I've had my Ranche 55 for about 2yrs now.. Its cut ?? several cords of wood including the huricane cleanup at my parents house last year.. After sharpening the chain a few times, I wanted a better way.. I recently spent the money for a Rapco chain with carbide cutters and WOW, I was totally blown away.. The 20" bar and that chain could be too much for the saw if you push it.. I cut 2cords of hickory and oak with it and its as sharp now as it was when I put it on... But the saw has never missed a beat for me yet, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.. I would also look at the larger "pro" saws offered by Husqvarna, Stihl, or Jonesred. Just consider a good chain for whatever you get..
Chain saw recommendation
- Thread starter stumpfield
- Start date
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I've had my Ranche 55 for about 2yrs now.. Its cut ?? several cords of wood including the huricane cleanup at my parents house last year.. After sharpening the chain a few times, I wanted a better way.. I recently spent the money for a Rapco chain with carbide cutters and WOW, I was totally blown away.. The 20" bar and that chain could be too much for the saw if you push it.. I cut 2cords of hickory and oak with it and its as sharp now as it was when I put it on... But the saw has never missed a beat for me yet, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.. I would also look at the larger "pro" saws offered by Husqvarna, Stihl, or Jonesred. Just consider a good chain for whatever you get..
R_Walter
Gold Member
Stihl 026 (replace by MS260) or MS 361
R_Walter
Gold Member
Stihl 026 (replace by MS260) or MS 361
_M_
Member
I've been faithfully served by my Stihl 025 for many years now. If it vanished, I'd replace it with either the Stihl MS 250 C-BE or the MS 280 C-BQ. I'd probably go with the 280. I like the additional chain brake.
_M_
Member
I've been faithfully served by my Stihl 025 for many years now. If it vanished, I'd replace it with either the Stihl MS 250 C-BE or the MS 280 C-BQ. I'd probably go with the 280. I like the additional chain brake.
BarryinMN
Platinum Member
Like others have said a 50cc class pro model with a 16" bar. A longer bar looks good on a store shelf but gets clumsy and heavy when trimming. Walk around with different models at the shop & get a feel for the weight. I have a pair of 65cc class saws but will almost always tote the 50cc machine out in the woods.
Different chain types are available see a pro dealer to get fixed up. A 3/8 chain takes more power to pull around the bar, a .325 chain is smaller, can put more power into the cut.
The Pro model bars have a large round nose profile with a larger kick back zone than consumer models with a more pointy nose profile and slower cutting anti-kickback chain.
I would recommend chaps and other safety gear to go along with your saw.
forestry stuff
Different chain types are available see a pro dealer to get fixed up. A 3/8 chain takes more power to pull around the bar, a .325 chain is smaller, can put more power into the cut.
The Pro model bars have a large round nose profile with a larger kick back zone than consumer models with a more pointy nose profile and slower cutting anti-kickback chain.
I would recommend chaps and other safety gear to go along with your saw.
forestry stuff
BarryinMN
Platinum Member
Like others have said a 50cc class pro model with a 16" bar. A longer bar looks good on a store shelf but gets clumsy and heavy when trimming. Walk around with different models at the shop & get a feel for the weight. I have a pair of 65cc class saws but will almost always tote the 50cc machine out in the woods.
Different chain types are available see a pro dealer to get fixed up. A 3/8 chain takes more power to pull around the bar, a .325 chain is smaller, can put more power into the cut.
The Pro model bars have a large round nose profile with a larger kick back zone than consumer models with a more pointy nose profile and slower cutting anti-kickback chain.
I would recommend chaps and other safety gear to go along with your saw.
forestry stuff
Different chain types are available see a pro dealer to get fixed up. A 3/8 chain takes more power to pull around the bar, a .325 chain is smaller, can put more power into the cut.
The Pro model bars have a large round nose profile with a larger kick back zone than consumer models with a more pointy nose profile and slower cutting anti-kickback chain.
I would recommend chaps and other safety gear to go along with your saw.
forestry stuff
InlineDieselFan
Gold Member
I think that a Jonsered is the best saw out there, but since the Stihl distribution center for the Pacific Northwest is in town, I bought a Stihl for the parts availability.
A small saw for trimming branchs and such is nice, but I am getting old and bending over or kneeling is not good.
If I had my druthers I would get an 046, with a 28-32 inch bar and suffer through the couple of extra pounds. There is no bending or kneeling and boy do they cut quick, you won't need much saw time.
My 20 inch bar is just too short, and I am only 6'1".
steve
A small saw for trimming branchs and such is nice, but I am getting old and bending over or kneeling is not good.
If I had my druthers I would get an 046, with a 28-32 inch bar and suffer through the couple of extra pounds. There is no bending or kneeling and boy do they cut quick, you won't need much saw time.
My 20 inch bar is just too short, and I am only 6'1".
steve
InlineDieselFan
Gold Member
I think that a Jonsered is the best saw out there, but since the Stihl distribution center for the Pacific Northwest is in town, I bought a Stihl for the parts availability.
A small saw for trimming branchs and such is nice, but I am getting old and bending over or kneeling is not good.
If I had my druthers I would get an 046, with a 28-32 inch bar and suffer through the couple of extra pounds. There is no bending or kneeling and boy do they cut quick, you won't need much saw time.
My 20 inch bar is just too short, and I am only 6'1".
steve
A small saw for trimming branchs and such is nice, but I am getting old and bending over or kneeling is not good.
If I had my druthers I would get an 046, with a 28-32 inch bar and suffer through the couple of extra pounds. There is no bending or kneeling and boy do they cut quick, you won't need much saw time.
My 20 inch bar is just too short, and I am only 6'1".
steve
