Posted: 5/10/2011 1:32:59 PM EDT
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Hello All,
City guy moving to bug out land for full time living. Looking for a chainsaw and Log splitter. Have a hardwood/softwood mix on the property. 2ft in diameter is about as wide as any of our trees are. May also have some full logs delivered (not sure the avg diameter of what those logs would be (Maine). I am thinking a Stihl Farm Boss for the chainsaw and am at a total loss regarding a quality log splitter. Any advice? Thanks |
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The Speeco brand splitters sold by Tractor Supply enjoy a good reputation on Arboristsite.com. If you want top of the line Timberwolf makes some awesome splitters but they are pricey.
For the chainsaw if you are regularly going to be cutting 24" and up hardwood I would opt for a pro saw in the 70cc range. You would be hard pressed to find a better saw than the Husqvarna 372XP or its brother the Jonsered 2171. There was a very good thread here last week on chainsaws. |
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Quoted:
There was a very good thread here last week on chainsaws. that thread, http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=18&t=646417 suffers from the same problem, namely, Quoted:
what are you going to do with this chainsaw? clearcut 2 acres of 25" diameter oak trees? trim branches around your 1/2 acre yard? cut a cord or two of firewood every fall? your question of "Need advice on a good Chainsaw" is analogous to "Need advice on a good Gun" –– the answer could range from .22LR pistol to .50BMG rifle, depending on what you are trying to do. same/same with chainsaws –– different sizes for different purposes. a 80cc saw with a 32" bar is great for felling big trees but spend the afternoon bucking a cord of firewood with it and you are going to hate your life. until you tell us what your plans are for the saw it's impossible for us to recommend a suitable saw. ar-jedi |
| Farm Boss is a good saw. I personally have a ms360 that I use around the house. Also have one of their tree service mini chain saws that is like 30ish years old and still runs like a champ. If I was buying a new saw though I think I'd be looking hard at the farm boss as it is a very nice saw if you don't use it everyday(at which point I'd go to the pro line). |
I have had a Speeco 22 ton splitter for about 7-8 years. It runs like a champ with no problems at all since new. They make bigger but I have never needed it. Was able to split oak that had swallowed a few wedges over the years that I wouldn't give up. I finally got 'em back but it just took hydraulics.
Personally, I'm a Husky fan. I've run both and just like the feel of a good 372xp. Recently got a 445 and it's cut about a cord and been used for limbing over the last month with no complaints. Everyone likes pics, so.... 
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| I have a 455 Husky, and have no complaints. We pretty much heat with wood, so it gets a good work out. Just bought a Troy built 27 ton splitter, cause the monster maul and age are starting to beat me up. As a side note, if your a vet, you can take your DD214 to Lowes and get 10% off. |
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Get to know the dealers in the area......find one you like and go with that brand. You wont go wrong with a sthil, husky or JRed. I have a sthil 390 and husky 350...
husky is smaller and lighter and im old with a bad back so it gets the majority of the work. The big monster saws are great and if you go that route id buy a smaller saw too. the 390 gets the big stuff and the husky gets everything else. |
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Quoted:
I have a 455 Husky, and have no complaints. We pretty much heat with wood, so it gets a good work out. Just bought a Troy built 27 ton splitter, cause the monster maul and age are starting to beat me up. As a side note, if your a vet, you can take your DD214 to Lowes and get 10% off. Husky makes a good saw although from my experience they are not quite up to stihl. Feel cheaper as well. Really as long as you get as powerful as a saw as you need I think you will be happy with either one. |
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Recently purchased a Troy Built splitter $1500.00 delivered (the thing is about standard for the various makes and models. A joy to use - you relally need to split wood (cords and cords) by hand to appriciate a power spitter.
We use Sthil saws here - a good addition to the saw of your choice is an electric chain sharpner (do not for go to learn how to sharpen by hand). As always, careful with this equipment - there are no small accidents. Good luck. |
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Stihl Farm boss is a good start. Having a second smaller saw is handy as well. For splitting wood I prefer a fiber handle splitting maul like this one: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100576458/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 It's faster & you can get your exercise at the same time.  I suggest you have an 8lb sledge hammer and wood splitting wedge also. |
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Something else you might consider although you will still need your splitter and saw-
We can get an entire semi load of logs delivered for about $1200 in my area. That's about $60/cord by my very rough calcs, and I don't have to go harvest the trees. With today's gas prices you might consider it, although if you are moving to the land and have plenty of trees close it might not be worth it. |
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Stihl and Husky make good saws, I'd buy the one with the closest dealer for parts.
Best logsplitter to have is the one at the local tool & equipment rental yard. You really don't use it all that much, provided you just stack your wood until you hve a pile. The kid and I can split about a cord plus in a Saturday, and we aren't hustling. Beats spending over a grand, I can rent the thing for 20 years for what it costs to buy one. Ops |
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Looks like the 372XP is a popular saw
Here is my post from another thread: Quoted: Here is my lineup: 
372XP (nothing compares to the professional models for heavy use) 
445 (got this for use bucking most of my firewood and to save some wear and tear on my 372XP) 
and last my new little 235 from http://www.vminnovations.com/ I use this for cutting trails and smaller stuff. 
I try to use the right size saw for the job. My arms and back thank me
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