Chainsaw recomendation - need help!

[SeanC]

:thumbup:

I have a Husqvarna Rancher 55 I bought 6-1/2 years ago and it still runs like a champ. I used it to cut up our wood for this winter
(approx 4 cords downed and cut), then I cut up my friend's firewood for his place( approx 4-5 cords). He has an old Craftsman that wasn't doing very well anymore.

I know in my area, Jonsered is offering $150 trade in allowance for your old saw(a push-it, pull-it, tow-it kind of a thing, I'm told). I don't kknow where you are or if it's a nationwiode thing, but it might be worth checking into.

Good luck,

-Sean

 

[Bushman5]

My opinion is to not waste your money on anything other than a Stihl chainsaw and be done with it. I don't believe the new Echo machines are as good as the old ones. I had an Echo for many years that finally got to be such a pain just to get started and even more of a pain to get started after it warmed up that I bought the Stihl. Its been with me quite a few years now also and I must say of all the saws I've owned its the best of the best. I have had Poulan, Husqavarna, and others and can't say they compare. Better yet get two. There is nothing better than a good 18" bar saw backed up by a smaller hand held one in case you get one stuck. Out here in black jack oak territory the trees get hollow in the middle and at times you hit one with a bunch of water in it. It will seize up a saw and warp a bar in seconds when that happens so its necessary to have two so you can free the stuck one.

STR

disagree! my echo CS330t tree climbing saw has limbed and topped and blocked down hundreds of trees (professional use by me) .It paid for itself on the very first tree I cleaned up with it. Other than chains, bar oil, fuel, and grease for the crank bearings and roller tip, and daily air filter cleanout, and basic saw maintenance, it has never needed service. It has been one hell of a bang for buck climbing saw. I also had their regular handled saw of the same engine size, until it was stolen. same thing with that one, bombproof.

I have over 1800 hours of professional use (tree climbing) on the Echo CS330T :thumbup: on the ground its the Husky for bucking up and falling the bigger stuff

just saying, dont discredit the Echos. (esp for a homeowner who will never use it like us tree climbers do.)

 

[sicily02]

Hi all,

I as most of you know beside making knives for part of my living I also have a tree cutting service. my wife and I do all our cutting with our chainsaws. We clear acres upon acres of land. We do the jobs that the tree cutting machines can not do valleys and fencs lines, and really rough ground Places the machines just ither can not go to or the operators do not want to take there machines.

I use Husky BUT I use the XP Models if it does not say XP on it I would not use it.

I use to run Stihl. At one time they were the saw to use, but
Back in 2004 or 2005 I was told by our local stihl dealer that they got a new CEO and by his direction Stihl started using cheeper parts, They also started taking away and closing down Stihl dealers (The one man type shops )and started alowing the big stores like ACE and others to able to start selling Stihl saws and there products.
If you have a Stihl saw that say 0 44 or 0 26 ETC. then you have the good saws.
When Stihl took that 0 and put it behind the other letters that is when Sthil stopped making good solid saws.
I use to run Stihls but when they did that I started having problems. They just did not have the quilty like they use to. Then A friend of mine ( he has a tree service also and runs just chain saws also) told me I should try the husky But to get the XP models. I did that and have never looked back.

If you are a serious about getting a quality Saw Get a Husky but get the XP series.


Bryan

 

[cz375hh]

Stihl is the only way to go. I have owned Huskies and Stihls and they Stihl is by far the better saw.

A big amen and a plus one from me on the Stihl---no regrets always reliable---never and I mean never let your neighbor borrow your saw--go cut the wood for him but do not let the moron borrow your saw...Steve

 

[m. wohlwend]

BTW There are some small engine EPA Regulations taking effect in 2010 from what I hear, so if you see something you like you may want to buy it now.

When I bought a Stihl MS361 last year I was told this saw won't be sold in the states after 2010 because it doesn't meet the new standards.

:grumpy: the MS 361 kicks butt... stupid regs...

 

[bushman14]

I have used my fathers old McCulloch 250 for years. He gave it to me after we moved down from Alaska as a kid. It's a beast and can cut way more tree than I have ever had the balls to sick it on.

 

[Bushman5]

Hi all,

I as most of you know beside making knives for part of my living I also have a tree cutting service. my wife and I do all our cutting with our chainsaws. We clear acres upon acres of land. We do the jobs that the tree cutting machines can not do valleys and fencs lines, and really rough ground Places the machines just ither can not go to or the operators do not want to take there machines.

I use Husky BUT I use the XP Models if it does not say XP on it I would not use it.

I use to run Stihl. At one time they were the saw to use, but
Back in 2004 or 2005 I was told by our local stihl dealer that they got a new CEO and by his direction Stihl started using cheeper parts, They also started taking away and closing down Stihl dealers (The one man type shops )and started alowing the big stores like ACE and others to able to start selling Stihl saws and there products.
If you have a Stihl saw that say 0 44 or 0 26 ETC. then you have the good saws.
When Stihl took that 0 and put it behind the other letters that is when Sthil stopped making good solid saws.
I use to run Stihls but when they did that I started having problems. They just did not have the quilty like they use to. Then A friend of mine ( he has a tree service also and runs just chain saws also) told me I should try the husky But to get the XP models. I did that and have never looked back.

If you are a serious about getting a quality Saw Get a Husky but get the XP series.


