Which Chainsaw ?

[jay3534]

I need a new chainsaw for homeowner use. 14 or 16 inch bar. Going to do limbing and cutting down small to medium sized trees. Bad back / bum shoulders etc. Recommendations needed.

 

[KenBike]

Get a 18" or 20", really helps not have to bend and reach as far.
Get a $600 Stihl or Husky both offer professional saws that have better balance, power, and speed.
Other option is go with a good battery saw.
Purchase at least one spare chain and file sharpening kit and have them show how to use.
Use brand name bar oil.
Use 100% non-ethanol gas with the oil from saw maker. Or buy premix gas/oil.

Get a pair of chainsaw chaps and glove, wear safety glasses and ear plugs.
store the saw in a heated space in the winter, so much easier to start.

 

[dodge man]

Get a 18" or 20", really helps not have to bend and reach as far.
Get a $600 Stihl or Husky both offer professional saws that have better balance, power, and speed.
Other option is go with a good battery saw.
Purchase at least one spare chain and file sharpening kit and have them show how to use.
Use brand name bar oil.
Use 100% non-ethanol gas with the oil from saw maker. Or buy premix gas/oil.

Get a pair of chainsaw chaps and glove, wear safety glasses and ear plugs.
store the saw in a heated space in the winter, so much easier to start.

He covered it exactly how I was thinking and said it better than I could have.

 

[woody]

we got my FIL a Milwaukee battery saw several years ago and he hasn't cranked a gas burner since. I'll be running my Stihl ms250 today but if I was just trimming limbs or small trees I would use the battery one. My shoulder will give pain for a few days after pulling on a gas saw.

 

[xyz123]

If you want light look at Echo 501 with regular carb or the stihl 261 with regular carb or mtronic. Both in 10lb range PHO

The new husky 550 mkII in this class weighs so close to their 562 mk II 60cc saw anymore. Mise well buy the 562. New 550 just hair shy of 12lbs pho. 562 13lb

Weight pic is both tanks full with a 18" b+c. As used weight.

 

[xyz123]

I just done up a easy start 250 45cc for my dad. But I swear it feels same weight for a plastic clamshell saw as used with 18" set up on it.

He has a bad shoulder and can not pull over regular saws anymore.

I have yet to get this one in his hands to try.

But the 180 32cc easy start I gave him years ago with 14" is light and very easy to start for him.

 

[nybirdman]

Do yourself a favor and buy a battery saw,do your homework,mine is an Echo.

 

[ernemats]

Do yourself a favor and buy a battery saw,do your homework,mine is an Echo.

I agree if not using often battery is less problems, I have several Greenworks and a Ryobi they cut just as good as gas with less maintenance and noise.

 

[airbiscuit]

Read this. You're going to think it is too small, but it cuts like a Banshee! 5.2 lbs I seldom reach for one of my larger saws.

I just bought an Echo 2511t clone for $99. What was I thinking?​

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...511t-clone-for-99-what-was-i-thinking.589591/

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[JeepHead]

I second the Echo 501P. But if you can find a nice used Echo 4910, I would pick it up in a heartbeat.

 

[airbiscuit]

I have a modded Echo 4910. You can still find them around for an attractive price.

 

[arto98607]

Little chainsaws with a top handle can be very tiresome on hands and I would never get one of those (again).

I think they are mostly meant for tree climbers.

Stihl MS 150 C-E or MS201c would be my choice if I was looking for a small lightweight pro saw, but I have couple of old professional model 37 cc Shindaiwa 360 saws to use for small jobs.

I've had this for about 25 years and it's still in great shape, but they are no longer made - Shindaiwa is now part of Echo and so far parts are still available if needed:

 

[mjonesnh]

Little chainsaws with a top handle can be very tiresome on hands and I would never get one of those (again).

Had huge ice storm in late Feb. Only chainsaw I used was the 2511T Joncutter I paid 99.00 for. Took me 4 days to cut up everything and haul off. Thought it was just about perfect for downed limbs I had to deal with

 

[airbiscuit]

If it's 10" or less, I use the 2511T. Larger than 12", I use the 4910. I used to chase horsepower. Now, I prefer lighter weight. I don't find the ergonomics of a top handle to be a problem. I just kind of roll it down (kind of cutting nose heavy reduces chatter). I do always keep a firm grip.

 

[JeepHead]

I have a modded Echo 4910. You can still find them around for an attractive price.

I have a modded 4910 (squish & exhaust), a 261,026, a Husky 550, and a Jonsored 2153. The 4910 is my favorite of the 50CC saws.

 

[xyz123]

I also have a 14" for the echo 2511PN. Rear handle is my choice for limbing on ground and felling small stuff.

I would want it 12" and smaller though trees. Tree setting on was drooped with 50cc echo. Be slow going with 25cc. I used the 25cc to limb it out with.

Limbing in tree the top handle versions.


OEM ones are awful stuffed mufflers though. Clones good to go.
OEM needs gutted or a egan pipe or a PSS V2 cnc muffler. Top 2 in testing of aftermarket mufflers pipe.

 

[JeepHead]

I also have a 14" for the echo 2511PN. Rear handle is my choice for limbing on ground and felling small stuff.

I would want it 12" and smaller though trees. Tree setting on was drooped with 50cc echo. Be slow going with 25cc. I used the 25cc to limb it out with.

Limbing in tree the top handle versions.


OEM ones are awful stuffed mufflers though. Clones good to go.
OEM needs gutted or a egan pipe or a PSS V2 cnc muffler. Top 2 in testing of aftermarket mufflers pipe.


View attachment 5178393View attachment 5178394View attachment 5178395

I have the Egan on my 2511. Love the way it sounds and the power it gives

 

[airbiscuit]

Me too!

 

[KenBike]

Chains saws are like beer, should never just have one!
I have a Stihl tree pruning telescoping saw that runs a 12" or 14" bar. Has a sling and crazy as it sounds I use it to limb out big tops vs my normal saws. Don't have to climb around as much of the brush and can reach up and drop the limbs 10-15 up in the air on big trees. Once the small stuff is out of the way then bring in the normal 20" saw. After everything up to 15-18" is cut then break out the 25" saw.

Have a grapple for the L6060 tractor to pick up the limbs. Wish I had this set up up 40 years ago!