just bought a new chainsaw

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leeds

New Member
Jan 4, 2012
7
new england
looking to buy a cheap chainsaw,came across a YARD DOG at grossmans,for $150 decided to take a chance,after 40 min with my arms hanging out of my sockets it started!!!!.ate everything i could feed it,22 inch tree trunks no problem,this is not a HV or a STL but neither is the price,great bang for the buck for the average homeowner
 
Unfamiliar with "Yard Dog". Got a pic?? My first 5 yrs of cutting for home heat was done with a purchased used, Homey 240 with an 18" bar. Obviously nobody told the saw it was a piece of junk, cuz its still runs if I choose to pull on the cord.

I did move to a pro saw for all of the obvious reasons, but that doesn't mean the other ones won't cut wood.
 
Next time take off the air cleaner and prime it with mixed fuel. Must have sat awhile and carb got dry and sticky.
 
The Yard Dog is a 45cc version of my Chusky, colored green. Same saw as the Blue Max.
 
You're right, it's not a HV or Stihl, and neither is the price. However, I just bought a new stihl ms 180 for only about $70 more than you paid. I could have downgraded and gotten a ms 170 for only $30 more than you paid.

Not to rub it in, but mine was started at the shop to give it a "once over", then started on the second pull when I got it home. I am convinced that buying at a shop is the way to go. Good service, answers from KNOWLEDGABLE people are readily available.
 
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jdinspector said:
You're right, it's not a HV or Stihl, and neither is the price. However, I just bought a new stihl ms 180 for only about $70 more than you paid. I could have downgraded and gotten a ms 170 for only $30 more than you paid.

Not to rub it in, but mine was started at the shop to give it a "once over", then started on the second pull when I got it home. I am convinced that buying at a shop is the way to go. Good service, answers from KNOWLEDGABLE people are readily available.

You must not be the guy in Consumer Reports:

"Comments about Stihl MS 180 C-BE:

Purchased a new MS 180 c-be 14 inch. Easy2start, more like won't start. Intellicarb more like flooded carburetor. Ran once quite running one hour after purchase had to return it to the Stihl dealer. Technician said it was flooded. Everyday for one week, same thing. None of the dealer employees could start it either. Only the head technician was able to get it running. Luckily after two of them in one week they refunded my money. I never want to see one of these again. I have worn out a couple of chainsaws in my life time but never had one wear me out."

"Comments about Stihl MS 180 C-BE:

I was very disappointed in the saw. I have had Stihl's and McCullah saws in the past. The broken engine mount replacement exceeds the value of the saw! I would never buy a Stihl again"


:coolsmirk:
 
Ha! I would probably be pretty disgusted. Maybe he should have exchanged rather than returned? Mine seems like a good one.
 
BrotherBart said:
jdinspector said:
You're right, it's not a HV or Stihl, and neither is the price. However, I just bought a new stihl ms 180 for only about $70 more than you paid. I could have downgraded and gotten a ms 170 for only $30 more than you paid.

Not to rub it in, but mine was started at the shop to give it a "once over", then started on the second pull when I got it home. I am convinced that buying at a shop is the way to go. Good service, answers from KNOWLEDGABLE people are readily available.

You must not be the guy in Consumer Reports:

"Comments about Stihl MS 180 C-BE:

Purchased a new MS 180 c-be 14 inch. Easy2start, more like won't start. Intellicarb more like flooded carburetor. Ran once quite running one hour after purchase had to return it to the Stihl dealer. Technician said it was flooded. Everyday for one week, same thing. None of the dealer employees could start it either. Only the head technician was able to get it running. Luckily after two of them in one week they refunded my money. I never want to see one of these again. I have worn out a couple of chainsaws in my life time but never had one wear me out."

"Comments about Stihl MS 180 C-BE:

I was very disappointed in the saw. I have had Stihl's and McCullah saws in the past. The broken engine mount replacement exceeds the value of the saw! I would never buy a Stihl again"


:coolsmirk:

But, did you know, Stihl chains need less oil than other chains? (Not even for cleaning debris.) Don't ask how much less.

