Best and worst chainsaw?

[northcreek2624]

Ageed....I bought one of the first 562xp (20") saws and it has never let me down, took down over 40 ash trees after the Ash Borer thing and that saw performed flawlessly. My smaller Echos helped in the process. I have avoided Stihl saws only because of their proprietary stance, meaning all parts come from them.
For the price it's hard to beat the Echo saws and parts are everywhere.

 

[Paul_M]

Shindaiwa.

 

[gsganzer]

Ageed....I bought one of the first 562xp (20") saws and it has never let me down, took down over 40 ash trees after the Ash Borer thing and that saw performed flawlessly. My smaller Echos helped in the process. I have avoided Stihl saws only because of their proprietary stance, meaning all parts come from them.
For the price it's hard to beat the Echo saws and parts are everywhere.

Those 562XP are a real sweet spot. I wonder what they changed/improved with the newer Markii?

 

[kenmbz]

Ageed....I bought one of the first 562xp (20") saws and it has never let me down, took down over 40 ash trees after the Ash Borer thing and that saw performed flawlessly. My smaller Echos helped in the process. I have avoided Stihl saws only because of their proprietary stance, meaning all parts come from them.
For the price it's hard to beat the Echo saws and parts are everywhere.

The reason I bought my 620p was all the dead Ash. Ours is 50-70 years old and the old 490 was really struggling. Took a long time to cut and I kept having to let it cool.
I found the 18" or 20" bar was too short so had to make multiple cuts to buck the trees out.
Having a 24" bar reduced that to only the butts of most of the trees.

I was thinking of going bigger saw/bar, but the weight kind of drove me back to the 60cc size.

I buy my gas saws from a local place, they help retune them for me as I don't do that often enough.

I like hand sharpening the chain, good way to wind down at the end of a long day cutting.
Clean and sharpen for the next use.

 

[mmsb27]

Another happy Echo CS 590 Timberwolf owner/user. I love this saw.

 

[JeepHead]

I've had many saws over the years. I'm by no means an expert, but I've cut wood for heat and trees for milling most of my life (I'm 65). The best saws I've had were Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo.

I currently have Stihl 038AV (had a 036 but someone ran over it with a tractor lol); Husky 562XP (which I LOVE since I had it "Magnum'ed" a cpl years ago); Echo cs271 for one handed trimming (don't try this at home). I also have a Tanaka for small trimming jobs - to use when the 271 is cooling off. It was free so I use it. It's not that bad for once in a while use.

I really like all of them, but my favorite is the 562xp for all around use. It's the sweet spot for me regarding power and speed vs weight. And since I had it "souped up" it is super reliable, powerful and fast.

I don't think there is a better 60cc saw than the 562XP.

 

[LouNY]

Oh I don't know. I have many pictures of dad and grampa cutting old oaks with a wip saw. In 1959 they got a Mall 12a. $325. That was a lot of money at the time, but apperently thought well worth it, and a huge labor saver. For me the worst was that old Mall, heavy oily thing, next a Husky 55 (gave it away), then ms261 and ms462. That and a loader I don't need to work up a sweat to bring in the old oaks they were working on. I like the pro saws. But anyone with any power saw, we've all got it made. As long as it starts and has a sharp chain.

I don't know what year my father got his first chainsaw it was an old blue McCulloch that was used for falling and bucking into log length pieces which were then cut to firewood size with the tractor mounted belt driven buzz saw. The he got a Homelite which was anything but light. By that time I was limbing and cleaning the large limbs and topping with an axe, 4" and under I could do faster with an axe then a saw could even think about doing. Even 6-8" were a toss up.

 

[Snobdds]

I don't think there is a better 60cc saw than the 562XP.

Nah...that is a stratified motor. Purely for EPA standards.

The best saws are pre EPA, non-stratified, non-microprocessor, non-limited saws.

We're almost 20 years now since those have been made. Most people now don't even remember the glory days of what a chainsaw should feel like. The days of the pure muscle saw are gone.

