20 inch chainsaw recommendation

[bearskinner]

I have used my Stihl MS-261 C for many years now. It came with a 20” bar, 3/8 chain and has been the most reliable big wood saw I’ve ever owned. I cut all my firewood log rounds with it 3-4 cords a year, and log and buck up at least 20 trees a year off my place. The pro saw was $100-$150 more, but the lighter weight makes it well worth the extra $$. Never had any down time.

 

[Hoho223]

Rancher 460 with a 24 inch bar. Used 90% for cutting firewood. It is getting heavy though…77

 

[Tom59]

I run a 270c w/20inch bar full chisel chains it's a ripper...light still got enough oomph. I was thinking farm boss but for a around my property it would be overkill. The 270c is light. 260 would have done the trick too.

 

[Cranblue]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

Have older 270 farm boss 20 in bar definitely great saw hard starts but work horse.Got new saw this year Echo Timberwolf 590 20 in bar definitely great saw little cheaper better warranty my local Ace dealer has transitioned from Stihl to Echo price and warranty of Echo is better.

 

[GeneSimm7]

I find that the Echo's are easier to start. If you get a Stihl get a model with the compression relief.

 

[JeepHead]

I will add my two cents.

Don't buy a Stihl or Husqvarna rancher saw, they're still throw away home owners saws. The rancher labeling is just marketing.

The best bang for your buck saw on the market today is the Echo 590 which is a 60CC saw built mostly like a pro saw. This saw is easily rebuildable if ever needed and parts are everywhere. They're a great running all around saw that is built well. Mine is probably 15 years old and still runs like a champ.

If you're after a 50CC saw, the Echo 4910 is one heck of a nice saw. Pretty much the same saw as the Echo 501P but missing a couple minor things like captive bar nuts and steel handle. It's a better value that the 501P and will cut just as well and just as fast. I would buy a 4910 over a 501P any day of the week. I own the Stihl 261CM, and the Husky 550, and I prefer the 4910 over both of the others. My 3 favorite 50cc saws in order of most liked is 4910, 550, 261.

If you decide to go full pro, the Husqvarna 562XP II is my favorite 60cc saw, it's absolutely wicked for it's size. I have heard great things about the Stihl 400 but have yet to run one.


Good luck and let us know what ya decide!

 

[Bentrim]

I worked for a small engine shop that handled Husqvarna but repaired most anything that someone could drag in the door. Personally went to company school when the 455 was introduced. Liked what I saw and bought one. Used it until I couldn't anymore and sold it. Now Husqvarna has brought out the 460 just an enlarged 455. The 460 is advertised to use a 13" to 24" bar and uses 3/8 chain.
As for Stihl to Husqvarna (remember I have been away from it for a while) Husqvarna 455 is a heavier saw, has or at least had a faster chain speed for faster cutting, uses the X torg engine.
As a tech I hated when a Stihl came in as they were harder to repair. Stihl also uses an inboard clutch, when left on or is slipped excessively it will melt the crankcase of the engine. Husqvarna uses an outboard clutch, may destroy the side cover and need to remember to open brake before removing side cover.
Husqvarna can be purchased at a dealer or box stores, tractor supply, etc. Stihl is only sold at their authorized outlets, a Stihl dealer, Ace hardware, John Deere Dealers. They want you loyalty to them, do not have parts lists or service manuals online.
As for Echo I have had minimal experience with them but they seem to be an excelent choice too.

 

[QSYB]

I have tons of Echo equipment and nearly bought a TimberWolf. But I decided I didn't want to show up without enough machine. I bought a Stihl 362 C-M with the thought I may want/need a 25" bar at some point. True commercial machine with a steel case, built in Germany. It may be a little heavier but this saw is just beastly. I've yet to find it wanting for power.

 

[Pleease]

Having both the Stihl 261c and Echo CS4910 - if they were cars, the Echo is a Honda and the Stihl is a Ferrari. If you want reliable running/easy start, get the Echo. If you want speed cuts and the Stihl name, get the Stihl, but it's finicky about it's start up routine. The Stihl was bought first (per the buy once cry once saying) and someone killed it and had to go into the shop. While there I picked up the Echo "for the meantime". Echo turned out to be a really good saw. Honestly, would have been nice to have bought it first.

Both saws will cut logs - keep them cleaned, lubed, fresh fuel, sharp chain. It's the cutting experience and cost of purchase that are different. I'm not blaming the break down on the Stihl, that was all operator error. But using them head to head for the same jobs, year round in all the 4 seasons, the Echo is much easier to live with.

I have 3 Echo products - a 20+ year old chainsaw, a 21 year old weedeater and a 5 year old weedeater - and you’re right… they’re all “Hondas”. They virtually always start, they rarely break and I don’t have to pamper them.

I don’t use the chainsaw much, but it can sit there for a year but will typically start anyway.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

I like my husky rancher 455, easiest saw to start I've ever had. But to cut 30in plus osage orange the 70cc saw is a must. So I have an old steil av045 and a foreign blue thunder for the big and love my 16in battery saw for trimming

 

[mx842]

It seems that my Stihl is not the only one that is hard to start. I am thinking about adding a bulb to it and not just depend on the choke. Did anyone do this and did that improve the starting?

