Which brand to buy

[reelnative]

the best saw for the money is a Husqvarna 345 or 350, they really put a big eng on them for the bar size you can tell by the weight and also the sound, ive had a 345 for many yrs and never had a problem with mine and I have cut down 100s of trees with it, and all of our fire trucks carry 350s on them, you can also put a good chain on a crappy saw and make it a good saw, I allways run oragon blades, I myself think they are the best

 

[adirondackmtnman]

the best saw for the money is a Husqvarna 345 or 350, they really put a big eng on them for the bar size you can tell by the weight and also the sound, ive had a 345 for many yrs and never had a problem with mine and I have cut down 100s of trees with it, and all of our fire trucks carry 350s on them, you can also put a good chain on a crappy saw and make it a good saw, I allways run oragon blades, I myself think they are the best

I had a 2 350's and for occasional use, they might be an OK saw, but they don't hold up well to firewood production. They have a great, fast running motor, but if they're run too long without a good cool down, the plastic saddles that the crank bearings ride in warp, deform, and eventually the whole bottom end shakes itself to pieces. You'll know it's staring to happen when it revs erratically, due to the crank seals beginning to fail, but by then it's too late. I'd say, if the OP's looking for a good saw, my first recommendation is a pro-grade Stihl, or *gags* husqvarna. JK...The pro saws are made to run frequently and hard, and are more easily serviced/repaired. Brand doesn't matter to much, at that level they're all good saws, but find a good dealer whom you can develop a good repoire with, who's been in the business a while, and while you may spend more up front, you won't be sorry later. Just my $0.02

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[reelnative]

I had a 2 350's and for occasional use, they might be an OK saw, but they don't hold up well to firewood production. They have a great, fast running motor, but if they're run too long without a good cool down, the plastic saddles that the crank bearings ride in warp, deform, and eventually the whole bottom end shakes itself to pieces. You'll know it's staring to happen when it revs erratically, due to the crank seals beginning to fail, but by then it's too late. I'd say, if the OP's looking for a good saw, my first recommendation is a pro-grade Stihl, or *gags* husqvarna. JK...The pro saws are made to run frequently and hard, and are more easily serviced/repaired. Brand doesn't matter to much, at that level they're all good saws, but find a good dealer whom you can develop a good repoire with, who's been in the business a while, and while you may spend more up front, you won't be sorry later. Just my $0.02

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hahaha yea but hes been running a homelite so going from a homelite to a huski is like going from a broken push cart to the space shuttle

 

[adirondackmtnman]

hahaha yea but hes been running a homelite so going from a homelite to a huski is like going from a broken push cart to the space shuttle

True, but those old homelites were built way more stout than anything they've built recently. Keep in mind, his old saw was ~30 years old...

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[kenmac]

Back in the day, Homelite was what the loggers in my area used.. They were pro saws back then as was poulan

 

[LD1]

hahaha yea but hes been running a homelite so going from a homelite to a huski is like going from a broken push cart to the space shuttle

That may be true if he dont get a box store husky

 

[RobertN]

Interesting. All of our newer saws are Stihl. All of our Primary Engines also have Stihl circular saw. Our oldest circ saw is a Partner, which runs pretty good for being old.

the best saw for the money is a Husqvarna 345 or 350, they really put a big eng on them for the bar size you can tell by the weight and also the sound, ive had a 345 for many yrs and never had a problem with mine and I have cut down 100s of trees with it, and all of our fire trucks carry 350s on them, you can also put a good chain on a crappy saw and make it a good saw, I allways run oragon blades, I myself think they are the best

 

[Bluegill2]

the best saw for the money is a Husqvarna 345 or 350, they really put a big eng on them for the bar size you can tell by the weight and also the sound, ive had a 345 for many yrs and never had a problem with mine and I have cut down 100s of trees with it, and all of our fire trucks carry 350s on them, you can also put a good chain on a crappy saw and make it a good saw, I allways run oragon blades, I myself think they are the best

Get your hands on a 346xp and compare. Made from 1999-2012, replaced by the 550xp.

Oh and chainsaws don't have blades.

 

[EMS503]

Finally got a chance to open the side covers and remove the muffler, everything was clear no obstructions, but the piston what I could see of it through the exhuast port was burnt but the cyl. wall was clean. I am guessing that the engine overheated even though it wasn't running that long. I put it back together and cut down a tree that was maybe 2" in diameter and it ran like nothing ever happened. Tommorow I am going to push it and start cutting the bigger logs 6" to 8" diameter and see if it happens again. I am being told there are no new parts around anymore for this age saw. So if it happens again I will probably go out and buy a Husky. I wanted the Stihl but keeping getting told the Carb. is a pain as they have to be adjusted all the time and easily floods the engine.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Finally got a chance to open the side covers and remove the muffler, everything was clear no obstructions, but the piston what I could see of it through the exhuast port was burnt but the cyl. wall was clean. I am guessing that the engine overheated even though it wasn't running that long. I put it back together and cut down a tree that was maybe 2" in diameter and it ran like nothing ever happened. Tommorow I am going to push it and start cutting the bigger logs 6" to 8" diameter and see if it happens again. I am being told there are no new parts around anymore for this age saw. So if it happens again I will probably go out and buy a Husky. I wanted the Stihl but keeping getting told the Carb. is a pain as they have to be adjusted all the time and easily floods the engine.

