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Chain saws???

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I am in the market for a good chain saw. My question is who makes the best? I have obviously heard a lot of good things about Stihl, but I have seen a Jonsered, and larger Husqvarna cut incredibly fast as well. I will be using the saw to cut a lot of fire wood. I am thinking around 18-20" bar length. Also should I even consider a used saw?
 
I've used a Stihl Farm Boss (029 at the time) at work. It is reasonably priced and always runs. It sits for months on end and fires after 10 pulls every time. Takes a minute to get fuel. It has plenty of oomph. I've taken trees that were, well, substantially bigger :eek: than the 18" bar on it. My father in law has an older Husq and it rocks too. I don't think you'd go wrong either way. When you say "a lot of fire wood", how much is that? And how big? I have an old beater Homelite that runs great once it warms up for trimming around the yard and light firewood duty. I'm surprised it still runs!
 
Been working for a tree business for about 9 years now and have used both Stihl and Husky and I would have to say that the Huskys don't really run any better or cut any better but they sure hold up a lot better. So if I was going to buy a saw for home I would go HUSKY!!!!!!!!
 
you know my choice on this route... . Husky is a copy of STIHL, look at the "Power Sweep" attachment for the trimmer line, Stihl was first and husky was soon to follow, same goes for the Stihl "kombi system" Hmmm husky follows





For what you want to run I would go with a "farm boss" they are cheap, hold up well, and are perfect for the bar you want to run. They are a bit heavy (in comparison to the "PRO" series of the same hp) but nothing too heavy that after 5 hrs of cutting yoiur going to be dead the next week.



as in everything you pay for quality, Stihl is a bit more on the higher amount but your saw quality, durability, and local dealer are what sell the item. DB is correct (other than the saw choice) both brands are close but the real difference is going to be in your CHAIN, how sharp your chain is will prove how the saw performs.



I hear alot about "my husky will whoop your STIHL... " its the chain that makes the saw!



GOOD used saws are hard to come by but if you do and you see a good deal snag it! any brand! Jonsered is a good brand but you dont see many companies using them (at least our competition isnt)





Ian
 
I prefer Stihl, but I have a Husky that is just as good. My newest saw was bought brand new in 1993, the oldest is a 032 Stihl..... one of the best they ever made.



I don't have a large saw, my biggest being a 044 Stihl, but I'm not a timber faller either. Somewhere in my dad's arsenal are the big boys from the fallin' days... ...





My best advice is ditch the stock bar & chain on either one and go with Oregon bars and chains... ... just my opinion.



Dan-
 
I have just purchased a wood burner to heat my house with this year. I am hoping to cut enough to heat all winter long. I will be cutting many different kinds of wood, mostly Locust from dad's farm that are down, or dieing. most of the Locus is very hard on chains according to my father. He installed a wood burner a couple of years after I moved out, and he warned me to get a good one and be done. I was told by him to not get anything with less than a 18" bar. His has a 20" bar and he says is cuts through all but the locus like butter. (it is a Johnsered). But he also advised that when something goes wrong with them, good luck getting the parts. Not many dealers for parts around.
 
Dl5treez said:
My best advice is ditch the stock bar & chain on either one and go with Oregon bars and chains... ... just my opinion. Dan-



What advantages does this bar have over the stock bars. I did a search on them, and it looks like the main difference is the shape of the bar. Does it have less kick back?
 
chain saws

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the previously mentioned saws, but one more to consider is an Echo. They have exceptional pro quality features and construction. I love mine more than my very capable Husky w. 18 bar. When you make your decision, checkout www.baileys-online.com for accessories, can,t have to many chains etc.
 
If you're worried about tough wood or maybe "touching the dirt", or if you ever are going to cut railroad ties for anything, there is always the carbide chain. I think we paid about $110 for an 18" or 20", but they flat out last. The teeth are replaceable, but they cut a little slower than a good sharp regular chain.
 
Stihl's farmer series is probably the best saw for the money IMHO. Same piston, sleve, crank, block as the professional grade but with plastic fuel tank, shielding, air filter, and smaller dogs for about 2/3's of the money. Mine is the 390 with a 30" bar, 2 years old now with no problems.



-Scott
 
I've had a Husky Rancher for the last 4 years. This is husky's version of Stihl's Farm Boss. Always starts on 1st or 2nd pull. No complaints. Great saw. I believe if you go either Husky or Stihl you will not be disappointed. Either Farm Boss or Rancher.

Best saw for the Money IMHO.
 
I use two saws, but then again I was lucky, I didn't have to pay for the expensive one. My buddy gave me a Stihl 460 magnum. I use the 460 to drop them, the farm boss to cut the limbs off, and the 460 to cut the trunks. My father in law and I have a system for cutting our "firewood" (oak only). I drop them (460), he tops them and limbs them (farm boss), and I saw the trunks to big wood stove lengths. We droped and cut three 50-60 red oaks a couple of weeks ago (few limbs though) in a couple of hours. We are amatures, and only cut for heat. After a couple of hours, you know that you have been running the 460 though. It is heavy, but cuts a trunk twice as fast as the general purpose farm boss. I cann't remember the model number, but there is a Stihl that is a commercial grade anti vibe saw, that is the same size as the Farm Boss for a little more money. That would be the saw if I was only getting one saw. Like I said, I got lucky in that my buddy gave me the 460 magnum, this is an expensive saw.
 
Dl5treez said:
My best advice is ditch the stock bar & chain on either one and go with Oregon bars and chains... ... just my opinion.



Dan-





Almost all bars on new saws, even the stock, are made by Oregon. The main thing to do is to rotate the bar to ensure even wear. Both Husky and Stihl are top of the line. I am a Wildland Sawyer and the department I fight for uses Husky. However, the FS uses Stihl.



For cheaper prices check out this website.



http://www.bbaileys.com/



Baileys is very resonable on all saw supplies.
 
go to your local Stihl dealer and get a MS290 or MS310 and cut with it this weekend if you don't like it take it back ( you won't :D )Stihl has a 7 day buy back.



good luck



ps.

husky

jonserad

poulan

craftsman

all big box store units and all (some models) made buy same company just different colors
 
The Oregon line offers many more choices than what you can get by just going with the stock bar & chain. Even if the stock bars are made by Oregon, and many are, they aren't the same as say a Power Match, Power Match Plus, PRO, etc.



Anyways, probably more options than necessary for cutting firewood.
 
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I see that bailies has a Husky 390 on sale now, so That may just make up my mind for me ;) . Is it a bad idea to order such a heavy, and expensive item like this online, or should I go to a dealer and order. Is it rude to ask dealer to match prices, or just forget about it, and remember the shipping savings? Also is the Oregon bar a brand name with different shapes and sizes, or is it a special type of bar?
 
I have a husky

Take it from the sawmillman. I have a 55 Rancher Husky. It has a compression release to help in ease of starting. It almost never takes more than 2 or 3 pulls no matter how long it sits. I have a portable sawmill and this saw gets it done. But Stil is a good saw also, just get one big enough to do what ever you think you might want to tackle later on down the road. Gene
 
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