Posted: 2/16/2017 11:32:29 PM EDT
| I'm in need of a chainsaw. What's a good brand for around 200? It will be to clear some trees on the property and not see hard use. |
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$109 16" Poulan at Lowe's. It will do what you need. Don't let the chain hit dirt.  I can't give mine away. It's GARBAGE. You're better off to pay a meth addict with Parkinson's to use a serrated knife to cut a tree up.
Stihl is the answer. Rural King will honor Home Depot/lowes coupons. You're welcome. |
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Friends don't let friends buy poulan...I will attest to this I can't give mine away. It's GARBAGE. You're better off to pay a meth addict with Parkinson's to use a serrated knife to cut a tree up.
Stihl is the answer. Rural King will honor Home Depot/lowes coupons. You're welcome. As long as the chain is sharp and you have half a clue about matching engine rpm with force applied a Poulan will work fine. And the OP will have the benefit of getting into the home tree removal hobby in an inexpensive way, instead of believing the status hype right from the get-go. |
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Wish I could help you but I use a 3hp Craftsman electric chainsaw for small stuff around the house.
That sucker will take a 6" branch down with ease. Even used it to cut up roots in the ground, just clean it up and it's GTG a year later. Had it 10 years and have royally abused it, it refuses to quit. |
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If you are going to use it for a month then not look at for 5 years till a tree falls down, buy a $100 saw at Home Depot and throw it away when the project is finished.
If you are going to use it a few times a year buy a home owner saw from Stihl, Husqvarna or Echo. If you are mechanically inclined and look at you tools as investments, buy a farm grade saw for $400 and keep it for 20 years. Buy once cry once, buy a Stihl 261 and never have to buy another. |
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As long as the chain is sharp and you have half a clue about matching engine rpm with force applied a Poulan will work fine. And the OP will have the benefit of getting into the home tree removal hobby in an inexpensive way, instead of believing the status hype right from the get-go. 
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| You can go to a Stihl dealer and get their entry-level saw brand new for $199. I saw the saw/tag last week. Even as a "shitty" homeowner grade saw it will last you forever with light use. As it's a Stihl you will be able to get it serviced, get parts, and keep it going forever. All the "me-too" brands suck in one way or another (just plain shitty, lack of dealers, lack of parts, etc.). Stihl is #1 by a wide margin for a reason. |
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My crappy little $100 33cc Echo Home Depot special has been cutting shit that's way to big for it very reliably for the last 10 years. I've worn out a dozen chains and a couple 14" and 16" cutting bars. It's run fine on crap gasoline and has digested its share of used motor oil as chain lube. I've replaced the soft bits in the carb a couple times and have detail stripped and cleaned the carb at least a half dozen times.
My brand new $200 50CC Poulan Home Depot special with the 20" bar has made quick work of 2 foot thick eucalyptus and pine logs enough to keep my wife in firewood all winter. My advice to you is to go and spend at least $500 or $600 on a saw that you'll use with great enthusiasm in the first several months and will then break out once or twice a year afterward. It's the only way to be certain. 
And not that it matters but Poulan is owned by Husqvarna so I'm sure their consumer grade saws are made of low grade Chinesium and pressure molded cardboard. |
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IBT "you're wasting your time with anything under 1000cc and a 36" bar" crowd. I have a Stihl plastic-encased MS211C. It's enough for now, breaking it out once or twice a year for my light duty needs. I bought the previous model, the 021 when I was 17. 18 years later it still runs, I have replaced a few spark plugs and a fuel line so far. It doesn't get much use since I got into nicer saws but it's nice to have a spare. |
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Husqvarna from VM Innovations |
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As long as the chain is sharp and you have half a clue about matching engine rpm with force applied a Poulan will work fine. And the OP will have the benefit of getting into the home tree removal hobby in an inexpensive way, instead of believing the status hype right from the get-go. I grew up heating with wood and used a Stihl farmboss from 1978 that still runs (I was born in 1977). Growing up we had 350 acres and cut what we needed. We cut 5-7 cord a year and cured for 2 years - mostly oak, ash, & maple. When I moved to FL with the wife in a postage stamp lot, I assumed that I could get away with a poulan for small jobs and dropped $150 rather than $300. Since we are speaking of specific facts lets get into the issues I observed: 1. The complete dissolving of all gas lines in the poulan in the second year of owning (having run it dry - per manual each use) - requiring replacement - look in your gas tank and think forceps. Poulan denied any warranty claim when I called with serial # and receipt. 2. All the valves and membranes in the carb turning to jelly and requiring replacement of the needle valves - cheaper to replace the carb - they have 2 different OEM's. Poulan denied any warranty claim when I called with serial # and receipt. 3. Despite the replacement of above parts even my cousin (small engine mechanic) cannot get it to run smoothly - we pull the engine apart and find that the desolved seals and gas lines have gummed the piston and seals - complete rebuild. Poulan denied any warranty claim when I called with serial # and receipt. Now the manual indicates that said saw is fine for standard 87/ethanol mixed 2 cycle fuel. Guess why everything dissolved - Poulan's warranty window. Get your head out of your ass and stop sending people up the river based on your not knowing anything. For 30-50% more they can get something worth their hard earned dollar. |
