I need to purchase my first chainsaw. I was looking at the huskies at home depot. But people have told me they are basicly poulans painted orange? I have also heard the parts are difficult to obtain. This may be all hype, I don't know. A local lawnmower shop wants to sell me a stihl "wood boss" for 379.95. What should i be looking at? thanks.
Best Chainsaw for under $400??
- Thread starter Stringer
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The Stihl's are overpriced.
The Husq 445 for $309 is a real nice saw and about all i can handle at around 10#.
Some fellows did some clearing work for us and they use a 450 to clear brush on gas pipelines. Said it was great.
The choke/kill switch is great and it has compression release standard which may be an extra cost option on the Stihl.
Only parts you will ever need are chains and maybe a new sprocket.
flame on Stihl lovers!
The Husq 445 for $309 is a real nice saw and about all i can handle at around 10#.
Some fellows did some clearing work for us and they use a 450 to clear brush on gas pipelines. Said it was great.
The choke/kill switch is great and it has compression release standard which may be an extra cost option on the Stihl.
Only parts you will ever need are chains and maybe a new sprocket.
flame on Stihl lovers!
rekees4300
Elite Member
Go with the Stihl Farm Boss MS290. It will last for decades.
digger2
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I also suggest the Stihl MS290 Farm Boss.I think unless the price has went up in the last two years they are under $400.Its also to the best of my knowledge Stihls most popular saw.There may be other saws out there that are just as good,but i'm happy with mine.
digger2
digger2
LD1
Epic Contributor
If you can afford another $100 then the Dolmar/Makita 6400/6401 cannot be beat in the under $500 Price IMO.
They are a true Professional grade saw, unlike what you will get with a box-store husky. Regardless of what you get, I'd stay away from any of the box-stores and go to an actual saw shop.
You may also want to do some reading @ arboristsite.com. It is a forum just like this except instead of tractors as their main focus, it's all about wood cutting and chainsaws.
They are a true Professional grade saw, unlike what you will get with a box-store husky. Regardless of what you get, I'd stay away from any of the box-stores and go to an actual saw shop.
You may also want to do some reading @ arboristsite.com. It is a forum just like this except instead of tractors as their main focus, it's all about wood cutting and chainsaws.
studor
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+1 on the Stihl MS290 -- but when they are on sale:thumbsup:
Some local dealers only stock that saw when it is on sale.Usually you can get a spare chain, case, hat and six pack of oil thrown in as part of the deal. It is a bit older technology but there is a reason it is one of their best sellers -- JMH
Some local dealers only stock that saw when it is on sale.Usually you can get a spare chain, case, hat and six pack of oil thrown in as part of the deal. It is a bit older technology but there is a reason it is one of their best sellers -- JMH
om21braz
Veteran Member
I'll add another vote for the Stihl Wood Boss. Unless you can run across a nice used saw - Stihl MS260, Husqvarna 346XP or something along that line.
tractorsanmore
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ms270 is the wood boss
ms 290 is the farm boss
ms 290 is the farm boss
Nitro-Fish
Silver Member
Do yourself a favor if you do go with this saw; tell them you want the 18" bar instead. A 20" bar is too much for the 290 unless you want to try your hand at some muffler modding & re-tuning........oops, I forgot, this is the Tractor forum............
D7E
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026 or 260 is their best seller sureley, I know it used to be .
brucew44guns
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There is lemons in anything, but I own 3 Stihl saws, and an FS250 Trimmer, I think they are all great machines, can't keep my place together without all 4 of them. One fuel in all of them, and they always start and work.
horsinaround
Silver Member
Don't forget that the Stihls also have that automatic boot oiler feature, with their "upgraded" fuel and oil caps. If you don't do it just right, it will spill all over you.
newbury
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OP
Before you follow any of the advice here you should have let us know your skill level and application.
Example - Are you a suburban home owner with big trees around the house that realizes he needs a saw for the emergency when a tree comes down?
You just got a need for firewood?
Are you the type to ALWAYS run it dry before putting it up for a few months?
From some of your prior posts it seems your a new one to home building etc.
The 290 might do you but if you plan on using it to only cut a few small trees it could be overkill. But if you envision cutting 6 cords a year you might want to increase your price and get a 362 or a Husky of the same size.
Before you follow any of the advice here you should have let us know your skill level and application.
Example - Are you a suburban home owner with big trees around the house that realizes he needs a saw for the emergency when a tree comes down?
