Chainsaw Guys

[fleming442]

Nothing gets the balls pumping like dropping a big oak.
Just keep in mind: the bugs will just go to next source. We have carpenter ants that kill ours. Knock it down, split it up, and they regroup on another queen in another tree.... Hakuna Matada, b*tches!

 

[L92 OLDS]

I have used both Stihl and husgavarna and prefer the husgavarna. I think it is better balanced and I was also told by a small engine shop that the stihl is harder to work on. My friend has a Stihl and borrowed my husqavhusg and he wishes he got that instead of the Stihl. Just my 2 cent's.

I have always run Stihl saws and have been happy but have heard the same from friends with Husqavarna. I used a big Jonsered saw last summer that was impressive. That thing had some serious power. I have heard that Jonsered are made by Husky. If I had to buy new saws I would definitely do my homework. The biggest factor for me is service and support. I also prefer the feel of a Stihl. They also look better in my opinion.

Check out this comparison.

 

[Streetbu]

I sold Husqvarna. Yes Jonesered is owned by Husqvarna. Stihl is good too. I recommend going with whatever brand has good local dealer support. All have their own pro's and cons. The only thing that I will agree on is Stihl chains seem to stay sharp longer..

 

[joesregalproject]

I have always run Stihl saws and have been happy but have heard the same from friends with Husqavarna. I used a big Jonsered saw last summer that was impressive. That thing had some serious power. I have heard that Jonsered are made by Husky. If I had to buy new saws I would definitely do my homework. The biggest factor for me is service and support. I also prefer the feel of a Stihl. They also look better in my opinion.

I definitely like the feel of the Stihl saw better than the Echos. I used a lot of Stihl string trimmers, hedge clippers and backpack blowers when I worked landscaping and their equipment is very ergonomical. Dealer support is important to me as well and the closest big chainsaw place to me deals in Echo. There are a couple Stihl dealers around but the only good one IMO is on the other side of town. I haven't dealt with any Husqvarna saws, but the closest true dealer is way too far a drive. Lowe's sells the Husqvarnas, but they aren't a service center.

 

[joesregalproject]

I tried to get some pictures this morning of what I have to cut. These woods are between two neighborhood plans. They are on a slope. My house and yard is on the bottom, and the other neighborhood is up top. All of these fallen trees are mine. As you can see a lot of them have already been limbed and partially bucked.

 

[Streetbu]

If it were me, a small saw would cut them, but the time savings alone from using a larger saw, both bar and engine, would be worth it. Thank no of it as an investment...

 

[joesregalproject]

I've gotta revive an old thread of mine. While I meant to get to these trees back in the Spring, I got busy with other things and kept pushing it off. Well here we are in September, almost October, and I'm finally ready to get to it. Plus I just had a big maple fall down in the back woods and took down a couple other trees with it, and it's blocking one of the trails I use for dumping lawn debris with my lawn tractor. So it's gotta get cleaned up and firewood season is upon us, so may as well get down to it. I still need to purchase a bigger chainsaw and I'm still not sure which way to go. Hoping for some insight from the Paul Bunyans in the group. I've looked at the following saws locally and online and here's what I've got-

Stihl MS250/251WB- 45cc, 18" bar. Maybe a little less saw than I should use but I could definitely make it work. But as a few already said, bigger can be better especially when I already have a small saw. Currently the MS250 is on sale from $360 down to $300. The MS251WB is $340 and weighs a tad more, but still makes the same 3.0 HP, just a newer version. Stihl dealers are hit and miss around here, I'd likely buy it from the local Ace Hardware as they are a Stihl dealer, but they don't do service there. Stihl warranty is 2 years when you buy a 6 pack of their 2 cycle oil. Stihl considers this a "homeowner grade saw".

Echo CS490- 50cc, 20" bar. Runs $350 at Home Depot and lots of dealer support around. Has a cast magnesium main case unlike the Stihl and EPA rating of 300 hours as opposed to 50 hours on the Stihl. Plus all Echos come with a 5 year consumer warranty. Echo doesn't disclose HP ratings nor do they market their saws as homeowner/professional.

Echo CS590 Timberwolf- 60cc, 20" bar. Runs $400 at Home Depot. Really the top of my budget. Again has a magnesium case, and 5 year warranty. Probably more than I need, but definitely a nice saw.

Stihl MS271 Farm Boss. 50cc, 18" bar. Seems comparable to the CS490, but with a smaller bar, shorter warranty and a plastic main casing. It makes 3.49 HP. It does have pretty rave reviews online. Again runs $400, very top of my budget. Stihl considers this a farm/ranch saw.

If you are in my shoes, which saw do you buy? Part of me wants to drink the orange Kool Aid and buy a Stihl since I have never owned a Stihl. But the rest of me says the off-brand orange Kool Aid tastes the same and is more bang for the buck.

 

[fleming442]

Stihl all the way; you won't regret it. Get a "yellow" chain, and leave the "green" ones for Harry Homeowner. My MS290 is still going strong after 15 years on the original spark plug. I've put 2 bars and many (Oregon PoS) chains on until I found a local store doing 2 for 1 OEM chains.

 

[79 GP 4 speed]

I prefer the Husqvarna saws as I feel they are better balanced. My friend has a Stihl and he used mine and didn't go back to the Stihl the rest of the day. I'm from northern Wisconsin originally and most of the loggers use Husqvarna or jonsred. I also talked to a small engine shop and they won't even work on a Stihl as he said they are a pain in the a** to work on. Just my 2 cents and letting you know what I know. Lowe's sells them

 

[wonderboy24]

i cut down and trims trees. i use echo. i have had different brands but prefer the echo. i have a 18 and 20.