Thinkin about..

   / Thinkin about.. #41  

That’s where I bought mine. The 6100 isn’t on par when the 372 which nobody expected it was but it’s a big step up over the echo 590.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #42  
   / Thinkin about..
  • Thread Starter
#43  
SOme really great suggestions here, many thanks to everyone who commented and suggested various routes. I'm always guilty of paralysis by analysis, so it might be some time before I make a decision and actually pull the trigger. I'll definitely post a follow up when I do though!
 
   / Thinkin about.. #44  
SOme really great suggestions here, many thanks to everyone who commented and suggested various routes. I'm always guilty of paralysis by analysis, so it might be some time before I make a decision and actually pull the trigger. I'll definitely post a follow up when I do though!
I’m the same way. Good luck!
 
   / Thinkin about.. #45  
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!
There is a youtube channel called "Project Farm" and the guy there does very analytical comparisons between all types of tools. When he did the chainsaws, it was clear that nothing touched the Stihl. I have been a long time user of Stihls and was looking to change over for two reasons. The first was that every time you open the gas cap, a little fuel spits out. (Note, the forest fire service stopped using them because of this.) Also, the entire handle is the main body of the saw. I have had problems where the handle gets damaged and it is a pain to replace it. After seeing the Project Farm review, and not finding another brand that make the handle separate, I'm sticking with Stihl.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #46  
Lots of recs for Dolmar and while they are good saws, you need to know they are no longer being made and parts will not be available for long.

I've got a 261c and absolutely love it! I wanted to add a saw last year to pull a 24" bar and bought an Echo CS620p and was not impressed. It may have had a bit more torque, but was heavy and and didn't feel any more powerful than my 261c. Dealer gave me the wrong mount 24" bar so I couldn't try a longer bar before one of the captive bar nuts broke in under a week of use. The captive nuts on my Stihls have been flawless. I returned it and bought a MS400c. It was almost 2x the price, but man I love it!
I now have Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet, MS180, MS261c, MS400c, and HT103.

I'd really recommended going with the 261c for firewood. It's an amazing saw that is light and nimble.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #47  
Go with the Husqvarna all day long
 
   / Thinkin about.. #48  
Lots of recs for Dolmar and while they are good saws, you need to know they are no longer being made and parts will not be available for long.

I've got a 261c and absolutely love it! I wanted to add a saw last year to pull a 24" bar and bought an Echo CS620p and was not impressed. It may have had a bit more torque, but was heavy and and didn't feel any more powerful than my 261c. Dealer gave me the wrong mount 24" bar so I couldn't try a longer bar before one of the captive bar nuts broke in under a week of use. The captive nuts on my Stihls have been flawless. I returned it and bought a MS400c. It was almost 2x the price, but man I love it!
I now have Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet, MS180, MS261c, MS400c, and HT103.

I'd really recommended going with the 261c for firewood. It's an amazing saw that is light and nimble.
Makita took over the company. Should make them even more available and better parts/service.
Heck they even made them Dolmar orange.

 
   / Thinkin about.. #49  
Chainsaws are like everything else in this world. You get what you pay for, some of the time. Everyone has their favorites in everything be it Ford, Chevrolet, Pepsi, or Coke. I have a Husqvarna 266 SE bought new in 1984. The only reason I remember the date is that it is in the serial number. Still runs great, been maintained well but I'm not a logger. The only problem with the 266 is that is somewhat heavier than it used to be. I have 3 other smaller Huskys. The only way to go.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #50  
I run a Husky 460 Rancher with a 20 inch bar. Good enough for me and the girls I date. Just cleaned up a bunch of downed trees from the snowstorm a few days ago. A few large oak limbs, several peach trees (which is a real bummer) and a ton of pine limbs. All the peach trees pretty much just shattered into several pieces, split right down the middle. We also heat 100% with wood so the saw gets used.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #51  
I would look toward the dealer availability and reliability.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #52  
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.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #53  
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.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #54  
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.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #55  
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.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #56  
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
 
   / Thinkin about.. #57  
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.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #58  
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
 
   / Thinkin about.. #59  
Makita took over the company. Should make them even more available and better parts/service.
Heck they even made them Dolmar orange.

Makita stopped production of all gas powered products on March 31, 2021.
 
   / Thinkin about.. #60  
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.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2018 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA TANDEM AXLE DAY CAB (A59905)
2018 FREIGHTLINER...
500BBL WHEELED FRAC TANK (A58214)
500BBL WHEELED...
excavator trenching bucket- one bucket per lot (A56438)
excavator...
2025 40ft 10-Door Shipping Container (A59228)
2025 40ft 10-Door...
2017 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van (A59230)
2017 Chevrolet...
excavator trenching bucket- one bucket per lot (A56438)
excavator...
 
Top