Which chain saw?

[rstcso]

Tractorgirl,

In your "spare time", you might want to do some metal detecting on your property. If it used to be a girl scout camp, no telling what might have been lost over the years. Enjoy your time there and take lots of pictures.

 

[djradz]

Don't know about the Husky models but the Stihl ones you've indicated are on the smaller size. OK, if that's really what you want. You may be able to get quite a bit more power with only a minimal increase in weight, and sometimes none at all, by moving up a model. Be sure your comparing similar sized models rom each of the two companies based on engine size/output, not similarly priced models. My guess is the Husky models will be a little cheaper - but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

 

[Tractorgirl]

Thanks for the advice again guys. I am going to the dealer to make sure the weight on the saws will be something I can handle. I'm not a wimp but I also don't want to be in over my head. I like the weight on the Stihl 260 (10.6 vs. 12.1) but I also want to make sure it can perform the tasks we desire. The four I mentioned appear to be comparable in the way of power, hp, etc.

Brent mentioned I should use a metal detector since it used to be a Girl Scout Camp. I believe if I were to use one now, all I'd find are empty beer cans as the teens have claimed it as "party central". However, the mention of camp did remind me of 4-H camp when the counselors would tell stories of how the cooks would roam the woods at night looking for the "mystery meat" for the next day's meals. If they found a camper wandering around, they would be hauled off into the woods never to be seen again. If the Girl Scouts had similar stories, I may find alot of missing girl scouts!

 

[rstcso]

Then you'd just have to work around the crime scene tape. Perhaps you shouldn't look too hard after all.

 

[RobertN]

I have a buddy that still believes in used car oil. I guess it works for him, but I buy the real stuff too. Real bar oil has "stuff" to help it stick to the bar and chain.

 

[jyoutz]

I still will restate what I said earlier. Buy one of the Stihl pro-saw models. They make them in smaller sizes as well as larger models. The pro-saws will go forever and have rebuildable engines. The other models are really just a typical consumer-grade disposable product. On the smaller size scale, You may want to look at the 026(028?) Farm Boss pro saw.

 

[MarkV]

Personally I prefer having more than one saw. Given the amount of acreage and the clean up that will be involved, I would look for a quality saw that was on the small side for most of the work and a larger lesser quality saw for the bigger stuff. The larger saws wear me out and that is when I don’t feel safe. It is always that last cut of the day that will get you. My little Echo limbing saw with a 14” bar does 90 percent of my clean up and property maintenance work. When it is time to drop a tree or cut firewood I pull out the larger saw.

Rhonda, stop by anytime, we love to spend everyone else’s money./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkV

 

[RobertN]

I agree, and would too if I could afford it. Fortunately, I can use my fathers smaller Stihl when needed.

I have a older Husky that would be in line with the current 385 model. It is large, powerful, and will wear you out when cutting the 1-8" trim stuff. It is awesome for bigger stuff though.

I borrow my Dad's Stihl 024(80's model) for trim stuff. It will also cut some pretty good size stuff, but I like the light weight for all the "general" stuff. For the big stuff, the Husky comes out.

Given some $$$, I would buy one of the newer small Husky or Stihl saws first. Husky has a small pro saw designed for Arborists. It is small, light, and powerful. The ergo's on the saw are great!

For the second saw, I would stay with the same size I have now, in either a Husky or Stihl.

But, remember, this is adding up to $1000 in saws real easily

As a new saw user remember too that she'll need safety gear too. Even for just a single saw, and safety gear, you could easily sink $500 or more. figure a saw, a couple extra chains, bar oil, gas oil, 2-stroke gas can, heavy gloves, helmet/visor/earmuff, chaps, a couple wedges.

 

[rancar]

I completely endorse everything Jim has said. Buy one of the Stihl pro saws, that is, even numbered model series of your choice. They'll likely out live you.