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Get a Stihl MS180. It's all you'll ever need. https://acehoneybeehardware.stihldealer.net/WebContent/Images/Product/2951/ms180.png?preset=Product.Full Spend the extra $100 and get this or even the 170. Just put the larger gauge bar and chain on it. I cut 22 long truck beds of wood a year to feed my water stove. You are making a purchase on a long term tool, just like a gun or an optic. Are you going to scrimp on them? Buy a Stihl, Husky, or at least an Echo. I don't have experience with Echo but I hear they are a good saw. The first 2 I have and they run great of you take care of them. I own a Stihl 362, 290, 170, and a Husky 51. |
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While I understand your defense of your purchase, learn from people that use tools and expect them to last beyond the 90 day warranty. If you've had any actual experience using saws you'd understand an "initial quality award" and buying something that is quality. <snip> yawn Utter bullshit of both phony allusion to presenting fact (none were) and the insinuation that I don't know how to use tools. It's not necessary to overspend. Cheap can be your friend and you can dial in the spend adjustment as appropriate. OP should go get a big box cheapo, pay attention to the fuel mix, read at least the starting steps, keep the bar off the ground and out of pockets of dirt, then go to town on clearing his trees. |
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I have a $450 Stihl that sees only light to moderate use. If I were only clearing a few trees and it was going to basically be a one time deal, I'd just get a Poulan.
With any small engine, get a bottle of Stabil to mix in with your gas. Keeps the carb from getting boogered up and makes starting much easier after long periods between use. |
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I have a $450 Stihl that sees only light to moderate use. If I were only clearing a few trees and it was going to basically be a one time deal, I'd just get a Poulan. With any small engine, get a bottle of Stabil to mix in with your gas. Keeps the carb from getting boogered up and makes starting much easier after long periods between use. At very least when talking about small engines like a chainsaws if all possible buy the premixed fuel for them if they don't get used often. Its ethanol free and a lot of it has stabilizer in it. I'm a stihl guy but husky or echo should be good too. |
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Get a Stihl MS180. It's all you'll ever need. https://acehoneybeehardware.stihldealer.net/WebContent/Images/Product/2951/ms180.png?preset=Product.Full |
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Anything orange... Echo Husqy Stihl.
For value the husqy 440 refurb from VMI at $220 is pretty high on the value chart. Buy a set of chaps and a face guard if you don't have them. Chainsaws are by far the most dangerous power tool most home owners will use. Gloves if you don't have them too. |
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Used a Stihl 025 for about ten years. It was a decent saw for around the yard, and I still use it for smaller stuff. Bought a MS291 2 years ago when I started using the woodstove on a more full-time basis and processing a lot more of my own firewood. I do about 5-6 cords of wood a year with it, and it runs like a champ with a yellow tag chain and 20" bar. If I had the extra scratch, I probably would have gone with a 261, but the 291 hasn't skipped a beat yet.
Whatever you get, keep the chain clean and sharp and use good premix oil. |
| Husq or Stihl. Just get a refurb in a size that fits your job requirements. I've used many saws since they were made of steel and aluminum, and the plastics are fantastic, light, reliable, and powerful. Used the entire Husq fleet, like the limbers. Hardcore loggers seem to like Stihls, I don't know how to spell either but both the only way to go these days. They used to make other reasonbly priced saws that were good, but now it's those two options unless you want to spend big money. The kmart brands lowes etc., will cost nearly as much as an entry or refurb and they do not hold up to hard use nor have resale value. |
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OP, are you looking to cut trees down, or cut up trees that are already down? Are you cutting them up to get them out of there? If getting them out, you will also need a timberjack, just FYI.
Whatever saw you buy, keep the chain out of the dirt. This is where a good timberjack pays for itself. |
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You can listen to the Ford vs Chevy guys aka Sthil vs Husqvarna but at your price point neither is worth a flip.
Best bang for the buck for you will be a Echo. Honestly you will have to at least double or more your budget before I'd think about any of the others. Personally for me a ported 562xp Husqvarna and 20in Sugihara bar |