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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,701
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,701 |
I'll be cuttin' limbs and trees maximum 10" diameter.
Mostly,..I want a saw that ain't gonna turn to chit after one winter of storage.
I don't really care about price, within reason. But I want it to start up in the spring after settin' all winter. Stihl MS 261-CM is your baby. About $600 out the door. Lightweight-pro series saw, cuts way better than much larger saws. Use ethanol-free fuel and drain tank for the off season.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,270
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,270 |
I've got a bad back but otherwise strong upper body and I prefer my Husky with a 28" bar because I don't have to bend over for hours at a time. If I was weak in the upper body I'd go lighter, shorter, and bend over. fwiw.
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An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,200
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,200 |
As little as you are using it, Travis is right. I would say that the ethanol free premium fuel, premium 2-stroke oil, and a double dose of stabil is more important than what saw you get. I have a Stihl trimmer and it had gas that was 3 years old treated as above with no troubles. Contrary to most folks I leave mine full of fuel all the time. Buy gas in small quantities. I would get a 'farm' grade Stihl, Echo, or Husky.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,175
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,175 |
While I cannot say from experience what to buy, I can say DO NOT buy a Poulan. From research that I have done so far, it seems like either a Husqvarna or Stihl is the way to go. Husqvarna??? You didn't consider Echo? No matter what brand you buy get a carb. adjustment tool (you will probably have to buy it online) and remove the catalytic convertor if it has one (I think the Feds require them on all gas engines now). All 2 cycle engines are set from the factory the to run hot and lean in order to meet Federal emission requirements. Adjust the idle and high speed jets on the carb of you new chainsaw as soon as you start it. Your chainsaw will run better and last a lot longer. Running a 2 cycle engine lean is an incredibly bad idea.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,145
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,145 |
I'll be cuttin' limbs and trees maximum 10" diameter.
Mostly,..I want a saw that ain't gonna turn to chit after one winter of storage.
I don't really care about price, within reason. But I want it to start up in the spring after settin' all winter. You could buy pretty much anything (including Poulan) as long as you run real gas in it and use Stabil or Seafoam without fail. Travis Lots of truth here. I have a 7 year old $69 Homelite string trimmer that has only ever had 100LL avgas and dirtbike oil mix. It is on the original spark plug. I bought it thinking I could use it for one season on an ivy removal project and the throw it away wihtout any heart ache. Clean, fresh non ethanol will make almost anything last.
Last edited by smarquez; 10/22/17.
Fight fire, save lives, laugh in the face of danger.
Stupid always finds a way.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786 |
I'll be cuttin' limbs and trees maximum 10" diameter.
Mostly,..I want a saw that ain't gonna turn to chit after one winter of storage.
I don't really care about price, within reason. But I want it to start up in the spring after settin' all winter. You could buy pretty much anything (including Poulan) as long as you run real gas in it and use Stabil or Seafoam without fail. Travis Lots of truth here. I have a 7 year old $69 Homelite string trimmer that has only ever had 100LL avgas and dirtbike oil mix. It is on the original spark plug. I bought it thinking I could use it for one season on an ivy removal project and the throw it away wihtout any heart ache. Clean, fresh non ethanol will make almost anything last. We are a bit fortunate here in that you cannot buy ethanol fuel (E10) locally, most of us use 98 in our small motors and let them run dry before putting them away.
These are my opinions, feel free to disagree.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,016
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,016 |
Whatever you get, understand the function and maintenance of it. Many saws are quickly ruined by poor maintenance and making a saw perform beyond its capabilities.
"...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." - Paul to the church in Thessalonica.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,668
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,668 |
Lots of good advice here. Stihl is the big name in my area. We have lots of trees, and lots of people who work them, etc.
This is going to be a bit different in advice. I have a place where I don't burn wood for heat or cooking, so I'm not cutting wood for that. All I need is something that will handle trees and limbs up to 8 inches or so on those occasions where I need a power saw. I needed it for an old dead cherry tree with dry, hard wood. I needed it to clear a large, dense patch of rosemary I wanted to remove. Eventually, I'll remove a juniper hedge, etc.
Rather than buy a gas saw, I bought a battery run saw made by DeWalt. It runs on a 60 volt motor and has lots of safety features. I probably won't be using it much more in future. If I need bigger stuff cut down, I know people who are very good at such things who I can hire to do it for me. Very unlikely I'll need their services very often.
I can tell you this saw has been around for some time and cuts quite well. It's light, easy to handle, cuts beautifully, and leaves nothing to be desired. Yes, I have used several different gas style chain saws and have been paid for doing tree work, etc. Again, there is no need for me to cut up 2-6 cords of wood each year or to clear mature trees off of my property. E
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,919
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,919 |
$50 rebate and on sale on Husky 562XP pro saw and $75 rebate on 555 saw. Both will do what you want
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909 |
Not sure why all the recommendations for a 20-24" bar to make up to 10" cuts. A 16" or 18" bar will be plenty enough, and will spin faster than a longer bar/chain.
Get something between 50-55cc with a 16-18" bar and skip chain. Keep that sucker sharp and watch it walk through wood like butter.
Landowner vs pro lines not sure that it matters much just buy a quality brand with good support from a local shop. Stabil/Seafoam for storage when not in use. Longer bar......less bending over. Easier on the back. And skip chain on a short bar is gonna chatter..... And unless you go stupid on a bar length........the length of chain means little in chain speed. The sprocket will decide that.
Last edited by 257_X_50; 10/22/17.
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,270
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,270 |
I have a little MS 250 that I use for corral work.
It recieves zero maintenence and has been a great saw. Tool less chain tension, captured spring start.....which I dont think they make anymore.....and the Stihl quick caps.
When I finish using it for the year is it put in the shed....I use premium with no corn squeezings and Stihl oil and never empty them out.
I treat my 460 Magnum and my Pro Mac 850 more nicely.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909 |
Lots of good advice here. Stihl is the big name in my area. We have lots of trees, and lots of people who work them, etc.
This is going to be a bit different in advice. I have a place where I don't burn wood for heat or cooking, so I'm not cutting wood for that. All I need is something that will handle trees and limbs up to 8 inches or so on those occasions where I need a power saw. I needed it for an old dead cherry tree with dry, hard wood. I needed it to clear a large, dense patch of rosemary I wanted to remove. Eventually, I'll remove a juniper hedge, etc.
Rather than buy a gas saw, I bought a battery run saw made by DeWalt. It runs on a 60 volt motor and has lots of safety features. I probably won't be using it much more in future. If I need bigger stuff cut down, I know people who are very good at such things who I can hire to do it for me. Very unlikely I'll need their services very often.
I can tell you this saw has been around for some time and cuts quite well. It's light, easy to handle, cuts beautifully, and leaves nothing to be desired. Yes, I have used several different gas style chain saws and have been paid for doing tree work, etc. Again, there is no need for me to cut up 2-6 cords of wood each year or to clear mature trees off of my property. E If you got an extension cord......MSE-250 stihl. But bring a 10 ga extension if it's very long. 15 amp. Really. A smaller 120 stihl or battery do work well. Just don't trust your chaps with electric saws. Or really save money and get a Craigslist stihl 026.
Last edited by 257_X_50; 10/22/17.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,123
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,123 |
Buy whatever is sold and serviced locally. I prefer Stihl. Bristoe; Good afternoon sir, I trust all is well in your world and belated congratulations on your new rural retirement home. As my cyber friend Aces said, absolutely get what is sold and serviced by a dealer you like. I'm fortunate here in that the local guy sells Husky and Stihl and we've known each other and got along famously for more than two decades. We've had Pioneer, Husky and Stihl here - currently have a Husky and a Stihl. From what I read I'd buy a Dohlmar if there were parts available, same with a Jonsered or an Echo. As Travis noted, run real gas with a fuel stabilizer and use whatever mix oil the dealer recommends and sells. By the oil from them when you buy the saw - same with the bar oil. Warranty is a much simpler proposition when that's the chain of events.  If you're newish to a saw - or even if you're not - there's a good case to be made for saw chaps and a helmet. I'm imagining you're not healing any quicker with age as I'm surely finding Bristoe, so a bit of caution and PPE can't hurt. Anyway sir, hope that was useful info, good luck whichever way you decide and all the best to you all this winter. Dwayne
The most important stuff in life isn't "stuff"
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,910
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,910 |
I'll be cuttin' limbs and trees maximum 10" diameter.
Mostly,..I want a saw that ain't gonna turn to chit after one winter of storage.
I don't really care about price, within reason. But I want it to start up in the spring after settin' all winter. You could buy pretty much anything (including Poulan) as long as you run real gas in it and use Stabil or Seafoam without fail. Travis Quite true. I have a Poulan that is 4 years old now. It is for tree pruning and a couple camping trips a year. I only use Premium gas (Ethanol free), Sea Foam added (1 oz per gal) and synthetic 2-Stroke. It starts in 2-3 pulls each time. We are looking to buy a house next year...one that will have supplemental wood heat...so I will be upgrading to a "good" saw. I am glad there is so much useful knowledge around here. In Rapid City, we can get most of the major brands serviced, so that is a plus. Just of the top of my head, Stihl, Echo and Husky are around.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,793
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,793 |
Where is everyone finding non-ethanol fuel? I haven't seen it for sale in years.
l told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. Make your life go here. Here's where the peoples is. Mother Gue, I says, the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world, and by God, I was right.
- Del Gue
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909 |
Where is everyone finding non-ethanol fuel? I haven't seen it for sale in years. Puregas.org is your friend. 2 years without stabilization is fine. But I use it anyway. Cheap insurance.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,909 |
My MS200 has a rear handle. It is the handiest little beast. I paid a small fortune for it NIB shortly after they were discontinued, it was money well spent. Ain't they great. The replacement ms201 is like $650......
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,841
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,841 |
Where is everyone finding non-ethanol fuel? I haven't seen it for sale in years. Home Depot and Walmart sell it in quart cans for like $10. Other than that I haven't seen it anywhere.
Quando omni flunkus moritati
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,485
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,485 |
Where is everyone finding non-ethanol fuel? I haven't seen it for sale in years. We have a couple places on the island that sells it and many stations, especially in farm country, sell it. Also all of the marinas around sell it. If it’s not available Stihl sells premixed non-ethanol gas in presealed cans at their dealerships. I bought a couple cans for emergency use and keep them in my saw box.
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
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~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 |
Where is everyone finding non-ethanol fuel? I haven't seen it for sale in years. The gas station. Dave
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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