economy chainsaw

[Soundguy]

For the extreme limited duty I plan.. I really really doubt it will die in a few years.

My time? it's worth plenty.. but then.. I like maintenance.. That's why i own 11 tractors that need to be touched an babied every now and then to run ( all antiques but 1 )

Soundguy

Do you really want to replace it after a couple year's use?

Whatever you choose, make sure it has an inertial chain brake (not just the paddle operated one). It will trigger the brake in a kickback situation (in theory anyway).

You mention giving it "good maintanance" - what's your time worth? For $80 difference, just gas and go.

I'll probably get blasted for spending someone elses money, but I'm just trying to save him potential pain later...

 

[mudcat]

I've had a poulan wood shark for 8 years with no problems.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm trying to do away with a tether. if I use an inverter, I'm stuck with still toting 100' of power cord thru the woods.. or a smaller cord and then toting a battery and inverter around.. neither of which I'm looking forward to.. thus.. the gas chain say. besides.. for the price of a good 1k or 2k inverter.. I can pretty much buy the economy chainsaw.. etc.

Soundguy

Understood. We only use 25' typically, and drive tractor close to work. But its still a tether. From what Im hearing on this thread about what people go thru to keep their saws running, for gas, I will probably be sticking with my old Homelites. In 30yrs of three saws, all of which still strart and run fine, I have had to do no maintenance other than bar,chain, sprocket changes - and occassional adjustment of mixture screws. Maybe the new ones are bad, but the old ones dont mess with you.
larry

 

[Soundguy]

I went to TSC today to brows and see what pres/ day sale tuned up. Found they sold the poulan wild thing with 18" bar for the same price as the 16" bar.. so, I got the P- wt, 40cc eng and 18" bar.. came with a case.

Picke dup a gallon of bar oil, and a pack of oil mix, and it's very own 1g gas can to mix the fuel. Also grabbed a new blade file and , most importantly, a set of husqavarna chainsaw chaps...

Soundguy

 

[shvl73]

I have the 18" one as well. It seems to work well and for the last three years has always started well, even with old gas. As long as I keep the chain sharp, it cuts well. I just touch it up with a file.
For your use, I think you'll be happy with it.

 

[the_sandman_454]

A friend of mine has a Poulan 16" saw, which performed nearly flawlessly alongside my Sthil 460 when helping clear a couple of acres of his land for a house and pond. The longevity of that little Poulan surprised me. My parents have a couple of different Poulan saws, which I've had decent luck with...

 

[slowrev]

Since I've owned a brigs engine.. i learned that rule #1. A brigs carb will gum up if you look at it wrong.. etc.

I've got some other gas powerd tools.. like a weedeater featherlite.. I've been doing good taking care of them.. I don't see the economy saw as being much different. Just keep it shard, bar oil filled and the gas mix correct and stabilized for added safety..

Soundguy

I use the Poulan/weedeater oil and have never had a weedeater or Chainsaw gum up.
Now I do have a Troy built tiller I forgot to put Stabil in the gas and it is gummed up awating cleaning.
I now use Stabil in all my utility engine gas, year round.

 

[Soundguy]

Same here.. whether I plan on using it next week or next month.. a bit of stabil is way easier than unsticking a float needle.

Soundguy

 

[pennwalk]

Stihl and Echo oils have stabilizer in them for what it is worth.

Chris

 

[montanaman]

economy saws is what I've always run - with no problems. I currently have a 16" poulan pro and it's good (my second one in 20 years)..... but I bought a 14" top handle echo for my wife....and it's a great little saw for limbing. I can (with caution) reach up one handed with it to reach small limbs just overhead. I also have a 12" remington elect on a pole - We have in the past put the generator on the carryall, wife drove the tractor, and I walked behind with the pole saw limbing the devil out of stuff.

Sorry to take off with the safety rant but top handled saws are not for the wife, they are for professional in tree use. Yes they are light and small and cute but they are a chainsaw that, because of the lack of distance between handles, can react much more quickly to a reactive force event and a non-professional user may not have the knowledge or experience to handle it. I can not stress this enough that I don't think this is at all a wise choice of saw to give an amature just because it is light and small. A rear handle saw will provide your wife with much better control and safety.

Ken