Time for a new chainsaw -- UPDATE

[Andy Hoyt]

My 20 year old 20" Poulan is on it's last leg; parts are becoming difficult to source; so it's time she got retired.

I'm not up to speed on what's what these days in saws and am hoping you folks might be able to enlighten me.

20" to 24" is preferable, with 18" as a last resort.

Please advise. Thanks, Andy

[Frank Pellow]

My 20 year old 20" Poulan is on it's last leg; parts are becoming difficult to source; so it's time she got retired.

I'm not up to speed on what's what these days in saws and am hoping you folks might be able to enlighten me.

20" to 24" is preferable, with 18" as a last resort.

Please advise. Thanks, Andy
I am confused about parts being scarce. I have a 3 year old 20" Poulan and am quite happy with it. As far as I know, there have been no major changes in the last 20 years.

[John Shuk]

Andy,
I've got a couple of saws Husqavuarna and Stihl. I have to say I'd go for the Stihl.Here is a saw that outta do ya just fine.
http://www.stihl.us/chainsaws/MS440.html
John

[roy knapp]

I have a Homelit 20" and its several years old and runs just great, but if i was to get a new one it would be a Stihl.:)

[Philip Glover]

Andy,

You only need to know one name: Stihl.
I've owned and used a bunch and Stihl is the best choice for performance, durabilty, and spare parts availabilty.
As far as bar length, it just depends on the size trees you're cutting. If the saw is only used for tree falling then the longer bars are needed. If, however, the saw will be used for trimming and bucking, get the shortest bar that will do the job. You're less likly to have an accident with a shorter bar.
The other thing with the long bar saws is weight. A saw with greater than a 20" bar will be more than 5hp and weigh more than 13 or 14 pounds. Believe me, unless you use large saws every day a 14lb saw will wear on you.
Hope this helps.
Reagrds,
Phil

[Joe Horne]

Stihl...............nothing more needs to be said! ;)

[Paul B. Cresti]

Andy,

This is what I have

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS270C.html

I out a 20" bar on it, no complaints what so ever. Starts everytime.

[John Bailey]

Stihl's the deal!! Mine works great, always starts - never lets me down, just the trees.

John

[Gary Breckenridge]

:rolleyes: Figure out your needs and wants and then go to a
Stihl dealer.:)

[Mike Vermeil]

Ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto on the Stihl. I had never used a chainsaw in my life when I got the Stihl 9 or 10 years ago, and I absolutely love it. It is the best gas-operated power tool I've ever owned, absolutely, without a doubt, bar none. Every gas powered tool I buy now is Stihl.

The only problem I've ever had with it was when my neighbor ran the bar into the ground and killed the chain. He's no longer my neighbor.

[Vaughn McMillan]

...The only problem I've ever had with it was when my neighbor ran the bar into the ground and killed the chain. He's no longer my neighbor.
Mike, pray tell, where did you hide the pieces of the neighbor when you were done? :p

I had an electric chainsaw that I loaned to a friend, and he used it to remove a stump. I'm not sure if even had a shovel, based on the condition of the chain when he returned the saw.

- Vaughn

[Mike Vermeil]

Mike, pray tell, where did you hide the pieces of the neighbor when you were done? :p
- Vaughn

He was a good guy, just not very mechanical. We moved away last year. I wonder if the deck he built is still standing?

[Joe Mioux]

In case no has mentioned it......STIHL!:D :rolleyes:

Every two cycle piece of equipment I now own or buy revolves around Stihl equipment and its 50:1 two cycle motor oil combination. In addition to chainsaws, Stihl makes a great hedge trimmer. The blowers are good as well.

JOe

P.S. FIW, I do own a commercial Shindawa edger. I bought that from the place I bought the my other Stihl products....but I digress.:)

[John Longwitz]

...had a large hickory felled a few years ago and needed a new saw to cut up to firewood length. Got a Stihl MS260 Pro and had them replace the 16" bar with a 20". No problem with the 26" dia. trunk and not tiring at all to use. Lightweight with plenty of power and the Stihl brand chains seem to hold up for a long time between sharpenings.

