Chainsaw Sizing

[newbury]

I知 35 years old if that matters.

I had a Poulan Pro pole saw and that thing was super handy but couldn稚 keep it running. Ran good as long as it was running wide open. Let off the throttle and it would die. I have found that extended handle loppers work just as good for what I used the pole saw for.

But I either need two size saws or one good saw with 2 different size bars. Would probably be buying Stihl whatever I decide to go with.

Fellas, I知 thinking about upgrading chainsaws but I have very little knowledge about what might be 途ight for me. Right now, I have 2 saws for different purposes and that system seems to work well though I知 not entirely happy about my saws that I currently have.

One saw is small and lightweight and I use it around the house property (6 acres) for pruning limbs and cutting up down limbs. I also use it at my hunting property for keeping ATV trails cut back from growing in and also for cutting shooting lanes and stuff for new deer stand locations and such. About 7 years ago I bought a Stihl MS 170 and like the size and weight, but the dang chain gets dull almost immediately. I keep it out of the dirt, no rocks, but still I知 constantly trying to keep it sharp. I知 at a point now where the bar needs replaced and I知 wondering if I should just get a new saw altogether and keep this as a backup.

I had a few mature trees fall at my home property and quickly realized the MS 170 was way to small to be cutting up whole mature trees for firewood. So at the time, money was tight and I needed a bigger saw so I bought a Poulan Pro 18 and used it to cut up the big trees. I noticed immediately that the chain stays sharper for a lot longer and I致e not had any problems aside from it being harder to start than the Stihl. It seems to have plenty of power for what I致e used it for, but does feel a little cheaper than other brands.

I definitely use the smaller saw way more though. So I guess first question is whether I should stay with my 2-saw system or just get one good quality saw. Second question would be what should I buy to replace my MS 170 with first and then later replace the Poulan with? First priority is really doing something about the MS 170. Aside from being easy to start and being lighter weight, it痴 a pain to keep sharp.

I might have missed it but all I see for your uses are "small saw" short term tasks. 90% or more could be handled by a 40V chainsaw, might need an extra battery.

Your not cutting cords of firewood or milling trees. Replace the chain on the 170, keep it sharp. But I believe a 40V saw with a 14" blade would fit most of your needs.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I had a great little top handle Stihl that I bought specifically for small pruning. Boy did I like it. It was stolen. IMHO for the occasional user get something low cost. The only good stuff that I get gets stolen.

To answer your question I consider saws by size of engine and weight. As you get older weight to me is very important and power to weight ratio even more so. For most users a 50 cc saw with a sharp chain in the 16 to 20 inch range is all you need. My current saw is an older Echo CS 4600. It came with an 18" bar that my father broke. I installed a 16" on it. I believe the power head is in the 10# range. At my age it is all the saw I need or wish to handle.

As mentioned earlier a two saw approach is ideal. My little top handle unit had a 12" bar. It was great. I loved it. Perfect for it's intended use.

 

[ArlyA]

I have bran loyalty to whatever the good dealer in your area, might carry. Service is important in my book and a good dealer, is worth supporting.

 

[MossRoad]

Fellas, I知 thinking about upgrading chainsaws but I have very little knowledge about what might be 途ight for me. Right now, I have 2 saws for different purposes and that system seems to work well though I知 not entirely happy about my saws that I currently have.

One saw is small and lightweight and I use it around the house property (6 acres) for pruning limbs and cutting up down limbs. I also use it at my hunting property for keeping ATV trails cut back from growing in and also for cutting shooting lanes and stuff for new deer stand locations and such. About 7 years ago I bought a Stihl MS 170 and like the size and weight, but the dang chain gets dull almost immediately. I keep it out of the dirt, no rocks, but still I知 constantly trying to keep it sharp. I知 at a point now where the bar needs replaced and I知 wondering if I should just get a new saw altogether and keep this as a backup.

