20 inch chainsaw recommendation

[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.