advice buying chain saw

[DBentley]

Need a new chain saw and was thinking about echo or husky. Mabey 14inch bar max. Would like 12 inch for what little I will use it for once every 6 months for triming brush, cutting a 4x4 or other small tasks. I was told to get a 3/8 inch chain? or 3/8 pitch chain? All I want is a saw that will sit inside with stabil treated fuel for 6 or 8 months and start without having to pull the cord 75 times to get her running. Like my crapy macoulic that went in the dump a year ago that was used 4 times and would never start after sitting. Even in a warm building.

 

[drewRoberts]

I pulled my moms Poulon out of her shed a few weeks ago after a years worth on neglect. fired up after 4 pulls (thats includeing it dyeing after #2 pull with choke on) ran like it had been used just yesterday

 

[nauidvr1]

I have had all the brands over several years, then last year a hurricane rolled through our area and dropped 30 trees on my uncles property. He was quoted $8-$12,000 to clean it up. I offered to do the work if he bought me a good professional chain saw ($600 - for the model I chose). What your looking for will be ALOT less in price.



I went with a Stihl MS 360 Pro. Now, I know you don't need that big of a saw for your uses, but I highly reccommed the Stihl brand. After countless hours of using this saw, it is dream to use. They make many models and several of the models can use 2-3 different bar lenghts, so you can get a 12, 14 or 16 inch bar and chain as your needs grow and switch between them.



As far as starting - I let the saw set for 13 months (with Stabil in the fuel) inside my unheated outdoor shed and pulled it out the other day, to assist a neighbor in dropping a huge silver maple, it started in 2 pulls and ran just like I used it every day.



Also, most smaller chain saws (other brands) use a smaller chain than 3/8, you got good advise when they told you to look for a saw with a 3/8 chain. The Stihl saws all use a 3/8 inch chain.



After using a Stihl saw - I will NEVER buy any other brand, the difference is like night and day. Go to a Stihl dealer/repair shop and they will have a saw that you can demo right on the premisses, and you can get a feel for it.



Hope this helps.



NAUIdvr1



P. S. for your needs look at the following Stihl models: MS 170, MS 180C Easy2Start, MS 210C. They all can use a 12, 14 or 16 inch bar, and can be switched out in minutes.

 

[BarryG]

I also bought a stihl 360 pro a few years ago to replace a sears saw when our property down in Cortez got nailed with pine beetles. Killed darn near every pine on the place. I have cut close to a thousand trees down so far if not more with that saw. And it starts every time easy hot or cold and runs great. Outside of buying a few spare chains I have not had to do anything with it.



The 360pro is definitely larger than you need for what you are saying but the brand is certainly worth looking at.

 

[justinp20012500]

I second the stihl!!



I have a farm boss that will melt through almost anything!



I have had Poulon's in the past and craftsmans. They don't even compare to the stihl.



The only bad part is the stihl is substantially more then almost everything in its same class.







Justin

 

[tractorface]

The only two saws I would consider are Stihl and Husquvarna (sp?) I had always used stihl saws. Old saws I got at an auction. Always had little ticky tak problems. Nothing serious just minor headaches. I noticed my buddy who owns a tree service had switched all of his saws over to Husquvarna saws from Stihl saws. He showed me the little things that made them better, basically improvements in the areas I always had problems. I bought a Husquvarna saw and really like it a lot. Now to be fair the HQ ws brand new in 99' while the Stihl was from the 60's. My thoght was if the HQ was good enough for a professional it was good enough for me. I would drive them both and try and get a good deal. You should be fine with either.

 

[DBentley]

thanks for the great info. Im going to a stihl dealer and picking one up this weekend.

 

[HOBrian]

Stihl is the only way to go IMHO. I have a Farm Boss great saw,as I never do a lot cutting, but wanted a good saw.

 

[DieselMinded]

NO STHIL !!!!!!!!





JOHNSERED TURBO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the best ... the CTD of the chainsaw world



DM

 

[Bloomy]

Well, since I remove trees professionally I would have to argue with the Stihl likers. All Husky here. Five of them at the moment. The oldest one is 12 years. Tried Stihl, no comparison won't waste the money again When it comes down to it buy the one you like (which you will). Oh, I also have two Echo's. One is a top hand saw for climbing (less money when I drop it compared to a Husky 338) and a power pole pruner. They work pretty good but nothing like the Husky's. The Stihl aren't bad saws. The Husky's are just better for a little bit less money. Farmer's use Stihl pros use Husky (at least around here).



Thomas

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I've had quite a bit of chainsaw experience. However I've got even more experience on the end of a Swede fiddle (crosscut)



I've run a lot of Stihls in the woods and have owned two, a 045 with 36" bar and a currently a 031 with 20" bar. I've also have numerous days using Huskies and have owned a Rancher 50 with 20" bar. Stihls are very nice saws but I will go back to a Husky for my next saw. Like the Husky sound, balance, and weight/power better.



imho

 

[DieselMinded]

JOHNSERED TURBO IS A HUSKY WITH A AIR INJECTED TURBO !! WHISLE AND ALL





IT PICKS UP UNDER LOAD ALSO JUST LIKE BOOST ON A CTD IF YOU WAS LOCAL I WOULD LET YOU RUN MY SAW FOR A DAY .



LIKE BUTTER



LIKE BUTTER



LOL



DM



BTW HUSKY AND JOHNSERED TURBO ARE MADE IN THE SAME PLANT IN SWEEDEN



huskys on one side and johnsered turbos on the other

 

[DieselMinded]

there not cheap !!!!!!



you get what you pay for



stear away from disposable saws like craftsman and poland



Sthil would be my 3rd choice



JRT

HUSKY

STHIL

ANYTHING BUT CRASTMAN OR POLAND



DM

 

[Bloomy]

I always liked the Jonsered's. Probably because they are Husky's in most respects. Much more expensive in this area.



Thomas

 

[Paychk]

Jonsered



http://www.usa.jonsered.com/index.asp?skip_intro=true&skip_map=true

 

[Tcolesanti]

Husky all the way. (husqvarna)