Who makes a decent chainsaw?

[Richard]

Grant,

I have a Husky 55 and a Stihl 044. I have found them both to be 100% reliable (until that is, I drove over the Stihl with my full sized backhoe and squashed it like a bug /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif)

Anyway, I like the smaller Husky when I'm limbing or doing something where the lighter and smaller saw helps.

One feature I LOVE on the Husky that my 044 doesn't have is a decompression. Not a huge deal, but a thoughtful touch that helps a bit. I do wish my 044 had one. If I'm cutting volume, I like the larger saw.

Upshot, I honestly think it's same argument as Kubota/JD/NH/other. Stick with major name, stick with quality and you probably won't go very wrong either way. (just keep them away from backhoe's) /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Richard

 

[looch]

I was under the impression that the only difference between Jonesred and Husqvarna (at least the new ones) is the color of the housing (red vs. orange).
I am also looking at buying a new saw. I'm torn between getting something of high qualtity or taking Steve's route of buying a cheap "disposable" unit. If I do decide to go the quality route, I don't think I'd buy anything under the 62cc size. People have told me that for the few extra bucks, going to this size is worth it.

Paul

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya
i have had for 13 years dolmar saws and my grandfather before me had dolmar always had a great run from them .i have had a husky but sold it after 1 year great saw but i did not like the feel of it same as i feel about stihl (i have there scrub cutter tho)i don't like the feel .see what loggers and hire shops run and pick what suits ya ,most saws these days are well built and if well looked after will give ya years no probs.just a foot note is there something going to change about 2 stroke motors in the US????????that maybe something to think about, i know dolmar has made a 4 stroke saw and nother note is jonsered,poulan,husky are all owned by same group with jonsered ,husky both built in same place with alot of parts interchangeable.
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya
i have 2 saws 120si dolmar and 109 dolmar i used to work in the trees and the 120 was my main stay running 18-24 inch bar no probs but now for 90% of my firewood cutting ,triming etc etc around the farm i use the smaller saw (16 inch bar) and just use the big one for big trees/felling if ya were not doing a lot over 20 inch i stick to around 45-50 cc 16-18 inch bar lighter saw, good cutting speed
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[GlueGuy]

My Stihl must 12 or 14 years old and is going strong. My Dad had Poulin and Husky, both seemed to be doing well last time I saw him. My brother-in-law has one of each; he might be the best one to ask. Maybe I will...

The GlueGuy

 

[RPM]

I had an 80ft Maple come down in my 'yard' a couple of years ago and had to deal with it. I bought a Poulan at WalMart because they were so ridiculously cheap at the grand opening ($99 on sale for a 20" bar saw). It's not the greatest saw and I curse it frequently for leaking oil on me - but it got the job done and is still running well.

Only complaint is I'd like a case for it and can't seem to find one for the Poulan - anyone got any recommendations for a case? The Stihl cases I looked at seemed to be molded to their particular saws - and the sales-guy didn't want me putting my oily Poulan in one to try for fit.

Only thing I have changed is the chain - everything else running fine. Next purchase (after I get a case) is some chainsaw 'chaps' - promised my wife I wouldn't go playing with it again until I got some ... the husband of my wife's best friend recently almost lost his manhood ... it's going to take a while to heal /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Watch out for the kick-back guys!!

 

[skent]

RPM,

Sears Chain saws (some of em' at least) are made by Poulan. I found one (a case) on clearance at the local sears for $10. Saw fit like it was made for it (it was). I'll see if it has a PN on it when I get home tonight.

Steve

 

[fishman]

I recently bought a Stihl 029 Farm Boss and have been pleased with it's performance, but not it's weight. I also looked at an 026, which was more expensive, but lighter with similar power. The majority of it's case was aluminum, as opposed to the 029's plastic, billed as commercial duty. Older Stihl's cases were metal too. The Husky's I looked at appeared well made, but also had a lot of plastic on them. Don't know if this is a good or a bad thing. My Dad's Stihl 041 is 20+ years old and runs like new, despite cutting several hundred truckloads of wood during that time. So far it has only needed chains, a couple of new bars, and one clutch assembly. Whatever you do, buy quality and you won't be sorry. I suspect this echoes the majority of opinions on this site.

 

[GFB]

I know 100 time more about saws than tractors (that's starting to change). Any saw will cut good with new chain and bar. The proof is in the long run - reliability, longevity, etc. I've had many and Stihl has proven the best. 034 is my favorite (18" bar).

 

[patrickg]

So am I the only pleased user of a small Mac saw? The model is Eager Beaver. It has served me well. I frequently wish it were more powerful, had a longer bar, and was lighter. It is about as big as I can comfprtably one-hand overhead while waving in the breeze on a 20 ft extension ladder. I may buy an additional larger saw but will keep this for most jobs.

I haven't got the chaps yet (just found out about them a couple months ago). I noticed that the professional crews that work for the power co clearing right of way, wear chaps. There is a husky brand chain sawing helmet that I purchased and am quite pleased with. It has foldup/down hearing protection muffs, a wire mesh face shield (like used in the sport of fencing), and a Lawrence of Arabia sort of neck cloth to keep chips and sawdust from going down the back of your neck. All this A N D it is a hard hat as well.

Patrick (In cool comfortable South Central Oklahoma, just misting a bit now and then.)