Thanks for all th input. I am looking at saws this week. I looked at a Jonsered 2159C last nite. Nice saw, about 3.6 cu.in. and 4 hp. I liked it, but at $579.00 it will have a tough time standing up to a Stihl MS310 for $399.00 (also around 3.6 cu.in. and 4 hp).
Looking for advice on a chainsaw
- Thread starter mboulais
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LoneCowboy
Veteran Member
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Stihl
N80
Super Member
I'll put in a plug for a cheap 'homeowner' level saw. I have no doubt that the better brands mentioned here the best saws. But the saw needs to match your use and your budget.
My Dad has a Stihl. Don't know which model. Its an 18 incher and I don't like it. It is big, awkward and heavy and makes me tired just lugging it around. Same thing with my B-I-L's 18" Husky. I just can believe how heavy and cumbersome they are. They are probably a powerful and durable saws and would probably suit a pro's needs.
I have a 15+ year old 18" Homelite. It is very light and starts flawlessly. I can dismantle it and re-assemble it with ease. It has been used and abused. It is always the one that gets grubbed in the dirt cutting off stumps etc. The bar finally died and I got a 16" Oregan bar/blade combo and it works even better now.
So, assess your needs. I'd recommend holding and starting anything you might buy. If your needs are average to low and so is your budget
, I'd recommend a cheap little Homelite. (Of course the current ones may be very different from what I have now.)
My Dad has a Stihl. Don't know which model. Its an 18 incher and I don't like it. It is big, awkward and heavy and makes me tired just lugging it around. Same thing with my B-I-L's 18" Husky. I just can believe how heavy and cumbersome they are. They are probably a powerful and durable saws and would probably suit a pro's needs.
I have a 15+ year old 18" Homelite. It is very light and starts flawlessly. I can dismantle it and re-assemble it with ease. It has been used and abused. It is always the one that gets grubbed in the dirt cutting off stumps etc. The bar finally died and I got a 16" Oregan bar/blade combo and it works even better now.
So, assess your needs. I'd recommend holding and starting anything you might buy. If your needs are average to low and so is your budget
, I'd recommend a cheap little Homelite. (Of course the current ones may be very different from what I have now.)
schmism
Super Member
im partial to stihl
if found a lot of good info over at
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=3dd4fef7c9c83c64bcdce967fab6d6ff&board=9.0
if found a lot of good info over at
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=3dd4fef7c9c83c64bcdce967fab6d6ff&board=9.0
shaley
Platinum Member
STIHL makes two types of saws.
The even numbered saws 044, 066, (old numbering scheme) use magnesium crankcases. These saws have some of the highest HP to weight ratios in the market. The odd numbered saws are heavier but still good saws. Make sure you compare HP and weight. Also, as someone else said, if you feel comfortable running a full chisel chain the saw will cut a lot more aggressively.
The even numbered saws 044, 066, (old numbering scheme) use magnesium crankcases. These saws have some of the highest HP to weight ratios in the market. The odd numbered saws are heavier but still good saws. Make sure you compare HP and weight. Also, as someone else said, if you feel comfortable running a full chisel chain the saw will cut a lot more aggressively.
Cottonhawk
Gold Member
I have number of chainsaws and I think that the best are Stihl and Shindaiwa. They may be a bit more expensive but worth the extra cost.
jbrumberg
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I have had my Stihl 011AV with a 16" bar for over twenty years of intermittent, but ocassional heavy use. I have rebuilt and replaced the oil pump 3 times my friend dropped a tree on it when I lent it to him, I had to disassemble it when it got flooded, and I had to replace the recoil mechnism, but it still will not die . I do have to replace the bar this year . I still use the "anti kick back" Rollomatic bar and Picco Micro chain for safety resons. As a previous member observed they do rob power. If/when this chainsaw "passes on" I am leaning towards another Stihl- MS280, or 290 models. Jay
. I do have to replace the bar this year . I still use the "anti kick back" Rollomatic bar and Picco Micro chain for safety resons. As a previous member observed they do rob power. If/when this chainsaw "passes on" I am leaning towards another Stihl- MS280, or 290 models. Jay
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
For years I'd buy a "throw-away" department store saw every couple years. I'd spend time dinking with it every time I'd cut a limb. Finally, 4 years ago, I got fed up with "cheap". Buying cheap had cost me a fortune over the years. I broke down and spent the big bucks on a Stihl MS260. Best decision I've ever made as far as chainsaws go. That model performs best with a 14" or 16" bar, along with the correct chain. (read GOOD chain) So, my recommendation is to buy a Stihl "PRO" saw that fits your size requirements, and leave the rest of them at WALMART.
The Stihl MS260pro is a very good all around saw, but an 18" bar is too much for this saw IMO if you are cutting larger dia. trees. An 18" bar is OK for bucking/limbing the smaller stuff. I feel the 16" bar gives best performance ratio without sacrificing power. The MS250 is also a great saw, just not built (or priced) like the 260 and 16" max. bar is better on it too.
The 360pro saw is nice to have for the larger stuff, and will run up to a 20" bar without sacrificing noticible loss of power, but if you use it all day, you will know it - It is a great saw though
I like Stihl's too and currently have 360pro, 260pro, MS250, and an 009. The one I always grab for the most - the 260
The 360pro saw is nice to have for the larger stuff, and will run up to a 20" bar without sacrificing noticible loss of power, but if you use it all day, you will know it - It is a great saw though
I like Stihl's too and currently have 360pro, 260pro, MS250, and an 009. The one I always grab for the most - the 260
N80
Super Member
Farmwithjunk, I guess sometimes farming with junk isn't all its cracked up to be.
I do have to wonder why my Homelite 240 has been such a good saw? Maybe 15 years ago it wasn't a cheap junker? I have no idea. But maybe it was a decent saw in its day. I always thought Homelite was junk. May be junk now.
Someone mentioned flooding. My Dad's Stihl floods fairly often if it doesn't fire up at the start. (But Dad may be doing something wrong).
My Homelite, on the other hand, starts within a pull or two even on a cold morning. Pull a couple of times with the choke on. Once it sputters, turn choke off. Next pull and its running for the rest of the day. Once its warm, takes only one pull, no choke to start up.
I do have to wonder why my Homelite 240 has been such a good saw? Maybe 15 years ago it wasn't a cheap junker? I have no idea. But maybe it was a decent saw in its day. I always thought Homelite was junk. May be junk now.
Someone mentioned flooding. My Dad's Stihl floods fairly often if it doesn't fire up at the start. (But Dad may be doing something wrong).
My Homelite, on the other hand, starts within a pull or two even on a cold morning. Pull a couple of times with the choke on. Once it sputters, turn choke off. Next pull and its running for the rest of the day. Once its warm, takes only one pull, no choke to start up.