They are picky about the start procedure. Never had any saw that would start on the first pull. My 261 and the 400 start on the third pull just like my old 044. When both these new saws were brand new, I almost threw them both in the dumpster because I pulled and pulled. I was trying to start them like my old 044 and that doesn't work too well. Most any saw you have to get them broken in before they start right and make max power. After I cut 3 or 4 cords of firewood both start easy enough and they both make good power. Cutting firewood is about the hardest thing you can do to a saw because the bar is pretty much in a cut all the time. One cut after another over and over again will put any saw to the test. Use good bar lube, I always use Stihl oil and Stihl chains and touch up the chain every time you fill the tank. Cutting clean wood always helps too if you can ever find clean wood. 

 

[OldArmy]

When I decided to buy my chainsaw, I talked to the pro who was taking down a couple of damaged large trees well beyond what I was was comfortable tackling. I was down to choosing between Echo and Stihl. He said, I own both, but this is the one I use the most and he pulled out his Stihl. I’ve never regretted it. I did opt for the EZ-start system.

 

[aircommuter]

One vote for a Stihl MS400C

 

[TxSteveS]

I went thru a similar decision a couple years ago when I got tired of fighting to start my Stihl ms290. I went with the Echo 4910 (501p- basically the same saw ). Great saw. After running 6-8 thanks is had thru it to break it in, open up the exhaust (very simple), pull the tuning limiting tabs and reset.

I run it with a 20" bar and it just cuts. I mostly use mine on live oak (very hard wood) and juniper trees. It's lightweight and pulls the chain well.

Echo replaced the 4910 with the 4920. Find a NOS 4910 or one slightly used on marketplace. It's a great saw at a very good price.

 

[Page2]

All good options,-- But I'm a Husky fan ~~ 450 Rancher 20" 50.2cc .

 

[ruffdog]

Do you want a 20" bar for reach or will you be burying it quite often? If you're burying the bar a lot, you want a 60cc saw or larger.

^^Agree.

 

[pacosperson]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

I have a Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20" that's provided firewood for my home and shop for longer than I can accurately recall. 20+ years. It has NEVER let me down. Maintain your bar, use good oil and gas, change the air filter, too. I have a half dozen chains I pay to have professionally sharpened. Laugh at the ice storms.

 

[hayden]

So I had a Stihl 261 for a few years, ran a 20” bar on it the whole time but I recently upgraded to a Husky 562 XP, Husky is running a spring promo and I got it for less than I payed for my 261 and it runs a 20” bar like a mad man, better than the 261 could ever hope to. If you can find a deal like I did go for the husky. Otherwise the 261 is a great saw and is lighter than the 562 Xp.

My logger has settled on the 562XP as his go-to saw. He really likes it.

I guess the whole 20" bar thing is what made me assume the 261 was 61cc saw. I think a typical bar on a 45cc saw is 16" or 18". I run 18" on mine. 20" I think is pushing it, and is a better fit for perhaps a 50 to 60 cc saw. But it also depends on how much of the time you are actually using all 20" of it. I have an 18" bar on my 346xp for the occasional times I have to cut something that requires the whole bar, but it's really infrequent. It just saves me from breaking our another saw for a cut or two. If I'm regularly cutting something that size I use a 62cc. With my 45cc saw I'm typically limbing or cutting 10-12" longs.

 

[Rrwjr]

Own a 20" bar Stihl 311 great power and saw when it starts. Next 20" saw will probably be an echo really like my 400 with 18" bar though very underpowered for larger rounds though but always starts easy in any condition or temp.

I have a 036 PRO.Have had it since 2000, never fails to start.

 

[Loaderman22]

I have owned a Stihl MS290 (called 029 Farm Boss back then) and it has been a great reliable saw since I bought it in 1998 or so. I also "had" a MS 390 saw with a 24" bar but it would easily bog in big rounds of Red Oak, which is mostly what I cut for firewood. I upgraded to a MS360 pro saw and very glad I did. I don't notice the lighter weight really, but there is night and day more power and it hardly ever bogs down! I have my eye on a MS261 next to replace the 290, expecting the similar upgrade in power. I also had a small MS170 which was fine, but it essentially rattled itself apart. The MS210 I have now is fine until it gets hot, then it doesn't like to restart until it cools back off.
I have a small Husky I got from a neighbor, right out of the box it stalls as soon as you let off the trigger and won't start at all unless you hold the trigger 1/2 way or more. Neighbor bought it at Tractor Supply so they won't do anything since fuel was put in it, and his wife works there!
So my point is the big three saw companies are just like the 3 big US automakers, everyone has had good luck and are mostly loyal to their favorite brand. Buy at a dealer get the support after the sale. Buy at box store and save a few $$ but you're on your own if things go south. Run clean non ethanol fuel and that will solve 80% of your issues right there. You can not have too much power, so if you're torn between models, go pro if not too cost prohibitive.