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chain saw advise

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paul

04-03-2005 21:51:49

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I've got a nice little Stihl chain saw, 12 or 14" bar. Now I'm looking at some pretty big trunks, need to make more firewood. The little fellow is a little low on power for the job at hand, will keep it for trimmimg. Looking for about a 20 inch bar machine. Lots of dry elm, and other stuff from the groves.

What's good? I'm partial to Stihl, probably will get another. Has Stihl gotten into the cheap & better models like others, or are they all pretty good? What to look for for engine size?

--->Paul

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jeffcat

04-06-2005 21:21:26

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

Lots of good advice and this topic has been on here many times. Search back and take a look. I have about 40 McCulloch saws and use my collection too. Love the old beasts and BOY do they SNARL! Have an old MALL 12A from 1954 and just the motor is 26 pounds! You want a 20" bar and go for 70 to 80cc if you can. Husky has one near this with decompression valve and many whistles for the $500 area. WORTH the big pile of pennys.You will never regret good equipment. Don't go cheep and take good care of it. Buy the sthill-echo- or husky fuel mix with the stabil in it. I use one of the metal explosion proof cans with the lid like a tea kettle on it. Fuel says fresh. You can find them at the flea market often enough. You can never over oil your chain and I set up the auto oilers for one gas tank one oil refill. Last thing to check out is a "full chissel" chian. Take care using it, but BOY do they cut! Have fun Jeffcat

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Farmall Teen

04-06-2005 17:13:04

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

My uncle has had a Stihl for a long time. He has really abused the saw and it is still runin strong. We just replaced the chain bar because it was getting old, but still works

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Josh in Indiana

04-05-2005 21:54:07

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

Hello Paul,

Imo you are already running a fine saw in a stihl. We have run homelites for years and bought a stihl about 7 years ago and are still using that same saw. For us homelites woudl last abtou 3 years and then die. Im not sure of the model right now (023 ring a bell with anybody) but its been fine saw. I dont have any experience with any of the other brands, just stihl and homelite.

Good luck

Josh in Indiana

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rodgernbama

04-05-2005 20:02:07

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

I had Homelite chainsaws over the years but I bought a Husqvarna with 16" bar a couple years ago and it has been a great saw. I would buy Husqvarna again.

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Ludwig

04-04-2005 15:45:05

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

I always laugh when I see these threads because Dad and I have 8 saws between us and neither of us has ever bought one.
We started when the Echo fell off a truck in front of Dad's house about 15 years ago. It needed a bar and chain and of course had to be advertised and held onto for 2 weeks but nobody ever came to claim it. Thats the "big" saw, I think its an 18 or 20" bar.
Then theres my grandfather's Mac 10 that he used twice. Thats a real good saw.
The Remington that my drunken cousins had and filled the gas with bar and chain oil. That was easy to get running and is also a very good saw.
Uncle Reg's Mac 10 is also a good saw.
I just got a Mac, I'm not sure of the model, its the same bar as the 10 but a bigger motor. My wife's friend bought a house and the saw came with the house. They didn't want it so... It runs good but needs a bar and chain....
The others just sort of appear now and again. Its amazing.
Computer guys will get the joke when I say we have a redundant array of inexpensive chainsaws. Its great when we're cutting, Dad and I start cutting together until the two saws get dull, then he takes a break and sharpens them while I dull another one. By that point I'm ready for a break too. Once Dad's sharpened the third saw we start the cycle again.

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Greg Carberry

04-04-2005 13:31:57

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

If you like Stihl the 361 as T bone said is your saw. That or a 360 would be a good saw. Otherwise take a look at Solo I sell and run Solo's and wouldnt buy anything else. Its a German made saw as well, real smooth power and easy to start. I'd recommend the 651 or 662.

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JonwithanM

04-04-2005 12:38:20

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

I would buy a Huskey or Jonserd or Stihl. All three are good, hardworking saws. I would look around your area and find out who can service them, can you buy parts, is there a dealer around. The more yes answers I get for a particular brand then that's the one I would buy. Cause you are going to need parts someday and mabe some advice about a tune up or carb adjustment.

