Best Chainsaw for under $400??

[alchemysa]

Best chainsaw by Popular Mechanics. Stihl Farmboss $370. (Are they really that cheap?)

Best Chainsaw Review – Echo, Husqvarna, Jonsered, Solo Stihl Chain Saw Review - Popular Mechanics

Best Chainsaw Review – Echo, Husqvarna, Jonsered, Solo Stihl Chain Saw Review - Popular Mechanics

By the way, I recently repaired a cheap Chinese chainsaw my son-in-law had bought 'new' off ebay for about $150. This saw was only about 12 months old but the vacuum and fuel lines to the Walbro carb were completely perished. The thing was just sucking air. So the plastic and rubber used in those things can be total rubbish and simply not suitable for the job. Works fine now, but perished rubber was an unexpected fault in a relatively new saw. My 20 year old Stihl has had no such problems.

 

[LD1]

Best chainsaw by Popular Mechanics. Stihl Farmboss $370. (Are they really that cheap?)

Best Chainsaw Review Echo, Husqvarna, Jonsered, Solo Stihl Chain Saw Review - Popular Mechanics

Best Chainsaw Review Echo, Husqvarna, Jonsered, Solo Stihl Chain Saw Review - Popular Mechanics

By the way, I recently repaired a cheap Chinese chainsaw my son-in-law had bought 'new' off ebay for about $150. This saw was only about 12 months old but the vacuum and fuel lines to the Walbro carb were completely perished. The thing was just sucking air. So the plastic and rubber used in those things can be total rubbish and simply not suitable for the job. Works fine now, but perished rubber was an unexpected fault in a relatively new saw. My 20 year old Stihl has had no such problems.

My guess would be that it has more to do with the hose not being rated for the amount of ethanol in todays fuel and less about the quality of the hose. For that matter, ethanol is and 2-strokes don't like each other very well. But that is a whole other discussion right there. Given no more fuel than what a 2-stroke burns, I find the cost to run premium grade and non ethanol to be a non issue.

OP- congrats on the new saw. It Everyone has their opinions but for a first timer and ocassional sawing, it should serve you just fine for many years to come. I know I am not one to usually hound people about PPE, and I dont always follow the book myself, but you should really consider it with being a rookie. The chaps that are offered today may be expensive, but they really do work and are still cheaper than not having them if something bad happens. Id reccomend getting yourself a good pair of sawing chaps, some heavy gloves, and saftey glasses at a minimum.

Stay safe and enjoy.

 

[alchemysa]

My guess would be that it has more to do with the hose not being rated for the amount of ethanol in todays fuel and less about the quality of the hose.

Good point about the ethanol but nearly all the rubber on that saw showed signs of premature perishing, even rubber mounts and plugs that never touch fuel. In fact the rubber tube inside the fuel tank was in better condition than the tube that was exposed to heat and air under the covers. Basically I think its just junk rubber.

 

[buck12]

026 or 260 is their best seller sureley, I know it used to be .

According to Stihl's website the 290 is their best seller.

 

[gauthier]

You can't buy a good sthil for 400 or less:laughing:

 

[xyz123]

According to Stihl's website the 290 is their best seller.

Yep and has been for a long time. Most people just dont understand what they are buying and just know the name Stihl and Farm Boss :laughing:.
Some guy at work came up to me and showed me his new Farm Boss MS290 he got for $400 out the door. Then I explained to him how it was built and that I had a like new MS361 with 20" setting on the shelf for $350. He about cried when I showed him the difference of how they were built and the cutting difference in some hardwood. He felt :ashamed: the dealer didnt explain to him about how the saws were made and the differences. :thumbsup:

 

[2305implements]

I would go with Huskey Rancher 455 or Stihl farm boss. they are both good brands, parts are plentiful, they hold their value. both upper land owner level, just below pro models so you get allot of saw for the money.
I have a huskey 55 Rancher and Huskey 365 and they are both great saws, will never own a Jonsered again, had nothing but trouble with it.
The 365 is a pro saw and great for stumping and large difficult cuts.
The 55 Rancher is good all purpose.

 

[LD1]

I have a huskey 55 Rancher and Huskey 365 and they are both great saws, will never own a Jonsered again, had nothing but trouble with it.
The 365 is a pro saw and great for stumping and large difficult cuts.

A comment like that is like saying that chevy is the best truck ever, and that you will never own a GMC cause you've ad nothing but problems.

(instead of chevy/GMC, you could insert Forn/mercury, Chevy/Pontiac, Dodge/chrysler, or whatever your flavor)

Jonsered chainsaws are Made by Husqvarna. Just different plastic and name.

Just FYI

 

[newbury]

Yes, before today I had zero experience with a chainsaw. I have some small acreage, heavily wooded. I was just getting tired of paying $$$ for this type of work. Well I decided to get the MS 290 farm boss with a 20" bar. So far it's great! Starts up on the first or second pull, and cuts super. Cleared out some trees along the property line to make room for a privicy fence.

There was this tree with a giant branch in the way of the fenceline, face height. It was actually as big around as the base of the tree, maybe 18" or so. It looked dangerous to cut. The neighbor and my gf told me I would be crazy to try it, and to call someone. I said screw that, I just spent $400 on this thing with some oil and all. Down it went. Just chinked it to fall where I wanted and it worked perfect. Ate right through it and asked for seconds. I did get the bar kinda stuck on the smaller stuff, just a learning curve I guess. I'm sure glad I didn't get one of the home-use saws. When I got home I wiped it clean, ran the gas dry, and filled it with bar oil. I still have to read the manual to see what else I need to do. But this thing is great!! Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Congrats and take it careful!!
Get Personal Protection Equipment!
PPE
Protect your eyes, ears and limbs. Note Baileys has free shipping.

