chainsaw recommendations

lew61 · Oct 12, 2013

Here's my dilemma: My Stihl 031 that I bought new in 1978 finally bit the dust after many years of noble service. It was one heck of a rugged saw. So, I'm looking for a replacement and have been perusing websites and a couple of local dealers. What I've found fills me with unease. The current stock seems much less robust - lots of plastic, and I've heard grumbles about poor customer service, specifically regarding Husqvarna. So, what to do?

mikehaugen · Oct 12, 2013

Are you looking for similar size/power? What kind of budget? I highly recommend another stihl.

dragoneggs · Oct 12, 2013

stihl still! Plastic used right is okay.

newbury · Oct 12, 2013

How badly "bit the dust"? Sounds like a rebuild is in order.

Recoveryhill · Oct 12, 2013

In the islands string trimmers have replaced the machete as a man's primary bush tool. You will never see anything but a Stihl in the hands of anyone and the FS250 is a bad *** trimmer. I have an older Stihl chain saw that gets used infrequently and wouldn't switch brands for love nor money. I have looked at the newer model Stihls and would tend to agree they are lighter but I still trust Sthil to produce a good saw. I'd just stay away from the Homeowner models and go with either a Farm and Ranch category or Professional. I also have a Sthil Kombi Tool with the twelve inch chain saw attachment and it's the king of pole saws!

It's the same thing with small gasoline engines. Honda is it, period, no competition. You pull, they start, end of story. After a foolish purchase I still use Generac as a curse word and am now the happy owner of a GX powered 7,000watt genset with just over 800hrs.

JimRB · Oct 12, 2013

Isn't the 311 the replacement size for a 031? It is rated farm and ranch which is heavier duty than homeowner. I have a 310 and a 210. I prefer the 210 for most work as it is about 4 pounds lighter but sometimes the lower horsepower is annoying. That said I do not have a fireplace or lots of trees on the property so I do not have to run the saws but a few hours a year to clean up deadfall or remove things I decided I do not like.

Most people like knowing that a great servicing dealer is nearby. I have a few great Stihl saw shops I can go to that know parts and repairs. There are also a few Stihl shops that do not have the sharpest counter people. I like the people who know what I place on the counter without having to search for stickers. I sometimes get equipment from pawn shops or Craigslist so there always seems to be a few little things I need to get to get the used equipment back to new function. I have 5 Stihl engines in the garage. They all start well. I might have bought more Echo (I have an Echo weed blower) but at the time I could not find a full service shop that sold Echo. Now the well established lawn mower shop the next town over opened a new branch in my town and they carry Echo.

lew61 · Oct 12, 2013

newbury said:
How badly "bit the dust"? Sounds like a rebuild is in order.

According to my local Stihl repair mechanic, he can no longer get parts for this saw. Sounds as if I should take a look at the 311.

adirondackmtnman · Oct 12, 2013

lew61 said:
According to my local Stihl repair mechanic, he can no longer get parts for this saw. Sounds as if I should take a look at the 311.

You can certainly find most parts for that saw. Look online. Specifically ebay. I just recently finished up a crank-out restoration on a late 60's, early 70's 041av...sounds like the dealer wants you to buy new...which is fine, but just be aware of your options.

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LD1 · Oct 12, 2013

If you can afford it, a true pro grade saw is the way to go. Typically lighter an more power than the homeowner and farm/ranch saws.

For stihl, 261 or 361 are the pro saws that are around the size of the old 031.

If you have a dolmar dealer in your area, you can give the 5105 a look too.