chainsaw recommendations

[lew61]

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]

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

 

[dragoneggs]

stihl still! Plastic used right is okay.

 

[newbury]

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

 

[Recoveryhill]

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]

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]

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]

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.

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[LD1]

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.

 

[Ford850]

The Stihl dealer network is very hard to beat. So are their saws. I doubt I'll ever buy another brand.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

The Stihl dealer network is very hard to beat. So are their saws. I doubt I'll ever buy another brand.

I agree. I used to run Husqvarna, then ran into a couple saws that had problems, and finished off with a local dealer completely disinterested in customer service. Found a local Stihl dealer who welcomed me into his shop, bought an MS362, and haven't looked back since.

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[JimRB]

http://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/downloads/Chain-Saw-Comparison-Chart.pdf

 

[dirt ditch]

Last month the shop at work just got a new 311 to replace an old worn out 260 pro. Stihl quality through and through. Almost keeps up with my 361.

 

[mikehaugen]

I too have a 361 with 25" bar that I bought from a government auction. It appeared to be pretty well used up, and I got it cheap. That thing still purrs, and starts within about 5-6 pulls even after sitting for almost a year on untreated ethanol fuel.

I also have a 015L, it is a top-handle and I love that saw. Has to be about 30 years old or more, and I can still get parts for it. If it ever dies (which I may not live to see) I will buy a 201t or whatever replacement is out at the time. Never thought much of it, but having a top-handle saw is very handy and now that I have one, I don't think I would want to be without one. There is also a 192t that is considerably less money.

 

[mjonesnh]

Have a Stihl MS362 that I am very happy with. 20" and 25" bars have handled everything I needed to cut including almost 4' maple trees.

 

[rekees4300]

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?

So what's wrong with plastic? It doesn't rust and it's light weight. Stihl puts plastic where it can and metal where it's needed. I've used Stihl saws for decades and have no regrets. Recently bought MS391 with 20" bar and it's high quality. So my recommendation is to stay with Stihl.

 

[GManBart]

I have an MS170 with a 16" bar, an MS311 with a 20" bar, and MS 460 with a 28" bar, and am very pleased with all three. I bought the 311 as an all-around saw, and like it for that, but was getting worn out when it got down to limbing, and bucking smaller trees, so I got the 170. The funny thing is, I find I use the 170 probably three times as much as the 311 now. I got the 460 because I have some massive cottonwoods that died...when I say massive, I mean 36" plus at the base.

If I were starting over, I might get an MS 201 C-E instead of the 170, and an MS 362 instead of the 311. The 201 weighs a bit more than the 170, but has a significant amount more power....it would still be light enough that it wouldn't wear you out. The 362 is actually lighter than the 311, and has .4hp more, so it would be win-win. I would also consider jumping up to a 660 from the 460, but I got such a smoking good deal on the 460 I couldn't turn it down, and I don't do that much work with it anyway.

Here's the family all cleaned, tuned, and ready for the cutting season (I was waiting on the proper scabbard for the 460 at the time)...

 

[haveissues]

I have a 311 that I bought used. I have no complaints amd like it a lot.

 

[mikehaugen]

Here's the family all cleaned, tuned, and ready for the cutting season (I was waiting on the proper scabbard for the 460 at the time)...

http://s454.photobucket.com/user/G-ManBart/media/null_zps8e37da29.jpg.html

That's a nice looking family there

 

[walker450]

+1 for Stihl.

I'm still using my dad's ol' 039 to this day. I have no idea when he bought it... but I'm guessing '94 or '95. It has a "rollomatic" bar.

I also have a Stihl FS 130 trimmer/brush cutter that I bought a few years ago. It has the 4-mix engine, which is a four-stroke but you still have to mix the fuel. The thing is a beast and always starts on the first pull, if I can turn the choke off fast enough to keep it running!