20 inch chainsaw recommendation

[Hay Dude]

These would be my choices (for different reasons)

10.6 lbs Price
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10.8 lbs Power
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13 lbs Professional
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I like the upper 2 saws as a comparable, but the Husky is 30% heavier. That’s a BIG weight handicap. It’s not really comparable to a 261C
Also, like the Husky, the 261C is also a “professional” saw.

 

[hunt4570]

I own Stihls and Echos, for the size you are looking for I would suggest an Echo 501p. Yes its a pro saw but light in weight with tons of power.

 

[rbeggs]

The Husqvarna Pro saws are awesome you will not be disappointed. Stihl makes good saws too but don't believe the hype as they are not the only choice.

 

[rbeggs]

I like the upper 2 saws as a comparable, but the Husky is 30% heavier. That’s a BIG weight handicap. It’s not really comparable to a 261C
Also, like the Husky, the 261C is also a “professional” saw.

That stihl is a 50cc saw, the husqvarna is a 60cc saw, of course the bigger saw is heavier.

 

[aba4430]

My $0.02 - I bought a Shindaiwa 20" 600SX (same as Echo 620P) last fall and it is an exceptional saw.

 

[BryceSteiner]

I'll be the lone voice here and say - check out the latest battery powered chain saws. They have improved substantially in the last five years. Project farm has done a comparison just recently on his YT channel.
The great thing about them is the starting which seems to be everybody's biggest problem gas. I have a Poulon Pro gas and have always had starting issues or lack of power problems. Several of the battery saws now cut faster than the gas saw.
I've had my 16" Dewalt since about 2018 and it works fine except the brake and they have improved tremendously since then. I've changed out the bar for the 18" and still works fine. The same things apply to both gas and battery - keep you chain sharp.
The advantages are much quieter, only run when you need to cut, should be lighter, easy starting.
Disadvantages are battery may not last so you'll need several but with fast charging and a portable power station or good inverter it doesn't matter - it will keep up fine.

 

[brian9000]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

I have your same story…had an old Husky 51 with 18”, loved it, but wanted/needed something just a little bigger. I got a Stihl 290 Rancher 20”. It is a decent saw, has some sluggish power issues. I came across a Stihl 261….Wow! What a difference it is compared to the 290. It’s a beast. It starts every time, and runs without issue. There is a difference between prosumer and professional. Worth every penny.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Husky 550xp is a ripper and will easily pull a 20” bar and not penalize for weight either. HL supply has a sale going on right now on them, shipped to your house.

 

[glenintenn]

I'm with your (OP) original instinct, get an Echo CS590. I got one 6 years ago with the 20 inch blade (could go bigger with it ... 24" bars are available ) and it's been a workhorse. Granted, everything has gone downhill in the past 5 years as the big name manufacturers are competing with no-name knockoffs from around the globe -- and all the electronics to try and pretend that chainsaw exhaust is the reason Micronesia is going to eventually disappear; all those extra controls are just things to go very wrong.

I bought a smaller Echo a couple of months ago and the quality is significantly lower than what I bought just 6 years ago. Have yet to see what difference that turns out to be as far as the guts - how the engine lasts (or doesn't), how subject the fuel system to our crapgas that's sold at the pump these days. There's no longer a place that sells 93 octane pure gas in my immediately surrounding area. As a result, I may start watching at a couple of pawn shops and pick up an older Echo. That may go for a new 590 as well - maybe one has to pick up a slightly older model.

Kind of done with Stihl. Had a 170 and a 180C. Those non-adjustable carbs are nothing but hair pullers for any sort of sustained work on the property. So I may be judging apples to oranges but... we'll see this season and the next couple.

 

[Skypilota72]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

The ‘Cry Once’ analogy along with dependability are the most important for me. I own an Echo 7310 with a 28” blade and an Echo 4910 with an 18” blade. Both can easily swing larger blades. The 5-year warranty is the best in the industry and they are easy to start, maintain, and run.

 

[mhmaslo]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

I've had stihl saws all my life. Are they worth the extra price compared to an Echo? Stilh ms362 vs Echo 590. I'd say go with the Echo, vibrates a little more but starts without issue and half the price.

 

[glenintenn]

Having both the Stihl 261c and Echo CS4910 - if they were cars, the Echo is a Honda and the Stihl is a Ferrari. If you want reliable running/easy start, get the Echo. If you want speed cuts and the Stihl name, get the Stihl, but it's finicky about it's start up routine. The Stihl was bought first (per the buy once cry once saying) and someone killed it and had to go into the shop. While there I picked up the Echo "for the meantime". Echo turned out to be a really good saw. Honestly, would have been nice to have bought it first.

