Buyin' my first chain saw - let 'er rip (info, please)

When I went looking for a replacement chainsaw a few years ago, I visited a number of arborist websites and forums, looked at their FAQs and read some of their threads. They seemed to say a lot of good things about Echo chainsaws, so I bought one. It was a little more expensive than the others but I've been very happy with it.
 
Everyone would like to have the best of everything but some times you don't have time to save for the expensive model of things. The Poulan is a great value, I have cut 100's of pick-up loads of ash with mine as we heat entirely with wood.
 
hollowdweller said:
The Stihl is worth saving for IMO.

The various Stihl stuff I have always starts and runs:thumbup:
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Agree completely. I bought one a few years ago and it always starts no problem. Conversely, I had my brother in law's Homelite prior to that and thought it was complete garbage.

If you are buying chainsaws or optics go German :D
 
Sweet, lots of feedback. Thanks, y'all! I've got lots of reading to do now...

It's still hot, but where I live, the geography is semi-arid (read: no trees for many miles). In order to cut firewood, I have to drive a couple hours to the mountains. Fall rains start in September and I don't care for shlogging tree trunks through the mountains in rain over soggy, uneven terrain. Handling a chainsaw in the rain isn't high on my to-do list, either. This is my fourth season of cutting firewood and I want to get a jump on it while the gettin's good :)

Thanks for the link to the safety helmet, by the way; that's exactly what I'm looking for.

My problem with getting a Stihl or Husqvarna saw is that I've heard their models are hit-and-miss. I don't know anything about what to get and what to avoid, so it makes a Poulan somewhat more attractive... If a mere $100 would buy me twice the saw, though, it'd be well worth it.
 
Oakietree said:
I would have to agree that you are better off going with a Stihl or Husky but just because it says Stihl or husky on it doesnt make it a great saw. The 029 or 290 or what ever they are calling it is a total dog so was the 034. With a 20 inch bar, which is what I would recommend min., the Stihl 026 or 260 is IMO the best saw by quite a bit. I just dont like that they make you pay extra for the compresion release. Husky might still make the 350/351 which are good saws. The 350 used to be about $300 the 351 was an upgraded version with features you probably wont miss. If you want somethig bigger the husky 365 was awesome. I think it was replaced by the 357. Now husky also makes a 359 which is less of a saw. Basically both stihl and husky make home owner/ light commercial saws and they make true commercial grade saws. To me if you are going to spend the money on a name brand saw spend a little extra and get the true commercial grade saw. The others are a waste of money IMO. The weight to power ratio will make a huge difference at the end of a long day.

Now if you dont want to spend the money for a com. saw then get a poulan At three cords a year most saws will last you a good long while they just take you longer to do you same work. I had a reconditioned poulan that I bought for $88 that I abused hard for about a year before it blew up. The work I got out of it was more that worth the price.

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Matt
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great view from up in those trees eh? nice to see a fellow treeclimber that collects blades too! :thumbup:
 
There is no doubt that the top three or so brands of saws that are high dollar are great saws and if you have lots of time to save up, you won't go wrong. That said, Poulan and Sears (who ever make them) are good quality tools that will cut tons of wood for not much money. Some of us won't live long enough to own the best of everything. Good thing is, you don't have to always have the best.
 
UDTJIM,
I certainly can't disagree with the deal per dollar you get from some of the saws. I bought a 99.00 Poulan some years back as a one job disposo saw(I was getting paid well up in the tree) that has lasted far beyond any expectations I could have had. I just think the quality is more inconsistant at the lower price range-- the saw sitting on the shelf next to mine may well have been a lemon. I know one trimmer that buys these saws 3-4 at a time, runs them hard and tosses them when they need repair- works for him as he is getting paid per job.


A couple of things to maximize pleaure in using a saw that is used occassionally:
1) Never mix alot of fuel- only what you need, say a gallon at a time.
2) use top quality mix and keep filter clean, chain well oiled(if adjustable on your saw, max the adjustment for most flow)- don't use old motor oil !! :) seen it...
3) when finished using saw, dump most of the fuel and let the saw run dry at idle.
4) Before driving to the woods, start saw to make sure it is happy, have at least two spare sharp chains & spare plug, carry a splitting maul/axe ,rope and wedges in vehicle to free a stuck saw. If saw does get stuck, remove power head before trying to free bar to prevent damaging the saw.
5) If cutting alone, put your cell phone in your pocket. A friend of mine recently got his leg pinned between the fork of a down tree and a large standing tree when the down tree slid on a grade. He was able to unfasten his pants and squeeze his leg out...had he not, he might have lost that leg as it quickly lost circulation. Which brings about another safety issue- ALWAYS stay on the uphill side of any down tree, if possible to stabilize it with rope or chain- do so.

Sorry to rattle on but better for folks to learn from other peoples mistakes.

2Door
 
junoir said:
stihl farm boss is a good saw if they still make them.
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I heartily disagree. It is extremely heavy for its power. Really picking a saw is about how efficient you need it to be. I use a chain saw for a living. I dont get paid by the hour. I am a contractor. A poulan just doesn't cut it. To use one would cost me money. They are probably more than enough for most homeowners. If you travel to cut wood and cant fill up your truck or trailer then you need a better saw. You might not need a high end saw. You might have plenty of free time to cut up wood. A professional saw will just cut more wood faster and most likely last longer if that is what you need. But like I said before if you want to get a professional brand you are better off getting a professional grade. I think you get more for your dollar with Husky. They also seem to be a little higher geared which is what I would want in a ground saw. On their website they have their saws broken down into grades.

+1 on the wedge & sledge, safety gear, first aid, and always run your saw dry if you are going to store it. I dont work alone.

I use only stihl or husky mix. I am less picky about bar oil(poulan)

You can email me if you want at oakietree(at)gmail.com

Whats up Bushman? Always good to hear from other tree people. My knives are actually work tools and therefore tax deductable. HAHa
I am always sportin' big wood.
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Matt
 
This is going back probably 20-30 years now but my Grandpa was a timberfaller in Northern Ca and he swore by McCullough (don't know if they are still made) and Husqvarna. I think his McCullough had at least a 36" bar and the Husky had a 48" IIRC. Unfortunately I never got old enough to run the saws while we were still cutting wood. I know a local rancher/farmer that swears by the Kevlar chaps though.
 
Have you looked into buying a used Pro Saw? I have known Loggers that trade a Saw after a year or two.
 
Husqvarna's are all we use in forest firefighting in manitoba, and I believe ontario as well.
 
A lot of good advice given here... my .02 cents - save up for either a Stihl or Husky and buy which ever one is more convenient for you to go and buy parts for. I work in forestry and have been using both brands for years and like them both. Things to be sure to spend money on is a good pair of chainsaw chaps, eye and hearing protection, good pair of leather work gloves.
Check out some pawn shops, local newspaper ads, and you may find a good used saw.
 
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