You just got a need for firewood?
Are you the type to ALWAYS run it dry before putting it up for a few months?
From some of your prior posts it seems your a new one to home building etc.
The 290 might do you but if you plan on using it to only cut a few small trees it could be overkill. But if you envision cutting 6 cords a year you might want to increase your price and get a 362 or a Husky of the same size.
Yes, before today I had zero experience with a chainsaw. I have some small acreage, heavily wooded. I was just getting tired of paying $$$ for this type of work. Well I decided to get the MS 290 farm boss with a 20" bar. So far it's great! Starts up on the first or second pull, and cuts super. Cleared out some trees along the property line to make room for a privicy fence.
There was this tree with a giant branch in the way of the fenceline, face height. It was actually as big around as the base of the tree, maybe 18" or so. It looked dangerous to cut. The neighbor and my gf told me I would be crazy to try it, and to call someone. I said screw that, I just spent $400 on this thing with some oil and all. Down it went. Just chinked it to fall where I wanted and it worked perfect. Ate right through it and asked for seconds. I did get the bar kinda stuck on the smaller stuff, just a learning curve I guess. I'm sure glad I didn't get one of the home-use saws. When I got home I wiped it clean, ran the gas dry, and filled it with bar oil. I still have to read the manual to see what else I need to do. But this thing is great!!
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
There was this tree with a giant branch in the way of the fenceline, face height. It was actually as big around as the base of the tree, maybe 18" or so. It looked dangerous to cut. The neighbor and my gf told me I would be crazy to try it, and to call someone. I said screw that, I just spent $400 on this thing with some oil and all. Down it went. Just chinked it to fall where I wanted and it worked perfect. Ate right through it and asked for seconds. I did get the bar kinda stuck on the smaller stuff, just a learning curve I guess. I'm sure glad I didn't get one of the home-use saws. When I got home I wiped it clean, ran the gas dry, and filled it with bar oil. I still have to read the manual to see what else I need to do. But this thing is great!!
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
The mS290 is a plastic cased homeowner saw. Pita to tear down for ring replacement when needed. JMO. heavy for cc size. Yes I owned one and sold it fast.
I have been picking Husqvarna 346xp pro saws for $400-$415 Power-head only on the last two I bought. I didnt want or need their 18" 325 bar or chain.
I dont know your needs but finding a good used PRO grade saw would be the way to go. The last Stihl 026 I sold that was like new imo went for $200 shipped.
I have been picking Husqvarna 346xp pro saws for $400-$415 Power-head only on the last two I bought. I didnt want or need their 18" 325 bar or chain.
I dont know your needs but finding a good used PRO grade saw would be the way to go. The last Stihl 026 I sold that was like new imo went for $200 shipped.
rekees4300
Elite Member
:thumbsup: Take care of the "Boss" and it will take care of the trees. Just be careful because all chainsaws are EXTREMELY dangerous. A major injury can occur in fractions of a second. Memorize and follow all the safety tips in your owners manual.
Mid-range :laughing: Didnt know you already bought it. :ashamed: Oh well enjoy the saw it is what it is :thumbsup:.
There is no comparison between a MS290 and 346xp or MS260 pro grade type saw.
The reason I dont by bars and chains with saws. I have bulk chain and bars on hand.
. I actually get a credit for not getting them installed.The 290 Stihl will work just fine for the home/farm owner. No it is not a pro saw but the average dude will probably never wear one out. They are a tick heavy for the power but again I doubt the home/farm owner cares. They just need a good solid reliable saw when the time comes to use it and the 290 delivers on those traits. I do not care for Stihl's new flippy style caps but the saw is solid.
That said I have a 290 along with a 360 Pro, Dolmar 510 and a Makita/Dolmar 6401 with the big bore kit. I even still have a Stihl 028 wood boss that I bought in 1983, still use it a few times a year too!
The 290 will serve you well, best of luck with it. Keep good fuel and oil in it, use some stabilizer, be sure to clean the air filter after you use it, make sure you run it several times a year and you will probably pass it on to your kids.
That said I have a 290 along with a 360 Pro, Dolmar 510 and a Makita/Dolmar 6401 with the big bore kit. I even still have a Stihl 028 wood boss that I bought in 1983, still use it a few times a year too!
The 290 will serve you well, best of luck with it. Keep good fuel and oil in it, use some stabilizer, be sure to clean the air filter after you use it, make sure you run it several times a year and you will probably pass it on to your kids.