 

[FamilyFarm]

I have a Stihl 026 Pro (same as current 260 Pro). There have a been a few times I would have liked the 036 for larger trees, but have really appreciated the lighter weight of the 026 for 90% of the tasks at hand. I have a Sears (Poulan) 14" lightweight I have kept around for trimming smaller limbs, but often leave it sitting for the sake of the cutting power and smooth balance of the 026. The Sears saw will be great for my sons to learn saw techniques and safety; otherwise, I would get rid of it. Buy the 260 Pro - you will be smiling while cutting - especially if you have used lesser saws for comparison!

Terry

p.s. my stepfather has a 029 (same as 290?) and everytime we cut together, he says he should have bought one like mine

 

[Tractorgirl]

I went and looked at the Stihl 260 pro and the 360 earlier today so I was glad to see your post. I really like the weight on the 260 but thought if needed, I could handle the 360 well. I'm really leaning towards the Stihl after looking at the Husqvarnas also. My husband just laughs about my interest in tractors and chainsaws--I never claimed to be normal when I married him!

 

[ScottAR]

Bit of advice you probably know already. Normal is boring! Never be normal. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Scott:
What happens when the abnormal becomes the normal?

Egon

 

[ScottAR]

Then normal will be abnormal. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif Just have to switch every few years to stay ahead of the masses.

 

[Tractorgirl]

Normalacy seems to be a state of mind that no one has perfected. So all these abnormal folks are running around thinking they're normal.

Just to keep this on track with the thread, I've concluded that my chainsaw purchase will be the Stihl 360. My next question is "is the QS version worth the extra $$$?" Any yeahs or nays on having the extra braking systems in kickback situations?

Here's the link to the QS model: http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS360QS.html

 

[FamilyFarm]

I'm pretty sure the 360 Pro will have the brake system activated by the handguard. It looks like the QS simply has an added measure of safety with the handle switch. I'm all for safety, but have never felt the need for another way to active the chain brake on my 026 Pro (260). If I remember your earlier posts, you haven't used a chainsaw much so the exrtra safety might be more important. Who knows - maybe I would like it if I had it!
BEST WISHES and PLEASE DO BE SAFE - that is a powerful saw and it won't distinguish between a tree and your knee!
Terry

 

[jyoutz]

Great choice. You're going to love this saw. I have a slightly older model of this same saw (036 pro). It will handle anything that I need to do from falling to wood cutting. It's a nice compromise between a light weight homesaw and heavy falling saw, but it's built to the same standards as the falling saw. I'm not familiar with the QS system, it's new. But if it enhances safety then I'd go for it. Chainsaws are inherently dangerous and any additional safety is well worth the money. Also invest in a pair of saw stopping leg chaps, hard hat, goggles, ect...

 

[mikim]

My wife owned her own chainsaw when I met her - kinda surprising how that bent my brain - girl dresses in high heels and hose for work - then comes home and cranks up her chainsaw to cut wood for the winter ... I knew then I'd met my kind of lady -- we combined families (my 3 and her 2) and weathered out the tough spots for 12 years now. We started our marriage with 5 kids and now have 5 grandkids - all in 12 years! all is well --- normal?? -- don't know what that is -- but what we have works - and if it ain't broke....
mike

 

[Boone]

I find, I appreciate the safety stuff most after something happens or doesn't happen. Chainsaw happenings can be permanent and devastating, so a few dolllars paid up front and forgotten about would be my choice.

I run a Stihl 029 farm boss and a stihl 066 log stomper, both excellent saws in the right application.

Boone

 

[djradz]

Congratulations on your choice. If I was picking one saw, that would be it. I'm gonna differ however on the "safety-minded" folks here however on the additional chain brake feature. The QS adds a brake when your hand is released from the handle. This just seems to make things more complicated to me. No other saw uses this so I'm not sure how proven this is. I've never been fond of being the "guinnea pig". Again, excellent choice on the MS360P and good luck. Oh and by the way, that saw sells for $499 with a 20" bar here in Michigan.