chainsaws

[AielLandscaping]

looking into getting a new chainsaw since the one that i have is a crapsman that won't start. i only use a chainsaw a handful of times a year, but would like to get a new one. i'm sure that the more expensive ones would end up being a better buy, but since i don't use it a lot i think i could get away with a light duty commercial grade machine. i don't know squat about chainsaws, so does anyone have any recommendations for me?

[65hoss]

I love my Stihl 026. This thing has plenty of power and has never given me a single problem. I think we bought it around 1992 and its been bullet proof.

[odin]

sthil is a good saw and since you wont be useing it heavy you probably could get by with a sthil homeowner or mid range product.

I dont use a chainsaw much now. But when i lived in michigan, i cut 12 cords of wood a year for 8 straigt winters with a sthil saw and that saw is still working.

[Green Pastures]

I have a Stihl "Farm Boss" 029 something like that. I use it like 3-4 times a year, but every time I need it it starts and runs like a champ. I got a Stihl cuz when I need a chainsaw I need one, and I did not want to mess around. Time = money. I'd get a mid-line Stihl if I were you.

Scott

[Flyrod]

Lately ther have been a lot of NIB Echo CS-4400 saws for sale on ebay. They have been selling for $185-225, dealers get $300+ for them. They're well made, pro quality and should last many years. I would stay away from the homeowner saws. You should also look at Husqvarna 55, the new John Deere 56cc(made by Efco) and the Makita(made by Dolmar) 54cc saw all pro saws and all sell for about $300.

[lee b]

I have a Husky 51, it's been a great saw. I used to be in the sawmill business back in the early 90s, you know a portable woodmizer, go to where the trees where. That Husky is the only chainsaw I've ever owned, it has alot of hours on it {wish I knew how many}, I used it, my customers used and abused it. Still runs strong.

[rwleigh]

Take a close look at the new efco 952 SWEET! Also jonsered is a good one!

[GRASS PRO]

I agree on the efco and jonsered, also take a good look at redmax,very nice chainsaw.

[GLS]

Has anyone noticed that Sears now sells Husqvarna?

[firefighter]

I bought to new husqvarna chain saws in the late 70, early 80's, and never had any problems with either one. Not even the spark plug. I traded both in about three years ago on to new husqvarna's. So far no problem with either saw. They both have compression release and ram air.:angel:

[darryl gesner]

I have a Husquvarna 55 Rancher with an 18 inch bar and love it. It is on the line between homeowner and pro quality. That thing cuts like a family of beavers! It's a bit heavy for the smaller stuff, but if you're only going to have one saw, it's nice to have one with at least a 16 or 18 inch bar IMO.

I used to work as a ground man for a tree service and my boss ran only Jonsoreds and they gave him excellent service.

Make sure you compare chain speed on the saws you look at...makes a big difference.

[Westbrooklawn]

I used to cut, split, and deliver about 75 cords of firewood each winter (old age made me start to mow grass instead!). I have run homelite, stihl, and husky. HUSKY is the only way to go!!

I have one Husky saw that I bought in 1978........still runs and cuts like a champ.....never had problems with husky saws.

[bubble boy]

not only does stihl have a great product, but they stand by it.
on one of ours they did warrenty work almost to the value of the saw no questions to the dealer. to this day it runs like new.

dealer tells me stihl is great to work with, which makes it easier on the customer.

[Likestomow]

I would suggest that you get a Stihl 018 or 017. I have the 017 and carry it in my cage for use when ever I have a large bush to remove or any other pruning bigger than a lopper can handle. It is about 30cc and has plenty of power. It has a 14” chain and bar and that seems to be enough. For bigger jobs I have a bigger saw that I keep at the shop and only take it on days when needed.

[Brickman]

Husky rules.

[allenandinga]

If you are going to buy a chainsaw, Stihl and Husky are as good money can buy and as far as good quality saws go, they're usually as cheap as anything out there. (personally I think Stihl is a better and more powerful saw, size for size even though I sell Echo (fine saws also except more expensive). However, there is one drawback to Stihl. None of these manufacturers make there own carbs. They all buy them from a vendor. When Stihl buys there carbs, they usually have something made special about it for them. (not the regular off the shelf carb-this is usually designated Stihl being cast into the carb) When you see this, this means that you can't buy a carb kit for it from anybody but a Stihl dealer. The dealer here in town usually gets about 15-25 dollars for a kit whereas a handheld equipment carb kit is normally around 7-10 dollars.