And, they have naturally curly hair. Right.
 
Just curious: is that Consumer Reports online? I get the print version, but haven't seen any chainsaw reviews.
 
jdinspector said:
You're right, it's not a HV or Stihl, and neither is the price. However, I just bought a new stihl ms 180 for only about $70 more than you paid. I could have downgraded and gotten a ms 170 for only $30 more than you paid.

Not to rub it in, but mine was started at the shop to give it a "once over", then started on the second pull when I got it home. I am convinced that buying at a shop is the way to go. Good service, answers from KNOWLEDGABLE people are readily available.

If you know where to go, you can get a factory refurb Husqvarna 445 for about $220. I'd pass on the "popsicle."
 
CTYank said:
jdinspector said:
You're right, it's not a HV or Stihl, and neither is the price. However, I just bought a new stihl ms 180 for only about $70 more than you paid. I could have downgraded and gotten a ms 170 for only $30 more than you paid.

Not to rub it in, but mine was started at the shop to give it a "once over", then started on the second pull when I got it home. I am convinced that buying at a shop is the way to go. Good service, answers from KNOWLEDGABLE people are readily available.

If you know where to go, you can get a factory refurb Husqvarna 445 for about $220. I'd pass on the "popsicle."

I already have a 50cc saw. I wanted something smaller. This one fits the bill- and it's a local brick and mortar dealer.
 
Jesus, man--40 minutes? I'd have thrown that thing through the store's window I bought it at and moved on. To me, that's just plain ridiculous. Unless, of course, we're talkin' hyperbole.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

S
 
I would never buy a Stihl againâ€


When i go to cut wood i grab one of my stihl saws, ( get er done ) 3 months ago i bought a makita 6401 better than anything in the world saw from what they say. well now it just takes up space in my shop. maybe it's just what i'm use to. and thats my opinion.
 
I could cut all of my wood with my 45cc Blue Max. I can do it faster with my trusty old 028 which could be had for about the same as a new chinasaw. I paid 100 bucks for my new BlueMax with a 20" bar.
 
BrotherBart said:
You must not be the guy in Consumer Reports:

"Comments about Stihl MS 180 C-BE:

Purchased a new MS 180 c-be 14 inch. Easy2start, more like won't start. Intellicarb more like flooded carburetor. Ran once quite running one hour after purchase had to return it to the Stihl dealer. Technician said it was flooded. Everyday for one week, same thing. None of the dealer employees could start it either. Only the head technician was able to get it running. Luckily after two of them in one week they refunded my money. I never want to see one of these again. I have worn out a couple of chainsaws in my life time but never had one wear me out."

"Comments about Stihl MS 180 C-BE:

I was very disappointed in the saw. I have had Stihl's and McCullah saws in the past. The broken engine mount replacement exceeds the value of the saw! I would never buy a Stihl again"

I'm sure there are people disappointed with their new Ferarri's too. There are complaints about anything, and with this new-fangled internut thing, word spreads quickly. People are able to post their experiences with products for free and there is no obligation to check facts, investigate failures etc... Anybody could spend 30 minutes yanking a starter rope (with the choke set on full of course) get PO'd and go write a lousy review to vent their frustration.

My guess here is the gentleman writing the review missed the first pop from that MS180 and the Easy2Start saws turn-over faster/more times per pull than a regular version making it that much easier to flood. Seen that plenty of times. I've also seen plenty of dealership personnel (even techs!) that yank on those Easy2Starts like it's an MS880. Uneducated consumer + incompetent dealer personnel = Poor review.


A quick word to the OP, for $150 you could've picked up a Poulan Wild Thing and at least had a saw you can readily get parts for.
 
RE: the bad Stihl review.

People flock to the internet to complain about bad purchases, but a much smaller number post about fantastic no trouble purchases.
 
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lukem said:
RE: the bad Stihl review.

