Posted: 10/10/2007 11:24:24 PM EDT
I've been working on a tree the past few days. It was an oak that I think the carpenter ants had their way with. It forked about 3' off the ground and the two trunks were I'd say 16-18 inches in diameter. I have a 20" Craftsman (Poulan) that was just you know weak . I tend to like having more than enough power so I'm looking at a little upgrade.Please rate these brands if you please. I'll be cutting for heating. I have alot of blackjacks that I need to thin out plus I will be cutting on others property when possible for wood. I may get a 24" but a 20" would do too. Stihl (I know they are good but need your input) Echo (not the "mart" ones but the ones sold in the specialty stores like Richardsons saw and mower) Husky (The orange Swede ones. I know the Rancher is good but Northern Tools sells bigger ones.  )
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I got one of the smallest Stihl's and it's been great for my limited work. Even after sitting all summer, it'll crank with only a few pulls on the first startup, the rest of the day, one pull is generally all it takes. When chainsaw threads come up, the majority of votes go to stihl and husky, pretty much in equal numbers. Whatever you buy, pick up a couple of spare chains so you're not sharpening when you should be cutting. |
+1 I also have a 9 yr old Husky 41. I work the shit out of it cutting Manzanita every fall and spring. Finally replaced the bar last spring. Manzanita is significantly harder than oak. Burned up an Echo and Craftsman before splurging for the Husky. |
I went to the local Stihl dealer and got some quotes. I don't have them in front of me but the only two saws he had in stock was the MS260 (PRO) and the MS250 which is what he said they use as their rental saws. The MS290 was actually cheaper than the MS270. The MS260 is $400+ but you do get the RPMs with it plus quicker chain wear. I'm going to go with a Stihl but just don't know which one. The MS250 can only go up to 18" bar. On what I'm going to cut is mainly oak for firewood but ash juniper for cleaning up the place. May cut other kinds of trees as I'm watching the ads for free firewood to be cut. I've read some about how the Huskies you get from the big retails are not any good.
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| Well I found a guy up in OK that sells used Stihls. He has an 028 for $235. New MS280 would run over $300 close to $400 easy. I'll check the compression of course. He is a retired guy that buys and sells Stihls as a hobby. Also restores John Deer tractors. He souned like he knew what he was talking about. I did notice on my saw that the depth gauge teeth were higher than the cutters the other day which would explain the lack of bite. I took them down to where they should have been. My carb needs some adjustment (long story) so I'm waiting for the specialty tool I bought to arrive in the mail. Its raining right now so it will be probably Saturday before I can get to cutting again. In laws just bought them a wood stove so I'm sure we'll be cutting alot of wood from here on out. |
amen to that. I started out 4-5 years ago looking for the mythical "perfect" homeowners/prosumer saw and its not out there. You do need as much power as you can afford and can handle. There is nothing like realizing when your halfway through a log that the saw your using just can't handle the wood. I upgraded my choice from the MS280 and "Farm Boss" to the MS 361 and haven't looked back. Yes a little more on the front end, but it will cut just about anything and do it without a lot of hassle or effort. THats a hugh safety issue for me too. |
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well, big saws are great IF you need them and most people don't. (I realize trees get a lot bigger elsewhere than they do here) Big saws are HEAVY Running a HEAVY saw for hours is exhausting. (and you make mistakes and making mistakes with a chain saw is a BAD thing) If you need it, get it, but most occasional users don't need one that big. Me, I'd get a smaller one (16" to 18" bar) and if you occasionally find that's not big enough, then go ahead and get another bigger one. You'll be ahead in the end. (get both  )Stihl's are NOT underpowered. |
Like I said those with lots of saw time will tell you.. get the lightest best saw for what you encounter... 028AVS is the perfect balance between power/weight/bar length |
| If you plan on cutting a lot of firewood I recommend you have 2 saws. A felling and bucking saw with good power and at least a 20" bar. The other saw should be a lighter limbing saw that you can comfortably work with over your head (if necessary). You can get by with one do it all saw but you will have to sacrifice functionality. I am partial to Stihl saws myself. I have used Husky's as well and have no complaints with their saws either. When I started cutting firewood Homelite were still reliable saws (and blue in color) as were McCullough. |
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Husqvarna is owned by Electrolux. Electrolux also owns Poulan and Jonsered. With the exception of color, many Husqvarna saws are identical to the Poulan / Craftsman saws. If you buy a Husqvarna make sure it is a good one. A good friend of mine worked for a tree service and cut wood 5 days a week with a 16 inch Stihl climbing saw and a 20 inch Husqvarna. I don't recall which models he used. If I was replacing my McCulloch MAC 10-10A (1979 vintage  ) I would buy an Echo.
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I wish. Even Stihl makes turds. I spent summers working in a chainsaw shop, and brother I can tell you they have let some duds out of the stable too. In general, a great saw but buying Stihl doesn't guarantee quality. Run enough 2-cycle equipment and you'll get some lemons. I've owned 6 Stihls, probably that many Huskys, a couple Jonsereds and currently an EFCO/Cub. Some of my Stihls were hard starting pains in the ass, others were flawless workers. The reason to buy Stihl, IMHO is the terrific dealer/parts network. To be truthful, many saws are better power to weight ratio, and have features that make them more useful in the woods but don't have the support of a Stihl. Shindaiwa & Cub both make saws that, compared model to model for Stihl, are more powerful and weigh less....and trust me both companies make a good motor. The big thing with saws is, stay away from Sears/Poulan homeowner crap, get a saw from a dealer that will service it, and don't buy the wrong type of saw for the work you'll be doing. |
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Was wondering if anyone would say anything about the Jonsenreds. Excellent saws as are the Dolmars. I have 4 Stihls and a Husky. I have had a few problems with the Husky lately but it is a lighter duty unit. My favorite saw though is an ancient Stihl 095 with a 36" bar....that sumbitch will make chips! Just wish I got to use it more, our trees here are too small! |
Jonsered & Dolmar have been making good saws for a long time, neither are exactly a secret to lumber guys or arborists. |
| I've been looking some more. Looked at Echos, John Deere (rebadged I'm sure but made in Italy), and again at Stihls. Echo was nice. It was 52cc and started up like a champ but of course it is new. I'm thinking I will get a Stihl when funds permit due to the as before mentioned the dealer network. I'll probably buy new. I like the MS290 but for $20 more I can step up to the MS310 which weighs the same but has a larger engine. I did some more cutting Sunday-Tuesday and I'm really getting tired of this Craftsman. I can get the carb adjusted one day and it would run nearly good all day with a few hicups but the next day it is like back to square one and do a total carb adjustment again. I'm cleaning the filter too which is a major pain having to loosen 3 screws. I like the idea of the easy access air filter. Once I put a new chain on it though I was cutting some chips but that did not last long. |