Chainsaw for private use

[Gouran]

Hello, I'm looking for new chainsaw cause my old died. I've found some suitable chainsaws for me:
Echo cs-590
Stihl MS 271
Husky 543xp , 545 mk II
Which of them would be the best?
It will be used to cut wood for fireplace, mostly hard one like oak or acacia and cutting down some fruit trees in my garden.

 

[thewoodlands]

Hello, I'm looking for new chainsaw cause my old died. I've found some suitable chainsaws for me:
Echo cs-590
Stihl MS 271
Husky 543xp , 545 mk II
Which of them would be the best?
It will be used to cut wood for fireplace, mostly hard one like oak or acacia and cutting down some fruit trees in my garden.

Our house lot is 5.5 acres, I started with a Stihl 310 and then bought a Stihl 390 after we bought another 136 plus acres. The 390 with a 20 inch bar usually handles anything I cut.

I did buy a 660 for milling and for any of the bigger trees the wind takes down.

 

[CincyBurner]

Consider the diameter of typical wood you'll be cutting. Use the shortest bar practical for your needs (good for 85% your cutting).
If cutting for full time wood heating I'd consider 50 cc as a minimum (16"is good bar length match, with 18" bar a max). You can always buy a longer bar to use when needed. But longer bar = more drag.
I've used both manual carb and electronic governed (M-Tronic or Auto-Tune), which are typically offered on pro saw (non-homeowner) line. These have noticeably better throttle response. I'm partial to pro line saws if you can afford/ justify.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Husky 550XP..

 

[Gouran]

Husky 550XP..

Too expensive

 

[johneh]

Don't let some of the Guys here talk you into
a Pro Saw. From the sound of things, any one of the
good farm or home ower saws will do you just fine.
I have 1 pro saw which I hardly use and the only
reason I have it is because It came with the farm that
I bought next door. My other 2 saw a are what I call
farmer saws used for firewood, to clean fence rows
and trimming. They are not the fastest saws but they
put in a full day's work and have never let me down
I have a Stihl 025 homeowner saw ( My go-to saw )
Stihl MS 291 (My firewood saw)
Pro saw Stihl 026 (fast but more saw than I need)
You do not have to spend big bucks to get a good useable saw

 

[PaulOinMA]

You really in Poland? All four of my grandparents came over to the US from Poland.

I explained what I would use a chainsaw for at my local place that deals mostly with professional landscapers. Light homeowner use. Really not cutting my own firewood. Bought a Stihl MS 180 C-BE. Like it a lot. Had them put a 16-inch bar on it.

Would go bigger than that for more of my own firewood cutting, like the saws you posted.

 

[Alpine1]

Take a look at the efco or oleomac saws. Their 50 cc is reasonably priced, and will last a long time. I own their 60 cc saw but it weighs like a tank and it’s too much for my needs... my next saw will be a 50 with 16” bar.

 

[Gouran]

You really in Poland? All four of my grandparents came over to the US from Poland.

I explained what I would use a chainsaw for at my local place that deals mostly with professional landscapers. Light homeowner use. Really not cutting my own firewood. Bought a Stihl MS 180 C-BE. Like it a lot. Had them put a 16-inch bar on it.

Would go bigger than that for more of my own firewood cutting, like the saws you posted.

Ye im really from Poland, our prices are 200$ more expensive then yours
Echo cs-590 is 580$ and we have 18'' compared to your 20''
Stihl MS 271 is 532$
Husky 543xp is 556$
545 mk II is 680$

 

[Woodsplitter67]

out of all the saws you listed id go with the 545mk 2.. although its 1lb heavier and .15 hp less then the 550xp its a saw on your list that I would use. me personally sometimes the higher upfront cost is a little hard to swallow. A pice of equipment that will make my life easier is well worth the cost. look at post #6 he admits that his saw is slow.. but cuts... most people here burn on average 3 to 5 cords per year.. with an average of lets say 4 cords. In 10 years you have processed 40 cords. If I dropped 40 cords in your backyard and gave you the option of his saw and mine.. youd be crazy not to choose a lighter faster saw.. most likely your picking the pro saw like anyone would.. but right now you don't see the 40 cord in front of you. so when it comes time to process im done and in my house watching football with my son while he's still outside processing.. so ask yourself.. isn't your free time worth something.. is a couple hundred bucks worth it... the other part of this is if your going to be processing this much wood a lighter saw with less vibration makes for a more enjoyable experience. most people stop projects like this because its to labor intensive as well as it takes up to much time. I'd rather have better equipment and more free time... but thats just me..

