Best and worst chainsaw?

[Pecosbill7]

2-strokes are getting banned here.

It is illegal to start up a 2-stroke bowers or brush cutter in city limits...

I would go totally insane if I lived in California. I don’t know how you can stand it.

 

[John_Mc]

Stabil isn't designed to keep water out of your fuel, that's what keeping a clean fuel can is for. Stabil is only a fuel stabilizer, and it does a very good job at that.

Actually, Stabil does also remove water. The Marine Formula Stabil has more of the water-fighting additives, but both Stabil 360 and the regular red Stabil also remove water.

 

[John_Mc]

When it comes to 2 stroke oils, he did some research on that for me as well. The stihl HP is the best, readily available, 2 stroke oil to use FOR A CHAINSAW. My local dealer agrees. He sells Echos, Stihl and Husky, along with all of their oils, premix fuels, etc. He tells people to run the Stihl HP in everything. The plugs and screens in both my ms170 and 562xp are pretty clean.

Interesting - Stihl HP Ultra regularly gets panned on several chainsaw repair sites. It's been a while since I read through the specs and reviewed the comments, so I don't recall all of the details, but if I remember correctly, Stihl Ultra is a JASO "FC" rated oil - a good spec, and definitely a step up from FB rated oils. Stihl HP+ oil also contains no fuel stabilzers. If you use your fuel up quickly, or add your own stabilizer, that may not be a concern for you.

Some of the other name brand oils meet the FD specification, which is a step up from FC: lower ash content, and higher detergency. Husqvarna XP+, RedMax, and Echo Red Armor are als JASO FD rated oils.

So Stihl produces their own 2 stroke oil? Or are they rebranding an oil manufactured by another company?

No, Stihl does not make their own oil. They contract with another manufacturer to make it for their to Stihl specifications. Like @walhondingMF, I had also heard they did this through Castrol, but I can't swear that is the case. Husqvarna XP+ and Redmax 2 cycle oils

 

[ultrarunner]

I would go totally insane if I lived in California. I don’t know how you can stand it.

The frog being slowly cook in water as it's heated...

Many things happen incrementally...

The pandemic wasn't all bad... city inspectors and regulators no where to be found for a couple of years and doors at city hall remained locked...

Unfortunately, a few on the highways decided it was time for free for alls and side shows into the second year but I went more than a year before seeing Highway Patrol out and about.

Now several each day in a 10 minute drive.

 

[5030]

Somehow I missed this thread but I'll put in my 2 cents anyway..

The best chainsaw in my opinion, brand not withstanding, is one that starts on the first or second pull, runs a long time with little upkeep and didn't cost an arm and a leg to purchase.

I just happen to own a few saws myself plus I grind saw chains and sharpen chipper knives for local arborists.

My all time favorite long lasting saw is the Stihl 028 I bought when I was about 22 and I'm 75 now and it's still running and cutting like a scalded dog. Matter of fact, I just replaced the original spark plug. The original one still looked good, believe it or not.

For the last 10 years or so, all my saws are run on canned fuel, in my case Echo Red Armor 50-1.

I'd say my ancient 028 is my best saw but I also own a couple Echo's, a CS top handle Arborists saw as well as a 590 Timber Wolf or Bear or whatever it;s called and a Stihl 075 and a Stihl 090. The last 2 are devoid of fuel and oil and just sit on a shelf. Too heavy for this old man to use anyway. Bought them both new when I bought the 028, many, many moons ago.

Far as I'm concerned for value, you cannot beat an Echo, the new Stihl's are over priced and I don't care for their fuel injection either.

Like I said, the best saw is one that starts on the second pull and runs forever and of course a sharp loop makes or breaks any chainsaw..

 

[Oaktree]

For the last 10 years or so, all my saws are run on canned fuel, in my case Echo Red Armor 50-1.

I'd say my ancient 028 is my best saw but I also own a couple Echo's, a CS top handle Arborists saw as well as a 590 Timber Wolf or Bear or whatever it;s called and a Stihl 075 and a Stihl 090. The last 2 are devoid of fuel and oil and just sit on a shelf. Too heavy for this old man to use anyway. Bought them both new when I bought the 028, many, many moons ago.

Far as I'm concerned for value, you cannot beat an Echo, the new Stihl's are over priced and I don't care for their fuel injection either.

Canned fuel is kind of pricey if you use your saw very much. I keep a couple cans around "just in case", or for equipment that's kind of finicky on fuel, but most of the time just do my own pre-mix. Non-E if I have any, but E10 seems OK too. Generally use it up before it goes stale.

Agree on Echo saws. Got a CS-670 that's probably 25 years old and still going strong. As you noted, starting to get a little heavy but not so much I'm looking for something lighter yet.
Always starts well, when I'm out doing trail maintenance with our snowmobile club I'm usually already cutting while the guys with the Stihls are still trying to get theirs started.

 

[Bmantel]

Actually, Stabil does also remove water. The Marine Formula Stabil has more of the water-fighting additives, but both Stabil 360 and the regular red Stabil also remove water.

I know they say it - but test it and you see!

 

[hayden]

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...

What is a stratifed motor?

Also, has anyone converted a 262XP without a decompression valve to one that has the valve? Mine can be a horror to start, with very painful snap back if you aren't careful. I switched to one of the Stihl Elastostart handles which helps a lot. Mine is circa 1990 before the decompression valve, and I think I'd have to replace the whole jug to convert.

 

[hayden]

Ran my new Husqvarna 562XP MKII today for the first time.
I'm going to like this saw. Sound reminds me of my old SuperXL. Has that old growl to it.

This is what my logger is using now.

 

[5030]

Stihls are still trying to get theirs started.

Not something I ever had an issue with with my 028 that is old enough to vote. Always pops on the second pull, sometimes the first and I use canned fuel because I'm only an ocassional user. The saws might sit for months and not used. Here lately however, they are getting used almost every day. Had a lot of wind and blow downs. been using my stump grinder a lot as well.

The echo's can be touchy if you don't adhere to the prescribed starting regimen, least the bigger ones. I have a little but mighty CS top handle that thinks it's a big saw...lol Think I mentioned that I work part time at a Kubota dealer who also sells Echo's and you'd be amazed the number of saws that come in for warranty and the owners straight gassed them. Echo nor Stihl nor anyone else warrants stupidity. First thing you do with any saw that comes in for repairs, warranty or otherwise is drain the fuel tank and see what is in it. The public generally flogs saws.