[Adrian Rogers]

I was offered a few large red oak trees about three winters ago if I would remove them from the folks yard. (Blown down in a storm). I didn't have a chainsaw at the time, so I bought a Poulan with a 20" bar from Home Depot for $199. After using it for a day, I promptly returned it and bought a Stihl MS290 with a 20" bar. The difference is night and day. The Poulan would get the job done, but the Stihl was much beefier everywhere, especially the bar and sprocket. The Stihl had plenty of power, but the Poulan didn't. The Poulan also had some rinky dinky chain tension adjustment that didn't work very well.

The next day, I could could make 2 1/2 cuts to every 1 that my neighbor could make with the same model Poulan that I had the day before.

It's OK to save money, but the Poulan at Home Depot just isn 't adequate.

[Adrian Rogers]

I was offered a few large red oak trees about three winters ago if I would remove them from the folks yard. (Blown down in a storm). I didn't have a chainsaw at the time, so I bought a Poulan with a 20" bar from Home Depot for $199. After using it for a day, I promptly returned it and bought a Stihl MS290 with a 20" bar. The difference is night and day. The Poulan would get the job done, but the Stihl was much beefier everywhere, especially the bar and sprocket. The Stihl had plenty of power, but the Poulan didn't. The Poulan also had some rinky dinky chain tension adjustment that didn't work very well.

The next day, I could could make 2 1/2 cuts to every 1 that my neighbor could make with the same model Poulan that I had the day before.

It's OK to save money, but the Poulan at Home Depot just isn 't adequate.
<!-- / message -->PS

All my 2 cycle lawn equipment (trimmer, edger, blower, chainsaw) is split between Echo and Stihl. I think the Stihl is built better and has more power. I will purchase Stihl in the future, but I really can't complain about the Echo.

-Adrian

[Jim Becker]

Stihl or Husqavuarna. I have a Stihl .029 Farm Boss with an 18" bar ('gonna put a 20" on it when I use up the chains I have) and couldn't be happier. Starts like a dream and cuts and cuts. The "consumer" grade saw I started out with lasted about one and a half small trees...so it actually cost me a lot more than the sticker price. 'Shoulda' bought the Stihl first... ;)

[Adrian Rogers]

Jim,

Believe it or not, your 029 (and my MS290) are considered home owner saws.

-Adrian

[Jim Becker]

Believe it or not, your 029 (and my MS290) are considered home owner saws.

Yes, but they are about fourteen hundred steps above the home center machines!! (And very close to the "pro" designated versions that Stihl sells)

[Andy Hoyt]

I am confused about parts being scarce. I have a 3 year old 20" Poulan and am quite happy with it. As far as I know, there have been no major changes in the last 20 years.

Frank - The parts I need are structural not mechanical. Mine is old and the case is actually made of some lightweight pot metal. All the new Poulan stuff is all plastic and looked and felt quite pitiful.

Geez! Do we have a concensus yet? I checked the Stihl site and there's a dealer about 20 kliks away, so I guess that's where I headed tomorrow.

Any notions on what range of prices I can expect?

[Jim Becker]

Andy, you'll pay more for the Stihl up-front, but you'll get a lot more out of it over time. I think I paid three hundred something for mine, but it was about five years ago now...

[Frank Pellow]

Frank - The parts I need are structural not mechanical. Mine is old and the case is actually made of some lightweight pot metal. All the new Poulan stuff is all plastic and looked and felt quite pitiful.
...

Yes the case is plastic, but mine has stood up quite well to heavy use (and even abuse) in the bush in Northern Ontario.

[Glenmore Henry]

I've killed a sthil 044 and my buddies huskvarna. Never killed a home lite or echo though. Echo is modeled after the John deere brand.

[Mike Wenzloff]

I have a Homelit 20" and its several years old and runs just great, but if i was to get a new one it would be a Stihl.:)
In the 1970s I built our home with a Homelite XL 20. When I started logging it was with a pair of Stihl 063s, a Huskys and big Jonsered.

Go with the Stihls.

