Just wandering what people were running to cut down trees and cut up into sections. I'm thinking about buying a new chainsaw. I was borrowing a poulonpro but kept cutting out. I thought about a husqvarna or makita/dolmar. Any recommendations?
Chainsaw
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Good question, do you have more details on what it will be used for (type of wood, how much, etc..?) Folks on this forum are running anything from a $10 craigslist saw all the way up to $1000+ pro saws, and everything in between.
My recommendation is to visit a nearby Husqvarna or Stihl dealer and talk to them about your needs. Not everyone needs a fancy saw but I'd try and budget at least $500 if you want something that will last. Ideally you can have more than one saw, however if you only have one I'd stick with something in the 60cc range.
I dont really want to spend anymore than 400 or 500 bucks. Mainly is to be used to cut some trees down and to cut up into sections. I dont need anything top of the line I'm not no logger. Dont want nothing cheap just something that's good and will last a while
If I were in the market for a saw I'd go this route:
(broken link removed to https://www.ebay.com/itm/371-372XP-Husqvarna-Chainsaw-with-20-bar-and-chain-/283302867323)
He refurbishes and sells 372XP saws all of the time for around $500. With proper care and maintenance it'll last as long as you will.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
This is a topic that brings out a lot of opinions and almost invariably ends up talking about 2 saw solutions and Stihl vs, Husqvarna and the perfect firewood saw and bar length and....
So here's my 2 cents. My situation sounds a bit similar to yours. I'm a wood scrounger not a logger using just over 2 cord or so a year that comes from my property and what I can get locally. I ended up with a Husqvarna 435 that I picked up as a manufacturers refurb for around $179.00 IIRC. It has good reviews on other saw focused forums. Often used as a limbing saw it will go thru 10-12" wood just fine and I've used it on much bigger stuff as well. I'm sure its not nearly as fun or fast as its bigger brothers but for the amount of time it's used I couldn't justify much more.
I was able to buy a pair of chaps, an extra chain, chain file, and a couple felling wedges for $250 or so.
If you're cutting 4 cords a year then I'd be looking for something bigger but even if down the road you decided you need something bigger I doubt you'd be sorry you had the smaller saw.
While doing research I found that Dolmars are also good bang for the buck but couldn't find one. These 435's are plentiful.
I assume your running a wood stove. And need to maintain a supply of wood for it. It's not that your going to use it ever day, but you will do some serious cutting. I'd buy the best quality saw I could afford. I have a Stihl 260 pro, about 18 years old and runs like it's new.
I love my 18" Stihl MS260 for dropping 'em and slicing 'em up. If I had to go with a bigger one i'd get a used MS461. Doesn't get my arms tired, runs like a scalded cat.
If you don't specifically know what you need, a quality 50-60cc/16" setup should be a good starting point. If you know you need bigger, then by all means, but it seems silly to me now (it didn't in my 20s) to lug around a 70, 80, or 90cc machine to cut 16" trunks and tops.
If I were starting out knowing what I know now, I'd probably get a 555 Husqvarna and a 16" bar, and then possibly add a 24" bar with skip chain for the occasional bigger log, though quite honestly it is amazing how much work you can get done with a stout powerhead and a shorter bar. You could alternatively accomplish the same thing with a CS620 Echo or 362 Stihl. If you are willing to give up a little bit of power, there are killer deals on the 590 Echo, which is a mildly detuned version of the 620, out there that would put you in a solid saw for around $400.
FWIW, I do 95% of my cutting on either a Husqvarna 346xp (both OE and NE) or a 346xpg (ported), all of which run 13" bars and .325" chain. This includes trimming, firewood, and dropping trees up to the two foot diameter range. The rare larger stuff I come across sees a Dolmar 7900 come out, either running a 20" or 28" bar.
If I were starting out knowing what I know now, I'd probably get a 555 Husqvarna and a 16" bar, and then possibly add a 24" bar with skip chain for the occasional bigger log, though quite honestly it is amazing how much work you can get done with a stout powerhead and a shorter bar. You could alternatively accomplish the same thing with a CS620 Echo or 362 Stihl. If you are willing to give up a little bit of power, there are killer deals on the 590 Echo, which is a mildly detuned version of the 620, out there that would put you in a solid saw for around $400.
FWIW, I do 95% of my cutting on either a Husqvarna 346xp (both OE and NE) or a 346xpg (ported), all of which run 13" bars and .325" chain. This includes trimming, firewood, and dropping trees up to the two foot diameter range. The rare larger stuff I come across sees a Dolmar 7900 come out, either running a 20" or 28" bar.
