1st chainsaw (sort of) -What do you think?

[BillLion]

Hey all,

I've been burning wood in my fireplace insert for a few years, but just began gathering/splitting my own wood this year. I had a truckload of FREE sugar maple dropped of at my house on Friday that requires me to put down my axe/maul for a little while and use a chainsaw 1st to get it down to splittable lengths.

I was given a 14" Poulan, but returned it because it was near impossible to start. I just got this today:

Husqvarna 40.9cc 2-Cycle 16-in Gas Chain Saw

I know for many here the 16" would be too small, but it should be fine for my needs. Plus honestly I'm a little intimidated to use a chainsaw for the 1st time.

So questions:

1. Any thoughts/experience with this model?
2. Have you found some models/brands easier/harder to start than others?
3. Any safety advice (or any other advice) for a rookie?

Thanks -I can't wait to try it out after work!

 

[StihlHead]

What model number is it?

Also, Poulan is owned and built by Husky.... same type of saws at the low end.

 

[BillLion]

What model number is it?

Also, Poulan is owned and built by Husky.... same type of saws at the low end.

Thanks for that insight. I sure hope it starts better!

Here is the info I pulled from Lowes site: Item #: 197579 | Model #: 965167936

 

[Stihlmike]

Read through the posts on this forum. I found it very useful in my ventures thus far. Don't be affraid to ask questions. I have put up some questions that were no brainers for many experienced guys on here but never got any bad replies.

Be sure to have hearing protection, eye protection, and gloves at a minimum. I will be looking into some chaps and possibly a head and face shield soon, but just cant swing it right now.

Do your research on proper cutting techniques and such.

 

[Stihlmike]

Looks like a 435

 

[lazeedan]

Chaps! Read about kickback and how to avoid it.

 

[HittinSteel]

Those are nice little homeowner saws.... similar quality to a stihl 210.

 

[TreePointer]

Watch all the Stihl Chainsaw Safety, Operation, and Maintenance videos. ALL of them.

Wear chaps, gloves, steel toe boots (or chainsaw boots), and eye and ear protection (or forestry helmet combo).
Keep your chain sharp.
Pick up a plastic felling wedge or three (Useful for firewood bucking, too.)

That will get you started. Eventually, you'll want to pick up a cant hook, peavey, or logjack to roll the heavy logs. Just don't get the inexpensive one with the all steel handle--it doesn't last.

 

[TreePointer]

When cutting logs in a pile pay extra close attention to where the tip and especially the top quadrant of the bar tip is. The strongest kickback I've ever experienced was when cutting one log and not noticing that another log was behind it and my bar tip grazed the other log. This is covered in the safety videos.

 

[firecracker_77]

Nice. Everything TreePointer said.

 

[BillLion]

Looks like a 435

Yes, it is a 435. So I used it tonight and it was great! Unlike the Poulan it started easily and worked very smoothly for me. Thanks for the tips!

 

[BillLion]

Watch all the Stihl Chainsaw Safety, Operation, and Maintenance videos. ALL of them.

Wear chaps, gloves, steel toe boots (or chainsaw boots), and eye and ear protection (or forestry helmet combo).
Keep your chain sharp.
Pick up a plastic felling wedge or three (Useful for firewood bucking, too.)

That will get you started. Eventually, you'll want to pick up a cant hook, peavey, or logjack to roll the heavy logs. Just don't get the inexpensive one with the all steel handle--it doesn't last.

Thank you, I will definitely watch all of these. I have chaps, steel toe boots, gloves & glasses. I don't have ear protection yet. I used it tonight and I really enjoyed. I have a healthy fear of it, so I took all the precautions I could (I had watched some other safety videos & I'll also view the ones you linked), so I was cautious but steady. Again, I appreciate all the tips!

 

[clemsonfor]

That's the little saw they featuring g in the lowest flyer for $269 I don't need another saw bit looked at it as a good limbing saw! Sons worry you will get CAD eventually. Took me 8 yrs or so. But I'm there now. I started with a 64cc saw so I have been spoiled for awhile. I acquired a 45cc husky a few weeks ago. Its good as a backup and trimming as its light but do. Big stuff is painfully slow to me!

Congrats on the saw!

 

[TreePointer]

I've tried a various ear protection solutions over the years, and these are my current favorite:

3M Peltor H10A Optime 105 Earmuff (30db NRR)

Most big box store earmuffs don't have as high a NRR and aren't nearly as comfortable. Around here Sears sometimes has them discounted to under $20. As with most PPE, ideas of comfort/fit vary with person, but any protection is better than none. Enjoy your new saw!

 

[BobUrban]

Ear plugs are cheap and better than nothing - hearing once gone does not return and the high pitch sound from a chainsaw is bad news on the ears. I use plugs and the helmet with ear muffs for double protection. Just to easy and cheap not to protect your ears.

 

[clemsonfor]

Yea most ear muff or plugs are 22-23 DNA reduction.

 

[HDRock]

Safety gear is one thing, and a good thing, but common sense and awareness is essential. While working in the wood shop with table saw, jointer, planner, what ever-
-The rule is know where your hands are, using a chain saw is a little different you should know where the tip of your bar is, and where your body parts are in relation to where the saw is, and where it might go, and anticipate where the stress is, on the wood ,don't get in a big hurry, think about your next move, if you're getting tired take five, or quit for the day.
IMO
Edit oh ya, I have a Husky 445 ,I like it ,not a pro saw, but it is a good saw none the less

 

[TreePointer]

Ear plugs are cheap and better than nothing - hearing once gone does not return and the high pitch sound from a chainsaw is bad news on the ears. I use plugs and the helmet with ear muffs for double protection. Just to easy and cheap not to protect your ears.

I do the same when I'm on my lawn tractor. It's engine is the loudest of all we've owned, so I end up wearing foam earplugs underneath my 30db NRR muffs.

 

[HDRock]

U might want to do some home work on tuning a chainsaw , these saws are known for running lean, as adjusted when U get it new .
A saw running lean can get hot and score the piston ,even seize up , the bad thing is U need a adjusting tool that are kind of hard to get lately , but there are other options. Here are some threads about that,
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/splined-carburetor-adjustment-tool.106726/

https://www.google.com/url?q=https:...ds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFy_KV8M4JEKgenV5z2Jhgd-SYciA

Edit ,another one https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/husqvarna-poulan-carb-tool.112918/

 

[firecracker_77]

Enjoy your quality saw. I don't think you need to do a thing other than make sure you are operating it safely.

 

[JOHN BOY]

Keep the bar and chain out of the dirt. Might want to get an extra chain and some files.

 

[HDRock]

Enjoy your quality saw. I don't think you need to do a thing other than make sure you are operating it safely.

Even if U only have 1 saw U should know how to tune it

 

[firecracker_77]

Even if U only have 1 saw U should know how to tune it

Agreed. I'm just saying he should enjoy it and not feel the need to modify it or anything.

 

[HDRock]

Agreed. I'm just saying he should enjoy it and not feel the need to modify it or anything.

I agree

 

[aussiedog3]

Have had my 435 for probably about 3 years now. Love it, no problems, Love the antivibration stuff they design into it. Like holding a little dirt bike motor in your hands.
As I recall the warranty requires ethanol free fuel. I've been burning ethanol free in mine since new. It's good on gas. Good deal for the money I think.