[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help me pick a chainsaw. (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/1/2010 7:39:50 PM EDT
|
I have a bunch of small stuff I need to cut up and I already have 3 large saws (Stihl, Husquavarna, John Deere) which are fine but way too big for the job at hand. I need something smaller, like 12-18" range. Can't be electric. What has been your experiences and what is recommended in that size? |
|
Husqvarna 455 Rancher w/ 18" bar.
Tons of chainsaw reviews here: http://www.backyardboss.com/ |
|
Echo CS3400.
Great little chainsaw. Have had mine for YEARS and it is a great little saw. Only had two problems with it. One, was a clogged air filter. Then somehow it developed a vacuum in the fuel tank and wasn't getting fuel. Other than that, it has just had sharp chains and new gas and oil. |
|
Quoted: What about getting a smaller bar for one of your existing saws? How big are they? That said I love my Stihl MS 290 Farmboss although even that starts to feel a bit big by the end of the day. Then again, I run a desk for a living not a saw. I'm clearing willows around my pond on steep slopes. The big saws are a little unweildy and heavy. I just want a little one for this. For the record, I'm also leaning toward a small Stihl because I have had very good luck with them. I cut firewood in high school with one for a living for a while (the industrial concrete cutter version) and it never let me down. |
|
Quoted:
What about getting a smaller bar for one of your existing saws? How big are they? That said I love my Stihl MS 290 Farmboss although even that starts to feel a bit big by the end of the day. Then again, I run a desk for a living not a saw. I have the same saw, 18" bar, and it is ideal for a home saw. I had Poulan and McCollough saws before and wouldn't waste my money on any more of them. I don't find the size or weight of the saw to be a problem at all, but on a typical day at work I spend a good bit of time lifting heavy items and working outdoors. When it comes to chainsaws buy the good stuff, the typical "homeowner" chainsaws are junk that you spend more time working on than using. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
What about getting a smaller bar for one of your existing saws? How big are they? That said I love my Stihl MS 290 Farmboss although even that starts to feel a bit big by the end of the day. Then again, I run a desk for a living not a saw. I'm clearing willows around my pond on steep slopes. The big saws are a little unweildy and heavy. I just want a little one for this. For the record, I'm also leaning toward a small Stihl because I have had very good luck with them. I cut firewood in high school with one for a living for a while (the industrial concrete cutter version) and it never let me down. Well, I think my Stihl weed trimmer starts better than my Stihl chain saw. Not sure why. But the MS 290 is a great saw. It runs a 20 bar through soft wood like a hot knife through butter. Semi hard wood is good to go too. Havent cut any hardwood though. I would recommend the MS 290 without reservation. Like I said, at the end of the day I wish I had a lighter saw but I've never wisher for a lesser saw. Then again I use it for everything from trimming while on a ladder to felling large trees. Its not what I would call an ideal "trimming" saw. |
|
I have a fantastic Stihl weed trimmer and a good dealer that is very close by. I would prefer to buy from them for convenience (and their professionalism) , but my Husky has been a good saw and they sell both brands. I'm sort of torn between the two brands. I guess this is why I'm asking. I'll be buying tomorrow. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
How big is the stuff you need to clear? On my few acres, I clear lots of stuff with my DeWalt 18volt cordless sawzall. LOVE IT 2-4" on slopes. ETA: I also have a sawzall but it would take longer for what I need to do. I think I would do the aforementioned Stihl 180 with a 12" bar if it were me. Truth be told I think you would be every bit as happy with a Husky as you would with a Stihl. |
|
Well, learned my lesson. I thought, "a chainsaw is a chainsaw...wtf"....WRONG!