Medic21
Minister of Fire
I take a two of five saws every time I go out.
Stihl MS362 or Husky 562. One of those goes every time.
Along with that either a MS441, MS461, 066
I own too many saws according to the wife.
Dolmar 510 and 6400
Husky 465, T435
Echo CS310 and 400P
Stihl MS170, MS250
Pro Saws have very little difference between brands for reliability and performance. Non pro saws, the Dolmars and Huskys are probably the best built. I’m impartial to the Echos and don’t really care for them. The Stihl homeowner models are basically junk and do not live up to the Stihl name.
For you price range you should be able to find a good 036, 360, 044, 441, or even a 461 if your patient. There are bunches of decent 372xps out there also. I would wait for a used pro saw if I was to buy one over a homeowner or farm and ranch saw.
"Just wandering what people were running to cut down trees and cut up into sections."
If this is a one time thing for large trees near my house, I use a tree service. No, I'm not trying to be a smart-arse. That's actually what I use in that situation.
What's your situation? How much wood do you need/want to cut per year? What size (diameter) of standing tree? Will you be dealing with large diameter pieces?
If this is a one time thing for large trees near my house, I use a tree service. No, I'm not trying to be a smart-arse. That's actually what I use in that situation.
What's your situation? How much wood do you need/want to cut per year? What size (diameter) of standing tree? Will you be dealing with large diameter pieces?
Matt93eg
Burning Hunk
I use a Husqvarna 390XP and have a 450 for smaller stuff. We have some big oaks around here so run the 390 quite a lot with a 28” bar.
I am not all that average so my saws range from a little 35cc/12" bar to a 120cc/42" bar. The mid range for me are the 60- 80 cc units with 20" -32" bars. Particular unit use is dependent on size of material to be bucked up, the bulk fall in the midrange.
Woodsplitter67
Minister of Fire
If i were starting out and needed 1 saw and didn't want to spend a ton of money. It would be the Husqvarna 450. It runs an 18 in bar so you could cut up to 32in stuff. Im assuming you wouldn't want to cut anything that big yet but down the road you could. The saw is light and doesn't cost alot so you could take the extra money and grab an extra bar and some chain and a file and be set up for wood processing. Also it takes a 325 chain so if you get another Husqvarna saw the bars and the chain and the file will be interchangeable.
I'd put a recommendation in for the Echo CS-590. Timberwolf. I'd run an 18" bar on it to start out though. Its a good saw. It will definitely cut for you and at $400 its a pretty dang good deal. My buddy just got one and it cuts nice. I just bought a Husky 562xp and I'm smitten, but that was $250 more than that saw. You really have to go take a look at them. Weight and ergonomics are also something to take in consideration. Dealer Support should also be at the top of the list.
CentralVAWoodHeat
Minister of Fire
Just posted something relating to this on another forum. The Husky is more expensive but has more advanced vibration dampening.
The Timberwolf cuts well for a small/medium saw but vibrates more than I would ever want in a primary saw.
This saw would be good one for him and I bet it’d last him his lifetime also, if taken good care of like you say.
Well after getting some lowes gift cards for Christmas, I went out and bought a husqvarna 460 rancher
Matt93eg
Burning Hunk
I hope so, gonna put it together tomorrow and fire it up
Medic21
Minister of Fire
Don’t forget to release the chain break before I take the side cover off.
It’s a good saw and will preform better than any Stihl Farm saw.
Jazzberry
Minister of Fire
I would say you should do it while at home so you learn what not to do in the field. It will also teach you how to make a tool to fix it. Resist the urge to throw it in the driveway and run it over a few times. I always cut the springs off a little to make it easier.
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Matt93eg
Burning Hunk
OP, take this advice for sure. I learned the hard way on my 450. Wasn’t fun to deal with
Easy Livin’ 3000
Minister of Fire
Congratulations. I have the 455 which is the slightly smaller version of your new saw and it's been very reliable. Starts easy and just runs.
My only negatives are the weight, and it leaks bar oil when in storage. Neither thing bothers me more than as minor irritations.
Heed medic21's warning about taking the side off- the brake must be off (pulled toward the back until it clicks). I discovered this the hard way.
If you want to add a little more versatility to the saw, pick up 16" bar and chain. For about 30 bucks, you'll enjoy running it more as it'll cut faster, fewer teeth to sharpen, and chains are cheaper. Save the 20" for when you need it for big wood.