Mike

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Most people here will not agree with me, but I would say get a Stihl. :o

[Bill Fields]

Andy_


I thought you "MANIACS" knew this stuff---

First--Stihl is the popular and best choice. Good service/good customer service.

Second--you, living in decidious tree country, need at least two--a small one--I have a 14"--and a large one--say 20". Plus new replacement chains

Plus all the auxiliarry stuff like a comprehensive carrier--2-stroke oil/bar chain oil/ gloves/Kevlar chaps.

We consider these saws as part of a "GO" kit in the event of an emergency.

Best

BILL FIELDS

[Greg Narozniak]

Just like when your buying a Nail Gun check for local support. You need to be able to have the saw serviced and (to the best of my knowledge) you cannot ship the saw somewhere for service.

I purchased a used Stihl 026 from my local dealer. This is a Pro line saw that came with an 18" bar and with a new Full Chisel chain it runs and cuts like a dream. It was the best $125 I ever spent, Yes I know I got the deal of a lifetime! :)

I had an older Echo (Solid Orange, all metal housing) and while it cut well and served me for many years the Stihl is night and days above it. The Echo had NO safety features (i.e. Kickback chain brake, etc.) and was heavier than than the stihl I now have and is not in the same league as the Stihl.

My father recently purchased a Husky 359 with a 20" bar. While it is a nice saw, I would choose the Stihl over a Husky. Just my Opinion I prefer the feel of the stihl to the husky. The 359 does have more power than my 026 but the added weight does not justify it for me.

The brands to look for are Stihl, Husky and Jonsered (Same exact saw different colors), Shindaiwa, Echo, John Deere (Their CS series is made by Efco, very good european chainsaw company), Makita (Made by Dolmar another very good company across the pond) As a consumer you will never wear out any of these saws.

The Poulan and Homelite saws are not what they used to be. Not even close!

Good Luck

Greg

[Ed Lang]

Did anyone tell you about Stihl?


If not, I have a 028 and a 046 Stihl. I was going to get the 044 but the price difference let me to the 046. Nice saw!

[Jim W. White]

:D Bought a Stihl 026 w/20" bar off e-*ay last year. Best peice of 2-cycle equipment I have ever used!!:D

We went cutting last year to help out a friend in need. There were about 7 saws in the group that day. We cut and split about 4.5 cords of wood that Saturday. The only two saws running well at the end of the day were BOTH Stihl's. That trip is what drove me to get one.

...Jim W

[Jason Roehl]

Apparently there are quite a few misguided souls here. Everyone knows, deep down, that Husqy is the best saw made. :D Here's where I bought mine (great prices and free shipping):

http://www.southwestfastener.com/productsHusqChainsaw.htm

Definitely get a square chisel chain. I think they cut much quicker than the round chisel found on most homeowner-type saws. After at least a half-dozen large trees, and maybe 40-50 hours total use so far in about a year, I've cleaned it and sharpened the chain twice. No problems, no breakages, no parts replaced. Great saw, the 372xp...looks like they replaced it with the 575xp, though.

[Jay Kilpatrick]

I started with a Sears electric (used) given to me for free. That lasted for a couple months. Then I bought a reconditioned Poulan 295 Pro. What a world of difference, I was ecstatic to say the least. Tuned it up, used a Pro chain (no kickback preventing links) and used an ounce of popular gas additive in the mix as suggested by another woodturner. Man I was happy! That lasted for a couple of years. Well... the saw kicked the bucket in a very spectacular nonviolent manner. I was cutting up a large live oak crotch, the chain popped off, the front cover popped off and the chainbreak handle "fell" off (yes, it literally split at the joint without prompting or any force). So I was happy that it performed well, but its life had ended, and I'd wanted to upgrade for sometime anyway regardless of my Poulan induced bliss. I looked at Husky, I looked at Echo, I even thought about buying another Poulan. But with all the glowing reviews and sound track record, I bought a Stihl MS 361. Yep, it cost a bundle. I don't plan on replacing it. Oh, and that live oak crotch... I've had more trouble cutting butter with a butter knife than cutting that oak with the new Stihl.