 

[hslogger]

I have run pro saws all my life. My stable at 75 consists of two Stihl 170's with fourteen inch bars and full floating sprocket. This is a low entry homeowner saw that comes with a little longer bar from the dealer. I like the shorter bar for more power and general poop around the place use. I hang them off my chipper. This little saw is great for throwing in the tool box if you want. I have a couple bigger Huskies. The 372 is a tried and true saw that they just can't discontinue. You can run any size bar on it. 32 is the real limit. It is a bombproof saw for cutting all the firewood for the rest of your life.. Different strokes for different folks.... play safe

 

[JeepHead]

Nah...that is a stratified motor. Purely for EPA standards.

The best saws are pre EPA, non-stratified, non-microprocessor, non-limited saws.

We're almost 20 years now since those have been made. Most people now don't even remember the glory days of what a chainsaw should feel like. The days of the pure muscle saw are gone.

I will completely disagree with you. I like the 5 series saws much better than the old ones. I will stand by my opinion that the 562 is the best saw out there and would take it any day over the old skool saws.

 

[dannyS]

My friend work for a large city and they all use Stihl's and I personally use them.

 

[newbury]

You hit a sore spot with this thread.
<snip>
Best tip of all: do not buy a gas saw unless you really need it. I have a Makita with two 5-Ah batteries, and it will handle 9/10 of the jobs I need a saw for. It always starts. It cuts like crazy. No ear protection. Makita designed it to be easy to use. If you get one of these and 4 batteries, you may never need a gas saw unless you're cutting firewood.
<snip>

A good saw = one that starts each time you need to use it

A bad saw = junk from day one and never starts when you need it

All other saws are useable saws and require maint from time to time before, during and after use.

I've only a few saws.
If best means what gets used the most now it would be my 12" DeWalt 20v Max that tends to ride in my vehicle. I find my self using it for a lot of trimming around the house, just wish it was a top-handle.
If best means what can handle anything it's my Stihl 088, but as I age it gets heavy.

/edit -
One of the "problems" with Stihls is that they (at least all of mine) seem designed to cold start using the sequence:Set choke to full, pull a time or three until it fires once, reset choke, pull, usually once.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I've only a few saws.
If best means what gets used the most now it would be my 12" DeWalt 20v Max that tends to ride in my vehicle. I find my self using it for a lot of trimming around the house, just wish it was a top-handle.
If best means what can handle anything it's my Stihl 088, but as I age it gets heavy.

/edit -
One of the "problems" with Stihls is that they (at least all of mine) seem designed to cold start using the sequence:Set choke to full, pull a time or three until it fires once, reset choke, pull, usually once.

every single saw I have used and most engines that use a choke start that way.

 

[aircommuter]

I cut about 5 cords of oak every season. I have three Stihl models. I just replaced the midsize one with a MS400C, 20” bar, it is a fuel injected model. Once it is running it’s rock solid, perfect idle and fast cutting. I grab it even for limbing because it is so fast although heavier than my baby ms180. The speed is much faster making it worthwhile. I have a suped up 066 with a 36” bar and skip tooth chain for the bigger stuff.

 

[JeepHead]

I cut about 5 cords of oak every season. I have three Stihl models. I just replaced the midsize one with a MS400C, 20” bar, it is a fuel injected model. Once it is running it’s rock solid, perfect idle and fast cutting. I grab it even for limbing because it is so fast although heavier than my baby ms180. The speed is much faster making it worthwhile. I have a suped up 066 with a 36” bar and skip tooth chain for the bigger stuff.

the 400 isn't fuel injected, just the 500.

 

[saxtonhill]

I will start cutting firewood in the coming months which made me wonder, "what's my best and worst chainsaw?" I'm not extremely picky on brands but my experience with Echo is mixed and is limited to one model with Stihl. Aside from a basic homeowner, inexpensive poulan I've had 3 chainsaws.

My first "farm/commercial" grade purchase was the echo cs590 "timberwolf." Bought it bout 9 years ago (?). My favorite saw. 20" bar and cuts everything I've thrown at it. I've cut firewood: we heat our home with a Lopi wood stove. I've trimmed trees and cleared well over 1,000 cedar off of 70 acres. This saw is my favorite. It's a bit heavy for trimming and clearing cedars.

