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Chainsaws, Looking for a New One

I've had many, and would never buy anything but a Stihl. Also, looking at that mess you want to cut up, be VERY VERY CAREFUL. If you don't know what you are doing you can very easily be badly maimed or killed. There is a LOT of stored energy you can unleash if you cut the wrong part at the wrong time.
 
I have a Stihl Farmboss. I don't clean it, I forget to put bar lube in it and let it sit for a whole year with fuel. I drag it out and start it up and cut with it with no prep and toss it back in the shop hot. It is 16 years old.
 
Always Stihl and buy from a dealer much cheaper quality at home Depot / Lowe's....get to a farm boss at least....your local dealer backs you with parts/ service where people at big box stores could care less!!!
 
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As others have said, buy from a dealer. I have had good luck buying used on Craigslist too. All my saws are Stihl and do what they’re made to do. The 170 runs a 16, the 290 a 20 and the 460 Magnum normally runs a 24, but in this picture it has a 32. If you want a saw to last a lifetime, buy any of the three you mentioned that are orange. ( Stihl, husky, echo). Chainsaw brands and owners are like car brands and their owners. All my lawn equipment; weed eaters, backpack blower, edger, trimmer, are echo. You can’t beat an echo when it comes to lightweight and quality. My paw-in-law swears by their saws and after using his to cut a big dead tree that was hanging over his power line using it, I was impressed.
If this is a one time purchase/ use look
at a poulan. I used to use them if I had to cut stuff in water or something. They used to be about 150 bucks and I’d treat them like junk. I had one last me 5 years being treated as a throwaway saw, so if you just need to cut one tree it might be okay. As stated above, if you’re not experienced with saws and cutting, this isn’t the tree to get started on. I’m certified as a utility line clearance arborist, which means I’m certified to cut/trim trees around power lines. I’ve cut tons of dead/dying and dangerous trees. Always go start cautiously and with a plan. Stay aware. Plus always wear your PPE. If I don’t wear ear plugs now, I feel like I have cotton in my ears for hours. Good luck and let us know what you decide and show us some after pictures!
 
Maybe just my typical luck...bought an Echo last year.
Used it twice, in a short period of time, then put it on the shelf, for the winter. Didn't take long, with a big oily mess!
Some valve on the bar lube tank, gives way, and leaked every drop of oil out. Found out a common problem on 'em.
 
I probably should have said I've been using saws for over 40 years, from cleaning up, to felling for firewood, or safety. I've always had McCullochs. About 2yrs ago, I seized my mid-70's Pro-Mac 10-10 up, that I bought Brand New, and haven't repaired it yet, if I can even find parts for it. I also still have a McC 1-52, with a 24" bar on it, which I call "the Animal", but it gets heavy these days really quick, yet alone the noise it puts out, and a Stihl 193 top handle for limbing and pruning. I'm just checking on feedback from the various brands, as I've read some bad reviews on Stihls of late. The choice may come down to the dealer, as the Stihl/Husky brands don't want to "deal" on the saws, where as the Echo Dealer said he can offer a better price with cash, and maybe work in a few extras, chain, plugs, case, with the deal. Now just waiting to hear from the insurance carrier before I get to work on it. I appreciate all the feedback, and advice and tips on this subject, and will keep you posted on the outcome, Thanks...
 
I've cut down & cut up and hauled away plenty of trees over the years, but at this point in my life, it's just too much work to cut it all up and dispose. If I were you, I'd just hire a tree guy to take it all away. Might as well have them take out that rotted one to the left as well.