[CucamongaDan]

like you, AielLandscaping, I have only occasional need for a chainsaw, but I finally decided to spend a few bucks so I'd have one that would start and work reliably when I wanted it to.
So I got an Echo CS-510 over a year ago and have no regrets.

[Shady Brook]

I rely on stihl to heat my house every winter, I do about as much cutting as Odin did with his. A machine you can count on.

Are you sure you need a new one? These pro stihls are made to be hammered day after day every day. If you get one used in decent condition, it should last you more then a lifetime. You can get a better saw cheaper then if you bought new.

Also, what size are you looking at, we could help with suggestions on saws better if we knew your needs.

I have a small echo that is nice, it has some quirks I would change, but still a good saw.

Jay

[AielLandscaping]

made my decision. went to alamia.com and bought a husqvarna 350 with a 16" bar. for 274.00. thanks for all the help guys.

[Brickman]

I know you will like that saw. You can't do any better.

[awm]

well if it dont have xp behind the model number its not made for professional everyday use. the 026 is . it ll still do the job probably tho .good maintenance ,an all. pluss i think it turns up pretty good,as most huskies do.
shoot ,the poulan pro will hold up with good maintenance.not for daily logging ,that takes special stuff. but for what u need it would do fine. me,ill take the 028 .
just believe in that saw.

[Paul CHINN]

I too think you'll be pleased with the husqvarna saw. Run mine (359) two or three time a week for hours at a time for past year (Ice storm in Feb. on 40 acres of thick woods) with no problems. Just keep it maintained. Like my stihl pole saw too but nothing beats a husky.

[Sooners]

For those of you who don't know, the craftsman is made at the Poulan/Weedeater plant in Arkansas. They also make Poulan, Poulan Pro, Husqvarna and Jonsared. If you buy a Husky, make sure it is made in Sweden if you want the good one. I'm not sure where the commercial Jonsareds are made. The basic difference (other than the color of the plastic parts) is that the Poulan and Craftsman have the piston chrome plated on the outside and the Pro, Husky, and Jonsared have the cylinder chrome plated on the inside. This goes for blowers and line trimmers too. I own (2) 16" poulans (good for lite work) a Swedish Husky (love it even more) but Sthil has the best one I've ever used.

[Brickman]

I'm not sure where the commercial Jonsareds are made.


From what the Husky dealer told me about 10 years ago, the Jonsared and Husky come down the Swedish assembly line side by side in the same building. One line is orange and the other one red.

My Husky is made in Sweden, love it. I hardly use it any more, where I live there aren't that many trees. It is going to wear out from lack of use. :(

[Mow&Snow]

Stihl and Husky are the only real choices. They both have great products. I personaly own a husky 55 and love it.

[qualpro]

husky rules

[Gravely_Man]

Any follow up on how you like the saw? I have used only Husqvarna saws since I was 15 years old. They have cut a lot of wood never had a problem. Maintenance of the saw is key just as it is with any other piece of equipment.


Gravely_Man

[bob]

Get a Stihl. I have an 026 and an 039, there great!

[xi_bowhunter]

Husky is the only way to go

[lawncare3]

I have a echo cs4400 and it's pretty good power wise and I probaly only use it 2-3 times a year it's a pretty good price @ $329 @ the home cheepo or you can buy it on ebay for about $100 -150 off. Good Luck;)

[digger1]

Have a Stihl Farm Boss. Only use it occasionally but it always starts, is quiet, and has great power. No complaints here.

[lawnman25]

I have a little 35cc factory reconditioned Mc Cullough that I have had for 4 years . I only use it on occasion and one year we had a tornado and I used it for storm clean up . This is not a stihl by a long shot but for $48 and it gets thrown around in back of the truck every season , it still starts on the 2nd pull and has never given me a minutes trouble .For the abuse it has taken and the service it has given me it has been a good investment . You have to decide what will work best for you , but here is another avenue to consider .:) Please note I am not in the tree trimming business . I just have the saw around for occasional use . I got to run a tree trimmer saw this winter and if I had to buy a saw I would use every day to make a living it would be a Husky . Hope this helps .

[mmacsek]

I have a Dolmar PS-401 16" bar saw. This was my first saw. I have used it for about 2 years. Alot lately. I hated the saw at first, but I really like it now. It was finicky at first but the longer I run it the better it runs. Dolmar is made in Germany. Yes I would by another one. The only downside is there are not many dealers who sell them. Hope this helps. Matt

[imalandscper]

I would go with a stihl (even though you made your choice) i run three of them 14" for limbing not sure of the numbers except the big dog... 16" for cutting up braches and a 310 20" and 26" for felling and cutting up stubs and flush cutting...there is just somehting about 4 horses behind a 20" chain that gets me goin!!! Nothing but a stihl in my book

[yardman1]

I had a stihl 026 pro but someone needed it more then I did(it got stolen):angry: . The next one I get will be MS 360 stihl, it is a bad azzzzzzzz saw.

[Cutter1]

I have a Stihl 044 pro. Might be a little too much for what you want it for, but I tell ya, this saw kicks A#$!!!! I also have a smaller Husky. Both of them have been great and I would buy either brand again.

[Mow&Snow]

I think it's amazing how real old threads keep getting brought back to life....

[gvlawncare]

Good Choice

[sheppard]

Hey AielLandscaping,

Week befor last someone lifted my unlocked tool bin in the bed of my F-150 and stole my Husqvarna 45.

Oh well, the bright side was they thought it was goon enouph to steal. Hope the thing kicks back on them and splits their face!

Cordially,
Sheppard

[Gravely_Man]

Sheppard, That sounds a little harsh but then again no one likes having his or her hard earned equipment stolen. Best of luck getting a replacement saw. You had a very nice model Husqvarna.

Gravely_Man

[sheppard]

I really would not like to see anyone get hit from a kick back. Botton line is I would help the jerk if he was bleeding on the ground from a wound from my chainsaw. But I don't have any respect for the slime balls who steal equipment from us.

If I caught him in the act I'd ruin his day!

Cordially,
S.

[Cutter1]

a friend of mine in high school was cutting a log and didn't realize that behind it was a fence. It kicked back on him right in his face. It was ugly!!! He needed more stitches than I can count. Be careful with them saws, as much fun as they are to use, they'll bite ya!!!

[Mow&Snow]

The same can be said for all the power toys we all love so much. Safety is a must.

[lawncare3]

Has anyone used the kickguard on the echo and many other saws? btw: am Ithe only one that uses chaps?

[fblandscape]

I pray that I never have to take advantage of the inertia chain brake. It does work.. but BOY is that scarey. Test them every now and again in non work situations to make sure that they work. I saw a guy from Stihl a couple of years ago show us how the inertia chain brake works :eek: Guy reved the saw up full blast and dropped the tip right onto a log. Sure enough the chain stopped. As far as chaps go... if you ever have an accident with a saw... or an employee has an accident with a saw and they are not wearing chaps... you can be talking SERIOUS penalties. The ANSI standards state that you shall wear chaps any time you are working with a saw. There are only 2 ways around this... 1) you are cutting for yourself (if you don't wear them though you are dumb) 2) you are up in a tree cutting with a saw... but now they have new cut ******ant clothing coming out... so its up to you whether you want to get cut or not.

[grshppr]

I LOVE my STIHL 026!!! Fairly cheap to buy, and has the power of a large saw.

[Turf Dancer]

Stihl and Husky are both great machines. I have also heard good things about Shindiawa . I have friends who have a couple of echos and had problems with them so I could not say from experience on them. We have had different Stihls over the years and have had little or no problems with them ( 029, 044 and 025)
I don't think you can really go wrong these days as long as you have a dealer that can give you service ! I would buy a Stihl if it were me !

[Gravely_Man]

Sheppard, I read you load and clear! Have you replaced the saw yet?


Gravely_Man

[Turf Dancer]

The Jonsered name should not be overlooked but again I would consider where your dealer is located even though you probably won't be having many problems with your saw ! Make sure you get enough power when you buy ! I bought a Stihl Super Farm Boss the last time and it is underpowered for what I cut ! I will buy a larger saw the next time somewhere in the 70cc class. If you are only trimming and pruning I would stay in the 50 cc class of saw !