Chainsaw Recommendations

[Jo D]

Purchasing a chainsaw for my husband. We are not professionals, just homeowners who have some smaller trees to cut down (after the tree guys cut the big ones down) and want something that will last and be useful. Hurricanes come through plenty so we could always fins ourselves cutting something unplanned. It will probably see action a few times a year. We are looking at an 18 inch which is more than we need right now, but want to be prepared if we need bigger. We are looking to spend around 400and the following have come into play. Stihl Farm Boss MS 271 (recommended by my yard guy and what we think we want to go with) and then a Husqvarna 440 rancher by the guy at Tractor supply (which seemed cheap in comparison) or Jonsered CS 2245. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Frankenkubota]

Echo 310. I bet I have 100 hours on mine in the last 3 months clearing up to 6in dia weedy trees.

Light weight, bullet proof and, hard to believe, you can actually get it to restart!

I'd get an extra chain right away.

Not made in China.

 

[Jo D]

Im looking up the Echo 310 now. I am only finding it with a 14' bar and we were really wanting an 18". We do have several 10" diameter trees that need to come down. Maybe I looking in the wrong places? Do you buy local? Per your profile you arent to far from me. I am impressed by the 5 yr warranty.

 

[jeff9366]

Gas powered chainsaws are dangerous, especially for occasional uses.

Consider a Stihl battery powered chainsaw. Light, no starting issues if batteries charged, less chain momentum when trigger released. No stale gasoline.

T-B-N ARCHIVE: battery electric chainsaw site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[jeff9366]

Im looking up the Echo 310 now. I am only finding it with a 14' bar and we were really wanting an 18".

If the saw engine is not powerful enough a longer bar does little or nothing. The extra chain friction of the longer bar will either slow or stop the chain in the wood. A slow moving chain cuts very inefficiently and potentially bucks the saw. Small saws are very sensitive to bar length.

 

[Jo D]

He specifically doesnt want electric or battery. We have had both before. He knows how to handle a chainsaw, Yes I stated homeowners but not because I was referring to basic office dude homeowner trying something way beyond himself, more so just to state that we dont need something for logging or clearing forests every day 10 hours a day. Looking for something with more power that the Battery operated ones. I imagine chainsaw would be like any other gas powered tool, lawn mower, generator and you empty during periods of extendeded non use or during off season, but im sure my husband would know better then me on the off season stuff.

 

[Jo D]

If the saw engine is not powerful enough a longer bar does little or nothing. The extra chain friction of the longer bar will either slow or stop the chain in the wood. A slow moving chain cuts very inefficiently and potentially bucks the saw. Small saws are very sensitive to bar length.

Thank You for that information. It makes complete sense and is quite logical.

 

[kenmbz]

I love my Echo CS-490 so far, and the 310 sounds like it would fit your needs at much lower cost than the stihl.
Remember to drain gas when not using for a while and use good bar oil and it will last many years.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have used several brands over my long life. The Husky 440 is a great saw, highly recommend. For small stuff put a 16" bar on it; it will zip through a 4" tree in one second. On small trees the long bars get unwieldy. I once had 5 Huskys when I had a firewood business. Their arm over professional line arborist saw is great for smaller stuff, light weight and handy. Comes with a 14" bar.

Ron

 

[Jo D]

bringing it back around to the original question, we are looking at 3 makes/models right now. Stihl Farm Boss MS 271, Husqvarna 440 rancher or Jonsered CS 2245. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. We are leaning towards the Stihl. I dont know if these models are actually comparable to each other or if Im comparing apples to grapes rather than apples to apples