Chain saw recommendation

[ScottOkla]

I have a few Stihl 026's and a Stihl 017.

The 017 was purchased for removing limbs. I would not recommend it. It is good, but not great. Certainly not for heavy use.

I was so pleased with my 026 that I bought a second. I don't like to run a saw for more than a couple of tanks of gas in a row. I now let one cool down while the second gets used for a couple of tanks.

I have not had a single problem with my 026 pair over the last 5 years. My father, meanwhile, has gone through 8 "disposable" ones during that time.

I now have a third 026 left to me by a family member who passed away. Neither of us knew the other had an 026. Brilliant minds... (Ha)

 

[ScottOkla]

I have a few Stihl 026's and a Stihl 017.

The 017 was purchased for removing limbs. I would not recommend it. It is good, but not great. Certainly not for heavy use.

I was so pleased with my 026 that I bought a second. I don't like to run a saw for more than a couple of tanks of gas in a row. I now let one cool down while the second gets used for a couple of tanks.

I have not had a single problem with my 026 pair over the last 5 years. My father, meanwhile, has gone through 8 "disposable" ones during that time.

I now have a third 026 left to me by a family member who passed away. Neither of us knew the other had an 026. Brilliant minds... (Ha)

 

[CurlyDave]

I just bought a Husky 350e with an 18" bar, and am very satisfied with it.

A lot lighter than the Rancher models.

The guy who owned the store said:

a. it was the easiest starting saw in the store, which was very important, and,

b. it was the best selling saw in the store.

Now this was a Husky dealer, so all this is relative, but it is in southern Oregon where a lot of people cut down a lot of trees.

I would never suggest it is a professional model, which it isn't, but a lot of guys who make at least part of their living from selling firewood use them.

 

[CurlyDave]

I just bought a Husky 350e with an 18" bar, and am very satisfied with it.

A lot lighter than the Rancher models.

The guy who owned the store said:

a. it was the easiest starting saw in the store, which was very important, and,

b. it was the best selling saw in the store.

Now this was a Husky dealer, so all this is relative, but it is in southern Oregon where a lot of people cut down a lot of trees.

I would never suggest it is a professional model, which it isn't, but a lot of guys who make at least part of their living from selling firewood use them.

 

[1bush2hog]

Stumpfield - There are many good saws out there. Your purchase should be based on your needs, budget, and what is comfortable for you.

I have Stihl's in my arsenal - 009, MS250, 260pro, and 360 pro, as I have a long term land clearing project going on and I need my equipment to work when I am ready. They can usually outwork me too /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

The MS250 is lightweight and a good all around saw and cheaper than the 260 or 360 - However, I use the 260 with an 18" bar the most due to the power and weight. I use the 360 with 20" bar for felling and bucking the larger stuff and the 009 is great for smaller limbs and pruning.

I have no problems starting any of my saws and actaully enjoy (yea I'm a sick puppy) using them. Keep in mind the best and most expensive saw you can buy will only be as good as the maintenance and usage performed on it - meaning if you don't keep your chain sharp and perform routine maintenance - you will ruin any saw eventually, no matter how good it was when you bought it.

Safe saw use can never be over emphasized either.

Good luck, have fun, and be careful.

 

[1bush2hog]

Stumpfield - There are many good saws out there. Your purchase should be based on your needs, budget, and what is comfortable for you.

I have Stihl's in my arsenal - 009, MS250, 260pro, and 360 pro, as I have a long term land clearing project going on and I need my equipment to work when I am ready. They can usually outwork me too /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

The MS250 is lightweight and a good all around saw and cheaper than the 260 or 360 - However, I use the 260 with an 18" bar the most due to the power and weight. I use the 360 with 20" bar for felling and bucking the larger stuff and the 009 is great for smaller limbs and pruning.

I have no problems starting any of my saws and actaully enjoy (yea I'm a sick puppy) using them. Keep in mind the best and most expensive saw you can buy will only be as good as the maintenance and usage performed on it - meaning if you don't keep your chain sharp and perform routine maintenance - you will ruin any saw eventually, no matter how good it was when you bought it.

Safe saw use can never be over emphasized either.

Good luck, have fun, and be careful.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have a Stihl MS250 that I use for firewood etc. and have been very happy with it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have a Stihl MS250 that I use for firewood etc. and have been very happy with it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[greatrandini]

I guess what I want to know is what kept breaking on your chainsaw? I have a cheap poulan and it works fine for home owner chores etc.... I also have an elec chainsaw that is quite handy. Are you an experienced chainsaw user? I remember when I was a kid and I rented a chainsaw to clean up my Grandma's half acre. I knew nothing of chainsaws and I kept throwing the chain. I finally figured out it was my technique and not the fault of the saw.... I did learn how to replace the chain make adjustments etc... Years later I had my own acres and I purchased an old chain saw. I bought a cheap file guide and learned how to shapen the chain. I used that old hunk a junk alot and never had any problems. It was not near the quality of the saw I had rented years before...... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[greatrandini]

I guess what I want to know is what kept breaking on your chainsaw? I have a cheap poulan and it works fine for home owner chores etc.... I also have an elec chainsaw that is quite handy. Are you an experienced chainsaw user? I remember when I was a kid and I rented a chainsaw to clean up my Grandma's half acre. I knew nothing of chainsaws and I kept throwing the chain. I finally figured out it was my technique and not the fault of the saw.... I did learn how to replace the chain make adjustments etc... Years later I had my own acres and I purchased an old chain saw. I bought a cheap file guide and learned how to shapen the chain. I used that old hunk a junk alot and never had any problems. It was not near the quality of the saw I had rented years before...... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[turnkey4099]

For homeowner type work, you don't -need- to go the extra expense of the pro line saws - usually around $100 or more over the cost of the homeowner types. I have been using saws since 1950 (with 20 years out for militariy service). Used just about every brand out there, most of which are only producing the 'big box' el cheapos now (homelite, mac, some Poulans).

