Thinkin about..

[MagicMM]

I would look toward the dealer availability and reliability.

 

[TractorNH]

I've always run Husky's and when I was shopping for a firewood saw I looked at the Husky Ranchers and in comparison to the Echo there wasn't much comparison. The Ranchers are plastic clamshell engine cases and have autotune. I don't want electronics on a chainsaw. The Echo saws all have magnesium engine cases and traditional carburetors. The 590 is no doubt the best bang for the buck in a firewood saw but I opted to spend about $150 more and got the 620P which is phenomenal and far below the prices of the comparable Husky XP saws. I cut about 8 cords a year and have been running the 620P for 4 years and it's my favorite saw.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I have a Makita saw either a 5200 or 6100 (forgot which one) and I like it. It is my favorite kind of saw, A FREE ONE! A friend who I helped out a lot before he moved gave it to me. But I agree with Soloz2 parts for it are not that easy to get, especially used parts on Ebay. There are just not enough of them out there. And resale value (not that is sounds like a big issue for most) most people want an orange saw and turn their nose up to a blue one. It is a good saw though. Maybe I will get it out of mothballs and cut some wood with it soon. I am an equal opportunity sawyer (I have 2 huskys, 1 stihl and 1 Makita/Dolmar) but I prefer Husky.

 

[Fitch]

A new saw. Current saw is a Stihl MS271 Farm Boss. I like Echo for the 5 year warranty, which saw in their lineup would be a better (power, faster) saw than my Stihl? There's really nothing wrong with my Stihl, just looking for some more power but not looking for a huge saw. All I'm cutting is firewood. I take down occasional trees if they aren't huge and are in an open area where they won't get hung up. Thanks for the help!

I have a bunch of saws, but the one I end up reaching for most of the time is my Stihl MS261. I have it setup with a 20" light bar and 33RS3 chain. Its power to weight ratio makes it a great firewood saw. Even this 80 year old man can use it for several hours when the need arises - like wind fall trees which we get a lot of.

 

[GeneSimm7]

A new saw. Current saw is a Stihl MS271 Farm Boss. I like Echo for the 5 year warranty, which saw in their lineup would be a better (power, faster) saw than my Stihl? There's really nothing wrong with my Stihl, just looking for some more power but not looking for a huge saw. All I'm cutting is firewood. I take down occasional trees if they aren't huge and are in an open area where they won't get hung up. Thanks for the help!

Echo's are great, built like a tank and usually easier to start than Stihl. The tend to be heavier.

 

[looneyk]

A new saw. Current saw is a Stihl MS271 Farm Boss. I like Echo for the 5 year warranty, which saw in their lineup would be a better (power, faster) saw than my Stihl? There's really nothing wrong with my Stihl, just looking for some more power but not looking for a huge saw. All I'm cutting is firewood. I take down occasional trees if they aren't huge and are in an open area where they won't get hung up. Thanks for the help!

I had a farm boss and mostly cut firewood. I changed to the Stihl 261. It is their entry level commercial saw, about $100 more than the farm boss. More HP and less weight and vibrations. Longer workable time. Very Happy

 

[A-P]

I have a number of Husqvarna saws, but the sweet spot for me is the 555. I run that one most of the time.
When I get to big trees I have a 372 and a 395.

 

[Bentrim]

As someone that worked in a small engine shop, Yes we sold and serviced Husqvarna, Poulan and some others. But when I bought a saw I purchased a 455. Was very happy with the saw, although not a logger or even a heavy user found the saw was well balanced and had plenty of power.
Of course we were often brought in all makes of saws for repair. I hated to see a Stihl come in. They were hard to work on and often had to be torn apart just to do simple repair such as replace a carburetor, and well I won't say much about when the chain brake was left on and the saw body needed replaced.
One of the selling features of the Husqvarna is the cutting speed as the run the chain faster.
By the way how do you say Husqvarna? Husk- as in corn Var as in varnish and Na as in Na, I don't want no other stinkin' chain saw

 

[RandyT]

Makita took over the company. Should make them even more available and better parts/service.
Heck they even made them Dolmar orange.

GAS CHAIN SAWS | MAKITA

Makita USA: The Leader In Cordless with 18V LXT Lithium-Ion. The best in class for cordless power tool technology. A leader in power tool technology for the professional.

www.makitatools.com

Makita stopped production of all gas powered products on March 31, 2021.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

I went with the husqvarna 455 from northern tool to replace my old homlite 360 that I pick ed up at a farm sale 15 years ago for $45. The 455 is easiest restarting saw that I've ever had. For big hedge I crank up my old av045 stihl, it always great to have the 70+ cc'd working for you.