I have 4 Stihls, 021, 029, 044 and 066, couldn't get rid of one of them. I buy stihl saws because I get great service from my local dealer.

Jon

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thejdman01

04-04-2005 11:14:55

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

old mcullah"s are good. an old jd 60v but finidn one would pry be hard and parts hard. stihl is decent but definitly if i had to go and buy one today i definitly would get a jonsered no question about it spendy but will be something to give your kids. whatevver you do run away from poopin your lawn cause thats jsut what htey do take a in your lawn when your trying to use it the new john deeres are made by homelite so thtat doesnt help you any

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wirehair

04-04-2005 09:50:49

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

Paul,

I currently use Stihl 025 with 16" bar and like you am getting into larger trees and need more saw.

I am going to stay with Stihl. Next saw is going to be a 361 with 20" bar, unless I find something used that can do the job. Just missed an 044, but it would have been too big for what I need.

You need about 60CC of engine displacement to run a 20" bar.

It used to be that even numbered saws were professional grade and odd numbered saws were consumer grade. With model changes I don't think it is the same.

wirehair

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Jonboy

04-04-2005 08:33:31

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

There are several good brands of saws. Jonshred, Husquvarna and Stihl. I'm a big Jonshred fan because I have a full service dealer who's main buisness is in those saws, he carries most of the parts in stock and will make all repairs, plus Jonshred saws are very good saws. Don't buy nothing from Walmart or Sears if you want a real saw (although I did see a Husquvarna last time I was in sears). Real saws (loggers saw, AKA, full time professional) cost real good money up front, but they are a very good investment over anything marked homeowner, more saftey features, and many times more durable and will last through hard use.

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coldiron

04-04-2005 08:12:05

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

Paul, No matter what brand you choose the secret to a happy chain saw engine is the fuel mix. Dont go cheap on the mix oil. Remember to always drain the fuel out and run the saw till it is all out of the carb before you lay it up till the next use. Repair shops are making a lot of money cleaning carbs and replacing lines. Gas just isn`t what it used to be. I cut firewood for over 20yrs and have used them all but like homelite, reasonable and expect to full choke till it coughs, then half choke. Put fuel preserver in your mix if you don`t expect to use it all right away

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Ludwig

04-04-2005 15:38:09

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to coldiron, 04-04-2005 08:12:05

Thats good advice, I put Stabil in every tank of gas I mix, a little heavier than the instructions.
I've also gotten several older saws running by dissasembing the exhaust and burning the carbon and sludge out of it. I don't know if its the cheap oil that makes them sludge up or what but they don't like to run when the spark arrester is all clogged.

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Galen

04-04-2005 06:20:47

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

I had a Stihl, but didn't have very good luck with it, it was always in the shop and getting expensive to fix. Never got to use it very much. I decided to trade it in for a Huskvarna 55 rancher with a 20" bar. I've used the Husky to death for the past year or so (got an infestation of Cedar, Locust, Hedge trees) and love it. I do need to get a smaller saw for trimming though. My wife's uncle had a lawn service and left us several Stihl trimmers, saws, and other tools when he died. He had 4 of everything - two were in the shop while he used one and had the other was for spare (his high school buddy owned the dealership so he got a deal). Everything has since died and been replaced. Lots of people have great luck with Stihl, I just don't. 8^) Maybe one of these days I'll give them another try....

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Bud in NC

04-04-2005 05:11:11

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

I bought a Stihl 028 about 25 years ago - it"s been through he!! since then - I dropped a tree on it, my ex-SIL ran over it twice. After the second time it was run over I had to find some repair parts from a junked saw. It"s still the best chain saw I"ve ever used. A friend of my ex-SIL was taking down trees at my neighbor"s house. After his 3 Homelites and 2 Polans puked my old beat up Stihl did the remaining 3/4 of the cutting with no problem. Get a Stihl and you won"t be replacing it soon.

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Greywolf

04-04-2005 03:38:02

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

Not sure on how they are, used to have a Little red Homelite "trimmer" (16"bar) from Runnings. After the third tank of gas or so, I never could get it to run good.