I'm not sure who's telling you that a Stihl's carb will need to be adjusted frequently, but they don't need it any more than any other saw. Most of the 'flooding' problems people have with them come from improper starting procedure, not incorrect needle adjustment. As long as your air cleaner and fuel filter are kept clean, spark plug is kept fresh, and the carb isn't gummed up, the factory settings should always be pretty close, with VERY infrequent and minor tweaks necessary. I've had my 362 for four years and never had to make an adjustment yet.

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[Bluegill2]

I don't care for Stihl saws, but yes, Stihl's don't needs carb adjusting anymore than others. Stihl does have a rep for easy flooding, but most problems are user related.

The name Stihl doesn't automatically mean top quality. There are other choices. Like Husqvarna and Dolmar. Any pro saws from the top three will last many, many years. If you take care of them!

 

[LD1]

The name Stihl doesn't automatically mean top quality.

Especially when he was originally talking about the 290 farm boss:thumbsup:

 

[Bluegill2]

Especially when he was originally talking about the 290 farm boss:thumbsup:

What ya talkin about? Stihl's #1 seller! :laughing:

 

[kenmac]

Would farm boss be the same as a husky rancher ?? My rancher is about 10 yrs old and has cut a lot of wood. I bought it from a husky dealer. It still runs good, Just under powered for a 20'' bar / chain. Would a rancher from a dealer be any better than a rancher from the box store ?

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Would farm boss be the same as a husky rancher ?? My rancher is about 10 yrs old and has cut a lot of wood. I bought it from a husky dealer. It still runs good, Just under powered for a 20'' bar / chain. Would a rancher from a dealer be any better than a rancher from the box store ?

The only thing the Rancher is good for is covering the sales tax upon trade-in for a Stihl...JK, sorry;-)

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[LD1]

Would farm boss be the same as a husky rancher ?? My rancher is about 10 yrs old and has cut a lot of wood. I bought it from a husky dealer. It still runs good, Just under powered for a 20'' bar / chain. Would a rancher from a dealer be any better than a rancher from the box store ?

Yep. The 55 ranchers were pretty good saws though. The 455 ranchers took a step back IMO

 

[Bluegill2]

Would farm boss be the same as a husky rancher ?? My rancher is about 10 yrs old and has cut a lot of wood. I bought it from a husky dealer. It still runs good, Just under powered for a 20'' bar / chain. Would a rancher from a dealer be any better than a rancher from the box store ?

Yours is comparable to the Stihl 029, but a little better. The 455 is comparable to the new farm boss. Like LD! said the old 55 is better than the newer 455 Rancher. I guess the same can be said about the farm boss. Both companies make better models.

Same saws from box store or dealer, but you get better service from a real dealer and I would rather support a real dealer.

If you are in the market for a new saw, look at Husqvarna 353/346xp 545/550xp for 16-18" bar. 359/357xp 555/562xp for 18-20" bar. The 3xx series was recently replaced by the 5xx series, but there are new old stock out there. All of these models have a metal case and are pro models, not plastic homeowners.

 

[Bluegill2]

Would farm boss be the same as a husky rancher ?? My rancher is about 10 yrs old and has cut a lot of wood. I bought it from a husky dealer. It still runs good, Just under powered for a 20'' bar / chain. Would a rancher from a dealer be any better than a rancher from the box store ?

Also, your saw would be happier with a 18" bar. It's a good saw, take care of it and you'll get another 10 years from it easy!

 

[RobertN]

Are you starting with fresh gas mixed to proper ratio with a good quality oil?

I like to run quality premium gas, with Husky or Stihl oil. I get the little bottles, and only mix one gallon at a time; try to minimize mixed gas sitting around getting old/funky.

Finally got a chance to open the side covers and remove the muffler, everything was clear no obstructions, but the piston what I could see of it through the exhuast port was burnt but the cyl. wall was clean. I am guessing that the engine overheated even though it wasn't running that long. I put it back together and cut down a tree that was maybe 2" in diameter and it ran like nothing ever happened. Tommorow I am going to push it and start cutting the bigger logs 6" to 8" diameter and see if it happens again. I am being told there are no new parts around anymore for this age saw.

 

[kenmac]

Also, your saw would be happier with a 18" bar. It's a good saw, take care of it and you'll get another 10 years from it easy!

That's what I was thinking 18'' bar would be a lot better for for this 55cc rancher. About a new saw. No I don't need another saw. I just bought this 372 a few months back. Now that 372 is a real saw !