chainsaw buying advice

[salty87]

hello<br /><br />i need to clear some cedar and juniper trees from my property. i've used a chainsaw a few times but not enough to be an informed shopper. the bigger trees are about 3 feet in circumference. i'd rather buy than rent as there are alot of these trees and it will take some weeks to cut and clear 'em.<br /><br />any advice is welcome....brand, size, cost, retailer, etc. <br /><br />thanks for reading

 

[Pascal]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

All kinds of options here, but if you are going to go with a new saw, you can't beat the Stihl product. Not that the others are no good - I just like the balance and feel a little better.<br /><br />A 16" bar on a one of the new 290 models or bigger would do fine for the 12" diameter trees you are taking down.<br /><br /> http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS290.html <br /><br />I have a 3 yr old 026 that I bought new as a discontinued model last winter for $350cdn. It works good for fire wood and ocassional use but I think it would be on the small side for the job you have to do.<br /><br />While your buying, don't forget the safety equipment. Pants, boots, gloves, face/eye and hearing protection are a necessity with a chainsaw!!!<br /><br />JD

 

[dhud64]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

I've always had good luck Poulon. I cut on average 3 cords of firewood each year.

 

[Pascal]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

All kinds of options here, but if you are going ----- <br /><br />EDIT --- HOW DU HECK DID THAT HAPPEN???<br /><br /><br />oh well I'll say this part again anyway - <br /><br />While your buying, don't forget the safety equipment. Pants, boots, gloves, face/eye and hearing protection are a necessity with a chainsaw!!!<br /><br />JD

 

[Barlow]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

ironic .. I've had good luck with both Poulan and Stihl.<br /><br />I had to run out to the garage to look at which ones I have<br /><br />Stihl's 56cc Farm Boss 290 listed above and Poulan's 33cc 2075C.<br /><br />Both work great and I've had no problems with either.. at 56cc the Stihl is obviously the work horse but, you pay for it too.<br /><br />Another thing to add .. is buy a few extra chains at first so work isn't stopped/slowed by a dull chain(s).<br /><br />good luck

 

[JB]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

I use a Poulan for light work.<br /><br />For high performance and work-longer-than-you-can, get a Stihl or a Husqy.<br /><br />My Husqy has outlived three poulans.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

Stihl Stihl Stihl Stihl! I have used them all, Craftsman, Homelite, Poulan, you name it. If you want to spend hours tugging on the starter cord, cursing and swearing, and possibly even cutting soem trees, get anything other than Stihl or Husqvarna. Both now offer saws with a compression releif valve that makes starting even easier! Both start with just a couple of pulls when cold, both start with one pull when warn. Both offer exceptional quality "Rollermatic" bars and excellant chains. Both have more Horse Power to wieght than Homelite, Poulan et al. Long story short, you can't go wrong with iether. <br /><br />If you go to a Stihl dealer, they will take you out and demonstrate how to start and safely use the saw. I love my Stihl and will never own anything but a Stihl chainsaw.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

PS,<br /><br />After Hurricane Ivan tore through here, my little Stihl MS 250 went to work; and work it did for many days, all day long. I was cutting 3' diameter trees with my 16" bar! That saw impressed me and earned my respect for life! Not only did the saw performed above and beyond my wildest expectations, and got incredible fuel consumption! A gallon of 50:1 would last for days! So, I reconmend Stihl!

 

[one more cast]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

9 out of 10 loggers around here use Huskvarna saws.

 

[jimr]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

stihl,husky,johnsored(SP) are all great saws. I have a $99 factory refurb mac I got as a gift 7 years ago and a remmington electric pole saw that work for me.if I was to have to buy one tommorrow it would be a stihl.I work with a guy that cuts cedars as a side buisness with a tractor and ceder cutter. must be good money in it he bought a new John deere commercial tractor last year

 

[Terry H]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

They're all priced comparably, and I've used many brands of chainsaws successfully, but I have to go along with the Stihl as #1. For a 33" cedar tree you could get away with a 20"bar easily enough. As far as power goes, the more power you get the more weight you get also. I would say the smallest Stihl that would handle that easily job would be the 360, but do look at the 290, for it's a very good buy, and a very good saw.<br /> http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS360Pro.html <br />If you are young and have enough money go for larger. You prolly will never wear one of these chainsaws out, so check'emout and find the one that feels good to you, you might be using it for many years to come...just a thought

 

[qaztwo]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

I can't say anything bad about stihl. I use one at work for timber walls, and after 3 years of abuse still runs great. It has a 18 inch bar on it and the largest tree I've cut you couldn't put your arms around, took alot of notching though. I agree with barlow about the extra chains, a dull chain will only make you mad.

 

[one more cast]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

I don't use chainsaws much if any anymore due to my arthritis but what I used for years to cut between 15 and 30 face cords of wood a year was a homelite 350 and a homelite super EZ (the old blue one) and both of these saws still run fine. Homelites are good saws they just run at lower rpm's so they are slower. I even have a green and orange Homelite from the 50's-60's that I bet will still run.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

To "clear some" trees from your property you just might want to find a friend with a chain saw. Offer to buy a replacement bar and chain when it's done.<br /><br />A Stihl with a 16" bar will run for years and years. Consider how much use you will get out of it versus the price. If this is a one-time clearing then borrow one. If you have a sincere future use then buy one.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Formula1974]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

I agree stihl is a great saw but your not gonna be a lumber jack. I bought a craftsman 18 inch saw for way less then 200 bucks. It starts cold on maybe the 5th pull starts warm on the first and works / runs great. I have cleared 20 or so trees so far and no complaints. I went to a stihl place first and got sticker shock then I went to a pawn shop and got surprised again by the stihl. They must really hold thier value cause the cheapest one I found was over twice as much as the craftsman and for what I needed it wasnt worth it. The craftsman also came with a nice hard case. Whichever you decide get plenty of chain oil (it goes quick) an extra chain (or 2 if your gonna cut alot each day) and a chain file to sharpen your chains (which is really easy it surprised me how easy it is.) Make sure you check tightness on a new chain cause they stretch. It scared the crap out of me the first time my chain popped off and smacked my leg. Lucky it didnt cut me

 

[fixin]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

One more vote for Stiel,I believe the craftsman brand is still made by Poulan.They are good saws.<br />So are Homelites.The only saw that I would say NOT to buy is a Mcullin(SP).Whatever you decide remember "SAFETY FIRST"<br />P.S.Dogs on a saw are a plus. (Metal prongs next to the bar on the housing)

 

[salty87]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

thanks for the replies, i guess it's time to shop!<br /><br />i've seen chainsaws at the pawn shop but i don't really remember seeing them at stores....any better places than others to buy?<br /><br />the stihl website isn't too helpful and the local retailers it lists are the mom&pop rental places.<br /><br />where did you guys get your stihl's?

 

[Terry H]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

Well salty, I hate to say this but go to the mom&pop store. I don't really hate to say that, but the couple extra bucks you spend at mom&pops stay in your community, and keep those large outastate, and outa country superstores from putting us the little guys outa business. There's still a couple small sawstores im my area and you can always find a good deal. Landscapers use these stores also, so find out who they buy their stuff from...just a little rant

 

[jimr]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

around here they sell them at the John Deere dealer most all lawn mower shops and feed stores

 

[salty87]

Re: chainsaw buying advice

i hear ya Chief, it's just that the smaller rental shops don't give me the warmest feeling about dropping a couple hundred bucks. they seem to rent alot more stuff than they ever sell.<br /><br />i'll see how much $