Both saws will cut logs - keep them cleaned, lubed, fresh fuel, sharp chain. It's the cutting experience and cost of purchase that are different. I'm not blaming the break down on the Stihl, that was all operator error. But using them head to head for the same jobs, year round in all the 4 seasons, the Echo is much easier to live with.

Well said. I had a couple of seasons where I found a routine with a couple of smaller Stihl saws. Then I had two seasons of pure hell where I just could not get a consistent start out of either Stihl (170, 180C) -- every last time I went out to get something done, it was 2 to 3 hours in the shop tearing one of the other saw down for one reason or another. Sold them for parts. completely junk. I had a plastic toy which had Homelite stamped on the side .. I had bought that from a guy on Craigslist 7 years ago and it outran those dumb Stihls -- even though the engine was melting itself out of the plastic mounts by the time I was done with it.

Plenty of YMMV responses here ... folks who have found the groove with their Stihl and can coax it to get the job done. Maybe I'll see the light again some day. Not for now.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I’ll echo the Stihl MS261. It’s a pro saw but worth every penny.

I'm also a fan of the 261, I have the MS 261CM i bought in 2021 or 2022 and it always starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull when completely cold and first pull the rest of the day.
Northern Tool has them on sale for 720 but my local Stihl dealer had them on sale for about 638 last month during the Stihl sale. You might be able to haggle to that price today.

 

[Johnb0311]

I’ll echo the Stihl MS261. It’s a pro saw but worth every penny.

I agree, Had an echo then went with a couple stihls. Ms261 and a small trim stihl, can't beat them, unless you try to cut dirt and stone with it.

 

[kozal01]

I’ve owned Stihl saws, trimmers, blowers and Kombi units for decades and have never had starting issues with any except my FS94 trimmer, that thing sucked if it was left in the sun. This new Husqvarna saw actually has been a bit annoying to start compared to my Stihl saws but it’s only had a few tanks run through it, still not broke in fully.

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

Get something with a compression release. I have a Husq 345. It isn't very powerful but it has an adjustable carb (with limiters removed) and a compression release. Whatever you get, if it lasts, you will wish it had a compression release.

 

[rocco611]

If you repair your own saws then choose one of the brands suggested in this thread. Parts are available online for all the major brands. If you don't repair your own saws,the thing about buying online or at a big box store is that once it has been fueled it can't be returned if it has a problem. If you need repairs you will have to take it to a local repair center if there is one in your area that services that brand. Most small engine shops only do warranty work on brands they sell. If I didn't repair my own saws I would purchase from a local small engine or power equipment store that has been in business a long time and provides good service. Go with one of the brands they service and sell,

 

[Wirehair]

Agree with all who recommended the Echo cs-501p. I have 4 of the Echo "X Series" saws, and the 501p is my favorite. I run a 20" bar with Oregon chains, and it is in the sweet spot of power and weight. FYI, this line of Echos is generally sold at stand alone lawn and garden stores, or equipment/powersports dealers. I don't think it is available at homedepot.
Bonus-Echo has 15% off one day sales, by it then and it is a real deal.

 

[lschaudies]

Hi All,

I need to buy a new chain saw. I have a Husky 18 inch that is around 22 years old or so and the trees I need to cut up are too big for it. I figure a Husky or Stihl but open to other ideas as well. I would like to go with either brand's middle line, not home or professional but I think it is called Rancher series.

Secondly are there good online discount sites to buy or is buying local at a box store, hardware store TSC etc better?

Thanks so much,
Glenn

I would have never thought it but I have 2 Huskies the 550 and 560. Last year I got a portable man lift to work on barn roofs and trim my trees and starting either of those in a lift bucket is not good. I got a Husky 350i Electric and haven't used the gas saws since. I will still use for the 24inch bar on the 560 but for most all my cutting even hard dried locust I use the electric saw. With 2 batteries you can go all day charging alternately.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I am 74 and still cut a lot of wood. I cut and split 4 cords this year of mostly 18 - 24 inch across red oaks.

I was concerned about weight so I bought a MS271. Good saw. Than a neighbor gave me a MS390 with a 20" bar that I run with a full chisel chain. Surprisingly I found the heavier 390 to be much less tiresome to use than the smaller saw. I think the extra weight combined with more power allows me to just let the saw cut on its own without having to "work" it along.

As for starting a Stihl the key is to choke it until it kicks one time and then open the choke or it will flood. I only use non ethanol fuel and mix it with Stihl synthetic 2 stroke oil one gallon at a time.

A friend has an Echo 590. He likes it, but had to change the carb to a Chinese version so it didn't run so lean. He told me the net is full of threads on how the factory carb will burn the saw up prematurely.