Which chain saw?

[buck1]

Stihl 026 Pro. It'll cut circles around anything else. It's big enough to handle the larger jobs (can get a 20" bar) but small enough to handle all day. I think when you get to the 034's, 046's and such they're just too heavy unless you have a VERY strong back. If you do, they'll DEFINITELY get the job done. I would only look at Stihl but I would be very careful. To compete with the lower end saws at Lowe's, etc., Stihl has started to make some saws that don't have the quality. You'll see the good ones running aroun $400+ here in north AL but the lower-end ones at less than $300. There's a HUGE difference between the two. Get the good one and you won't have to buy another saw for a long time. My brother, cousin and myself all own Stihl's. The youngest saw is 11 years old (its an 026). I can go in the garage, set the choke and pull it once and I guarantee it to start. Very few others can do that. Good luck!!!

 

[djradz]

The 26 Pro is another exceptional saw, and about 2 pounds lighter. However, for bigger logs, like a foot or more in diameter, I think you're asking a little much. Otherwise, it's a real toss-up. Depends on if your leaning toward cutting more in the 1-2 ft range (or even larger) or 1 ft and less. Not sure I agree on the HUGE difference. Talking to the Stihl dealer/service man here, only the very smallest saw has gone cheaper in that it uses one piston ring vs. the two on all the other saws. Everything else is the same.

 

[Tractorgirl]

Once again, I thank you guys. Great advice.

I spoke with a couple Stihl dealers about the QS model. It runs $100 more then the 360 (360 is $519 with a free case in St. Louis). Both dealers indicated that several guys that bought the QS model found it to be more trouble than what it was worth. The main inconvenience was when they were needing to adjust their grip, etc.

In regards to the safety issues, I've already decided chaps are a "must" purchase. We already have ear and eye protection. I'm dangerous enough with kitchen knives let alone a saw!

 

[dmccarty]

TractorGirl,

Don't forget the face shield. There are face shields on
helmets as well as a non helmet model. You WILL need a face
shield. Glasses just protect your eyes but that saw WILL
kick back wood chips into your face. The shields will keep
you from eating the wood.

I have the helmet and the non helmet protection. Both have
a face shield as well as ear protection. I wear the helmet
if I'm blowing with the Sthil blower, brush cutting or chain
sawing. The non helmet is a bit cooler temp wise but I just
got in the habit of wearing the helmet. It is safer. I have had
little sapling wack me in the head chainsawing and brush
cutting. The saplings would not have drawn blood but it would
have hurt. And the hurt may have been the first link in a
chain of events that could have been an accident...

Also don't forget get safety shoes. Obviously kick back
is a concern. For some reason the way *** I *** use my
saw, kick back has not been an issue. Kick DOWN has been.
So I spent a lot of time and money buying some good
AMERICAN made boots that had lots of toe and foot
protection. I stress American made because the Asian made
boots where cheap. They may have passed the standards set
for safety shoes but they were minimal and cheap boots. The
US made boots where better quality all around. The boots
cost far more than ALL the other safety equipment I have but
they will last for decades unless I chew them up. In which
case they will earned their way if you now what I'm saying.
/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Good Luck, Have Fun and be Safe!
Dan McCarty

 

[rationalizer]

Tractorgirl,

I faced the same decision you did and got a 260 Pro. Couldn't be happier. Having only one saw to use for taking down big trees (up to 30+ inches so far) and doing the limbing - I like the light weight. Getting the tree down is quick - its the limbing and sectioning that takes time - 20% more weight will take its toll. I'd also get a second chain. I haven't taken the time to get a sharpener - so the shop does mine. Having two chains means that I always have a sharp chain for quick jobs - and I have two chains for the long days...

Just my $0.02...

Bill

 

[Tractorgirl]

After much great advice, I purchased the Stihl 360 today with the 20 inch bar and 28 inch bar. Whooohooo!!! Unfortunately, we won't be going to WV until October to be able to try it out.

Thanks again for all the wonderful advice!

Rhonda

 

[Egon]

After seeing that recipe for chile I think one could just burn off the trees by breathing on them. No need for a chain saw.
Nice choice.

Egon

 

[Tractorgirl]

Egon,

When the chili is first made, you could definitely burn down a few trees by breathing on them. If you let it sit a day or so, the hotness calms down--drat!

Take care!

Rhonda

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My dad had a Stihl and managed to tear it up with what I believe was moderate use. When I started shopping I checked the local Stihl dealer out and got sticker shock! I walked on down the street and bought a Husqvarna-Hard to say but easy to use! My model is the 345 and I've found it to be great for general use around my 46 acres-easy to start, easy to keep running. Good luck to you and your husband.

 

[Tractorgirl]

The sticker shock of the Stihls got me also but I've found that buying quality saves me $$$ in the long run. I managed to get a new 360 about $170 less than the sticker price plus a 28 inch bar and chain through an auction. I was pretty pleased with my purchase to say the least. I seriously looked at the Husqvarnas and had one picked out if needed.

Hey, Romans 8:28 is my favorite verse. Of course, I think Rom. 8 is the ultimate chapter in the whole Bible.