Need chainsaw: svc manual, continuous use

ruralNearDallas · Sep 25, 2011

I need a new chainsaw. I tried Poulan Pro 18" yesterday, but am planning to return it because it quit after about an hour. I am looking for:

--I want a saw that I can get a service manual so I can work on it myself. I understand some sell them, and others don't. (I get them for my automobiles)

--I only cut would maybe 14 days per year, but when I do, it is because I have set aside a day to do it. I want a saw that I can run for at least 4 hours without quitting because it got hot or some other reason. I don't have time (that day) to repair or spend lots of time trying to get it to restart.

--Any other comments about a saw that is worth it. I have given up on cheap saws, so I am okay spending money.

We cut and split wood to heat our house all winter.

Thanks so much for any help.

jdtractor · Sep 25, 2011

hi i use to be a husky fan , but no more . they have went down hill in my opinnoin, quality and price they are sold where ever anymore. i would buy a stihl thats what i went to, have cut firewood for several years , along with timber etc...... and i own several acres, i like you need a good saw. stihl for my money! jst my .02 cts have a good1

hayden · Sep 25, 2011

Get a Stihl or a Husky. Both brands have consumer and pro models. In my opinion, it's worth the extra $$ for one of the pro models. Like you say, when you need it, you need it and don't want something that will give you grief.

Others can likely help with which Stihl models are good. On the Husky side, the XP models are the pro models. There's a 346XP, a 357XP, and a 372XP. And others that are even bigger, but it's unlikely you'll need one that big. Even the 372 is oversized for most homeowner use. Among others, I've got a 346XP (actually two of them) and love it. It's small and light yet still kicks but for a small/medium saw. For the really big stuff I have a 385XP, but it only comes out for stumps and really big logs.

Furu · Sep 25, 2011

Stihl is the only way to go unless you are a Huskie fan. Several options to go with but would choose a pro version. They are just built better. Stihl 260 pro is a great all-around saw but bar length is only 20", if you need more bar go up to the next pro size. If you go with Huskie do not buy from big box store they are the cheap version. Can not buy Stihl from anyone not a dealer. You can acquire a service manual from several places online but doubt the dealers will sell a manual.

Egon · Sep 25, 2011

Seriously think about a pro model. [husky stihl jonsered echo]

xyz123 · Sep 25, 2011

Husqvarna 555 is basically a husky 560xp without the rev-boost new technology.
Husky 346 50cc new ones and older ones were 45cc. For 59cc saws and below.

Stihl 026 MS260, new one MS261, MS361 For 59cc and below.

Dolmar 5105 new, 5100S older 510 etc 50cc saws

Efco 156 165

Good consumer saw that is right for the money Poulan Pro 330 54cc and comes with 22" 3/8. I like 16" and 20" on them. $199 clearance priced when new and $279 regular price.
I have 2 of those 330 now used and a 3750 60cc and 3450 54cc I love them over the stihl plastic homeowner saws MS290 for lot more money.

Try and get metal crankcase magnesium best or aluminum and bolt on cylinders. JMO.

If buying new having a good dealer to back you up and work on saw would sway my decision on brand. Not the brand or make itself.

arrow · Sep 26, 2011

ruralNearDallas said:
I need a new chainsaw. I tried Poulan Pro 18" yesterday, but am planning to return it because it quit after about an hour. I am looking for:

--I want a saw that I can get a service manual so I can work on it myself. I understand some sell them, and others don't. (I get them for my automobiles)

--I only cut would maybe 14 days per year, but when I do, it is because I have set aside a day to do it. I want a saw that I can run for at least 4 hours without quitting because it got hot or some other reason. I don't have time (that day) to repair or spend lots of time trying to get it to restart.

--Any other comments about a saw that is worth it. I have given up on cheap saws, so I am okay spending money.

We cut and split wood to heat our house all winter.

Thanks so much for any help.

What is the average size and species of wood you are mostly cutting?

xyz123 · Sep 26, 2011

arrow said:
What is the average size and species of wood you are mostly cutting?

148" dbh dead elm

with a 33cc - 42cc 18"

:ashamed: wonder why it died.

Just joking of course, at least I hope I am wrong. :confused2:

arrow · Sep 26, 2011

xyz123 said:
148" dbh dead elm with a 33cc - 42cc 18" :ashamed: wonder why it died.

Just joking of course, at least I hope I am wrong. :confused2:

If the op is 7'6, we can narrow up that dbh a bit as long as you're willing to throw the standard out.

xyz123 · Sep 26, 2011

I ran into a dead elm that size on a take down at a farm house (thats why I said that size) I had a 32" bar and felt like oh chit. Plenty of motor 122cc woods ported, just not enough bar and I wasnt spending the money on a longer bar to do for a friend.

