(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Best chainsaw.

D

Dave H (MI)

Well-known Member
My old Stihl appears to have given up the ghost. Ordered a new Stihl 261 without the auto adjust. I wanted to be able to make adjustments. Two weeks later they tell me there is no delivery date available due to huge backorder. Whats a good alternative? I am not sold on Stihl. Need a chainsaw PDQ.
 
(quoted from post at 11:58:03 10/16/20) My old Stihl appears to have given up the ghost. Ordered a new Stihl 261 without the auto adjust. I wanted to be able to make adjustments. Two weeks later they tell me there is no delivery date available due to huge backorder. Whats a good alternative? I am not sold on Stihl. Need a chainsaw PDQ.
Click to expand...

I still have a few Stihl saws and like them.

The last two I bought are Jonsered 1 big one and one small one quite happy with them as well they seem to start better than any of my Stihl saws ever did.
 
Any Echo dealers near by ? I have some good Echo engines in a mini tiller and a weed whacker. If I needed a chain saw I'd sure check them out. Know some people with Husky (can't spell the proper name ) saws and they like them. I have an old Sthil 032 and it is good but heavy and I really don't use a chain saw much anymore.
 
Check with another dealer I just bought a Stihl 261 mine is computer controlled and it has been a really good saw. I have run maybe 15 tanks of gas through it and no problems just cuts like crazy. I have a Husky 272XP it cuts good to but its way heavier. Randy
 
I'd stick with Stihl.

i have them, my father and Father in law have them and they are good saws. Father in law also just got a new huskavarna (sp?) and is not thrilled with it. A BIG issue is the chain brake is built into the cover. VERY bad idea. if the brake is set or gets set with the cover off it is a pain to get released (impossible??) off the saw. also the cover with the brake is all plastic.. very very poor design. he grabs the smaller older Stihl and uses it and only gets the huskavarna out if the log/tree is too big, then as soon as the big stuff is cut up he goes back to the old Stihl.

have you tried to shop for the new Stihl without autoadjust online to see if you can get one shipped right away?
 
Last spring I got a brand spankin' new husqvarna saw. Love it- runs great, cuts great, and very user friendly. I cant remember the exact model, I think it was the rancher or similar model.
 
Bought a Husqvarna 340 12 years ago cut 5-6 cords a year to heat our home. Just had the bottom end seal go bad. Will replace with a 440 or 455 husqvarna. Replaced bars and chain and one sprocket along the way, still had original spark plug. And just for giggles, I always ran e-10 with the 50-1 husky oil. Never a fuel problem or a start problem until as I said the bottom end seal going bad. thats my recommendation. gobble
 
How much cutting? The latest battery saws are seriously impressive. Have a few "pro" model stihl's but really like MS-361's.
 
It depends on how much wood you will cut. We have (had) two stihls 271, we did have some problems like the clutch needing to be replaced. The 271 does not oil the bar enough when cutting wood. After 200 hours over 2 years the second saw ceased up and after looking at the saw, the saw wants bearings (up and down play in the crank). The saw died the day the 2 year warranty expired. The first saw went to the dealer to have the brake replaced and for whatever reason they stripped out the spark plug threads in the head. That saw had 80 hours on it. We bought these saws within a month of each other. We were cutting a lot of brush with the chain saws before we got the backhoe. We cut 2 or 3 cords of wood a year and sometimes help the neighbors with their wood or if they need something cut. We ended up getting a stihl ms362, we have 10 hours on this saw, and it seems pretty good so far. We did have a husky 335 saw and that was problems straight from the dealer (4 saws never ran right), the second husky is a 455 and that seemed like a good saw. The 455 needed a bar but the stihl saw came up.
 
Take a look at the 310 16'ECHO Saw. I was impressed. Good middle of the road saw.CM
cvphoto59609.jpg
 
X 2 on the Echo 310 with 16 inch bar. Normally you see them with a 14 inch bar. I put a 16 inch bar on mine and have been well pleased.
 
My son purchased a Echo Timberwolf I believe it is. 20" bar, it is a wood eating machine. A bit heavy for me just depends on what your cutting. I like my old Stihl 009L 16" but I do not cut firewood like he does.
 
Which ever one runs. I just go to the store that knows chainsaws not the big box stores especially the one where the men wear orange aprons.
 
Bought a used Dolmar one owner, almost unused. Been a great saw, starts easy, cuts like crazy with20" bar. It's older and just a little heavy for my use, but it sure does cut. I think I could start it in the barn, put it in the trailer, and it would still be idling when I got to the woods.
 
I had a Stihl for many years and hated it. it was always hard to start and expensive to own just in chains. parts are ridiculous sometime more than you paid for the saw. The dealers are are full of themselves. A repair takes weeks. There is nothing special about them having had mine apart several times, cheaply built. stay away from stihl chainsaws. Now I have a stihl weed wacker which is indestructible.
 
(quoted from post at 12:24:08 10/16/20) How much cutting? The latest battery saws are seriously impressive. Have a few "pro" model stihl's but really like MS-361's.
Click to expand...

I won't go with a cordless again. Have had one of the first Oregon 40V saws and it did real good UNTIL......a small sprinkle caught me and the saw got slightly wet. Hasn't worked since. Have 2 good batteries and the saw is dead.

That said, I used to have a nice Stihl saw about 20-some years ago. Was a really nice saw. How nice? So nice that I forgot to add oil to some gas and screwed it up. Put new rings in it and it ran for a few more weeks.

