best chainsaw?
- Thread starter 19th_VA
- Start date
- Views: 17313
btolle
Platinum Member
I live in East Texas and the major industry here is forest products so there are lots of professionals in the area and 90% use Stihl and 10% Huskie.
You wouldn't believe the abuse some of these saws get and keep on going.
I bought a Stihl and 2 extra Stihl chains. If I don't feel like taking the time to sharpen a chain (like when it is 100 degrees outside) I can just swap it out and sharpen it later.
Buy a couple of files and learn to sharpen the chains. When a chain starts throwing sawdust instead of chips it is time to sharpen or change chains. The longer you use a dull chain the harder it will be to sharpen.
Turn the bar over every time you change the chain so it will wear evenly.
Bill Tolle
You wouldn't believe the abuse some of these saws get and keep on going.
I bought a Stihl and 2 extra Stihl chains. If I don't feel like taking the time to sharpen a chain (like when it is 100 degrees outside) I can just swap it out and sharpen it later.
Buy a couple of files and learn to sharpen the chains. When a chain starts throwing sawdust instead of chips it is time to sharpen or change chains. The longer you use a dull chain the harder it will be to sharpen.
Turn the bar over every time you change the chain so it will wear evenly.
Bill Tolle
johnk
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2003
- Messages
- 2,618
- Location
- western NY
- Tractor
- Kubota GST Grand L3130 w/ 723 loader, Ags
MMM
Platinum Member
I'll have to say 044. I got mine for nothin from a divorced lady . It sat arounf for years with old gas in it but I took a chance and sent it to the shop as it had good compression. Spent$100 for labor, carb kit, new bar and chain..... 8yrs ago. I don't hardly bother with the little Poulan any more except for close to ground cutting (bars and chains are much cheaper).
rozett
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2002
- Messages
- 730
- Location
- Maine
- Tractor
- Cub Cadet 7360SS & Craftsman GT3000 23 HP w/50
BrettW, I have an Stihl 029, which is the older version of the same saw. It is certainly not a saw that you would take out to do limbing or other overhead work as it weighs over 13 pounds. But it is an outstanding saw for working at ground level. It has plenty of power and takes a good sized bar. I have cut 100 cords of firewood with mine this year alone. With good maintenance it will outlast you. I highly recommend it!
btolle
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here's an old one I'm trying to get working once again. )</font>
I have an old dog like that and I don't get much work out of her either /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill Tolle
I have an old dog like that and I don't get much work out of her either /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill Tolle
I have a MS 290 with a 16" bar and man that thing screams.
I spent a lot of time searching and that was what I came home with and glad I did. Make sure you have a good hold(foot) on that thing when you try to crank it. You can feel the compression. I wanted the 16" bar for more torque.
I spent a lot of time searching and that was what I came home with and glad I did. Make sure you have a good hold(foot) on that thing when you try to crank it. You can feel the compression. I wanted the 16" bar for more torque.
billbill1
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2004
- Messages
- 1,207
- Location
- Lecompton, Kansas
- Tractor
- 2016 Mahindra 1533 Shuttle AgKing 2840 shuttle shift
I bought an 015 Stihl in 1980, a small trim saw and I completely wore it out. It still runs but the power is gone and you can't buy parts any longer, I loved that little saw. I have an 041 AV Stihl that I got used in 1980 and it still runs today but it is a little too heavy for the old back anymore but I still use it on big stuff. About 12 years ago a friend gave me an 024 Stihl and I use it every day that I cut. What I like about Stihl is the ease of starting and they will idle until they run out of gas without dying. I have heated entirely with wood since 1980 so my saws have run alot. I have friends that have Husky's and they love them-they are very good saws!!! Nothing but Stihl for me though, they've been good to me.
sendero
Gold Member
I bought my place about 2.5 years ago. It is mostly trees, and I've spent a lot of time cutting them down to make way for my mobile home, to clean up the area around the home, make way for my shed, my pond, etc.
I bought a little Husky 350 with a 20" bar and I've been very happy with it. I've cut down literally hundreds of small trees and maybe 50 big trees. I've cut a bunch of them into firewood slices.
The thing always starts. It is not too heavy. It has plenty of power to run a 20" bar. It was cheap at $328.
The only problem I've had with it was the kill switch quit working. I took it apart (very easy to do) and the wires had somehow popped out of their "channel" and got shredded by the starter pulley. I fixed that pretty easily - have to admit I have no idea how that can happen.
Anyway, I'm certain that Stihl makes a top-notch saw. I just wasn't willing to pay the extra $$$ and I've had no regrets with the Husky /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I bought a little Husky 350 with a 20" bar and I've been very happy with it. I've cut down literally hundreds of small trees and maybe 50 big trees. I've cut a bunch of them into firewood slices.
The thing always starts. It is not too heavy. It has plenty of power to run a 20" bar. It was cheap at $328.
The only problem I've had with it was the kill switch quit working. I took it apart (very easy to do) and the wires had somehow popped out of their "channel" and got shredded by the starter pulley. I fixed that pretty easily - have to admit I have no idea how that can happen.
Anyway, I'm certain that Stihl makes a top-notch saw. I just wasn't willing to pay the extra $$$ and I've had no regrets with the Husky /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
