Stihl Chainsaw

[5030]

Speaking of long lasting saws, I still use my ancient (Bought it in the 60's new), 028 Farm Boss. It runs like a raped ape, pulls a 20" bar (on it's 3rd bar) and runs 325 chipper chain. I don't know how many chains it's gone through as I make up my own loops from bulk chain, but a ton of them.

The one trick if you want to call it that for me is running canned fuel in them. I don't ever run pump gas with mix in it. always canned gas and most times Echo Red Armor 50-1. Never have any ethanol related issues.

Actually, my 028 is my go to saw. No modern plastic parts either, all mag alloy. I suspect my Echo's will be around long after I'm not as well.

 

[Hay Dude]

There are a lot of MS 261 owners on this forum that like them, myself included. It’s fairly light for its power and is in Stihl’s pro saw lineup.
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I was just using mine with a 20” bar. No complaints until it’s in thick oak.

 

[Hay Dude]

To the OP: A 261C is a great all around choice. Get yourself the Stihl Bluetooth helmet. Makes cutting a lot of fun & safer

 

[5030]

Furthermore, my Echo CS Top Handle Arborists saw is the lightest gas powered chainsaw on the market today. True one hander. Always starts on the second pull, no matter how long it sits and is very frugal on fuel and bar oil.

Never rebuilt any saw so I don't get into the clamshell or full crankcase debate or the Strato, non strato deal either.

So long as you mind what you feed them and keep them clean and free from gunk, they all last a long time. I consider bars and chains as renewable items anyway.

 

[5030]

Helmet, chaps, hard soled boots and ear protection is a must. Common sense is a requirement as well.

 

[WinterDeere]

To the OP: Get yourself the Stihl Bluetooth helmet. Makes cutting a lot of fun & safer

Good suggestion. Another option, the one I prefer and use, is a reasonably-priced Bluetooth Inner-Ear Monitor (IEM) set. IEM's are what you see musicians wearing on stage ever since the 1990's, they replaced wedge monitors, so the band can hear themselves over house audio.

I have the Shure SE215's with their Bluetooth receiver that clips onto your shirt collar. I've used SE215's in hardwired format for maybe 30 years now, they're bulletproof and damn near indestructible, the Bluetooth adapter just makes them wireless and more convenient.

These have 37 dB noise blocking, but if that's not enough for your muffler-modified Stihl, you can always pop earmuffs over them, since they're so tiny and sit flush to the ear. I put mine on when I head outdoors on Saturday morning, and they'll last until sunset in the winter. In the long days of summer, I make sure to pop them back on the charger for 30 minutes while I break for lunch.

 

[WinterDeere]

Echo CS Top Handle Arborists saw is the lightest gas powered chainsaw on the market today. True one hander.

Careful, or I'll go digging out my old post of an embarrassing admission to a head strike with my top-handle saw, while using it as a one-hander.

Top handle saws are mighty convenient for one-hand operation, but really *should* never be used that way. If it ever kicks back, you have no hope of controlling it, as my ruined John Deere baseball cap can attest!

In my case, I was lucky. I was so stunned that I can't even remember if the inertial chain brake fired off, but I walked away with very little more than a bloody scratch and a bruise on my scalp. I have thick hair, so there was no visible evidence, and I didn't need to suffer my wife yelling at me for being so stupid.

Washing my hair the next 2 days burned like hell, tho.

 

[Cycledude]

I own an Echo chainsaw, it starts very easily every time, other than that I really wouldn’t brag much about it.
My newest saw is a Husqvarna 562XP , it’s a professional saw and pretty expensive, I wouldn’t mind having a bigger-more powerful saw but they simply get to heavy for me to carry around for very long in the brush or deep snow .
Also own a Husqvarna 61 that I bought new over 40 years ago, it has worn out a couple bars, lots of chains but other than the ignition system failing once and needing to be replaced it has been one the most reliable tools I ever owned.

 

[shooterdon]

If you are a casual user, a battery saw is worth looking at.

No fuel or carburetor issues.

If you have or get a gasser, and it will sit idle for a few months at a time, drain the fuel and run it dry.

 

[Hay Dude]

If you are a casual user, a battery saw is worth looking at.

No fuel or carburetor issues.

If you have or get a gasser, and it will sit idle for a few months at a time, drain the fuel and run it dry.

I have been running canned fuel with real good results. My saws sat from August till October on canned fuel and started right up.
I keep the fuel tanks as full as possible to keep condensation forming in them, too.