Chainsaws

[Newhunter1]

When I first saw this thread...I thought now what? Why would I put a chainsaw on my saddle and how much will it weigh me down.

 

[Jtaylor]

Stihl MS440 or 460 ran them for hours on end and days on end. If you can find one from a homeowner used, they're nowhere near worn out. The bigger saws are heavier but you can run a longer bar and don't have to bend over as much.

 

[Jtaylor]

I like Stihls, Husqvarna, Echo, Old (pre plastic) McCullochs, Old (pre plastic) Poulans in that order. Look for paint worn off the bar, burn marks on the bar, pull the air filter and look for heavy amounts of saw dust, or lack of cleaning for awhile. A cheapo compression tester doesn't hurt either. A Stihl farm boss will last a lifetime for home use, Husqvarna makes a similar model as does Echo which would all last for a lifetime of fire wood cutting/home use.

What are you running? In scouring craigslist and other options, any thoughts or tips on what to look for?

 

[beej32]

What are you looking to cut? Your intended use makes a big difference in the answer

I'll mostly be clearing small areas in an oak/history forest, likely not cutting much bigger than 12" diameter. I've been using an old Craftsman that does the job, but I've been toying with the idea of upgrading.

 

[Vtbow]

Stihl MS440 or 460 ran them for hours on end and days on end. If you can find one from a homeowner used, they're nowhere near worn out. The bigger saws are heavier but you can run a longer bar and don't have to bend over as much.

yes, and if you dont like the huge bar, a 90cc saw with a 16" bar will RIP.....

 

[Jtaylor]

I'll mostly be clearing small areas in an oak/history forest, likely not cutting much bigger than 12" diameter. I've been using an old Craftsman that does the job, but I've been toying with the idea of upgrading.

The old Craftsmans were actually made by Poulan and are really solid saws! Not sure what chain you're using but If it has a "safety chain" or low kickback chain, throw that in the trash and run to a dealer (stihl, husqvarna, echo, etc.) with the saw in tow and get set up with some decent chains. If it has a lot of hours on it, compression might be getting low too and need a re-ring/hone job.

 

[Vtbow]

The old Craftsmans were actually made by Poulan and are really solid saws!

I have an old craftsman as well that I run as a limbing saw sometimes. ITs probably 25+ years old at this point. I replaced the oiler gear once and thats about it. It does vapr lock after running really hot though. Good saw though.

 

[SemperFlightMedic]

Stihl.

Take a look at the stihl website and familiarize yourself with the different displacements. MS370 and above will do everything you need as a homeowner. I had a MS441 a few years back. Didn’t use it for a while so I let someone buy it. I kept my 029, and while it’s a “decent” homeowner saw, it’s nothing close to the 441.

So ... anyone see the Fuel Injected Stihl Chainsaw? I think it’s in the German market now. Something like a $1700 price tag. Watched the YouTube thing for it. Had me drooling.

MS 500i | STIHL USA Mobile

View more information about the MS 500i here.

m.stihlusa.com

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[SemperFlightMedic]

Find a good one that needs rebuilt, and buy it cheap. Rebuilds are cheap and relatively easy.


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[Gator]

I'll mostly be clearing small areas in an oak/history forest, likely not cutting much bigger than 12" diameter. I've been using an old Craftsman that does the job, but I've been toying with the idea of upgrading.

I'm a Stihl guy, for your use you don't need a big saw. I started with a big saw MS391, she'll rip through full bar width oak without blinking but it was hell carrying that saw through the woods cutting small trees and limbs so I got a MS250 and had the dealer put a smaller bar on it (factory 18" but I reduced to 16"). Much easier to handle and run for longer periods of time

 

[Vtbow]

I'll throw this out there...you can never have too many chainsaws...

 

[beej32]

I'll throw this out there...you can never have too many chainsaws...

That's my thinking too. And thanks all for the tips.

 

[austin1990]

Stihl or husqvarna are the top 2 I'd look at. Echo ain't bad though, I highly suggest staying away from new poulan and similar saws. I got a certificate in small engines from the local college, vast majority of the chainsaws people brought us to fix was them cheap saws, or a saw that they let sit up with gas in it for a long time. Best thing you can do is use ethanol free gas, and run it dry when your done using it. I rebuilt many carburetors back then and replaced a lot of gunked up fuel lines. But that also applies to anything else with a motor people brought in. Most dont know how to service and maintain there equipment.

 

[Wirrex]

Echo Timberwolf is best bang for your buck IMO if your buying new

This is what I bought a few years back and don’t regret it. That was after a TON of research.

 

[Letemgrowitllshow]

Yup. LiON tools make sense for me if you don't use them a lot of heavily. Carb motors don't like to sit in a corner for 8 months and then just pop out and do a 5 minute job and go back in the corner.

I'm thinking of going this route. Only use a saw for trimming limbs never anything big and never for very long either. We have the Milwaukee battery saw at work and the thing is sweet.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I'm thinking of going this route. Only use a saw for trimming limbs never anything big and never for very long either. We have the Milwaukee battery saw at work and the thing is sweet.

My dad's boss is a chainsaw nut. Used to work for the phone company trimming easements and owned a land clearing business. He strongly advocated for me getting an electric one, and said he used his 90% of the time just messing around in his yard.

 

[Letemgrowitllshow]

My dad's boss is a chainsaw nut. Used to work for the phone company trimming easements and owned a land clearing business. He strongly advocated for me getting an electric one, and said he used his 90% of the time just messing around in his yard.

We use em for trimming out poles and cutting trees off wire. Easy to maneuver and actually has a decent battery life too. I get having a gas saw but for a fella like myself it makes more sense to have the battery saw. All depends on what your using em for.

 

[Nutterbuster]

We use em for trimming out poles and cutting trees off wire. Easy to maneuver and actually has a decent battery life too. I get having a gas saw but for a fella like myself it makes more sense to have the battery saw. All depends on what your using em for.

Yup. I can run mine one handed while leaning over a canoe gunwhale or up in a treestand. But I'd hate to clear a lot with one.

 

[KyleND]

At work we have to clear/ limb trees away from our powerlines. We have gone away from Stihl and switched to Milwaukee cordless. Best thing we ever did. After doing so I told myself next time I have to cut down or clean up a tree in my yard I will be buying a milwaukee. I won't have to spend my money stihl's mixed gas, which if you dont run that gas in my opinion they dont start well. At least any of the new chainsaws.
They just don't make them the same anymore and I believe that is due to emissions standards. My 2 cents..
Almost forgot best part is no more ear plugs needed!

 

[KyleND]

At work we have to clear/ limb trees away from our powerlines. We have gone away from Stihl and switched to Milwaukee cordless. Best thing we ever did. After doing so I told myself next time I have to cut down or clean up a tree in my yard I will be buying a milwaukee. I won't have to spend my money stihl's mixed gas, which if you dont run that gas in my opinion they dont start well. At least any of the new chainsaws.
They just don't make them the same anymore and I believe that is due to emissions standards. My 2 cents..
Almost forgot best part is no more ear plugs needed!

Do yourself and sell all your other cordless tools if they are not milwaukee. Maybe that is a little too ford vs Chevy to say but they are that good.