RE: Not so theoretical question . . . new or used

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firefighterjake

firefighterjake

Minister of Fire
Jul 22, 2008
19,588
Unity/Bangor, Maine
Every time I go into the local dealer I find myself eyeballing the Husky 555 . . . but I'm also cheap frugal and my 350 is still working fine. Nevertheless I know that at some point I will be upgrading my saw and have always figured I would end up ponying up the money for the 555 at the list price or a bit less.

Yesterday I was talking with one of the techs while picking up a new muffler (well actually a used muffler) to fix the muffler issue with the 350 . . . as a side note I didn't even realize they had come out with a new design to address the loosening muffler issue. In any case, the tech was telling me how he has some of the full time loggers on a 6 month program where they come in and trade in their used saws for a new one . . . they end up with a new saw every 6 months and with the trade in they don't end up paying the full value.

So to make a short story, long . . . turns out another option for me is to pick up a 562 for $400-$450. Now granted these saws were used hard by guys doing this for a living, but the tech said they do look over the saw and it's still under the first year warranty.

So question . . . if you had the choice of paying full or near list price for a saw or going with a significantly discounted (but used) saw what would you say is the best choice?
 
I should mention that I do not suffer from CAD . . . although I would probably keep the 350 no matter what way I would go . . . just because it has been a reliable saw and the weight is pretty good.
 
That's a tough call. You could end up with a 562 that will never need anything, for a pretty good price. Or maybe not. My general understanding is that people that use chainsaws for a living don't treat them like people that are chainsaws enthusiasts. 'Rode hard, put away wet'? Those guys prolly put more time on a saw in six months than you or I would in a lifetime.

How much does the 555 go for? $600ish? If I understand correctly, you can end up with a 562 in about ten minutes if you feel like playing around.

In this case, I think I'd go new.
 
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This reminds me of a guy I know who does lawn care with a small crew. Every spring he buys six or eight big box store riding mowers - whatever is cheap - and then every winter he advertises them for sale, "Used one summer." True, of course, but....

It is certain that the loggers have consumed a significant portion of the saw's useful life. With a good chain and a good bar, though, $400 might be a pretty good deal.
 
For myself I would buy new, with my luck I would pick the one used 562 that would fly to pieces after the warranty ran out.
 
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I've bought a lot of used chainsaws in the last couple of years, and the ones that had been used commercially have tended to be in much worse shape than those I've gotten from homeowners. That said, those commercial saws came from landscapers, not professional loggers. The loggers I've met seemed to take considerably better care of their saws.

Do you need a bigger saw? If you've been basically happy with the 350, take a look at the 550XP; it's virtually the same weight and about 20% more powerful than what you're used to. The 555/562 are more powerful still, but also significantly heavier.
 
Jake - there is a reason that these guys are trading them in every 6 months....they have experienced something that warrants it. Just say'in.
 
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I would buy used but not from a commercial user. They take a beating.
 
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Buying used (anything) is about your ability to assess condition. If you can tell that it hasn't been used hard, it could be a good deal. It may be difficult to make that assessment. I usually buy new saws - mostly because I watch how other people treat their saws...
 
I always lean towards buying new with equipment that it's tough to tell the whole story behind it regarding how it was used and taken care of. Anything 2 stroke for me falls under that category. It would be very easy for a chainsaw to be run very hard within an inch of it's life for that entire 6 months. Or someone mixed the gas a little too light. Next thing you know you use it twice and it's toasted. I'm also very cheap or cheap and hate spending money on stuff I don't need but most of the things I buy are new and I take very good care of my stuff so it lasts a long time.
 
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I always buy new unless I know the seller to be as anal as I am about taking care of their equipment. Used doesn't always mean abused, but there is no way these saws were babied or cared for like that. Unless money is the issue buy new and don't think twice about it.
 
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Jags said:
Jake - there is a reason that these guys are trading them in every 6 months....they have experienced something that warrants it. Just say'in.
Click to expand...

It sounds like a dealer program. I know farmers that get brand new $500k+ combines every year or two on such programs.

Smaller scale, yes, but similar idea.
 
jeff_t said:
It sounds like a dealer program. I know farmers that get brand new $500k+ combines every year or two on such programs.

Smaller scale, yes, but similar idea.
Click to expand...
Very possible but 6 months seams to be a very short time duration for this kind of equipment
 
I'd go new I were you. Because you are not a CAD sufferer, and I know how old you are, this may be the last saw you have to buy. Spend a few more bucks and know that you will have a good saw for the rest of your life. I bought a used 036 about 4 years ago for a great price. I got 3 years out of it until the piston and cylinder became to scored for it to run anymore. I put up the big bucks and bought a brand new MS362 and I am pretty sure that it will be the last saw I buy, unless I win the lottery or inherit a fortune from an unknown relative.
 
Flatbedford said:
I'd go new I were you. Because you are not a CAD sufferer, and I know how old you are, this may be the last saw you have to buy. Spend a few more bucks and know that you will have a good saw for the rest of your life. I bought a used 036 about 4 years ago for a great price. I got 3 years out of it until the piston and cylinder became to scored for it to run anymore. I put up the big bucks and bought a brand new MS362 and I am pretty sure that it will be the last saw I buy, unless I win the lottery or inherit a fortune from an unknown relative.
Click to expand...

Hehheh . . . you make it sound like I'm either 99 years old or that I have a terminal disease . . . I get ya though . . . quality saw = long time use.
 
A logger I know trades his saws in yearly. He takes meticulous care of his saws. His train of thought is he cannot afford a breakdown. I would not hesitate to buy one of his trade in's. He is a very respected builder of saws. Could he rebuild them and run them again yes, but the time and money he has doing that is more than can trade it in for a new saw. If you can get to know some loggers, tree service people and look at how they care for their equipment (not just saws) and buy directly from them. Offer a bit more than the dealer would. They may or may not bite because they have a thing going on with the dealer and he has to make a few dollars,
also and might get upset with the logger and not offer any more deals. It does not hurt to ask though.
 
The loggers I know take good care of their saws. The issue is not abuse; it's the number of hours on the engine.
 
I'm sure they use them like their gonna trade them in, for a couple of extra bucks you can get your self a pretty little saw and piece of mind.
 
Unless you can give it a good once over checking everything, I'd look for a new saw. You never know who looks after their equipment and who runs it like a rented mule.
 
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