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VANDAN said:
View attachment 894534 View attachment 894538We had that Storm Front blow through Sunday morning, and dropped this tree on my Mom's house. I was out today looking at saws, Stihls, Husqv's, and Echos. Seemed like the Echos were the best deals, have good reviews, and USA made. I was looking at 50-60cc models, 18-20" bars. Any comments, or personal feedback appreciated, Thanks...
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Dad bought a Sears Craftsman in 84 (Poulan 3400) and left it with me....probably as a Christmas gift that year. That's the way he was. I still have that thing and it saw (pun intended) quite a bit of used for a lot of years. It's heavy by today's standards. It still runs good even after letting it sit until the gas went stale after it's last run. It did take awhile to get it to fire up but it did. I guess you know the benefit of having bucking teeth, right? This one had them and that helps a LOT. Sticking on an 18" bar was good too but understand that these could also be bought with a 20" bar. Also understand that Husqvarna bought out Poulan some time back.....

Richard Cranium said:
I've cut down & cut up and hauled away plenty of trees over the years, but at this point in my life, it's just too much work to cut it all up and dispose. If I were you, I'd just hire a tree guy to take it all away. Might as well have them take out that rotted one to the left as well.

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Used to look for trees to cut for firewood by driving around town and asking people if they needed anything cut but wouldn't stop unless they had oak, ash or pecan. I got free firewood and they got a tree taken down. Worked great for years but don't burn my fireplace anymore plus too old to do that stuff now. Still have a burn pit outside but might have to quit that before long as I can't handle smoke anymore. And can't afford to have someone come and do tree removal anymore either but city services here are pretty good and they will come out and pick up the mess so long as it's moved out to the side of the street. Did however pay someone 200 bucks to take down the majority of a water oak that was too close for comfort to my shop and carport. He started out at 350 :D and had to climb the thing and take it down little by little. At this point in life, I'm not climbing anything!
 
I had bought a new Husqvarna saw and that was my worst purchase ever. After the warranty was out, it broke again and I threw it away. I don't remember what model it was but they had issues with the muffler bolts backing out. Mine did and stripped the head. They heli-coiled the head and it was ok for a month or so. I took it back and the said the heli-coil was messed up and they put a new head on it. A few months later those bolts worked out and stripped the threads again from vibration. It was now out of warranty. I remember finishing a job with-out the muffler and took the bar and chain off and threw it away. That is the same way I feel about Poulan. I was given a brand new one and with-in hours the pull rope ate itself off as it was catching in the flywheel (I will call it that don't know if it's correct) I use True fuel in it also. Had to replace the carb which was $80 and now it runs but is always hard to start hence it's name "Pullin". The rope messed up the pull start housing as it shakes now the whole time you use it. I just gave it away...
 
Cranky said:
Used to look for trees to cut for firewood by driving around town and asking people if they needed anything cut but wouldn't stop unless they had oak, ash or pecan. I got free firewood and they got a tree taken down. Worked great for years but don't burn my fireplace anymore plus too old to do that stuff now. Still have a burn pit outside but might have to quit that before long as I can't handle smoke anymore. And can't afford to have someone come and do tree removal anymore either but city services here are pretty good and they will come out and pick up the mess so long as it's moved out to the side of the street. Did however pay someone 200 bucks to take down the majority of a water oak that was too close for comfort to my shop and carport. He started out at 350 :D and had to climb the thing and take it down little by little. At this point in life, I'm not climbing anything!
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I've put plenty of freshly cut tree logs out at the end of the driveway with a "FREE" sign & someone always has taken it. Cutting the trunk and the thicker branches is easy, but all of the smaller branches that needs to be cut and moved is what really sucks.
 
Update on the Job: I got the OK from State Farm to clear the tree off the house after lunch, so I fired up my little Stihl 193, and went to work on the limbs, and anything that would hit the house. I ran out of fuel about 4pm, so I cleaned up some of the mess. Time to make a choice on a saw, and keep at it, when the weather permits...
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Richard Cranium said:
I've cut down & cut up and hauled away plenty of trees over the years, but at this point in my life, it's just too much work to cut it all up and dispose. If I were you, I'd just hire a tree guy to take it all away. Might as well have them take out that rotted one to the left as well.

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RC has one of those chain saws that's shaped like a wallet.
 
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