1st chainsaw- what model

[RollTideRam]

I have decided it is time to buy my own chainsaw. I have borrowed and fixed my brothers poulan for the last time. I believe that I'm going to get a stihl, since I've had good luck with their trimmer and blower. I just don't know what model to go after. I will only occasionally use it, mostly for cutting up already downed wood for campfires. Also some limb trimming. I just don't want to go to small in case I do need to cut a tree. Any suggestions? JC

 

[wushaw]

My vote is MS250 consumer saw.
I have had a 025 now MS250 for five years now that has cut many many Mesquite and Honey Locus trees a few Bodark (Osage Orange) and Hackberry trees. It has been through four bars and 25' of chain, I would recommend after you wear out the consumer sprocket get the rim set-up because rims are a whole lot cheaper than the consumer sproket.
I also run a 16" bar on it.
Now if you want a great pro saw the MS260 is the stuff but it does cost a bit more.

 

[rickmacheske]

You might try arboristsite.com. I'm sure they will have some suggestions. I wanted a good 20" saw and decided on a Makita. I just couldn't justify going with the Stihl but it was my first choice. Stihl makes some affordable 18" saws like the MS 250C. BTW....baileys is the place to get loops.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I have an 029 and an MS290 on the farm (same saw) and you can run a 16" bar or a 20" bar on it and it powers either just fine. It is a good value when you look at ability vs. cost.
Of course the MS 310 and 361 are good saws, cost a bit more.
Like said above the MS250 is a very good saw too, stay away from the cheapy feature that "quickly adjusts" your cahin tension, get one with the two tightening nuts and screw adjustment instead.

 

[DmansPadge]

Sounds like you are stuck on Stihl (not a bad thing) but I will say that I bought a new saw after Hurricane Rita and ended up with an Echo. It is a CS440 with an 18" bar and cost $299. It is a really nice saw and has seen a lot of use with no problems. My neighbor has an Echo thats about 7-8 years old and he loves it.... that factored into my decision. I think Echo makes some really good equipment and costs a little less than the other brands. I didn't want to buy "cheap" and knew that I would keep it for a long time since it doesn't see much use anymore. It seemed like a logical choice for me.... maybe you too.

 

[rdln]

those are all too big for your described job, i have done fine with the 017 or maybe it is called 170 now. It has a 14" bar with a narrow kerf, you can lug it around all day, and limbs in a flash. I cannot speak for Stihls new chain tension device, I have never tried one out.

 

[jeffghs]

I also agree that it is really hard to beat a Stihl, but they can get pricey. Just remember in the means you are describing using one, it would likely last you a lifetime. I have an Echo, which is a good saw also, but not quite the quality of the Stihl. I was kind of stuck when I got it because it was after Hurricane Ivan, and I had a Poulan Pro (ok for entry level, but definately anemic feeling after using the Echo or Stihl) it was on the back of my truck with the tailgate down. My wife decided to take my truck and run and get some water, all with the tailgate still down. When she got back I got some water and found all my tools missing, saw, circular saw, cordless drill, 2 gas cans, and various other little things. Well, we then made a trip to Home Depot to replace what we could, they had just gotten a pallet full of the Echo saws in and were selling for $199, I looked at them and decided I didn't have a lot of choice so I got one. I did some checking afterwards and found out the saw I got normally sells for $300 and the whole lot of them were mismarked. I also found out I could claim the saw with FEMA and they allowed $250 for it, so all in all it worked out ok. The Echo has been through several hundred trees by now, and still hasn't let up. I would recommend an 18inch bar with capability of a 20 also.

 

[hockeyhead]

stihl very good choice, but there are others:
ms290 ($339) ms310 ($400) ms390 ($500) are all good consumer saws running 4 or 5 weekend a year.
ms361 is one of the best 60cc saw out there today. this is a pro grade saw . This saw with a 20" bar is $600
I run a modified poulan pro 295 with a 14" bar and a husqvarna 357 with a 20" bar. the husky is a pro grade saw.
the arborist site is good, They will push you to a pro grade saw and most will not talk fondly about any consumer grade saws. But these guys cut for a living and their saws are very important to them.
baileys is another good site they sell Huskys saws, bars, chain, and other logging equipment.
Their Woodman Pro chain are very good, and cheap in price, but these are not safety chains or even low kick-back.
They cut really fast, stay sharp, but they wil kick hard and often if improperly handled.
good luck with your choice.

 

[NewToy]

I have an MS290 "Farm Boss" and it has been a great saw. Use it several weekends per year and it always starts right up. Mine has an 18" blade and I have never felt it to be underpowered. I haven't ever had the sparkplug out of it, it's 2 years old so I might just do that.

John

 

[MikeD74T]

Any Husqvarna 346xp to 353 should last for the rest of your lift.

Husky Husqvarna Chainsaws

 

[Egon]

Best be going to the store and handling some saws to see what fits your hand best and balances for you. Remember one head can have different length bars and chains for different type work.

Make wise there are quite a few to choose from but Still should not let you down.

I beleive Still is only sold through dealers so there may be good advice there too.

 

[RollTideRam]

Thanks for the replies. I got more than I thought I would. I am going to the Stilh dealer today, to see what I can afford. There are only 2 places in the small town near me that service/sale chainsaws. The Stilh dealer and another that has many brands,but none I'm considering. I almost purchased a Deere chainsaw last month but did not know much about it, so I passed. JC

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have been very happy with my MS250

 

[RollTideRam]

Thanks again for the replies and advice. I brought home the Stilh ms250 for $300. Hope to try it out soon. JC

 

[Garrabo]

I prefer stihl mainly because I have had good luck with their product and its all ive owned. I was talking to the tree guys that removed some trees for me and they use husky, they claim the huskys rev a little higher.

 

[jwcinpk]

I've owned Stihl, Husky, Poulan, and Echo. I'll go Stihl from now on. To me the difference is ease of start. The Stihl's I have owned have always started on one or two cranks. Over the years I've had o17, o19, o23, o24, o25, o26, 029. All good saws. Currently have O17 or MS170 not sure which, but they are the same. O25 with 16" bar and chain. O29 with 20" bar and chain. The only thing I don't like about the 17 is the size of the chain. It is a smaller chain and does not last as long. Really too light to do much work. I keep it around strictly for limbing. The O25 is my favorite choice. Really big enough to do about anything and the chain is of working size. I disagree that the O29 has enough power for running a 20" bar and chain. I keep it strictly for felling. It is underpowered with the 20". I can't imagine you needing it, but they are excellent saws just a little heavy. Stihl has their line of pro saws. For the homeowner thay are overpriced, only because you don't need them. I would say anything from O25 up unless you don't care about the length of time the chain will last. In that case 17 or 19 would do you fine. Just stay away from the easy tightening systems they are putting on the new saws. Mechanics at the local shop say they don't last.

 

[RWEST]

Thanks again for the replies and advice. I brought home the Stilh ms250 for $300. Hope to try it out soon. JC

Good choice - Stihl makes good stuff!!

Did you get an extra chain?

 

[randy41]

i've got a couple of stihls....a small one (i forgot its number but i hardly ever use it because it cuts slow compared to) and an 038. the 038 with an aggressive chain cuts very quick. it does weigh a bit though.