Chainsaw Recommendations

[happysawer]

In regards to "canned" fuel. I've never used it but my cousin in Hawaii has. It's handy for occasional small jobs but pricey. True Fuel may be the name?? Anyway, if your going to be doing a lot of cutting it's not for you.

Bar length: A lot of chatter here about putting/getting a longer bar on the saw of your choice. I would not exceed the manufacturers recommended bar length without an adjustable oilier for the chain. A fixed displacement oilier would not be able to keep up with a bar that was longer then intended and will eventually ruin the bar and chain. If you purchase a saw that has the bar length you feel necessary, then you can buy the shorter bar & chain which will work well.
Pro saws come with adjustable oilier's to accommodate different length bars but that comes at a price also.

I agree with that my STHIL 211 does not have Adjustable oil control, and just getting enough oil on my 18" bar is a challange i discused it with STHIL when i thought not getting enough oil, they said because of the EPA they wanted to keep oil at the minimum.
So far it's been enough but if i did put a longer bar and chain on it might not get enough oil.

 

[ptsg]

I have a Shindaiwa 440 chainsaw, which I believe they are now owned by Echo. It's been an absolute beast for over 19 years.

Never had any problems with it and it cut loads ands loads of wood. Always started beautiful, just requiring one or two pulls with the choke on.

Recently, it gave me a little bit of trouble and I've been thought about getting a second chainsaw anyway, so I bough a Husqvarna 545 Mark II. I like it a lot, lots of power, very very responsive. Starts very well too and I've yet to have it bog down on me.

 

[JJT]

I'll second the Echo recommendation. I own 3 Echo saws and their mini tiller/cultivator. Some of these are close to 20 years old, with 100+ hours and they all start with no more than four pulls.

 

[two_bit_score]

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!

I thought this was an interesting comparison between two Stihl saws. Skip to 7:41 in the video.

stihl 261 vs Farm Boss - Bing video

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[two_bit_score]

Thank you. we have decided to wait to buy, my initial plan was to hit the local saw and mower place yesterday and buy the Stihl Farmboss. We have now decided to take one or two day trips next weekend to get to the places that have them near us and feel them out, and see what kind off information we can get. If we can get a good quality pro series that isnt 600-700 it would be worth it for the weight difference

Then you might want to take a look at the Stihl 261 in that video.

 

[ericm979]

Stihl's web site lets you look up the local authorized dealers. And you can get the list price for the saws you're considering.

Their homeowner saws work fine, they are just a little less powerful and a bit heavier than the pro saws of similar engine size. They will cut a lot of trees.

Buy extra chains, chain files for that size chain and handles (Husky makes a good file handle). Stihl makes good chains though they cost a bit more than others.

Besides chaps, ear and eye protection, you should have steel toed boots. Husky makes a good inexpensive helmet with built in ear muffs and face shield.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Firstly, I am gratified that you are, in fact, shopping for chainsaw shops, Hopefully you will find the extra time well spent. Secondly, I am happy you have involved your husband in the process. Receiving a "surprise" gift of a new tool is often a disappointment for the recipient.

I would be very interested in the premix gas. I am not familiar with it

Most small equipment manufacturers specify 89 octane gasoline with no more than 10% ethanol. Most chainsaw users mix a measured amount of gas with a measured amount of 2 stroke oil to get the recommended 50:1 fuel mix. Ethanol attacks some materials and also attracts water. Over time the resultant corrosion causes problems especially in the small passages in the carburetor and other parts of the fuel system. "Best practice" is to buy no more gasoline than will be consumed in 30 days, empty the fuel tank at the end of each use of the machine, and run out the fuel that remains in the system to prevent the "bad gas damage". There are variations that include treating the gas with a stabilizer, ethanol remover, etc; buying ethanol-free gasoline (some service stations, Philips66?, carry it; I'm told aviation gasoline is ethanol-free); or storing the equipment with a tankful of non-ethanol fuel; all at greater expense and inconvenience. Recognizing the hassle, small equipment dealers and other outlets now sell "canned" premixed non-ethanol gas and oil fuel at a premium. Around me the cost is $18-$20 per gallon. You will have to decide ifs it is worth the premium.

 

[LD48750]

Just a point of information, in order to SELL Stihl equipment, you MUST service it.
Your local mower shop as well as the ACE will both service Stihl saws.

I have a Stihl MS250 18" bar for most of my firewood cutting, A cheap China saw (52cc,22" bar, $80 delivered to my door) for the bigger stuff when needed, & a Harbor Freight Lynxx 14, 16, & 18" bars.
The China saw gets used MUCH more then I thought I would use it but the Stihl is still the primary.
The battery saw for quick jobs & back up. Gets a LOT of use.
Couple plug in saws for trimming firewood that got cut too long at the basement door and I'm not sure I understand how anyone could get by with just one saw.

 

[happysawer]

Just a point of information, in order to SELL Stihl equipment, you MUST service it.
Your local mower shop as well as the ACE will both service Stihl saws.

I have a Stihl MS250 18" bar for most of my firewood cutting, A cheap China saw (52cc,22" bar, $80 delivered to my door) for the bigger stuff when needed, & a Harbor Freight Lynxx 14, 16, & 18" bars.
The China saw gets used MUCH more then I thought I would use it but the Stihl is still the primary.
The battery saw for quick jobs & back up. Gets a LOT of use.
Couple plug in saws for trimming firewood that got cut too long at the basement door and I'm not sure I understand how anyone could get by with just one saw.

My next evergreen bush trimming project is going to be next week as soon as my Sun Joy electric Pole Chainsaw arrives, for years have asked many living next door, to please help me and trim your everygreen bush that is now hanging over my wood fence.

Never once have any of them responded with any help, tried using a standard pole snipper but it can only cut limbs around 1 inch in Dia. So i just decided to get a pole type chainsaw and attack their bush from my side of fence.

 

[Sonny580]

I have a MS250---o.k. saw BUT main guy is my Echo 310. ( best starting saw on the market) ----also the Husky 235 is great. On the Chimna side---believe it or not is the Blue Max,---16 OR 18 inch bars and yes power enough to handle 18" bars. I have cut some bit chit with mine and have had good luck with them so far.