Still have a Poulan Pro that I got before the Stihl. I don't know if the Poulan Pro saws are still made like this one, but this doggone saw has been HORRIBLY abused! Still starts and runs like a champ. Bar oil bleeds out when not running and it smells slightly gassy when running, but it has been an impressive saw for the money. I just put a new chain on it recently and it still cuts through wood like a hot knife through butter. It has an 18" bar/chain.

I only had my Stihl for a few months when I stupidly forgot to add that oil, so that was an expensive goof on my part. For the amount of wood I cut, that old Poulan Pro is still working just fine. ....And I DO NOT LIKE Poulan products! But this saw has truly been impressive.
 
Bought an Echo a year ago - seems to run a lot different than the Poulin that I also use. The Echo doesn't seem to run near as high of RPMs but has good power. I bought a used CS400 for $100 at a garage sale. Ended up putting a new bar on it the first day. The guy that had it lived in town claimed he only cut down one tree with it - I believed him - he bent the bar on that one tree. The Echo is a big step up of the 18" 42CC Poulin and just seems to be more "professional" grade.
 
I have used Jonsered since about 1967, have 4 of them, from 48 years old to 10, love them. But, Husqvarna has discontinued the larger models, hopefully they don't phase them out completely. But, I have a lifetime supply, won't ever need another one.
 
the Husqvarnas with the chain brake in the cover suck big time. They have a plastic coupler that connects the paddle to the brake. Get some sawdust in that coupler and then the teeth jump and you can't release the brake and you have a heck of a time getting the cover off to fix it.
 
I have a 261 about 4 years now. It's the smallest pro saw. If you can wait you wont regret it nice saw. Keep fresh gas in it and run the good Stihl chain oil and you're good to go. If you can beg, borrow or steal until it arrives you won't be sorry.
 
My preference is Echo (get it at the dealer, not from a box store)

Jonsred is what the rental places use around here. Seem to be a pretty tough saw. I would not hesitate to own one.

Dealer support for Stihl/Husky/Poulan etc is lacking near me.

Ask around for a trustworthy local dealer and seek their recommendation.

Carl
 
Dave, Gordies Power in Gregory has great customer service, (on M 36) and sells Makita which are the
Dolmar made in Germany. I have one and love it. I also have an Echo and love it, it's a top handle arborist saw, very handy. Call me and we can talk about saws! I also have a Stihl MS 250.
 
The best saw is the one that works. We've had Sthils for over 20 years. Been good saws. 2 029's and an 056 the 56. I like the 56 for cutting trees down with. The others are good for trimming. Get the chisel chains if you want to cut in a serious manner. The other chain is for toy saws.
 
(quoted from post at 22:10:03 10/16/20) I have used Jonsered since about 1967, have 4 of them, from 48 years old to 10, love them. But, Husqvarna has discontinued the larger models, hopefully they don't phase them out completely. But, I have a lifetime supply, won't ever need another one.
Click to expand...
Like you I have three jonnies, the newest about 7-8 years old, all pro models. I cut 10-15 cord of firewood a year and have never had a Jonsered not start when I pulled the cord.

Jim
 
(quoted from post at 17:58:03 10/16/20) My old Stihl appears to have given up the ghost. Ordered a new Stihl 261 without the auto adjust. I wanted to be able to make adjustments. Two weeks later they tell me there is no delivery date available due to huge backorder. Whats a good alternative? I am not sold on Stihl. Need a chainsaw PDQ.
Click to expand...
I'd go to arborststite.com and see if there was anyone local that is willing to help you out. I have a bunch of saws more Husky than Stihl. They both make good and bad, nothing in life is guaranteed. If your old Stihl has good compression and just quit running a bad fuel line is usually the culprit. I agree that Stihl dealers can be a bit on the snooty side (not all).
 


It all depends on what you want to pay. Huskys professional saws are great but very expensive. I don't care for their "farm and ranch" line anymore, and the big box store saws are not something I'd put $$$ into. Stihl is also expensive but doesn't seem to have quite so much difference in quality. Echo is good, Dolmar is great. After that there are no brands I'd recommend. Your wallet and availability will determine what you can get. I wouldn't over look the used market at all, lots of good saws for sale out there.
 
(quoted from post at 10:25:50 10/17/20)

It all depends on what you want to pay. Huskys professional saws are great but very expensive. I don't care for their "farm and ranch" line anymore, and the big box store saws are not something I'd put $$$ into. Stihl is also expensive but doesn't seem to have quite so much difference in quality. Echo is good, Dolmar is great. After that there are no brands I'd recommend. Your wallet and availability will determine what you can get. I wouldn't over look the used market at all, lots of good saws for sale out there.
Click to expand...
Bret makes a good point as far as the pro models, applicable with most any brand; they are the only way to go, well worth the extra $$.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
1950 Farmall M Problems
Replies
12
Views
1K
redforlife
R
N
Galion 104H
Replies
11
Views
747
Welding man
Welding man
J
9n lift problems.
Replies
2
Views
531
Tim PloughNman Daley RIP
T
J
Deere vr John - You Be the Jury
Replies
19
Views
2K
DoubleO7
DoubleO7
RedMF40
Follow up: Anyone use U-Haul trailer for tractor?
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
Tgrasher
Tgrasher
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top