Chain Saw recogmendations

PhilNH5 · Apr 30, 2004

You really need to go to a dealer and hold the various saws in your hands. When we bought our last saw we were looking at Husqvarna, Stihl and Echo. I think they were all pretty much equal for our price point. We wound up with a Stihl 025C because that saw felt most comfortable to my wife. she uses the saw more than I do - I fell 'em and she bucks 'em to lenght. The 025C was light and a good fit.
It was a good choice and she can cut firewood for hours /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Phil

timb · Apr 30, 2004

Some things I've read recently lead me to believe that there are 'real' Huskys and 'pretend' Huskys that are just low-end generics painted orange. Since the parent company owns so many plants and names I suppose that's possible. Anyone know if that's true - and if so where in the saw line up you cross up into the level that earned Husky it's name?

Tim

rback33 · Apr 30, 2004

I may as well through in my $.02.... When my wife and I bought our house 4 years ago, could not afford much on a saw to cut wood for our woodstove. We bought a an 18" Craftsman (made by Poulan). I have run the snot out of that thing in the 4 years I have owned it. It finally croaked on me three weeks ago (I may have miss-mixed the gas, because it froze up tight /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif). Where live there is only one GOOD saw that is easy to find. It's Stihl. I bought a 20" MS290 Farm Boss without the anti-kick chains. As some one metioned a few posts back I want to CUT when it's running. Man what a difference! That Stihl goes through wood like a hot knife through better compared to my old one.. Very welcome change. I have only got about a half hour use out of it so far, but I am VERY pleased with it. As far as I am concerned you can't go wrong with a Stihl. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Charlie_in_TX · Apr 30, 2004

A buddy of mine is in the tree clearing business. He hauls out his loads in 18 wheelers. He will buy nothing but Still. Good enough for me.

fishman · Apr 30, 2004

I have a Stihl 029 farm boss, which is their best-selling homeowner level saw and am quite pleased with it. I changed the bar out to a thin kerf with special chains from baileys and it cuts fantastic.

However, if I had it to do over again, I'd probably buy a pro-series, maybe an 026. It's lighter, similar power, and the case is aluminum instead of half plastic. But again, I don't have any problems with my 029, it's been great.

Youare · Apr 30, 2004

I have or have had many different brand chain saws over the past 30 years of wood cutting to supply the house with fire wood and the portable saw mill with logs. I started out with a couple of Mac's because that's what I could afford.

Next came a couple of Sach Dolmar's, good saws but a little on the heavy side. There were a couple of Stihl's which were fantastic saws. The 024 Super was a great limbing saw. I seem to remember a Homelite and a Wright in the mix.

Currently I have a couple of Husky's, one is a 272XP and the other is the 357 model. Both have been reliable saws, however if I was to purchase a new saw today I would look hard at the new 361 Stihl.

If you are serious about cutting wood and saw performance then spend the extra money for the professional model there is quite a difference between those and the homeowner variety.

Randy

Gomez · Apr 30, 2004

Have you looked here?
Best Chainsaw

5030 · Apr 30, 2004

I probably should have included this but the post was a little long.

When Stihl came out with their answer to a "homeowners" saw quite a few years back, I bought a couple of them. I believe they were 008' or 009's or something like that. Anyway, they were junk. I think they lasted about two tree jobs, got thrown out of the tree and when they hit the ground they were gone. I used little "macs" for limb work. Cheap good little saws. High limb saws didn't last too long anyway. Even tethered in the tree, they got banged around so much, they got replaced every couple of months.

For bucking trunks on the ground and we used to do large take-downs, I had a professional Poulan with a triangular bar, a 075 Stihl with a 30" bar and a Stihl 090G which is gear reduction with a 5 foot buddy bar. You had compression releases on the 075 and 090. Without the compression release, you'd break your fingers trying to start them. I still remember what the 090G cost 25 years ago. The powerhead alone was $1050.00

SPIKER · Apr 30, 2004

so far I'm still leaning to the Sthil 310 ( i think it is a farm boss, one step down form the pro sereis.) which adds an additional $100.00 on the base price. the 290 is same or similar size only has the next smaller motor. not sure of motor sizes. on either one right now.

Thanks Mark /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PS I bumped up those other posts to a SEE them status... great reading guys thanks.

samisam · May 1, 2004

Stihl and Husky are both good saws. Both of them at the low end are qustionable but the mid and high end are pretty decent. I bought a demo Husky 55 from a Husky rep and the second time out I dropped it in 4 feet of water while running. After retrieving it I drained it, Pulled the air filter off, Fogged the cylinder and cranked it up and 3 years later it starts on the first or second pull. That has been very impressive to me but I imagine a Stihl the same size would do the same.
I have a lawn Maint/landscape co. and we use all brands of everything. We run Shindaiwa and Echo trimmers but the chain saws are too expensive for the cc and features, and performance.
Samisam