Hog86r · Sep 26, 2011

i am a casual user like yourself. fortunately in 1995 a stihl dealer sold me a commercial saw. it was a model 036 with a 20 inch bar. about 500 bucks at the time. still going strong. 2 years ago my hunting club opted for saw. got a stihl 441 with a 24 inch bar. new they are about a grand. however, if you figure a 15 year life, and your 4 hours a day for 14 days will enable you to keep this saw forever, that's only 70 bucks ayear to own it. you can't keep department store junk running for 70 bucks a year.
the only downside is you will not need a repair manual. they dont break. they are designed to be used all day everyday. just keep the junk gas out of them and do not ever store them with gas in them. if you buy it and hate it you can sell it. get your dealer to let you demo one or have him refer you to a customer that recently bought one. the big ones like this are still made in germany. good stuff.
my 2 cents worth. Hog86r

Fixemall · Sep 26, 2011

Only Stihls I have had to fix were due to bad gas, no oil in gas and fell out of truck at 60 mph.

ruralNearDallas · Sep 27, 2011

Thanks for the info.

The saw would be a second to my Stihl MS210C saw which quit working Friday. I bought a new carb. Friday. All upset with my bad Poulon Pro experience on Saturday, I did manage to install the Stihl carb. and it works fine.

Still I want a second saw.

To answer Arrow. The wood size I guess ranges from 5" to 20", but mostly less. Includes B'Darc (sp?) which means we have spare chains

The MS210C came with 16" bar which was good for me as a newbie, but now I could work with a longer one. Long bars are more dangerous.

The 210c is a homeowner version. Based on my experience, and your comments, I plan to go up to the farmer/rancher level even though they cost more.

??

LD1 · Sep 27, 2011

I have to vote for dolmar.

Not that there is anything wrong with stihl and husky saws, but it seems you already had pleanty of recomendations for them and guys saying "their the only way to go":confused2:

But you have to watch out for the NON-pro huskies and stihls. TOO many times I see people buying a stihl because they thought it was a "good pro" saw. And I ask them what they got, and it was just a MS290 (NON_PRO) saw.:confused2: OR too many times I over hear a worker at TSC trying to sell a customer on a 455Rancher, telling them that it is a "pro" saw:confused2:

I think the ONLY pro stihls now are the 260, 360, and then everything larger than the 440/441. And on the husky, anything that has an XP is good.

But IMO, the best bang for the buck in a PRO saw is still with dolmar. But ONLY if you have a dealer nearby that you are comfortable with.

The PS5105 or the PS6400. Either with a 20" bar is what I would be looking at. And dollar for dollar, both will out cut a stihl or husky. IOW, to get a stihl or husky comparable to those, it will cost you more.

DAY · Sep 27, 2011

My Echo CS 400 starts easier than any saw I ever had. Something called the i30 system. At ten pounds, I can carry it up the mountain with one hand, and drag 100 feet of wire rope with the other. I run out of gas before it does:laughing:
When buying a saw-(or mower/tractor/auto)- is the dealer close by? fix things quick? stand behind his products? All those can add a bundle to the sticker price.

ctbigman · Sep 27, 2011

My vote is for the Stihl MS 290 Farm Boss with a 20" bar. Reasonably priced with a history of years of reliable service.

LD1 · Sep 27, 2011

ctbigman said:
My vote is for the Stihl MS 290 Farm Boss with a 20" bar. Reasonably priced with a history of years of reliable service.

My vote is the contrary.

The MS290's that I have been around were ALL overpriced, slow cutting, and overweight for the performance. And it is NOT a PRO saw either.

I am not saying that it is a bad saw, I am just saying that for the same $$$, you can get a MUCH better, faster, and lighter saw:thumbsup:

xyz123 · Sep 27, 2011

LD1, everyone that buys the 210 230 250 290 310 390 homeowner saws should be made to work on it themselves. Then they would never buy the crap after seeing how they are built :ashamed: :laughing:

ctbigman · Sep 27, 2011

Sounds like xyz123 has had an issue with Stihl. Remember, the OP is not a professional logger. THe MS290 is an upgrade from the homeowner saws yet not quite the pro level. In this day and age, ethanol is the biggest culprit in saw problems.

Car Doc · Sep 27, 2011

I am also all for the pro saws (not Poulan PRO haha thats a joke) spend the extra money get pro Husky or Stihl you wont be sorry when you get it out year after year it will start and run reliably. :thumbsup:

Those box store/hardware store saws can be a mess even if they do come from one of the name brands they are not even close to the quality and features you will get with a pro saw. btdt

The bad thing about them is they invariably have a bar thats half again too long for the engine. In example that 42cc (assuming thats the one) Poulan had an 18" on it should have had a 13" for the power the engine actually has and it would actually get some work done if it ran long enough. :laughing: my .02