybe]

I have seen many Poulan mfg. saws throw rods, seize Pistons, fewer since
Cylinder walls have been coated. I think it is a Teflon derivative.
Most of us would say these are "throwaway" buy stihl, husky,echo.
Learn to maintain these yourself is key to longevity .
If you have trees that have fallen and blocked your way, you'll be glad
That you spent extra for the "Pro" model Stihl or Husky.
This sight is for us to share, teach and learn.
Just say'in

 

[Davefr]

Thanks all. I'm looking for a local Stihl dealer as we speak.

But from I read from this thread, an Echo would be better than any entry level Stilh at around the same price point. Would this be the case?

Echo makes some really nice small OPE equipment including saws but can't compete with Stihl or Husky in the professional saw arena. (not that it matters if you're looking for smaller saws).

Echo, Husky, Dolmar and Stihl are all good choices. I'd pick the best dealer first and then pick the saw brand. Chainsaws need more "care and loving" then just about any other power tool. They tend to be very unforgiving to poor care.

 

[ducatiti]

So after weeks of research and an Easter 15% off coupon, I went with these. Figured that I am not a professional or need it these for commercial use, these are my safest bet. Just to give you an example on the pricing, the Echo PB-250 LN Blower ended up to be $125 with the discount. Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[RedRabbit]

You made a good choice. I like echos. I prefer stihls but for a homeowner with the use yiu described you choice very well.