Chain saws???

[TowPro]

My vote goes for the Jonsered. I love mine. I have had smaller one for years, great for my 3-4 cords per year I cut. The turbo air cleaner works great. I run a chipper chain and it cuts great. I never needed parts for it so I can't tell you what the dealer stocks. I was looking at Stiel but the Jonsered dealer offered me a trade on my 1974 Jonsered, plus it was less money them the stiel for more saw.



Watch some saws don't have liners or plating in the cylinders. Ok for home use but will not last many years if you use it for anything more then cleaning up your yard.

 

[JPlybon]

I am the third owner of a WELL used Stihl 029 and never had a problem. Just keep the chain sharp and out of the ground.

 

[jkeyes]

I hjave an echo that we used for cutting RR ties. no problems with it.



-J-

 

[PSchwering]

I have a 2001 vintage Stihl 029 Farm boss, as well as 2 older homelites. I really like the way the 029 runs, but there are a couple of Quirks about my 029(can't speak for anyone elses. ) 1. Get a shorter bar. I went from the stock 20 inch bar to a 16 inch bar. it made a whole new saw out of it. 2. The bar lube oil pump is designed for an "oilmatic" chain. If I run an Oregon chain, it will lock up the gear on the end of the bar about 2/3 of the way through a tank of gas. I take the bar off, put some oil on the tip, get it turning again, put it back together, & I am good for another 2/3 tank of fuel. Needless to say, I use Stihl Chains. running stihl chains, i have never had a problem. My personal experience shows that a stihl chain holds it's cutting edge better, but That is subject to argument. BTW, If anyone knows how I can increase oil flow to the bar, I would be happy to hear about it! (I have the adjuster on the bottom of the saw maxed out )



I would stear clear of used saws. They are generally not worth the hassle, if you are going to be useing them a lot. I purchased both of my Homelite's used, 1 turned out to be the best money I have ever spent, (770G) Oo. the other was the biggest waste of money yet. (Blue XL) :{ Unless you can buy from someone you trust, buying used is a risky proposition. P.

 

[Jrork]

Had both Stihl and Husky's. Used Stihls at work.



Sold on Husky's forever. Abuse them, ignore them, whatever, always start and hold up extremely well.



For what it's worth

 

[JJuday]

Husquevarna does make a good saw that you can easily pick up at your local dealer, but when I say "local dealer" I don't mean Home Depot. Nothing against Home Depot, I like the place, but they are in the business to sell to the masses and the Husquevarna saws they sell there are not the same saws that most of the dealers sell. If you want a toy go to Wal-Mart. I prefer Stihl, but a good saw is a good saw.

 

[Matt400]

I have a Stihl 044 and it runs like the day I bought it. If it were to ever break I would buy another, it rocks!

 

[DTroy]

I bought a used Stihl 029 a few years back. Still runs like champ and I haven't put a dime into it. I sharpen the chain on a regular basis. I burn wood every winter. I split it by hand.

One thing though, only use a safety chain.

 

[EBung]

I have a Stihl 044 and it runs like the day I bought it. If it were to ever break I would buy another, it rocks!

HA HA I got one to Ditto!I run a 20" bar 90% of the time but have a 30" when things get big.

 

[TRACKERJOHN]

Stihl

:-laf Stihl 019, 020, MS260, 041AV, 044, HT75, BR400, FS85RX--- All AOK Oo.

 

[Will24]

I have a stihl MS290, I have only put about 10 hours on it since May, but it flat rocks! I replaced a McCulloch with it, and wow, what a world of difference!



-Will

 

[MKinner]

My vote gos for an older model Sachs Dolmar! My grandpa and dad have both used them for years. Not sure what models my grandpa has but he's been using them since i was a little kid. Still uses them to stock up on wood for those cold northern wisconsin days. Don't know how the new Dolmars are compared to them but i would check them out. http://www.dolmarusa.com/site/managed/html/kategorie/219/Chain_saws_gas

 

[Matt400]

HA HA I got one to Ditto!I run a 20" bar 90% of the time but have a 30" when things get big.

