Chain Saw Recommendations

[dresslered]

I forgot to mention that the Husky replaced my 20+ year old Deere which had been a great saw as well, but the technology has advanced a bit since.

 

[NIsaacs]

This thread reminds me of that old logging movie "Sometimes a Great Notion" with Henry Fonda, Paul Newman and Richard Jaeckel If I remember right, the saw that quit and would not start when Paul was cutting the tree off of Richard was a McCullough, kinda typical those days



My first saw in '72 was a Homelite. After I got good and broken in I could make $105 in a six hour day. That was 100 trees @ 1. 05 per tree. I don't make much more then that today but it is easier work



Nick

 

[BigDaneDiesel]

I love my stihl 290s with the 24" bar can't brake it

 

[dresslered]

This thread reminds me of that old logging movie "Sometimes a Great Notion"

Loved that movie and the finger at the end.

 

[p-Bar]

Bought a used Husky 24' SWEET

 

[The patriot]

I got a Husky 235 IIRC last fall at sears.

It was a return. Typically someone buys a saw, cuts some branches and returns it. (since then Sears changed it's return policy)

I payed about $100 for it. First cut I thought something was terribly wrong. Considered returning it.

Instead I sharpened the blade. Who boy! It cuts like a beaver on steroids!

 

[GCroyle]

Long time ago B. C. (before clutches) I worked at of all places a golf course, equipment mechanic for 3 years. We had several saws, spare chains etc. Boss asked for a new chain on a particular saw, took care of it, 30 minutes later he comes back to the shop with a strange grin, plops it on the bench, says it no cut so good!



Dumb me put chain on backwards! DUH



I think one credit to the Stihl is it is working as designed in the hands of a homeowner, I know almost nothing about it's inards, why, cause it runs like it should.



I think I remember the scene with an arm on a log raft or something, but not much else about the movie.

 

[ddunk]

Just my 2 cents, but I recently bought a new Stihl MS361, with a 20" bar and am absolutely convinced this is one of the best firewood/ bad *** pro series saws ever made, especially for homeowner use.

I second that! Do the muffler mod. and you will sleep with it Oo.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have a mid 90's Stihl 029 Farm Boss and I have run the HELL out of it! It has been an AWESOME saw. I am looking to get one slightly bigger because this one (with 18 inch bar) is not quite big enough for some trees I have been needing to cut lately. I would prefer to find a good used one, but I would want to test run it first.

 

[GCroyle]

Dieselnut59,



No can do, no chainsaw for you!



I looked at your listed fleet, ain't a sparkplug in it. Unless you can find a CAT, Cummins, Detroit, Mack, Kubota or Yanmar single cylinder COMPRESSION IGNITION motorized tree eating beaver, your chip making is restircted to your POCKET KNIFE!

 

[Wertles]

I bought a Stihl Farm Boss about 5 years ago and have transformed about 2 acres of forest into 2 acres of lawn. Probably about 300 trees from trunk to top and not one problem with it. I have about 5 chains for it because I was too lazy to file them myself and sometimes the wait for the shop to sharpen them was over a week. Finally I went to Harbor Freight and bought one of their electric chain saw sharpeners and some extra grinding wheels, total less than 35 bucks, and now have an endless supply of sharp chains. I am sure they are not as good as the professionals but I haven't had an issue for over three years. It only takes about 5 min a chain. This is one of the rare tools I have bought that has not only paid for itself, but has actually saved me money.

 

[Grizzly]

Another vote for Husqvarna.

 

[sheamc]

On the mix i run high test with synthetic 50:1 oil. Use both amsoil sabre and Stihl Ultra. . I believe. I never mix more than a gallon at a time.



I currently own three saws... . that I use. The small one is a 51 Husky (18"). Have some small issues but it runs, cuts, and most importantly doesn't weigh as much as my other two. The mid-size saw is a 440 Magnum Stihl(20"). The simple controls and ease of adjustment make this my if I only have one saw of choice. MY bigger saw is an Olympyk 980(20"). No compression relief, heavy, ugly(for a saw), but it makes that beaver you guys talk about look like a slacker. Company doesn't exist under that name anymore, saws are made under the Efco name with some updates. Didn't go with bigger bars because I simply didn't need them. I cut firewood for everyone in my family and a couple of elderly neighbors whenever they want some. I can also say this, I will NEVER own only one chain per saw. As soon as you need it, a rock on the ground or an ancient nail in a tree that is in the middle of nowhere will ruin you. I own the oregon file jig and use it when back at the house. I have an old ammo crate that carries all my woods needs from screnches to chains, to fuel and oil.



As far as the original question, buy what you want, just remember that most dealers locally won't work on what they don't sell. I will only buy Stihl or Efco myself. Good luck with al of your purchases, you may not be able to afford the fuel to run your saws by the end of the year#@$%!#@$%!



Shea

 

[Harlacher]

Husqvarna Rancher is a good saw. Cut my own firewood and it never lets me down.

 

[The patriot]

I sharpen my own chains by hand.

I dont use a saw nearly as much as some of you guys though.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Dieselnut59,



No can do, no chainsaw for you!



I looked at your listed fleet, ain't a sparkplug in it. Unless you can find a CAT, Cummins, Detroit, Mack, Kubota or Yanmar single cylinder COMPRESSION IGNITION motorized tree eating beaver, your chip making is restircted to your POCKET KNIFE!

I wish I could find a way to convert one, but with my fragile back, it would be tough to handle one with a Yanmar engine on it! LOL Are there any diesel engines smaller than the 4 horsepower Yanmar I have for a garden tiller?

 

[GCroyle]

Yup, found you one.

Dieselnut59,



Here you go

Diesel chainsaw?????? YES or No????? - Tree World



Too bad you wouldn't be the first, maybe in your neighborhood though.



Dare ya to get one... ... .....

 

[Dieselnut59]

DAMMIT MAN!! I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GCroyle]

It's only mooooooooney!



Aw honey, look we'll save gas, it sips fuel, lightweight, parts, heck it don't need no stinkin sparkplugs, everyone will envy our diesel saw, heck we could charge admission for em just to see it, we can post billboards on the interstate with show times when the saw runs, we'll be on YouTube, famous!



Now, what about a Diesel WeedEater?

 

[Dieselnut59]

... and leaf blower, and push mower!