[Alden Miller]

I have a Shindaiwa with a 24" bar. Out cuts any saw that I have been using it alongside. That said I recently picked up an 18" Stihl and also think it is a great saw. I use the Shindaiwa for felling and cutting the larger sections of the tree, the Stihl is reserved for limbing out the small stuff. Makes it so I am less tired at the end of the day.

-Alden

[Dave Avery]

Have a 20-year old Stihl that I've beat the whatever out-of....... ~50 LARGE trees over the years. Changed the plug once, sharpened lots of chains. Parts...... I don't know - hasn't needed any.

[John Shuk]

Stihl prices are pretty much the same everywhere. They control it sort of like Festool. The difference is that a better dealer may throw in an extra chain or something.

[Don Naples]

Bought a Homelite XL-20. It lasted almost a year. I threw away the pieces as it fell apart. I then received a Huskvarna 24". It lasted less than 12 hours. The factory did a rebuild after the saw was out of warranty, as I did not use for 2 years after receiving it, so I can't complain about their support. It stopped again, so I bought a Stihl MS 440. It stops for nothing and starts easily. After that, IMO the least expensive solution is a Stihl.

[Mike Deschler]

Andy:


I've got an almost 20yr old Stihl 028 that starts on the 2nd pull everytime and still has the original chain bar. I've cleared out many a lot with it. I also have a small Echo for trimming. The Echo is ok but not as well made as a Stihl product. Pay a little more and you will enjoy it for many years. One point; always drain the fuel and run the carb dry before you store it for any length of time so you don't gum up the carb. I had to rebuild mine before I learned that the hard way. Also, the older Stihl's were hard starting when using a rich fuel mix, run a 50:1 mix using Stihl oil.

[Andy Hoyt]

To put some closure on this thread I figured I'd better post a photo to prove that I actually listened to you guys.

Turns out that I never got around to checking them out the next day as I said I would because that night our ice box suffered a catastrophic core melt down (pun intended) and the replacement of that obviously had priority.

So here 'tis. Not the exact one I wanted (MS 290 - the ice box influenced the budget) but it'll be just fine for what I need. It's Stihl's MS 250 and just got it home. Haven't even fired it up yet; but sure am looking forward to the combined smell of gasoline exhaust, chain oil, and wood - especially in the morning (thank you Robert Duval).

[Dev Emch]

Andy...
For years, my dad bought what was on the shelf at the local hardware or rent all store. It was the flavor of the month. McColoch (sp), Homelighte, Stihl Farmboss, etc.

The Stihl Farmboss is all metal and very light in the horse power department. IT bogs down with ease. When I decided to buy a new saw, I decided to ask the guys who live by these. I called up the Rocky Mountain Hot Shots and ask them what they are currently carrying. They said they carry the most powerful yet portable saw available that has the reliability they need to fight wild land fires. The Stihl MS 460 Magnum with compression release.

This saw has a magnesium crank case as do all magnums in place of a plastic crankcase. Also, the filter is different. It is more like your car filter in that it uses a cartridge style filter that restricts more junk with greater flow. It kicks like a mule if you dont pop open the compresion release knob to start it up.

If this saw can meet the rigors of the hot shots, it clearly can meet most of your needs in a portable chain saw.

This saw is a pure joy to use. It will muscle through virtually any log cutting exercise with ease. There are larger saws but these are no longer very portable. if you plan on using a chain saw to cut boards, you will need a 60, 70 or 80 series saw. The 080 is the largest one they make and its a pig.

[Martin Shupe]

Stihl or Husqavuarna. I have a Stihl .029 Farm Boss with an 18" bar ('gonna put a 20" on it when I use up the chains I have) and couldn't be happier. Starts like a dream and cuts and cuts. The "consumer" grade saw I started out with lasted about one and a half small trees...so it actually cost me a lot more than the sticker price. 'Shoulda' bought the Stihl first... ;)

I have the same saw, after consulting several of my forestry buddies before I purchased it.

Another vote for the Stihl Farm Boss.

[Stefan Antwarg]

That's the exact one I have and it has done well for me.

Stefan