20 inch chainsaw recommendation

[Hay Dude]

These would be my choices (for different reasons)

10.6 lbs Price
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10.8 lbs Power
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13 lbs Professional
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I like the upper 2 saws as a comparable, but the Husky is 30% heavier. That’s a BIG weight handicap. It’s not really comparable to a 261C
Also, like the Husky, the 261C is also a “professional” saw.

 

[hunt4570]

I own Stihls and Echos, for the size you are looking for I would suggest an Echo 501p. Yes its a pro saw but light in weight with tons of power.

 

[rbeggs]

The Husqvarna Pro saws are awesome you will not be disappointed. Stihl makes good saws too but don't believe the hype as they are not the only choice.

 

[rbeggs]

I like the upper 2 saws as a comparable, but the Husky is 30% heavier. That’s a BIG weight handicap. It’s not really comparable to a 261C
Also, like the Husky, the 261C is also a “professional” saw.

That stihl is a 50cc saw, the husqvarna is a 60cc saw, of course the bigger saw is heavier.

 

[aba4430]

My $0.02 - I bought a Shindaiwa 20" 600SX (same as Echo 620P) last fall and it is an exceptional saw.

 

[BryceSteiner]

I'll be the lone voice here and say - check out the latest battery powered chain saws. They have improved substantially in the last five years. Project farm has done a comparison just recently on his YT channel.
The great thing about them is the starting which seems to be everybody's biggest problem gas. I have a Poulon Pro gas and have always had starting issues or lack of power problems. Several of the battery saws now cut faster than the gas saw.
I've had my 16" Dewalt since about 2018 and it works fine except the brake and they have improved tremendously since then. I've changed out the bar for the 18" and still works fine. The same things apply to both gas and battery - keep you chain sharp.
The advantages are much quieter, only run when you need to cut, should be lighter, easy starting.
Disadvantages are battery may not last so you'll need several but with fast charging and a portable power station or good inverter it doesn't matter - it will keep up fine.

 

[brian9000]

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 your same story…had an old Husky 51 with 18”, loved it, but wanted/needed something just a little bigger. I got a Stihl 290 Rancher 20”. It is a decent saw, has some sluggish power issues. I came across a Stihl 261….Wow! What a difference it is compared to the 290. It’s a beast. It starts every time, and runs without issue. There is a difference between prosumer and professional. Worth every penny.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Husky 550xp is a ripper and will easily pull a 20” bar and not penalize for weight either. HL supply has a sale going on right now on them, shipped to your house.

 

[glenintenn]

I'm with your (OP) original instinct, get an Echo CS590. I got one 6 years ago with the 20 inch blade (could go bigger with it ... 24" bars are available ) and it's been a workhorse. Granted, everything has gone downhill in the past 5 years as the big name manufacturers are competing with no-name knockoffs from around the globe -- and all the electronics to try and pretend that chainsaw exhaust is the reason Micronesia is going to eventually disappear; all those extra controls are just things to go very wrong.

I bought a smaller Echo a couple of months ago and the quality is significantly lower than what I bought just 6 years ago. Have yet to see what difference that turns out to be as far as the guts - how the engine lasts (or doesn't), how subject the fuel system to our crapgas that's sold at the pump these days. There's no longer a place that sells 93 octane pure gas in my immediately surrounding area. As a result, I may start watching at a couple of pawn shops and pick up an older Echo. That may go for a new 590 as well - maybe one has to pick up a slightly older model.

Kind of done with Stihl. Had a 170 and a 180C. Those non-adjustable carbs are nothing but hair pullers for any sort of sustained work on the property. So I may be judging apples to oranges but... we'll see this season and the next couple.

 

[Skypilota72]

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

The ‘Cry Once’ analogy along with dependability are the most important for me. I own an Echo 7310 with a 28” blade and an Echo 4910 with an 18” blade. Both can easily swing larger blades. The 5-year warranty is the best in the industry and they are easy to start, maintain, and run.