Finally last fall I said the heck with it, went to Miller Sellner and got a Johnsred (sp?)another 16" forgot the model number. Only got to use it once this winter so far.

But, middle of winter, well it was a 40* day, started right up and forgot how much fun wood cutting actually could be again....LOL.

Was good on gas and handled well. Can't remember if you get over that way much. Others might chime in on the quality.

On a side note, enjoyed the coffee break, the wife got a kick out of the "date" comment....LOL.

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paul

04-04-2005 06:31:00

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to Greywolf, 04-04-2005 03:38:02

Yea, I hear that is the 'other' good name around here in saws. Husky is also pretty good, they have the cheap & good lines from what I hear.

Dad had/ I has a 20 inch McCulluith (sp) here, that will cut through anything, but it is older than me & takes 1/2 hour to get running. Then it is what, 50 lbs? You could see I'm not in _that_ good a shape. ;) Hate to be wore out be4 even cutting anything... I also had a 10" little Homelite, was a great trimmer, dad would cut with his monster, I would trim with the little Homelite. Homelite liked to pound sparkplugs apart tho, odd for such a little fellow, the ceramics would loosen from the metal.

--->Paul

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Greywolf

04-04-2005 10:51:18

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-04-2005 06:31:00

I've got an old Mac Super 44. I know what you mean by the "beast". At least 50 pounds worth...least it feels that way after 10 minutes.

I put it in the vice so it stays put trying to get it running. The spring loaded choke while holding throttle open...it's got so much compression while being a contortionist standing on it...bent over holding the throttle/choke... then pulling...you still pull it out from under your foot.

But that one doesn't make saw dust when it cuts...it makes chips...I think it's a 24" bar..never measured.

I helped take apart a very very large elm about 12 yrs ago. 2 other guys were using 16", they said very welcome to help out. After I made the first 3 cuts they shut theirs off and kept a path clear for me.

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Galen

04-04-2005 11:02:56

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to Greywolf, 04-04-2005 10:51:18

My brother has Dad's old IHC 24" "tank". Thing weighs about 50 lbs. It can really cut the timber though. It was built in the mid 1960's and still runs strong. Amazingly, he says parts are still pretty easy to find (altough he hasn't needed much).

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ben moyer

04-04-2005 12:24:45

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to Galen, 04-04-2005 11:02:56

I got my Dads old Partner P55 20" bar and she will cut just about anything you throw at it.
there ia a few drawbacks weighs about 25lbs
no chainbrake that does make it a lttle interesting when you tear into a brush pile
also if its below 40 degrees if you are going to cut wood leave the tractor at home as it must stay in the warm for it to start

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Midwest redneck

04-04-2005 02:24:34

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

I have the Stihl 029 farm boss witht the 18" bar. This thing runs like a raped ape, and it works very well.

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T_Bone

04-03-2005 23:15:28

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Re: chain saw advise in reply to paul, 04-03-2005 21:51:49

Hi Paul,

I went thru this last fall as I wanted to replace my 25yr ProMac 610. Good thing I did as my fuel tank split the next time out.

I decided on a Stihl MS361. 59cc with decompression valve (DCV), 20"rollermatic, RS chain, about $485 with bar & chain & case. I think there up to $535 now.

I'm real happy with the saw so far. Stihl wants you to start the saw at WOT with chain brake on. I just couldn't bring myself to go along with that so re-adjusted the carb ((L) 1/8 t rich), and now three pulls WOT (the only way you can full choke it) until it pops, then one pull on idle, both using the DCV. And you need the DCV or I could be just getting old :-)

About the same power as my Mac 610 maybe more as I never run it at WOT but not much cutting difference for how I use it.

Don't buy the Elastostart handle as it's not needed. Rubberband rope and a special handle.

My automatic oiler is turned wide open to get adquate bar oiling on my 20" bar. Talking with the guys on the chinsaw forum thats normal with the MS361. About two tanks of gas to one tank oil.

They also sell a a fleace lined cleanable air filter, get this one. The one that comes with it is a paper type element that they say is cleanable but I don't like it as it would be easy to tear.

T_Bone

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