Also learn how to sharpen a chain. A granberg file'n joint or some other file guide, a few files, a spare chain or two and your good to go.

 

[Wacky]

I have a Stihl 029 Farm boss used heavily since 1996. No issues, just wear items.. bar, chain, plug,ect.

 

[2305implements]

Just remember one the most important lessons in felling a tree. Cut your notch in direction of fall about 1/3 or less way into tree. Then back cut toward your notch but DO NOT cut into hinge! The hinge is the inch or two left which is the direction the tree normally falls if it ain't rotten. You will be amazed at what you can do using this method. You can even fell a large tree in opposite direction of lean using wedges.
I'm just an average chainsaw dude myself but this is the most important lesson I've ever learned and have dropped hundreds of trees now. I recently dropped a 26" maple right beside the house with complete confidence right on target.
For a large tree leaning opposite all you need is a rope tied off and have someone pull toward the side forming a V.

 

[xyz123]

Jonsered chainsaws are Made by Husqvarna. Just different plastic and name.

Just FYI

Now days, NOT in the past .

 

[2305implements]

thank you very much xyz123. my jonsered was new in approx 87' and it was junk from day one. no such problems from several husky's since and I'm sure Sthil is good too from what i hear.

 

[LD1]

Now days, NOT in the past .

True, but jonsered was bought by electrolux (parent company of husqvarna) in 1979. So unless you have a saw older than that, than there was a husqvarna counterpart.

2305implements: If you had a 1987 J-red saw, then it was made by husky, and husky had a saw just the same, only orange. What model was it yoiu are refering to??

I had a 1983 J-red 630, which was the same as a husky 261, and very similar to the husky 266 I had. Some of the plastic would even interchange, allthough different color.

If you look far enough, their are problem saws and saw families from ever brand including stihl. IMO the huskys that can be bought at TSC, which are just a homeowner grade saw, arent anything special. Thats not saying husky is a bad saw, they saw a need for a cheaper grade saw and they built one, just not for me.

My concern lies with the comments about how huskys are good saws, yet one will never own another j-red due to a past bad experience. It just makes no sense to me. Thats like talking about how great MF CUT's are, but saying that you will never own a AGCO CUT because you had D-17 that was a POS.

I'm not meaning this in a bad way, and I am not looking for an argument, It's just that a lot of people dont know they are the same company and have been for some time.

2305Implements: If you walked int a husky dealer, who also carried the j-red line, and you were looking to buy a 372xp and he had a 2171 J-red for much less, would you pay the extra for the orange plastic of the husky???

 

[RxRatedZ71]

I registered for a chainsaw on our wedding registry. My soon-to-be wife jumped on me and said that was tacky and redneck. I explained that it was a necessity and wouldn't be much different that if someone brought a push-broom to the reception. So I didn't get one but got a bunch of gift cards to HomeDepot and then I bought my chainsaw. The Echo CS-346 has a 16" bar and runs great. I've had it for 4 years and replaced the sprocket only once. I've found that the Craftsman-brand replacement chains are far better than the Oregon brand the local hardware store sales. I think it was $260 when I bought it.

 

[xyz123]

True, but jonsered was bought by electrolux (parent company of husqvarna) in 1979. So unless you have a saw older than that, than there was a husqvarna counterpart.

I can show you a 1982 like brand new Jonsered that dont have a Husky counterpart.

 

[LD1]

I can show you a 1982 like brand new Jonsered that dont have a Husky counterpart.

You are missing the point.

For one to say that they will never own another J-red saw due to a bad experience over two decades ago is stupid. (2305implements)

We agree that they havent always been one and the same, but they have been now for quite some time. The OP is asking about new saws, and J-red makes an excellent one and SHOULD be considered just as much as a husky.

So just out of curiosity, what is the saw you are talking about. I believe that there were still a few saws made by old J-red after the 1979 buy-out, as with anything (cars, tractors, etc) but it would have been short lived before they became one in the same. The 1987 That 2305 is talking about, most likely is a husky saw wearing red and black.

 

[xyz123]

So just out of curiosity, what is the saw you are talking about. I believe that there were still a few saws made by old J-red after the 1979 buy-out, as with anything (cars, tractors, etc) but it would have been short lived before they became one in the same. The 1987 That 2305 is talking about, most likely is a husky saw wearing red and black.

I was just messing around with you and was trying to get you to guess :thumbsup:. Jonsered didnt even make it , it was another makers saw and E-lux had bought them up too. Hint hint. Jobu also relabled it as a version for their needs over in Norway.

 

[D7E]

thank you very much xyz123. my jonsered was new in approx 87' and it was junk from day one. no such problems from several husky's since and I'm sure Sthil is good too from what i hear.

Not had any newer j-reds but in the early 90's myself and friends bought several 2050's and every one was a pile of junk from new to the point where they were dangerous !

 

[LD1]

Not had any newer j-reds but in the early 90's myself and friends bought several 2050's and every one was a pile of junk from new to the point where they were dangerous !

They were the same saw family as the husqvarna 40, 45, and 49. With the 49 being the 2050's equal. The 2050 and the husky 49 were the exact same saw.

But you are right they are POS saws. But what can one expect from a plastic crankcased homeowner grade saw. When it comes to saws, you get what you pay for.