help on new chain saw purchase

[RICHARDG]

I am getting ready to buy my first top end brand chainsaw,,,due to dealer availabilty,[to get it worked on],,its either going to be a stihl or a echo,,,willing to pay around 400 +,or so,,need a good un,,,about 18-20 inch bar,,,,any models from the above two brands that you all have and like or don't like would be helpfull,,,noticed on echos web page,,theirs have a tip guard,,don't think I would like that,,but you could probably just take it off? Always wanted a good stihl,,,but this summer,bought an echo trimmer,,model 260s,[I think],or 360s,,,anyways,that thing is it,,so wouldn't mind at all trying out an echo chainsaw,,,,,any and all advise is welcomed,,,[wonder if I put this in right spot?],,thingy

 

[bgott]

I have an Echo CS510, 18" bar. It is head and shoulders over the Craftsman 18" I have. The chains can be a little hard to find, it's not one you'll find at Wally World, but I can order them from my Ace Hardware without any problem. The only problem I had with my saw was that the chain was installed backwards from the dealer. The tip guard just unbolts, no problem. The biggest pain is that Echo doesn't include the case, you have to buy it separately. My saw is in a Stihl case I got for free.

 

[Slamfire]

You aren't gonna find a high end Stihl of the size you think you want for any $400. However, a Stihl that sells for $400 will do a lot more work than you think it will. Echo's smaller saws have a good following amoung arborists, but the bigger ones don't seem to have quite as much power as the pro saws. That ain't necessarily bad, I'm gettin' along just fine with a Husky 51 which cost $250 or so.

 

[ScottAR]

I was quoted $530 for an 036 which comes with a 18" bar factory. Dealer prices vary I'm sure but it's in the ballpark. This being said, I'm running an 18" on my 026. Does great in softwood, underpowered for hardwood when felling. I havn't checked in a good while but I'd think an 026 is under $400.

There's a new 361 model that's the replacment for the 036. I dunno $$ on it.

 

[RICHARDG]

Well,maybe there are good,better, best, models in these??? 061,031,,what is that a stihl??? I need a powerfull one,,but not maybe the most powerfull,,,just cutting brush and an ocassional tree,,no timbering,,,have used the big professional type model stihls[belonged to somebody else],,much power,,long ago,,,don't want to spend no 1,000 dollars on a chain saw right now,but would be willing to go maybe around 500,, want to know what model stihl,or echo,,that will fall under that,,or slightly over that,,,,,but want a good one,,maybe not the ocasional use model,,as they say,,,,so the bigger echos ain't that good,,hard to believe,,,that bigger echo trimmer I got is amazing,,,huskys are good,but don't have a dealer type repair place for them,want one where I can drop it off and say you sold it,,you fix it,,,cause chainsaws and weed whackers are always needing attention like that,,,well maybe not always,,but every 3 years or so,,you know what I mean,,,,thingy

 

[RebelYell]

I have been looking at saws for about a year or so, I was all ready to buy a Stihl Farm Boss when I met a fella while I was camping. He owns a tree trimming business and mostly does work for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He only uses Husqvarna's. That was enough for me to start looking at them. I had 8 tree's cut down several years ago and they also used Huskee's . My 2 cents worth.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I've got a stihl 029 farm Boss and a stihl 024 AV that can still be purchased under or very near $400, of course now they are called the MS 290 and the MS240 (I think), the 024 is alittle smaller thatnthe 026. The 024 I have has a 16" bar and is a little underpowered, I've run a 20" bar and an 18" bar on the 029 and it hasn't sturuggled on anything. I'm pretty sure you canget teh MS290 for under $400 and it would make a great saw for what you are doing.

 

[slowzuki]

Sounds like you don't need a pro saw. Stihl, echo, husqy or Jonsered would all have a saw in the category you want.

Husqy dealers tend to discount more that stihl. I have an MS260 and its a great saw but the pro husqys are every bit as good.

www.forestryforum.com in the chainsaw section has really good info.

 

[bczoom]

I agree with slowzuki that you can normally find a better deal on a Husky. To my knowledge, Stihl and Echo don't allow internet sales.
I believe Lowes' sells Huskys. Not sure if you can take there for repairs.
Personally, I've been running Husky's with no need to take in for repair for years. Best place I've found to order is Alamia.

You can get pro series saws in your price range.

 

[SPIKER]

you said you wanted a PRO saw, but what it sounds like is all you need is a good home owner type saw. a POULAN would be just fine and would only cost 120 or so buck bought NEW.

the 026.029 stihls would be fine though you will spend closer to that 400 mark for sure and only get the basics. Im not familair with huskys #s but they make a dang fine saw too...

I have 2 poulans and a old mcculluh which all run the mcculluth was inheareted and the other two I bought as through aways so far I've used them for several years of cutting and destroying without fail they start & run with a little preventive maintenance. ran through a few bars & chains because I bought them to cut railroad ties and root balls out. but I've been using them for light timbering too! I'm impressed though I have run BIG HUSKIES and STHILS int he past these little poulans seem to be worth the low cost!

If you buy & use it for a year or two you could alwasy sell & at yard sale and buy NEW one !

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif