- Thread starter jbk
- Start date
macec3(TX)
Member
Stihl, buy bigger than you think you need. Small saws have to work too hard. The bigger the saw the longer it will last.
Bryan inIowa
Member
Like others have said,,depends what you want it to do for you . Dolmer, Stihl , echo, Husky , RedMax .all good saws.
I was into my local dealer just today (Gordies Power Equip, Gregory, MI) looking at the Dolmars. Gordie does such a great job of helping everyone out, I would never buy a saw anywhere else. I have heard nothing but good about the Dolmars, though. Their marketing budget does not seem to be as large as some of the others, and their saws are made in Germany.
Russ from MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bemidji MN
I love Jonsereds, but I heard rumors that the name is going to disappear! We have a good dealer nearby, that is important.
Tony in SD
Well-known Member
I never wanted a chain saw until I got handed a Husqvarna. I really like it. However as has been said before "best" means different things to different folks. Might look at where the nearest repair/parts facility is to your location for any brand. That means a lot to me when Im looking for anything.
Lyndon - AB
Member
We've had a Stihl Farm Boss for well over a decade now, only thing we've had to do is clean the air filter and a new spark plug. I've also run Husquvarnas when I was logging, good saws if you keep on top of the maintenance.
A big thing to remember is to buy from a a reputable small engine/chain saw dealer, and buy a saw from a decent series. I was told that there are Husky's or Stihl's out there that aren't really Husky's or Stihl's. A good name on a cheap saw to bring the price down for box stores.
A big thing to remember is to buy from a a reputable small engine/chain saw dealer, and buy a saw from a decent series. I was told that there are Husky's or Stihl's out there that aren't really Husky's or Stihl's. A good name on a cheap saw to bring the price down for box stores.
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
I've owned most of the popular brands if I was going to buy a new saw today it'd be a Jonsered,Stihl is a good saw but over rated and over priced in my opinion.
the tractor vet
Well-known Member
Ya buy what you can afford and try and get the best bang for the buck. My first saw was a lambardi or something like that . I wanted a small saw i could carry in the truck while plowing snow as sometimes i had to deal with a downed tree . So i bought a 2.4 little Lighting with a 16 bar . Ya it was one heck of a saw and would cut with the big boys . It must have been a good one as it was stolen off my ft. closed in porch after the twister came thru that day. They got the saw the carrying case the gas and the bar and chain oil and the sharpner . To replace it i bought what i had money for and that was a Homealite 150 . Yea i know junk saw BUT it will cut and it can set for years and it will start on the seventh pull . Now earlier last spring i found a 455 Husky rancher stuffed in my evergreen tree , It's not mine and i saw no marks in the grass where it might have fallen off somebodys truck and bounced into the tree . So that must mean somebody had stolen it and was running with it at night and they must have seen headlights coming and ditched it on the run , figuring on coming back for it later . Well someone must own this saw and when he finds it missing he will call the cops. So i called the cops and had them come up and look , yea that is about all they did . So he takes the saw and stuffs it in the trunk and was going to take it back to the station . I asked if anybody had reported a saw missing ?? he told me no . OK well what if nobody claims it , he told me that if nobody claimed it after thirty days if i wanted it it was mine . Well it is in my truck now . Yep it runs great . price was wright on it .
onefarmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- 6735 S Lowell Rd, St Johns, Mi 48879
I currently have Stihl 041, 026, 028, 044. Had a 031 and another 028. They are all good except the 031, it was just a lemon, ditched it and bought the 041. I bought the 026 new in 1990 and it has cut 85% of my wood since. Before that the 041 was my only saw but it got to heavy for the small stuff. 041 was retired a few years ago and replaced with the 044. The 028 I inherited from my father-in-law and my son uses it when we have a big tree and I can't keep up with his picking up.
Sure nice that someone stopped in after the twister, probably to see if you were all right, and then helped themselves. Right neighborly of them, the miserable b@$tards.
As far as saws are concerned, the answers are all over the map. I've always had Stihls, always will, but that's mainly because local service is so good. It was interesting that the one guy had a bunch of Stihls, the only one that wasn't good was an 031. I bought my 031AV over 40 years ago, and its still going strong.
As far as saws are concerned, the answers are all over the map. I've always had Stihls, always will, but that's mainly because local service is so good. It was interesting that the one guy had a bunch of Stihls, the only one that wasn't good was an 031. I bought my 031AV over 40 years ago, and its still going strong.
Hal/ Eastern WA
Member
I agree. I have several saws, all Stihls, and like them all for different jobs. I started with my 041 Pro saw about 35 years ago when I was primarily heating with wood. I would guess that saw has cut about 100 cords of stove wood over the years. It still works great, but with the long bar I had put on it, it gets pretty heavy for using all day. Great for felling and cutting up larger trees, but not as handy as the smaller saws for lots of jobs. About 5 years ago, I bought a smaller Stihl with a 20" bar. It weighs less than half as much as the big saw and is very useful for general cutting around the place. Although I am sure it is not recommended, I can even use it one handed, to reach higher limbs. Last year I bought a Stihl pole saw with a 12" bar at one end and the engine about 6 feet away on the other end. It is not very powerful, but it is great for pruning and cutting brush. Much of the brush I cut is hawthorn, and the pole saw makes cutting that stuff a whole lot less bloody.
I have been very satisfied with the Stihl saws over the years. But one of the main reasons I have used Stihls is that there is a large local, long established dealer nearby that has an excellent saw shop. Dealer support can be very important.
Are other saws just as good or better? Maybe, but I do not have experience with the other brands, and my Stihls continue to work good for me.
If I was only going to have 1 chain saw, and was not going to try to heat with wood, I would probably choose the one with the 20 inch bar. It is handiest and is powerful enough to do most anything I would want to try. Good luck!
I have been very satisfied with the Stihl saws over the years. But one of the main reasons I have used Stihls is that there is a large local, long established dealer nearby that has an excellent saw shop. Dealer support can be very important.
Are other saws just as good or better? Maybe, but I do not have experience with the other brands, and my Stihls continue to work good for me.
If I was only going to have 1 chain saw, and was not going to try to heat with wood, I would probably choose the one with the 20 inch bar. It is handiest and is powerful enough to do most anything I would want to try. Good luck!
I think we have 3 Stihl saws. They are ok. 1 is a 290 Farm Boss, 1 is a 030, I think. Haven't run it yet, and the wife has a 011 that she uses up in the bucket of the tractor.
We also have a Poulan Wildthing, and for a cheap saw, it is amazing. I did mess with the carb when I first bought it, 10 years ago. I would hate to guess how many "cheap" Oregon chains it has gone through.
My favorite is a Jonsered. Starts great, runs amazing, and uses the bigger, better chains. One of these days I WILL end up with a bigger Jonsered, with a 22 or longer bar.
We also have a Poulan Wildthing, and for a cheap saw, it is amazing. I did mess with the carb when I first bought it, 10 years ago. I would hate to guess how many "cheap" Oregon chains it has gone through.
My favorite is a Jonsered. Starts great, runs amazing, and uses the bigger, better chains. One of these days I WILL end up with a bigger Jonsered, with a 22 or longer bar.
Jack in Colo
Member
still have the Johnsered I bought new in 1984, still runs good , don't know if it's the best saw to buy but it's still going strong.
RandyB(MI)
Well-known Member
I also prefer Stihl but it depends on what you are used to and what you plan on doing with it as to what size you get. If , for example, you are used to a lower rpm "torque" saw then you probably won't immediatly like a Husky. You've gotta keep them high winding. Also , the first thing you need to do on any saw is get rid of the standard "safety chain" that comes on them and get a good brand of "chizzle chain" on it. There again, I think Stihl makes the best and they make it for a few other manufacturers also. Mt old cutting buddy and I were cutting up dry/dead ash a week ago and after one tree he was about to trade in his Husky 455 Rancher for a Stihl as I was burying him in chips. Mine is just a 290 Farm Boss and 3 yrs older than his. He dropped it off at his dealer and said it better be right or he was buying a Stihl. Havn't cut with him since but I have run his and don't like the rpm you must keep it at to have power. Hard to find it's "sweet spot" when cutting through a log. Having said that, I think it's 90% having the right chain and adapting your cutting style to the saw and 10% brand. You can't make it do what it wasn't designed to do. I've got a big heavy old 1962 Mc Cullough 200 we bought new when on the farm. Still runs but anyone who is used to that heavy low rpm torque type saw will have to do some changing to ever like the modern ones.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
sthl 170 with 14 inch bar and 290 with 16 bar.
Both saws cut good but for cutting limbs like the small saw. Much easier on my back.
Both saws cut good but for cutting limbs like the small saw. Much easier on my back.
I've a Husky 245 XP and love it. It is a nice manageable size, smooth and a really fast blade speed. My brother has a Stilh 026 that he has abused for years and it is still dependable. A friend of mine had an 034 for years with good service as well. Buy a professional grade saw and you will be happy.
Wheat Farmer
Well-known Member
I have had 5 different brands. Stihl 026 for 30 years. tuned up once. Salida is a big wood burning area, and most people have the stihl. Murdoch's carry them and parts. Had a McCullion (sp) didn't hold up from a D7 Cat running over it. lol
rodgernbama
Member
I've got a Husqvarna 141 and I ain't got nothing but good things to say about it. Starts easiest of any saw that I've owned.
Donald Lehman
Well-known Member
I would echo the poster below about buying bigger than you think you need. Buy at least one size bigger and if you can afford it, two sizes bigger. Buy it from the most reputable local dealer you can find and go from there.
I have Stihl, Husky, Jonsereds, Sachs Dolmar, McCulloch, Pioneer, Poulan, Echo, Solo and probably a couple others. All of them are good saws within their limitations and considering what was state of the art at the time, since some are as old as I am- 54yoa! My personal favorites are Sachs Dolmars, but any major brand can be good if you have decent dealer support. Husqvarna and Stihl are the biggies these days, but Dolmar/Makita, Echo, Jonsered and probably a few others are good saws too. Find a dealer you can trust and see what's available.
Myself, I buy older used saws and repair them. Work fine for me.
Myself, I buy older used saws and repair them. Work fine for me.
Dan in Ohio
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Ohio
Mike,
I will agree as the 031AV was my first saw and the one I have now will keep right up with my MS 310.
<a href="http://s614.photobucket.com/user/DaninOhio/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1385.jpg.html" target="_blank">
![IMG_1385.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1385.jpg"](http://"http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt221/DaninOhio/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1385.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1385.jpg"/)
</a>
I will agree as the 031AV was my first saw and the one I have now will keep right up with my MS 310.
<a href="http://s614.photobucket.com/user/DaninOhio/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1385.jpg.html" target="_blank">
I think you've done opened up a can of worms.
I believe there are many good saw's out there
one could buy.. The problem with most of us we
don't run a chain saw 365 days a year. Sometimes
they sit for months. I believe the more they
are ran ( correctly ) the better luck you will
have with that saw. I personally have a
Husqvarna is my newest saw, because I have a
local dealer. I still have a Poulan have had
since 1985. The Husq design clean's it own air
fitler & I can't say the poulan does that with
flywheel air. I've taken care of, used the
correct mix & keep rolling the bar over &
keep the nose greased. My 460 Husqy will cut
far more wood than the Poulan ever did on a
tank of fuel. I've had good luck with Pioneer
Homlite Pouland & Husqvarna. The Stilh I had
was a Lemon, but I've had friends that have
stihls & Have used Stihls that cut & ran Well.
I cut 8 Loads of Wood a winter season each
load is close to a full cord, I also cut for
my two daughters wit the help of their Husbands
another 10 cord or close to it. I use a portable
mill from time to time in teh summer months.
Very seldom that my saws don't run every week.
I believe there are many good saw's out there
one could buy.. The problem with most of us we
don't run a chain saw 365 days a year. Sometimes
they sit for months. I believe the more they
are ran ( correctly ) the better luck you will
have with that saw. I personally have a
Husqvarna is my newest saw, because I have a
local dealer. I still have a Poulan have had
since 1985. The Husq design clean's it own air
fitler & I can't say the poulan does that with
flywheel air. I've taken care of, used the
correct mix & keep rolling the bar over &
keep the nose greased. My 460 Husqy will cut
far more wood than the Poulan ever did on a
tank of fuel. I've had good luck with Pioneer
Homlite Pouland & Husqvarna. The Stilh I had
was a Lemon, but I've had friends that have
stihls & Have used Stihls that cut & ran Well.
I cut 8 Loads of Wood a winter season each
load is close to a full cord, I also cut for
my two daughters wit the help of their Husbands
another 10 cord or close to it. I use a portable
mill from time to time in teh summer months.
Very seldom that my saws don't run every week.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
There are many good saws out there , but I'm a Husky lover . Make sure you buy the pro saw with the 3/8 chain for long lasting durability.
Sparktrician
Member
Any PRO series Stihl....the ones with the YELLOW hardhat feller on the tag. Stay away from the Green house on the tag.....the red barn is a in between.
All three of my Stihls are pro series....and I have not had a issue with them. GREAT saws. You get what you pay for, and pay for what you get. It will work as well as you take care of it.
All three of my Stihls are pro series....and I have not had a issue with them. GREAT saws. You get what you pay for, and pay for what you get. It will work as well as you take care of it.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
between my brothers and I we have 5 stihl chain saws 024 034 038 310 and 046 magnum, we have had little to no problems out of all of them wont buy anything but a stihl
I have two Stihls 041's. Brother took one into our local Stihl dealer to have it tuned up and was told to throw it a way, it too old. A friend was a Stihl repair man for years and he said the 041's were a good saw. Anyway won't buy anything from our local Stihl dealer. Have to drive 30 miles now to another.
notjustair
Well-known Member
I cut a few cords yesterday with the Sachs Delmar. It only missed a beat when it ran out of fuel. It is a little heavy and a little thirsty but it runs like a top.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
This topic comes up all the time. Several good saws available. What I don't get is all the people recommending models of saws that have been discontinued for years. Talk to a couple places that specializes in chainsaws.
The used market is awash in older saws that will still do the job today. Personally, I'd rather have an older Stihl without the flippy caps and electronic carb, something that i can work on, than a brand new one. But, some people won't buy a used car either. TO each their own. There's nothing with the older "0" series Stihls or the "2" series Huskys. A guy running an 028 or 041 and a 266 or 268 isn't losing anything.
unless you do all your own work,
talk to the small equipment dealers/mechanics in your area.
You don't have to buy from them, but see what they recommend.
If you buy a brand they like, repairs are fast and easy,
buy one they hate...........not so much
You really need 2-3 saws
a good high dollar one to do big tree work
a second smaller cheap one to do the little dirty work, and get dropped on the ground a lot.
and a pole saw...electric for this one works fine
talk to the small equipment dealers/mechanics in your area.
You don't have to buy from them, but see what they recommend.
If you buy a brand they like, repairs are fast and easy,
buy one they hate...........not so much
You really need 2-3 saws
a good high dollar one to do big tree work
a second smaller cheap one to do the little dirty work, and get dropped on the ground a lot.
and a pole saw...electric for this one works fine
Similar threads
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