In general you won't go wrong with either Husky or Stihl, I am running 2 Stihl (MS 310 and an old 041, and an old Husky 51). 51 is the limbing saw with a 16" bar, 310 main bucking with a 20" and the 041 for the big stuff with a 24".

It is very nice to have at least two saws available in case you have either a mechanical problem or get one stuck you have a spare to either complete the job or cut your way out of trouble.

Okay, What saw? Depends on the size of the stuff you will be cutting, and how much of it. A good general purpose saw with a 20" bar will probably be plenty as it will cut anything up to about 36". In falling big stuff long bars are better as it is much easier to make the falling cuts accurately.

My choice if I were replacing my herd:

MS 310 or the Husky equivalent with 20" bar
MS 260 (or like size non pro) or the Husky equivalent with a 16" in bar

Don't know if I would go for a third saw but that 041 is is nice for the stuff I am working on now. Have 3 already worked up with butts up to 39", 4 or 5 still to go with a couple that might go 48" butts.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

For homeowner type work, you don't -need- to go the extra expense of the pro line saws - usually around $100 or more over the cost of the homeowner types. I have been using saws since 1950 (with 20 years out for militariy service). Used just about every brand out there, most of which are only producing the 'big box' el cheapos now (homelite, mac, some Poulans).

In general you won't go wrong with either Husky or Stihl, I am running 2 Stihl (MS 310 and an old 041, and an old Husky 51). 51 is the limbing saw with a 16" bar, 310 main bucking with a 20" and the 041 for the big stuff with a 24".

It is very nice to have at least two saws available in case you have either a mechanical problem or get one stuck you have a spare to either complete the job or cut your way out of trouble.

Okay, What saw? Depends on the size of the stuff you will be cutting, and how much of it. A good general purpose saw with a 20" bar will probably be plenty as it will cut anything up to about 36". In falling big stuff long bars are better as it is much easier to make the falling cuts accurately.

My choice if I were replacing my herd:

MS 310 or the Husky equivalent with 20" bar
MS 260 (or like size non pro) or the Husky equivalent with a 16" in bar

Don't know if I would go for a third saw but that 041 is is nice for the stuff I am working on now. Have 3 already worked up with butts up to 39", 4 or 5 still to go with a couple that might go 48" butts.

Harry K

 

[Dennisfly]

I had a 10 year old McCulloch that was hard to start, required constant adjustment of the carburetor to keep it running, and frustrated me every time I used it.

I bought a Husky 350e with 18" bar for the same purposes that you describe.

I'm delighted. It starts easily, has much more power than the McCulloch, and with the shock mounting, much less vibration. I have cut up 3 large trees and it is much faster. At the end of the day, much more was accomplished in less time and I was not so beat up as with the McColluch. It also has a compression release for easy starting and an externally accessible chain adjustment which I like.

 

[Dennisfly]

I had a 10 year old McCulloch that was hard to start, required constant adjustment of the carburetor to keep it running, and frustrated me every time I used it.

I bought a Husky 350e with 18" bar for the same purposes that you describe.

I'm delighted. It starts easily, has much more power than the McCulloch, and with the shock mounting, much less vibration. I have cut up 3 large trees and it is much faster. At the end of the day, much more was accomplished in less time and I was not so beat up as with the McColluch. It also has a compression release for easy starting and an externally accessible chain adjustment which I like.

 

[majik]

I have a mac. cp125 with a 46" bar no stooping,sounds like a harley when at idle. engine almost 8 hp..neat to own when I want to show off. I tell people it's my climbing saw might use it tomorrow....now where did I park the forklift?

 

[majik]

I have a mac. cp125 with a 46" bar no stooping,sounds like a harley when at idle. engine almost 8 hp..neat to own when I want to show off. I tell people it's my climbing saw might use it tomorrow....now where did I park the forklift?

 

[Cottonhawk]

I use a Shindaiwa 488 with 20" bar and a Stihl MS361 with 24" bar. Both are great saws and I consider them to be the top of the line chainsaws. When I have something I need to cut I don't have much time to waste. I need my equipment top notch condition and do the job efficiently. When it come to cutting woods, these two saws are doing wonderful job.

 

[Cottonhawk]

I use a Shindaiwa 488 with 20" bar and a Stihl MS361 with 24" bar. Both are great saws and I consider them to be the top of the line chainsaws. When I have something I need to cut I don't have much time to waste. I need my equipment top notch condition and do the job efficiently. When it come to cutting woods, these two saws are doing wonderful job.

 

[MotorSeven]

I've always run Stihl, but i think Huskys right there with 'em. These are saws that will last 20yrs if you take care of them. Of course their price reflects their durability.

RD

 

[MotorSeven]

I've always run Stihl, but i think Huskys right there with 'em. These are saws that will last 20yrs if you take care of them. Of course their price reflects their durability.

RD