I wanted a lighter saw so, I stuck with Echo and bought the 4510 with an 18" bar. This saw never ran right. Finicky bout idling. I struggled with it for a few months. My dealer (who is great) tweaked it. Ran a bit better. I even started buying the echo premix fuel. I've always used premix but upgraded to echo's red "something." Somehow, that saw burned up and I threw it away after less than a year. The dealer said water somehow got in the fuel. I'm not sure how that could have happened. Regardless, I never liked the saw so I didn't press it.

I then picked up the Stihl ms250 with an 18" bar. This is a great saw. Lighter than the echo. And, starts a bit easier. But, it doesn't cut as efficient. I use both saws and appreciate them. The cs590 remains my favorite. It just cuts so dang fast and sometimes the weight works for me. Even when I'm sawing cedars horizontal the speed may offset the weight.

I do want a new saw. I'm thinking about a new cs590. What's your experience for best all around saw. By all around, I mean firewood and property mtnce (clearing cedar, fenceline cleaning, even cutting brush and underbrush).

I have had numerous Stihl chainsaws over the years. I have been very happy with them.

My go to for most cutting jobs is a MS271. It's a real workhorse. It has plenty of power, is relatively light, starts easily and runs forever.

I recently bought an electric one for limbing - MSA70C. The battery lasts a long time and it has enough power to do what I want. The other day I had a dead pine tree that needed to come down. I decided to try this one. It easily brought the tree down, limbed it and cut it all up. The battery started dying just at the end.

 

[Snobdds]

I will completely disagree with you. I like the 5 series saws much better than the old ones. I will stand by my opinion that the 562 is the best saw out there and would take it any day over the old skool saws.

Fair enough...but wait until you have to fix it.

This is when the differences become more into focus...

 

[KCTractors]

I prefer saws that are pre EPA; I don't like choked down, limited, microprocessor controlled, stratified saws.

My favorite saw is a stihl MS361. Now this was Stihl's last non strato, true 2 stroke saw. It did have the EPA muffler on it, but it's very easy to delete. It has spring vibration damping and a very hot porting that really needs nothing done.

I have 4 stashed away that are still new in the box.

Now I do have over 30 saws and there are many more I do like. But as far as the perfect saw...Stihl did it with the 361.

I hear that the new Stihl 400 saws are very good, but they are professionally rated. I have a Stihl MS 391. I hated the saw, very hard to start and easy to flood. A friend told me now to start the thing with-out flooding the saw. The saw and I are now friends.

 

[4570Man]

Nah...that is a stratified motor. Purely for EPA standards.

The best saws are pre EPA, non-stratified, non-microprocessor, non-limited saws.

We're almost 20 years now since those have been made. Most people now don't even remember the glory days of what a chainsaw should feel like. The days of the pure muscle saw are gone.

We can agree to disagree. I had a 272XP that I bought on marketplace for $200. The old saw would rip but it wasn’t the saw my 372xp is. The 272 would cut just as well but wasn’t as nice to use. There were several differences but the most important was the anti vibration was non existent on the old saw. The 372xp was much smoother to use. And I’d rather have my 500i over either one of those. The 500 I runs cleaner. People will probably laugh at chainsaw emissions but I smell a lot better after an hour of using that saw vs the other ones.

 

[Snobdds]

We can agree to disagree. I had a 272XP that I bought on marketplace for $200. The old saw would rip but it wasn’t the saw my 372xp is. The 272 would cut just as well but wasn’t as nice to use. There were several differences but the most important was the anti vibration was non existent on the old saw. The 372xp was much smoother to use. And I’d rather have my 500i over either one of those. The 500 I runs cleaner. People will probably laugh at chainsaw emissions but I smell a lot better after an hour of using that saw vs the other ones.

I have a 272 and it is a good saw. Super dependable. I like to use it.

I agree on the spring anti vibe being better than rubber bushings. That is why I said earlier in this thread the Stihl 361 is the best saw going. It has spring antivibe, a true 2 stoke, and non stratified motor.

The 372 is a great saw, but there are two different 372. The later "XP" model is an EPA saw, the earlier non XP is a non stratified motor. The earlier 372 OE is much better than the later 372 XP.

I ran the 500i once for a tank of gas. Boy did that tank go fast. But nice saw...