Stihl Chainsaw

[Hay Dude]

OP:

Splurge and buy a 500i. The reaction on your face when you start it up is worth all $1,500 you’ll pay for it.
The thing screams like a saw from a horror movie.

 

[xyz123]

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.

Running E-FREE even from the pump in my OPE, Gen, Boat and set for sometimes 8 months or longer never a issue.

Easy test to make sure your getting true E-free too.

One Efree and then show one with crap Ecorn in it.

 

[JeepHead]

Something that hasn't really been addressed here is if this is a one saw plan, meaning you plan to own just one saw for all your needs? If so, I personally don't think a 50cc is a good one saw plan, I would jump to a a 60cc saw at a minimum.

I am not a fan of any one particular brand of saw. I supply a lot of wood to people and restaurants so I cut a massive amount of wood and use a variety of chainsaws and have for years. So I have a good bit of experience running many different brands. In my younger days I kinda fell on the Stihl bandwagon but as I got to using different saws, I discovered it's a whole lot like the Ford/Chevy/Dodge argument and you have your faithful followers with no real experience of the other brands. I own and use Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo, Dolmar, Makita, and Jonsered saws and like them all.

There are only a couple of Stihl saws of the current offerings that I would buy today and the 261CM is one of them. I actually do own one along with an 026 and both are great...
If I wanted a current production 50cc saw, there are 3 that I would buy. Echo 4910, Stihl 261, and the Husqvarna 550. Probably in that order. I own all 3 of these. The 4910 is about $300-350 less than the other two and will cut right with them.

If I were buying a 60CC saw, it would hands down be a Husqvarna 562XP MK II. I love mine and use it pretty much daily. I don't think there is a better 60cc out there than this one.

I have heard much love for the Stihl 400cm but have never operated one. The power to weight ratio is something to behold though. And from what I understand, they will be changing them soon so better get one while you can.

Anything past the 261, I tend to lean towards Husqvarna as I just don't care for Stihl's line past that mark. I think Husqvarna owns that territory. In my parts of the world, every arborist company you see is running Husqvarna. These are guys who depend on their saws to earn a living.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a friend who owns a big tree company. Only reason he runs Husqvarna is because there’s a wholesaler who sells them to him dirt cheap and has been for 20+ years.
He says Stihl is better, but doesn’t like paying their prices.

Who cares. Buy your saw, cut your wood.

Hopefully after that, you’re counting your money.

 

[xyz123]

Way I look at it. Just depends on use and model.

They all make some good and they all make some junk ones.

 

[JeepHead]

I should add that the Echo 501P is a great saw too in the 50cc class but it's too close to the 4910 to warrant the extra $$.

 

[Hay Dude]

Am I in a safe place to say I get a “thrill up my leg” when I rev my 500i?

 

[WinterDeere]

Splurge and buy a 500i. The reaction on your face when you start it up is worth all $1,500 you’ll pay for it.
The thing screams like a saw from a horror movie.

If I were buying new, and could only own one saw, it would almost definitely be the 500i. I've always thought that ~75cc is the sweet spot for a one-saw plan, at least given the larger oaks that I'm so often cutting.

But I really love the 30 + 60 + 90cc plan of three saws that I've migrated to, for my own use. The smallest is a top-handle, and the larger two are traditional configuration. I like that, while there are situations where one is always more ideal than the other, either of my two larger saws can be used in a pinch when the other fails. The 90cc saws can buck logs with amazing speed compared to a 60cc saw, I grind my own chain and take the rakers down a about 20% below stock for better speed, but the 60cc saw can be nicer to carry if you're moving around during the day.

I used to own two 50cc saws, and might again someday when I'm old, if I'm looking for something lighter to carry. But I honestly don't see any point in them today, they just don't fit my needs at all. But for someone who's not frequently cutting larger hardwoods, it's probably a nice fit for many other situations.

 

[Hay Dude]

I need a, how should I describe it, a “truck toolbox saw” to carry in the dump truck.
Like an older saw, but pro quality to keep along for the ride if I need to take the dump truck and cut a few logs.

I keep all my saws locked in a cabinet in my shop, but need one on board the dump at all times. The toolbox has a great lock, so no theft worries.

Looking on FBM as we speak. Would like to find an older 400, but I’m open to anything older of quality.

 

[5030]

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.

Not necessary if you use canned fuel like Echo Red Armor. Shelf life is 2 years or 1 year in a fuel tank. Mixed E-gas could be a month depending on product.

Since I started using canned fuel, my carb issues vanished.