People flock to the internet to complain about bad purchases, but a much smaller number post about fantastic no trouble purchases.
+1, after owning stihl products for over 30 years (one bad weed eater) a review like that dont mean sheet to me, will keep buying.
 
People are always more likely to post a review when they've had a negative experience. Not saying that it didn't happen but it's unlikely that a few negative reviews accurately reflect the overall quality of a product with a many thousands sold.

When I first got my MS390 I couldn't get it started. I flooded it. I was very frustrated. I came on this forum, asked questions. Got the hint to listen to the "burp" on the second or third pull, then flick the switch up a notch and pull again. Vroooom! After that point I've never had a problem starting it.

A little knowledge is a wonderful thing.
 
Have to chuckle. The OP's saw wouldn't start because it is Chinese junk and he didn't buy it from a dealer. If a new Sthil or Husky won't start it is because the operator isn't doing it right. :lol:

Whatever. I hope the OP enjoys his new saw and gets good service from it.
 
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BrotherBart said:
Have to chuckle. The OP's saw wouldn't start because it is Chinese junk and he didn't buy it from a dealer. If a new Sthil or Husky won't start it is because the operator isn't doing it right. :lol:

Whatever. I hope the OP enjoys his new saw and gets good service from it.

"I reject your reality and replace it with my own." - Adam Savage (Myth Busters).
 
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BrotherBart said:
Have to chuckle. The OP's saw wouldn't start because it is Chinese junk and he didn't buy it from a dealer. If a new Sthil or Husky won't start it is because the operator isn't doing it right. :lol:

Whatever. I hope the OP enjoys his new saw and gets good service from it.

I agree. I didn't mean to sound snide with my first post. I was only pointing out that not all stihl an HV saws are expensive pro models. Good luck with the new saw.
 
Good for you, Leeds! I bet the next time you rev it up, you won't spend nearly as long. sounds like a good saw at a good bargain.

I too bought a new saw, I got the Stihl 190-cbe. It was a learning curve, I will tell you. One--I am used to using an electric. Now that I am burning wood for actual heat rather than a weekend fire in the fireplace, I needed something better. I had several issues: I have limited use in my left arm (and I'm lefthanded), so I needed something lightweight with a tool-less chain tightener, and relatively easy start. This critter is not hard to start--it is just DIFFERENT. You don't yank on it like you would anything else, in fact the directions warn that pulling too hard will tear it up. My first cold start was awful--I wound up hopping in the car and going up the road to the dealer for another lesson in starting. Yep, I flooded it, and learned how to clear it properly. Then a few days later I decided to give it another try, and I get her going at last. With this saw, you have to give 2-3 pulls on choke, then move to idle, and pull (gently!) till it turns over. Shouldn't take more than 4-6 pulls, then it slips into idle and you are ready. Like Leeds, this little toy goes through wood like butter! It is perfect for me. Oh, and it IS easy or bar oil, and doesn't seep as much as my other saw.
Well, that's my 2 cents.
 
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I personally own 2 stihls and love them both but always wondered how the other saws compared in durability, price, and customer service. Stihl seems to be at almost all the privately owned shops in the area except for one shop that sells Huskys. I tried a used echo cs-300 for limbing and was disappointed at how it ran and didn't like the style of the limbing saw and took it back to the shop the day after I purchased it and exchanged it for a new ms-180-c and couldn't be happier w/ the shops customer service and knowledge of the products they have on the shelf! I almost purchased the easy start version but the dealer told me i didn't need it and it wasn't worth the extra $$ unless i was having trouble starting standard style saws/pull-cords. If I would have talked to the dealer the first time I went into the shop i would have realized i didn't need a saw w/ controls on the top of the handle, but i was sure that was what i needed....oops. Hindsight is always 20-20!
 
just to clear up a few things,i am not trying to compare mine with everyone else,just giving a review,yes, i thought it might be chinese junk and as for 40 min to start....it was new out of the box,so far so good and this thing is as easy to start compared to a makita i rented from HD,came with 14 & 20 in blades and for $150 ..............happy camper
 
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