Bryan

+1 on reporting about the new CEO of Stihl....... :grumpy:

 

[Bolt-action bultema]

Have fun replacing each saw you get, unless you spend the money and get a STIHL, its the best production saw on the market.

That being said, mine was made in 1992, an hasn't needed replacement. The newer models may not be as good (isn't that the case with everything theses days).

 

[DWK2]

One of my friends is a forestry professor with a lot of experience developing timber harvesting plans. Did a lot of cutting as a grad student and presently heats his house with a wood stove. He likes Stihl and recommends them but his main user is a Husky because he got a great deal on it (lightly used) and likes Huskys almost as well at Stihls.

DancesWithKnives

[I hadn't heard about the change of policy at Stihl---I'll have to ask him about that.]

 

[lazerboy2000]

Obviously this thread already has a lot of good input. It's interesting tohear about the new Stihl CEO and EPA regulations and hopefully that won't hurt the quality too much. I'd like to hear more details about that.

I worked for a professional tree service for 2 years and all we used was Stihl. The owner has I believe been in business for 20 years and swears by Stihl.

Either way you probably can't go wrong with Husky or Stihl. Definitley avoid the cheap stuff as you'll regret it later. Buy once, cry once.

 

[Toucan Oasis]

The finest saw ever made, IMNSHO was the Stihl 020.
It's no longer available soooooo.You could look for a used one.
If I ever go visit the states..........highly doubtful,,,,I'd find one and bring it down here.

The 038 was a powerhouse but the choke mechanism was pure junk.

I agree. Today ? A new saw ?
Husky HP......I like my 281. It's all you see here.

 

[555]

Talk about a Tank of a Saw I have a Homlite C 72 which was a hand me down from my Father which he bought used from the Electric power company.
Heavy, no chain brake and still runs to this day. I used it for years as my back up saw.

Looks like this, image is from the web.

Model: C-72 Specs

http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf/ed1d619968136da688256af40002b8f7/22942624cb63933888256c2600183ef9?OpenDocument

 

[Lycosa]

Get a Stihl Chain Saw. Stihl has retooled!! :thumbup:

 

[mtwarden]

I'm a little out of the chain saw loop of late, but made my living w/ a chain saw in Western Montana for 10+ years- I literally ran every saw that was available. Once I ran Husqvarna, I never ran another manufacturer. The Stihl I ran was a good, reliable saw, the balance of the Husky was much more to my liking.

As someone mentioned above, insure you have a reliable saw shop to deal with- this makes a huge difference in the saw you might choose.

Also take some time and choose the right saw, not sure of your needs, but most manufacturers have an extensive lineup- choosing the right saw amongst their line is as important is choosing the manufacturer.

 

[RyanW]

I am 100% STIHL man, I was unaware of the Company change referred to by sicily02. I have 3 of them for my crew and have no complaints. I purchased them from 2000 - 2004 so I am pre company changes... Maybe find a used one in a pawn shop?

 

[peterinct]

As the majority have said, Stihl and Husky are what most prefer. When I bought a saw, the local dealer had both and I went with Husky because they had a great deal on them then, so I got the comparable Husky for $100 less than the Stihl.

Another thing to consider is the chain. That makes a HUGE difference, as a "pro" chain cuts FAR more agressively than a "homeowner" chain with safety links. Those are also called "low kickback" chains.

That being said, BE CAREFUL, a mistake with a "pro" chain can have drastic consequences.

 

[555]

Another thing to consider is the chain. That makes a HUGE difference, as a "pro" chain cuts FAR more agressively than a "homeowner" chain with safety links. Those are also called "low kickback" chains.

That being said, BE CAREFUL, a mistake with a "pro" chain can have drastic consequences.

That's a good point about Chains, even though I run Pro Saws I will change the chain to a low kickback chain because there is so much under growth here it's not always possible to have the nose of the bar in the clear.




BTW Don't forget to buy yourself steel toe boots or better yet chainsaw boots and chaps.

 

[Tallone]

Seems like Husky or Stihl seem like main choices. Any body have any experience with Jonsered?

 

[quietmike]

BTW There are some small engine EPA Regulations taking effect in 2010 from what I hear, so if you see something you like you may want to buy it now.

When I bought a Stihl MS361 last year I was told this saw won't be sold in the states after 2010 because it doesn't meet the new standards.

:grumpy: the MS 361 kicks butt... stupid regs...

Another vote for the Stihl 361, the the best saw I've ever owned, used, or seen. Mine has cut through dry bois d'arc on more than one occasion.
I have had zero complaints with this saw.

 

[Oakietree]

If you get a stihl or husky I would go with a true comercial grade saw. Both companies make home owner saws that are not in the same catergory when it comes to perfomance. I have run saws profesionally for 15 years. With the exception of the stihl climbing saw I run all husky. I have run both extensively. There are some stihls that I pefer. I think the 026(260) is the best saw in the 20" bar range but they charge you extra for a compresion release which is standard on the much more reasonably priced husky 351. Bigger than that, I like the husky 365 better than the Stihl (036)361. Stihl seems they have started to cater to the residential market more heavily with some really crappy designs. Their gas and oil caps are reason enough not to buy one. How complicated do you have to make a gas cap. Many of there saws are just slow and heavy like the 290.

Both make good saws. Dont expect to get high performance from either manufacturer with one of there home owner saws.

For me husky most of the time. I am very demanding of my equipment.

Matt