chain saw

[sbvfd592]

well IM looking to find small chain saw just for when a branch falls after storm to cut it up and get rid of it for the costumers looking at a 16 inch homelight what do u pros run or do u not use them at all looking in the cheep range b/c i might use it 2 or 3 times a year

[johnhenry]

I use shindaiwa chain saws but echo and sthil both make great saws. There all on the high end of prices. But here is a idea for you.If your only going to use it a couple of times a year for broken limbs and such.You could buy a pole saw from one of the three companys I mention above.There easy to use and it is something you could approach your customers about .Tree pruning is another asset to your accounts. But if you are going to buy a cheap saw.I wouldnt buy new.You might find a old homelite at a flea market or garage sale for 50 or so.In fact the old cheap saws are better than the new cheapones

[rwleigh]

we use jonsered and efco saws have always had good luck!

[awm]

last thing i heard homelite was out o buisiness unless somebody got the name from deere. for what u described,id recommend the craftsman 14-16 w 36 cc engine. ive got one and it gives good service . course ive got 3 stihls and a small echo also ,so this one dont get picked up as much as it did. but it will get light wk done .
not something to use all day everyday. but itll do well for what u talkin about. stihl 50-1 an high test gas.later now

[LexingtonKYcutter]

Stihl 026 PRO. Best saw on the market. Very easy to start with a compresion release. Very light weight. Its omewhere around a 50cc engine but only weighs @ 10 pounds. Just a great machine would recommend you take a look at a Stihl!

Good Luck!

[LawnLad]

I've got an 026 Stihl, bought it in 1990 when I was in highschool. Still using it today (though it might be ready to be replaced). I was looking at a smaller 020 or 021 type unit, but they're pricey. I'd shoot for the 026 recommendation. Used it on small stuff up to some bigger 2' stuff.

[Sammy]

In a word, "Stihl". :cool:

[PAPS]

We have a tree removal crew and we use the following saws:

(1) echo 14'' bar climbing/topper saw

(1) stihl 026 - 16'' bar - excellent light duty saw,good around the chipper.

(1) stihl 029 - 20'' bar - excellent light-mid duty ground saw.

(2) stihl 044 - 26'' bar - excellent heavy-duty everyday ground saw.

(1) jonsered 920 - 36'' bar - used only for cutting large tree base.

Look into a 026 or a 029 with a 16''-20'' bar and that should be fine for medium duty use. however, if you want bigger... look at the 044, 046, or 066 with a 20''-26'' bar. Let me warn you....they pack some serious power though....;)

[sbvfd592]

what do you all think of homelite saws it light dudy onliy like 2 or 3 times a year like around storms there one for like only 140 the home chepo

[PAPS]

you should be able to get a stihl 026 for around $200.00 I wouldnt buy a "cheap" chainsaw... there dangerous enough as it is. A cheap saw may kick back easier, break, etc. and when something like that happens with a saw... ur in trouble... look in to the 026 or 029 you should be able to get one for like $200.00 or maybe less..

[Greenie]

I've been very happy with Husqvarna equipment. Chain saw and brush saw/ line trimmer. Not too expensive and well made.

[65hoss]

The king of chain saws. STIHL!

[Bill Davis]

Sthil is the only way to go on this one. I have an 029 super and it is great. Go ahead and buy a nice saw because you might end up needing one a little bit more in the future and you will have a nice one to use.

[SMB]

We have a (I think) 14 year old Stihl homeowner 16" saw, and it "Stihl" runs great! I wouldn't get anything else. We do need a new clutch though, I guess they should be replaced about every 14 years :D

[awm]

im sure u have noticed no ones commenting on the homelite.
this was trimmer motors but i saw a chart at hd,listing life expectancy of their 2 cycle motor equipment.
the echo was rated as 1150 hr. expected life . under that was the chart for homelite. theirs said 150hrs ,i believe.
i dont useum so i dont know for sure. proper maintenance and u might get good service out of it. stranger things have happened. later now.

[Clewsew]

If you are considering a $140 Homelite, I would definately look into a Sthil or something equivilant. If you are truely looking for cheap, seems like I have seen a Poulan or something like that at Wal-Mart for less then $100. If you plan on spending any more then $100 get something that will last you, and that you won't be ashamed to be seen using it as a pro. I think that if you can get a Sthil in the $200 range then you ought to go for it. Sthil equipment really runs good. I'd rather have a cheap Sthil then an expensive Homelite Think of the big picture - this is going to be an investment in your business.

Doug

[danzig]

If you are only trimming up branches a few times a year then i say get a stihl 017. Costs 180 bucks and it will cut larger stuff also. We use our saws on the farm quite a bit to cut down hedge trees and other hard wood. An 026 or 029 is great for the bigger stuff but the weight of those saws will wear you out if you use them to do everything. I can run an 017 all day on 1 1/2 gallons of gas and only dull 2 chains while cutting hedge trees. Buy yourself an 017 or an 018. If you need a bigger saw buy an 025 or larger. I have tried different brands of saws through the years and i can honestly say Stihl is the only saw to use.

[Barkleymut]

YEEEHAWWW! I was hoping for a chainsaw thread today. I darn near killed myself today. Nothing like the rush of cutting down a big tree next to a house and having it fall perfectly.

Anyways on to your situation. Don't be stupid. Buy a Stihl, Husky, Echo, etc. I got a Stihl 025 3 years ago and have only bought chains, gas and bar oil for it. My fatherinlaw has a homeowner homelight and it took me 2 hours to get it started one day. That was after it had sat around for several months. The thing was only about a year old. Since then he asks to borrow my Stihl when doing anything. Be safe out there! :D

[David Haggerty]

Absolute waste of money. Just puts you that much farther from owning a "real" saw.
I bought a Stihl 026 to use maybe once a year. It'll last me the rest of my life. But I'll always have a good saw when I need it.

The second most important thing to know about chainsaws is to use Amsoil Synthetic 2 cycle oil.

No I'm not a dealer for Amsoil or anything like that. It's just that this oil eleminates so many problems with 2 cycle engines, that it's worth searching for. And at 100/1 mix it costs about the same as the "cheaper" oils.

Dave

[mike payne]

Having a good chain saw is important. I bought a shindaiwa 488 last year and only used it a half dozen times. Three weeks ago we had the biggest ice storm here in history. My shindaiwa has been working seven days a week since then. I don't think a cheap saw could hold up to this work load.

[andyslawns]

Stihl all the way!!!!! They will last forever. I have a 2 year old 009, yeah it is small dont laugh, It gets used a couple times a year. It was under $200 new. BTW it is soooooo light. Just my 2 cents

[Lockman]

I wouldn't buy a mower from home cheapo nor would I buy a saw from them either Support your local dealer.A 200.00 saw will last a lifetime.if it's one of the previously named saws.Also remember to dump out your fuel tank when your done if you only use it a few times a year. I cut 7to10 cords a year for home use witha husky model 55 and I think it's the best .Why? because my local dealer sells and services them. Try to buy a recoil spring for a homlite when it breaks in the middle of a job.