Best and worst chainsaw?

[kenmbz]

I love my 24" bar on my 60cc.
Allows me to be more upright when cutting, and gives better angle of approach on larger trees.
Balance in the cut is good for me too.

A 20" bar means I have to do almost two cuts on 24 to 32" woods.

I cut mostly Ash and some cherry and maple.

Rarely do pine.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

The ol Husqvarna 460 Rancher got a three hour workout today felling several 60' trees that were hanging over a house.

 

[MMC]

You will want to keep your eyes open for a good used Echo 4910 then. They are pretty much the same saw as the 501P with very minor differences such as captive bar nuts, aluminum handles ect. Internally, they're the same... One of my favorite saws.

Thanks, I will.

 

[Rockbadchild]

to buy new my choice would be the HUSQVARNA 555 or 365 X-Torq

if I would be a Stihl guy my choice would the Stihl MS 391

 

[gsganzer]

Where did you see this?

From the Stabil website:
"STA-BIL 360° PROTECTION™ can be used in any gasoline engine, including 2cycle, but is specifically designed for use in higher end vehicles and equipment, such as classic/hot rod type vehicles, motorcycles, and ATV’s. For Marine engines, we recommend the use of STA-BIL® 360° MARINE." [emphasis added]

You're correct. I went to their website and found the same info. I looked it up a couple years ago, so maybe it wasn't always the case, or maybe it didn't explicitly state "good for 2-cycles", when I looked back then.

 

[FriendwithTractor]

I have a ported 500i. She eats both through the wood and the gas, but that's to be expected. If I'm going to be in small wood, I have the 271 which I would classify as a chainsaw. I don't have any strong feelings about it it does it's job and certainly fits the category as a farm/homeowner saw.
I've run some Husqvarnas as well and enjoyed them. Can't say I've ever used a large Echo but I know people swear by them, especially the Timberwolf.

Comes down to what you can get a good deal on and how much cutting you'll do.

 

[MarkMac]

my best is an Echo 620PW. It starts easy, runs great, and it’s more saw than I need. Frankly, if the 620 can’t do it, then I need to call a professional.

I’m a lefty, and I like the options the wrap handle affords me. Generally the wrap handles don’t seem popular though.

I also have a Milwaukee 18v battery saw. It’s very handy, but the batteries fall flat in the cold.

My worst saw is a decade old Poulan neon green SOB that doesn’t currently run because it’s fuel starved. I tried a rebuild and failed.

IMO the 60cc+ saws seem like they are just more reliable and less finicky.

 

[MarkMac]

Most saws "blow up" from an air leak causing a lean condition than what gas and oil is being run.

Air leaks are the # 1 cause of dead saws.

This. ^

The crank seals are there is keep air out. Once a 2-stroke saw gets a leaky crank seal it’ll suck in air and lean out the mixture. Initially you’ll be thinking the saw is running awesome, aaaaand then the piston squeaks.

I learned this riding 2-stroke dirt bikes. On a dirt bike, a bad ignition/magneto side crank seal will cause it to run lean and burn pistons. A bad gearbox (AKA wet side) crank seal will make it smoke badly and foul spark plugs from the crankcase oil getting sucked in.

 

[5030]

I will say that my 45+ year old 028 still has the ORIGIONAL spark plug in it. I've gapped it a couple times but it's original. The 028 is an RPM saw as well and it pulls a 20" roller nose bar with 325 full tooth chipper no issue. Has to be my favorite saw even if it's older than dirt.

Not much plastic on it unlike the new saws either. It's all alloy except the top shroud.

I've heard that new plugs are like everything else today... cheaply made but expensive.

 

[TimberFarm]

Ran my new Husqvarna 562XP MKII today for the first time.
I'm going to like this saw. Sound reminds me of my old SuperXL. Has that old growl to it.