Which Chainsaw to buy?
 

If you have a preference, why? I am looking at a 16" bar, dont need anything enormus for around here....or DO I? I have been looking mostly at Husqvarna and Stihl.

Stihl Farm Boss. Got mine 6 months ago and love it. Employee has had his for years and has had no problems with it. Employee cuts and splits his own wood for heating every year, about 8 cord of mostly oak. Read some reviews if you can find them. I doubt you could go wrong with a Husq. also.

Another vote for Stihl. I have had 2 over the last 35 years and it has done everything I have asked of them-- WELL! Most people up here use Stihls (Lots of commercial logging goes on)

I had over 25 years with the first one and it was working fine but because of its age I traded in on a new model. A neighbor bought it from the dealer and that saw is still working fine. My 10 year old one is sitting in the garage after a lot of work this summer/fal as usuall and it gets used during the winter on the trees/branches that get blown down and block the driveway of my mountain home.

OP I would get an 18 bar with the right chain and it will do anything you will ask of it. Go to a Stihl dealer tell him what you want to do and have him pick out the RIGHT chain for you!

Let me add what seems like an idiot idea: I was wondering how much you actually need a gas-powered chain saw. Is it probable that you could get by with an electric one? If so, they have a 16" bar, and mine does anything a gas model can do, plus it's lighter and a lot cheaper. Plus, I've never had a gas model that wasn't a PITA to crank; usually by the time I got it cranked I was too tired to use it.

Naturally the length of your electric cord limits your work area, but maybe not. I've used mine with 600' of electric cord and no noticeable loss of power.

Thank you for the replies, and no Spence I dont think an electric is an idiot idea, my brother likes his around his yard. I am afraid it just isnt practical for me though.

Get the Stihl model you like the most and be done with it.

Bottom end stihls are not good, they are all plastic, not robust at all, and are nothing special in the cut.

Husqvarna is about the same, their smaller homeowner saws, are essentially poulans.

I prefer Echo, All Echo saws are commercial grade, they do not carry or make a homeowner lineup or have "tiers" of quality.

For 16" rear handle, Id go with the CS-370, they sip gas, are very light and easy to start, simple controls and high quality. These seem top be popular with businesses with trees on the property, great limbing saw, capable of felling small trees, and not bulky.

Chainsaws, Professional-Grade Chain Saws, Top Handle Chain Saws | ECHO USA

Fwiw, this is about the best bargain in the industry right now...Im actually planning on picking one up just to have...Ive run one, and its a motherf*ker in the cut! For not much money compared to other brands.

ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf 59.8cc Professional-Grade Chain Saw - ECHO USA | ECHO USA

I have a Husqvarna 440e with a 16" bar. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, though. Lots of youtube videos on the comparison between Husky and Stihl.

Husqvarna always made great saws, usually a little heavy, and pulled a little harder..but always ran great, people loved em. When HusqvarnaAB was formed and they bought Poulan/Electrolux, and began rebadging their smaller saws (140, 140, 161, etc) at Husqvarnas...they burned alot of bridges. Their line had cheapened to the point that, if the model number ends in XP...its a great saw, high quality, if not, its generally Poulan produced equipment. Doesnt mean is junk, some of their saws, like the 340, 346, 340, 345, 455, are decent saws.


Stihl Pro saws are really nice, this is...261, 281, 441, 362, 660, 880, etc....you pay for them, but..great saws.

Their mid range and homeowner saws, are just..heavy, expensive, loud, underpowered, and overhyped.

I have a Husky 345 and it works great. It always starts and cuts nice. I needed a chainsaw and borrowed one from a guy at work. I liked it so much I purchased the exact saw for myself the next day. Husky 345

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...A.jpg~original

Red, do you like the top or rear handle saws better? I've only ever used a rear handle, but I like the compact size of the top handle ones. The only part that I wonder about is I often put my foot in the rear handle when starting it and I don't see a similar option for the top handle saws

I have used a Poulan bow saw for years good reliable saw.

Top handle gives less control and leverage o er the saw, but they are more nimble. Rear handle is safer.

Red, Whats your opinion on a Farm Boss? The one I found is a 290 which would fall in the Pro catagory I think. It seems to be about the same price as the Echo you linked to. I am looking at spending about $400. I have a 12 yo Poulon now that I spend more time working on than using and its pissed me off for the last time. BUT, I got what I paid for and thats what I want again.

MS290 is heavy for the power it makes, and its very bulky as well, its a midrange saw, not at all pro-class.

Quick and easy way to tell the saw classes from Stihl is the color of the rear handle.

BLACK = low end homeowner.

Orange = Mid-range homeowner

White= Commercial

As a comparison, the MS290 weighs a pound more than the PRO MS-260, uses about 10% more fuel, makes the same power, but costs a good bit less.

The Echo 590Timberwolf is about 60 dollars less than the MS-290 and is commercial grade, its 210 dollars less than the MS-260.

The MS-291 is not a bad saw, but Ive always felt disappointed in their powerband, you got to wind the ass out of them to make power.

Just sold my Husqvarna 346XP saw. While it's more expensive than the consumer models, the 346 is nice and light yet has a bunch of high-revving power.

I think that's combination is a bit safer for the occasional cutter. Too heavy a saw and your upper body gets pretty worn out by the end of the cutting session. Tired muscles=dangerous cutting. If you've ever used too heavy a saw, you'll find out in a hurry how much you appreciate a light one!

I like Echo and Poulan, personally. Remington used to be the shet, too, back in the day, but I don't think they're manufactured anymore.

When the 346XP came out it was amazeballs.

The first month it was out, I took a new 350 (larger saw) and put a 346XP piston and cylinder on it (larger and tougher), shaved the cylinder and ported the exhaust, and did an extensive muffler mod. It had 185psi cold compression...and i had it tuned to 14,500 no load top seed and it had more to give. It wpun so high that it would lift the chain about 1/4" off the bar....I put 20" bar with .325 Full comp on it, and SHEEEITTTT.

I sold it too cheap too soon...