Wow, I bet its unstoppable with a 20" bar. I have a 32" bar on mine an run a 1/2 skip chain. It use to see yearly wood cutting for winter and now sets on the shelf for the occasional small job/favor kind of stuff. You now give me an idea that I should move to a smaller bar for what it has been seeing over the past several years.

 

[2Gen3Gen]

Ive owned both, Stihl and Husky. Seems that the Huskys ran somewhat good when new, but the 2nd season, not that great. I now have been using an 026 Stihl saw (flawless for the past 15 years) I just bought a new Stihl wacker, backpack blower and hedge trimmer. They are, in my book, the best on the market. Just my opinion.

 

[TW1]

Ditto what coleman said... It is the chain condition that really counts. I have a Stihl 034 and a Homelite super XL12, and the chain should be sharp on either for them to do their job. Whatever brand you end up with, invest in some kind of chain sharpener to keep the chain in good shape.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I've run Homelites, Stihls, and Huskies at work - clearing trails in non-wilderness areas. The Homelites use to be the "official" FS saw, now it seems to be the Stihl. Although, there are a lot of Huskies around the FS too.



I personally have owned Homelite 360s, Stihl 045, Husky 55, and now a MS031 for cutting firewood. I would not recommed a Homelite. If I buy another saw it will be a Husky, unless I happened on to a fantastic Stihl deal. In summary Stihls and Huskies are both good, but personal preference for the Husky.



Bailey's is a great company as already mentioned. We order from them regularly and their catalog is cause for serious tool lust. I would recommend thinking about your budget, needs, and stick with a brand that you can service locally. I bought the MS031 because we mainly have puny lodgepole, with a few doug firs mixed in, around the Yellowstone ecosystem. If I was back up on the Flathead the MS031 would be lousy and I'd be back using an 045(4) again or a 036 at a minimum. What kind of wood are you cutting? Hardwoods or softwood, i. e. pine or firs? You'll want a beefier saw for hardwoods. Do you want to shell out the bucks for a professional series, e. g. Husky xxxXP, when a "farm" grade saw would work just fine? Do you want to shell out the bucks for a professional series just because for status, for a saw that you are going to park in your garage 99. 9% of the time? (sure :-laf )

 

[TinyInOhio]

Husqvarna rocks, 'nuff said!

 

[TSpecht]

I use a Stihl 460 with a 20" bar normally. This thing isn't the best choice for limbing and topping due to weight and potential fatigue, but for falling and bucking it's impressive. With a halfway sharp chain it'll cut like a laser. Very fast, and it's tough to get it to bog down. Used it all summer to help some friends clear land for a house, and it's had no problems as yet. Always fires up within a pull or three (depending on how long it's been sitting, etc).

That having been said, a small saw is a good idea in addition to a big one. With a setup like that and a buddy or two, you can move some serious amounts of wood pretty quickly. I think my next purchase will be something more along the lines of a Stihl 260, for the smaller work where such a big saw if overkill.

 

[JSienkowski]

I've used both Stihl and Husky and I own 5 Stihl products, BIG thing I've noticed-but yet a small thing, look at two compairable saws, ask the dealer to pull the side cover off (like you where changing a chain) and look where the safety clutch is mounted-Stihls are mounted on the INSIDE of the chain sprocket, where Husky's are mounted on the OUTSIDE-small thing but it makes changing chains a heck of alot easier with the clutch on the inside. . oh my oldest Stihl is a early to mid 80's 028, with the exception of the tree that landed on it, hasn't been in the shop (mine or the dealers) for much more than a HD tune up. You get what you pay for, do your reaserch and spend wisely, and when "your ready to quit playing with toys" buy a Stihl!! :-laf

 

[LJFiler]

I have a Stihl Farmboss and it sits on the shelf most of the year and then starts in about 3 or 4 pulls. I have the 18" bar and it is the best saw that I have used and owned. I do not think that you can go wrong with this saw.