DO NOT BUY HOMELITE! That POS letterally only had 20-30 ins on it and leaked oil, and eventually never started again. I did some looking around, Husqvarna kept coming up, and I read good reviews about it. The other one that got good reviews, as somebody mentioned was the ECHO. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Husqvarna, Stihl, Johnsered, are all equivelent saws. This is like a ford and chevrolet debate from 2 years ago, before GM was bought by us and about to be sold to the chinese. Stihl has better dealer support. They insist upon it.  Maybe in Illinois? |
|
Quoted: I have an Stihl MS 200 for limbing and working overhead. I'm not sure, but I think this same number may have been used on a couple of different saws over the years. The one I have is a standard rear handle configuration. Jane This might be the perfect one and thank you Jane for pointing it out. I just watched a video of a guy on youtube using it and said to myself "oh yeah, that's the ticket". I just hope my local dealer has that in stock tomorrow. They are a big dealer and probably will. here's the video I watched...that'll work.  |
|
Quoted:
I have a bunch of small stuff I need to cut up and I already have 3 large saws (Stihl, Husquavarna, John Deere) which are fine but way too big for the job at hand. I need something smaller, like 12-18" range. Can't be electric. What has been your experiences and what is recommended in that size? Stihl MS211, a great limbing and firewood saw. http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS211.html 
ps: the ARFCOM of chainsaws is here: http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9 ar-jedi |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have an Stihl MS 200 for limbing and working overhead. I'm not sure, but I think this same number may have been used on a couple of different saws over the years. The one I have is a standard rear handle configuration. This might be the perfect one and thank you Jane for pointing it out. I just watched a video of a guy on youtube using it and said to myself "oh yeah, that's the ticket". I just hope my local dealer has that in stock tomorrow. They are a big dealer and probably will. the MS200 is a top handle saw designed for one handed use while in a tree. it is NOT what you want for ground work. http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS200T.html 
No introduction needed. For professional in-tree use only, the MS 200 T is lightweight and has more power than the MS 192 T C-E — so it does the job day in, day out. Well balanced and easy to use in confined conditions, it's no surprise this chain saw is our top of the line, "ultimate arborist saw."
ar-jedi |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I have an Stihl MS 200 for limbing and working overhead. I'm not sure, but I think this same number may have been used on a couple of different saws over the years. The one I have is a standard rear handle configuration. This might be the perfect one and thank you Jane for pointing it out. I just watched a video of a guy on youtube using it and said to myself "oh yeah, that's the ticket". I just hope my local dealer has that in stock tomorrow. They are a big dealer and probably will. the MS200 is a top handle saw designed for one handed use while in a tree. it is NOT what you want for ground work. http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS200T.html http://www.stihlusa.com/graphics/chainsaws/MS200T.gif No introduction needed. For professional in-tree use only, the MS 200 T is lightweight and has more power than the MS 192 T C-E — so it does the job day in, day out. Well balanced and easy to use in confined conditions, it's no surprise this chain saw is our top of the line, "ultimate arborist saw." ar-jedi It may very well be that I'll only have one hand available to cut. It seems to make sense? |
|
Quoted:
It may very well be that I'll only have one hand available to cut. It seems to make sense? not if you are not in a tree, and place a value on the continued use of your other hand. using a chainsaw one handed is never a good idea; inadvertent contact at the first 3 or 4 inches of the top of the bar with ANYTHING is going to result in saw climb (kickback) and possible loss of control of the saw. the little loop attachment point on the back of the MS200 clues you into the fact that it is designed for use with a tree harness, while you are in a tree; the saw hangs below you on a lanyard when you are climbing/descending and as you drive wedges into the cut. for ground operations you should be using a traditional handle saw, and using it with two hands. ar-jedi |
|
Quoted: Quoted: It may very well be that I'll only have one hand available to cut. It seems to make sense? not if you are not in a tree, and place a value on the continued use of your other hand. using a chainsaw one handed is never a good idea; inadvertent contact at the first 3 or 4 inches of the top of the bar with ANYTHING is going to result in saw climb (kickback) and possible loss of control of the saw. for ground operations you should be using a traditional handle saw, and using it with two hands. ar-jedi My bigger saws are definitely two handed saws but I really do need one that only requires one hand. Looking for something little. I do know saw safety too. |
|
Quoted:
Husqvarna, Stihl, Johnsered, are all equivalent saws. This is like a ford and Chevrolet debate from 2 years ago, before GM was bought by us and about to be sold to the Chinese. I think this hits it pretty well. Echo was also under consideration when I purchased my Husqvarna. I would buy the one from the list above that has the most dealers IN YOUR AREA, that way you can get it serviced, buy a filter or plug on the weekend and not miss a beat (of course you will have those in your kit), if ever the time comes that it needs help. I looked at all the specs and reviews and ended up getting a non-professional saw that would fit my light use needs. I went with an 18" bar. The Farm Boss and Rancher are both really good saws and you would not be disappointed if you wanted something that big. I went with a slightly lighter saw with a slightly smaller engine with the same features as the Rancher. |
|
Quoted:
My bigger saws are definitely two handed saws but I really do need one that only requires one hand. Looking for something little. I do know saw safety too. i found a thread for you with opinions both ways, see http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=142721 the MS200 is certainly a good saw with a deserved reputation. but IMHO it is a climbing saw, not a ground saw. i personally prefer the wider hand spacing of a traditional saw; given that the average chainsaw accident requires about 110 stitches to close up and will run around $12,000 in medical costs(*), i like to keep two hands on and full control of the saw. if you go top handle you should definitely consider getting saw chaps covering your left hand and forearm. it takes a blink of an eye and you end up with a 1" deep gash in your hand or forearm... ar-jedi (*) http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/homestead/articles/workshop/2008/saw_smart_fall08.html |
|
Quoted:
I have a bunch of small stuff I need to cut up and I already have 3 large saws (Stihl, Husquavarna, John Deere) which are fine but way too big for the job at hand. I need something smaller, like 12-18" range. Can't be electric. What has been your experiences and what is recommended in that size? I bought the echo 18 inch from home depot. Runs well. Bogs when cold. Go to the post office and get a movers pack for a Lowe's 10% coupon. HD will take the coupon. |
|
Love my MS180. Run the snot out of it and it keeps up with work way beyond what it should.
After about three tanks running wide-open on a 90-degree day it has to cool off for a while; it vapor-locks. 
Ran a tach on it for giggles; 14,500rpm. Light and easy to handle, cuts like a sonofabitch even with the stupid safety chain. Would buy another in a heartbeat. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have an Stihl MS 200 for limbing and working overhead. I'm not sure, but I think this same number may have been used on a couple of different saws over the years. The one I have is a standard rear handle configuration. This might be the perfect one and thank you Jane for pointing it out. I just watched a video of a guy on youtube using it and said to myself "oh yeah, that's the ticket". I just hope my local dealer has that in stock tomorrow. They are a big dealer and probably will. the MS200 is a top handle saw designed for one handed use while in a tree. it is NOT what you want for ground work. http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS200T.html http://www.stihlusa.com/graphics/chainsaws/MS200T.gif No introduction needed. For professional in-tree use only, the MS 200 T is lightweight and has more power than the MS 192 T C-E — so it does the job day in, day out. Well balanced and easy to use in confined conditions, it's no surprise this chain saw is our top of the line, "ultimate arborist saw."
ar-jedi The MS200 is a rear handle. The MS200T is, not surprisingly, a top handle. Jane |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have an Stihl MS 200 for limbing and working overhead. I'm not sure, but I think this same number may have been used on a couple of different saws over the years. The one I have is a standard rear handle configuration. This might be the perfect one and thank you Jane for pointing it out. I just watched a video of a guy on youtube using it and said to myself "oh yeah, that's the ticket". I just hope my local dealer has that in stock tomorrow. They are a big dealer and probably will. the MS200 is a top handle saw designed for one handed use while in a tree. it is NOT what you want for ground work. http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS200T.html http://www.stihlusa.com/graphics/chainsaws/MS200T.gif No introduction needed. For professional in-tree use only, the MS 200 T is lightweight and has more power than the MS 192 T C-E — so it does the job day in, day out. Well balanced and easy to use in confined conditions, it's no surprise this chain saw is our top of the line, "ultimate arborist saw."
ar-jedi Absolutely! Any saw with the hand on top, and a "T" at the end will NOT work well for cutting trees at the ground––limbs only! 
|
|
Quoted:
Don't get a Poulan. I was up at our tree farm one winter after the family packed up for the tree lot and I needed to cut down a Christmas tree for a relative, so borrowed a Poulan "Wild Thing" from the neighbor - It had trouble cutting down a freaking pine tree with a 5" trunk. 
|
|
Quoted:
The MS200 is a rear handle. The MS200T is, not surprisingly, a top handle. Jane correct. the OP posted a youtube video of a guy using a MS200T in a tree; that's what got me going discussing the use of a top handle saw, like the MS200T, while on the ground. sorry for the confusion. ar-jedi |