20 inch chainsaw recommendation

[TreePointer]

Seems like the saw sizes are ratcheting up.
The OP is currently running an 18” saw.

Maybe it’s time to recommend a 80CC 36” saw?

Well, OP did say that the trees he needs to cut are too big for his current 18" saw.

20" bar buried = 60cc saw territory

I'm all for maximizing the power-to-weight ratio. That Stihl 400CM, while more expensive, has excellent power-to-weight. Getting all that power in an under 13 lb powerhead has been great for my aging body.

 

[jjeff]

Used my dad's ez pull homeowner grade Stihl he got to replace an ancient echo that I grew up using and learning what not to do with chainsaws, Anyways, used his ez pull a few times when I see him, but out of habit I pull it like a conventional pull start, remember first time I used it thought it was broken or I broke it lol. My 311 has a decompression valve my 400 echo has a primer bulb. Both have chokes. The echo is far more forgiving to start. The Stihl seems like I need to do certain things in precise order to get started including saying a full vocabulary of four letter words.

 

[Hay Dude]

Well, OP did say that the trees he needs to cut are too big for his current 18" saw.

20" bar buried = 60cc saw territory

I'm all for maximizing the power-to-weight ratio. That Stihl 400CM, while more expensive, has excellent power-to-weight. Getting all that power in an under 13 lb powerhead has been great for my aging body.

Thats a huge leap in price, too. OP was talking a “mid range” saw.
Don’t know budget, but thats an $1,100 saw. Makes a 261C look cheap at $700.

 

[aesanders]

Get a 60 or 70 cc professional model. Doesn’t really matter what brand of the big 3. I like the Huskies the best but have an Echo. All are pretty good. Pro model will be built better and lighter.

 

[Hay Dude]

I posted this in another saw thread, thought it might be worth repeating here.
We have a local rental agency where I frequently rent one of their chippers. One of the few dealers authorized to sell & repair both Stihl & Husky. Service counter manager was telling me they sell more Stihl than Husky, but they actually repair a lot more Husky saws than Stihl.
I am not brand loyal, but I do prefer Stihl, only because of my numerous nearby servicing dealers and pretty much great performance.

I did just renew my saws 2 years ago and they are “computer” saws, so I need more time.

 

[jjeff]

I posted this in another saw thread, thought it might be worth repeating here.
We have a local rental agency where I frequently rent one of their chippers. One of the few dealers authorized to sell & repair both Stihl & Husky. Service counter manager was telling me they sell more Stihl than Husky, but they actually repair a lot more Husky saws than Stihl.
I am not brand loyal, but I do prefer Stihl, only because of my numerous nearby servicing dealers and pretty much great performance.

I did just renew my saws 2 years ago and they are “computer” saws, so I need more time.

Whats' a computer saw?

 

[dodge man]

Self adjusting carb

 

[Jrasband]

My ms261 has a compression release valve, two thirds of the time I forget to use it.

I have never used mine.

 

[TreePointer]

Thats a huge leap in price, too. OP was talking a “mid range” saw.
Don’t know budget, but thats an $1,100 saw. Makes a 261C look cheap at $700.

True. The 400CM is a top power-to-weight saw in the 60cc range. Of course there are other 60+cc saws on the market that aren't as expensive, but the power-to-weight criteria should still be a major factor in selecting a saw--especially for someone who works all day with one or someone who is getting older and can't sling the heavier saws.

While the 261C is an excellent saw, I'd go for something bigger if I needed to bury a 20" bar frequently. Having a 50cc saw frequently bog down in eastern hardwoods when a 60+cc saw could have been in the arsenal is very frustrating.

 

[thclimer]

If money is not a consideration, I think the following is the best combination of saws.

1) An extremely light weight Echo 2511 with a 12" bar (for liming or climbing)

2) A Stihl 261 with a 18" bar (for medium sized trees or bigger limbs)

3) A Stihl 462 with a 32" bar (for the bigger stuff)