 

[johneh]

out of all the saws you listed id go with the 545mk 2.. although its 1lb heavier and .15 hp less then the 550xp its a saw on your list that I would use. me personally sometimes the higher upfront cost is a little hard to swallow. A pice of equipment that will make my life easier is well worth the cost. look at post #6 he admits that his saw is slow.. but cuts... most people here burn on average 3 to 5 cords per year.. with an average of lets say 4 cords. In 10 years you have processed 40 cords. If I dropped 40 cords in your backyard and gave you the option of his saw and mine.. youd be crazy not to choose a lighter faster saw.. most likely your picking the pro saw like anyone would.. but right now you don't see the 40 cord in front of you. so when it comes time to process im done and in my house watching football with my son while he's still outside processing.. so ask yourself.. isn't your free time worth something.. is a couple hundred bucks worth it... the other part of this is if your going to be processing this much wood a lighter saw with less vibration makes for a more enjoyable experience. most people stop projects like this because its to labor intensive as well as it takes up to much time. I'd rather have better equipment and more free time... but thats just me..

I still process 15 cord a year
5 for me and 10 for those less fortune net
I use a smaller saw because I like to process wood
and I am also tight (Scottish)
At to days CANADIAN prices
Pro MS 880 2144.95
Fram Saw MS271 499.95
Homeowner saw MS 250 399.95
I can buy 4 MS271 for less than 1 MS880 or
or 5 MS 250 So if they only lasted 10 years
each, don't think I will be around My oldest
saw turns 38 this fall and still works like new
Why in the world would a nonpro woodcutter
(cutting wood every day) need a pro saw
My need for speed left me 40 years ago when
I got married. Not to worry lot's of sports and
beer when I am done

 

[CincyBurner]

Never heard of them before. A website search revealed made in Italy, but with retail sales distribution in states (garden center, mower shops).
Gouran not sure of price and availability in Poland ?

Efco MT5200 20 inch 51.7cc Chainsaw - on sale locally for $409 USD. https://www.mowersatjacks.com/product-details/efco/mt520020​

It seems solid at first glance, and worth additional consideration. Any hearth.com followers familiar with this brand ?
It has AV, decompression valve, and air purge, but a bit heavier, and less power than pro saw. Might be a good value.

 

[Gouran]

Never heard of them before. A website search revealed made in Italy, but with retail sales distribution in states (garden center, mower shops).
Gouran not sure of price and availability in Poland ?

Efco MT5200 20 inch 51.7cc Chainsaw - on sale locally for $409 USD. https://www.mowersatjacks.com/product-details/efco/mt520020​

It seems solid at first glance, and worth additional consideration. Any hearth.com followers familiar with this brand ?
It has AV, decompression valve, and air purge, but a bit heavier, and less power than pro saw. Might be a good value.

Not available in Poland

 

[Alpine1]

I have to disagree:

https://www.victus.pl/pilarka-lancuchowa-gs-520.html

440€ more or less

 

[Gouran]

I have to disagree:

https://www.victus.pl/pilarka-lancuchowa-gs-520.html

440€ more or less

I have about 650$ to spend, i want to have accessibility to spare parts and to run it more then 3-5y

 

[festerw]

I think if you stick with any of the 3 brands you've got listed the the 5-7 years will be easy.

I bought a Husky 345 in 04(?) and outside of a fuel line it's been trouble free for the same thing you're doing. Hell it's still got the original plug in it.

 

[Gouran]

So after gathering some info i've made little bigger list with all chainsaws from companies that i know, which im interested into:
MS 311 stihl 4,2km 60cc 7,2kg
MS 271 stihl 3,5km 50cc 6kg
husqvarna 545 mark2 7kg 3,6km 50cc
husqvarna 450 II e-series 50cc 3,2km
shindaiwa 600sx 60cc 4,5km 7,5kg
Shindaiwa 501sx 50cc 3,5km 5,5kg
Echo CS-590 60cc 4km 7kg
Echo CS-620 SX 60cc 4,4km 7,5kg
As i heard MS311 is beast with husky 545 is that true? Im bit worried about shindaiwa and echo on/off switch and choke hat, won;t they last shorther then stihl/kushy switches?

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

the question is what dealer is near you ( What do they sell) and when you need service are they good, this would influence me ..

 

[Gouran]

All pointed out dealers are nearby me about 15km to each one

 

[johneh]

Anyone you listed I am sure you will be happy with
Pick the one you like !

 

[ErikR]

I think you'd be happy with any of the 3 in your first post.

I have a Husqvarna 450 with an 18" bar. I bought it 7 or 8 years ago and it has always been an easy starting, good running saw. I'd like to have a pro saw someday, but all I do is cut up the downed trees in the woods behind our home.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ABMax24]

Depends on how much wood you have to cut. If you only have a couple cords to cut per year a 545 or even the 450 will work just fine. If you need to cut 5 or more cords a year I'd skip right over the 550XP and look at the 555. Especially if you are cutting hardwoods.

 

[CincyBurner]

Shindaiwa, a subsidiary of Echo might be a consideration as well. A colleague, bought a Shindaiwa a few years back to use for his side jobs. He seemed happy with it. https://www.shindaiwa-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws.aspx

 

[MTASH]

I can't comment on the other brands, but as an owner of a MS271, I would step up to the MS261 if your budget allows. More power and lighter weight.

 

[Gouran]

I can't comment on the other brands, but as an owner of a MS271, I would step up to the MS261 if your budget allows. More power and lighter weight.

Ye i have budget for MS261 without auto and for husky 550xp also