Need Chainsaw Advice

[ProMac1K]

Anyone ever purchase one of these? We've got an older one that we've put some money into, but don't really trust it anymore, and want something more up-to-date and smaller. I'm trying to clean out a grove by myself on a family farm. We had a tornado come through in '92 and with my grandparents age, no one has done any work to any of it.



Any suggestions? I'd like something that isn't too heavy duty. Most of the stuff that I would be cutting is only volunteer trees that are 6-8" in diameter, but there also is some other trees in there (probably from the early 1900's) that are huge and have been knocked over.



Thanks

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Tell ya what I got a Stihl Ranch hand MS 290 that I adore. It fires right up every chance I call upon it. I also have a Craftsman 18" that just flat out rips (Except I am still chasing a carb issue) that Starts up no problem whatsoever. The Stihl is built very well and I prefer it over the craftsman.

 

[BigPapa]

I have a Makita which is made by Sachs-Dulmar. It runs and starts very well and has been a great chainsaw for the past 15 years. The only problem I've had is the kick-back brake wore to the point I had to have it repaired this past fall before my father took it to Louisiana to help with disaster relief.



Scott

 

[AKDrifter]

I have a 51 and 61 Husky. Thinned with the 51 for a year or so in AK. Also have operated many Stilh's, they both are commercial type saws and very good.



Regardless of the saw type you buy, put good oil in it and stick to that type.



Proper carb tuning is always needed every 15 hrs. or so. Throw away the safety chain it comes with one and buy a couple of good ones from Bailes and a pack of files.



A sharp chain on most properly running saws will burn through wood like butter and make work loads easier.



Buy chaps.



Paul



Paul

 

[GFrance]

When I used to cut cord wood for a livin I had a STilh 031 with a 24" bar & she cut alot of cord wood with no problems. Now I have a Stihl ms170 with a 14" bar. It works great for limbing & can still fall small trees, light wieght & easy starting.

Husky makes a good saw also.

 

[IC Smoke]

STIHL 038 or the new 390



great on fuel, TONS of power, yet wont kill your arms from 10hrs of work and it has a large variety of bar sizes that you can stick on it!



Ian

 

[TowPro]

everytime a chain saw thread comes up I throw in "Check out Jonsered ".

I had a 1974 that ran great, then traded it in on a new Jonsered in 2000. Only traded it in because the other one was old looking

 

[CTait]

Saws are alot like trailers; either too big or too little. Go with a saw that is 3. 0 or larger. These saws have the cubes necessary to get the work done and don't have to rev as high as the smaller saws. To me they are easier to use and last longer than one that has to be reved to the nuts enough to cut. I have a husky (268) that has been great and if it ever wears out I think I will buy the stihl 038 or eqv. The stihls are built a little more rugged than the huskvarna saws.

 

[RandyHamilton]

Stihl

Zero complaints on my Stihl 029 super. .

 

[JKinney]

I too am a stihl fan, As a landscaper here in the northeast I spent a full week cutting last week after the nice winds we have been having. I bought a huscavana this summer it to has been a nice saw, but what has amazed me is how clean the airfilter has stayed. The stihl dirties quicker.

 

[Lnwing]

My 77 year old father does the bulk of the firewood sawing for our 2 households, and his saw of choice is our Stihl 460 magnum. That might seem like overkill, but it's the easiest for him to start and operate, even with a bad shoulder. He hand files the chain every couple of fill-ups, and that 460 just rips ! Picking up one of our smaller saws now is like crawling behind the wheel of a stock CTD.

 

[SSabick]

I bought a Stihl 390 this year, and Love it. My dad has a Johnsered, about the same (65cc's) size,a nd it rips as well. I would say that if you have a bunch of wood to cut these two brands of saw are tops along with Husky. Other wise if you are only going to use this saw untill the wood from the storm is gone, get a cheeper echo, or craftsman. These will get the job done, and cost less. It just may take a bit more time and a more regular maintence schedule.