I had a few mature trees fall at my home property and quickly realized the MS 170 was way to small to be cutting up whole mature trees for firewood. So at the time, money was tight and I needed a bigger saw so I bought a Poulan Pro 18 and used it to cut up the big trees. I noticed immediately that the chain stays sharper for a lot longer and I致e not had any problems aside from it being harder to start than the Stihl. It seems to have plenty of power for what I致e used it for, but does feel a little cheaper than other brands.

I definitely use the smaller saw way more though. So I guess first question is whether I should stay with my 2-saw system or just get one good quality saw. Second question would be what should I buy to replace my MS 170 with first and then later replace the Poulan with? First priority is really doing something about the MS 170. Aside from being easy to start and being lighter weight, it痴 a pain to keep sharp.

As others have mentioned, it may just be getting duller faster because its shorter and used more often than your 18" saw.

Do an experiment. For less than $30 you can get a shorter bar and chain combo for your 18" Poulan. Like a 14". Put it on, use if a bit, and see if it gets duller faster than when you had the 18" bar on.

You may find that having just the one 42CC saw with two different bar and chain combos may be all you need.
:confused3:

 

[Sodo]

Whenever a guy doesn't know what chainsaw he needs....... that suggests he should be buying a "40v battery saw". Many who have been using chainsaws for years, and generally KNOW what saw they need, are often unaware that a 40v battery saw will make their gas saws sit on the shelf (for bigger projects). A modern battery saw is a game-changer (for many).

$169 for a Ryobi 14" chainsaw with one battery and a charger.
If one battery is not enough, get a 2nd battery. But I've never used a Ryobi chainsaw so check around, try to find valid reviews. I have a Makita top-handle 36v chainsaw and for the uses described above I'd pick it up 10x for each time I'd start a gas saw. Maybe 20x, because its just so much more useful. All it needs is a battery and chain oil. I really like the Makita top-handle 36v saw.

I have a friend who has a 36v Makita "rear-handle saw" and it has an infuriating "button" that you have to pre-press if you let up on the trigger for a few seconds and the 'safety' times out. Consequently you have to keep blipping the throttle to keep it active. It's like a gas saw that won't idle, its infuriating, and he never uses it. He bought a top-handle Makita. I don't know if Ryobi uses that same kind of "infuriating electronic safety" so check it out.

 

[dnw64]

All it needs is a battery and chain oil.

Do they have a low oil warning or cut-out? With a gas saw, you re-fill the oil every time you fill the gas - I see that being more difficult to keep track of with an electric.

 

[Sodo]

Do they have a low oil warning or cut-out? With a gas saw, you re-fill the oil every time you fill the gas - I see that being more difficult to keep track of with an electric.

No warnings, no sensors, its easy to forget.
You have to re-adjust your habit to check chain oil when you change batteries.

 

[ArlyA]

Our Echo pole saws bar oil tanks of course do not match the fuel the capacity of the power head. Nonetheless the chain starts to making so much noise when its gone, I can't recall ever running the chain oil tank dry for very long. I'd guess the battery powered units would be more readily heard.

No warnings, no sensors, its easy to forget.
You have to re-adjust your habit to check chain oil when you change batteries.

 

[Olympus]

Well I opted for a cheap first approach. I bought a replacement bar and chain for the MS 170. I opted for a shorter 14” Oregon bar and a .050 Oregon chain instead of the thinner .043 chain it came with. It cost $30 for the bar and chain combined, so can’t argue with that. We will see if that helps things.

I did somewhat fall in love with a 12” top handle saw though. It felt awesome on the hand, was light and balanced, and seemed like a perfect saw to walk trails and prune limbs back. Maybe I’ll start saving my money for one.

 

[MossRoad]

Well I opted for a cheap first approach. I bought a replacement bar and chain for the MS 170. I opted for a shorter 14” Oregon bar and a .050 Oregon chain instead of the thinner .043 chain it came with. It cost $30 for the bar and chain combined, so can’t argue with that. We will see if that helps things.

I did somewhat fall in love with a 12” top handle saw though. It felt awesome on the hand, was light and balanced, and seemed like a perfect saw to walk trails and prune limbs back. Maybe I’ll start saving my money for one.

Be prepared to be blasted for considering using a top handle saw without attending arborist school.