Need to buy my first chainsaw

[CTwith3]

Hi guys.

Thanks for all your contributions, you've given me lots of great information while I have been lurking around.

Last year I got a VC Encore and it kept us warm all winter, 24/7- I am home all day. In fact, it was a little too warm as my wife wanted to not have to wear more than a tank top and shorts, so I burned about 6 -7 full cords. I had a huge oak and a huge maple tree taken down so I had about 5 cords to start with. Now I need to buy a chainsaw to take down some trees we don't need again, whereas the other 2 were done professionally and covered by insurance.

I have a neighbor whose tree came down which he has offered me, and he waiting patiently to come over, cut it up, and remove it, but I can't do a thing because the chainsaw I was given long time ago was a cheap Poulan that I was told not to fix because it was cost prohibitive.

The trees I am taking down are around 16" -19" in diameter. I want a saw that can be used next year and those that follow for a long time, so I am passing up a Poulan Pro, Homelite, etc. I want something that will get through the wood reliably, smoothly, and quickly. I'm thinking a saw with a 18" bar, or should I be thing 20"?

I plan to go out into the woods elsewhere to get wood in the coming years and to do so with as little fuss as possible, so I look at it as the warmth of my family in the cold weather is very dependent on the chainsaw I buy. I figure something in the $500 -$600 range. I think.

Please, school me, and tell me what to buy. A Stihl MS 261? Echo 590?

 

[Prof]

I have a 261 and absolutely love the thing. It cuts everything I need it to and is reasonably light weight. I have a 362, but the 261 is my go to saw for most of my cutting. I've actually had the bar buried in a beech that was about 30 inches--I'm not saying the saw liked it, but it kept going and got the job done. Most of what I cut is under 18 inches, so that size bar has worked great for me. I don't know anything about the Echo, but I do know you will be happy with the 261.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Hi guys.

Thanks for all your contributions, you've given me lots of great information while I have been lurking around.

Last year I got a VC Encore and it kept us warm all winter, 24/7- I am home all day. In fact, it was a little too warm as my wife wanted to not have to wear more than a tank top and shorts, so I burned about 6 -7 full cords. I had a huge oak and a huge maple tree taken down so I had about 5 cords to start with. Now I need to buy a chainsaw to take down some trees we don't need again, whereas the other 2 were done professionally and covered by insurance.

I have a neighbor whose tree came down which he has offered me, and he waiting patiently to come over, cut it up, and remove it, but I can't do a thing because the chainsaw I was given long time ago was a cheap Poulan that I was told not to fix because it was cost prohibitive.

The trees I am taking down are around 16" -19" in diameter. I want a saw that can be used next year and those that follow for a long time, so I am passing up a Poulan Pro, Homelite, etc. I want something that will get through the wood reliably, smoothly, and quickly. I'm thinking a saw with a 18" bar, or should I be thing 20"?

I plan to go out into the woods elsewhere to get wood in the coming years and to do so with as little fuss as possible, so I look at it as the warmth of my family in the cold weather is very dependent on the chainsaw I buy. I figure something in the $500 -$600 range. I think.

Please, school me, and tell me what to buy. A Stihl MS 261? Echo 590?

Read what has been posted here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/need-advise.144853/

 

[DodgyNomad]

Checked Craigslist near you. I just saw a dealer is closing and have several Stihls new in the box for good prices. Looks to be quite a few nice and new stihls within an hour of you, check them out: (broken link removed to https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/grd/5127090426.html)

 

[TreePointer]

So you heat with 6-7 cords per year in NY. That would allow for me to invest in a good 60cc saw or start the 50/70cc two-saw plan (50cc saw now and add the 70cc saw when funds permit or a good used one pops up in your area).

Top 60cc = Husqvarna 562XP Stihl MS-362 (M-Tronic version)
Value option = Husqvarna 555, Dolmar 6100

Top 50cc = Husqvarna 550XP, Stihl 261
Value option = Husqvarna 545

Note that many Husqvarna models are available under the Jonsered brand, and many Dolmar models are available under the Makita brand. There are also many used options, but that depends on what you can find in your area or in a trading post.

If I were in your shoes and wanted to save some money, I'd shoot for the 555 if it's only one saw.

 

[CTwith3]

Hmm ... maybe I used 8? I turned on the electric baseboard three days when having lots of company over because there were young kids.
I live in a 2000 sq. ft split and the heat flowed nicely from the end of my living room through it, up the stairs and into the bedrooms. Bedroom doors open at night.

 

[Jon1270]

TreePointer's advice covers the bases very well. Before you worry over particular model numbers, narrow the field by thinking about the powerhead size you'll need, which will depend on how big the trees you'll deal with will be. A 50-ish cc saw will handle a 16" or 18" bar very nicely and be pleasantly light to carry around, but sometimes a bigger tree will make you wish for a longer bar and a bigger motor to drive the chain around it, so you'll find yourself eyeing 70+cc saws as potential companions. If you see yourself as a one-saw kind of person, split the difference and get something around 60cc.

In general, 50cc's will handle bars of 16" (very zippy) up to 20" (if you're patient and take it easy). The equivalent ranges are probably 18"-24" for 60cc, and 20-28" for 70cc, with each being right at home in the middle of its range.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Budget used saw stihl 044 around 450$
Budget new saw echo 590 - 400$
New saw non budget stihl 441- approximately 900$

While a little bigger than you might need the stihl 044 or 441 make for a very nice one saw plan.

 

[CTwith3]

Wow what a screw up.
I took a tape measure to what I'll be cutting- mostly 14-16". Next year I may have to take down a 24" tree, but that's maybe depending on how it does and Minot until next year or the following one.
Sorry about that! Getting old, visual perception nothing like it was I am now learning.
Maybe I should look at farm/rancher saws?

 

[TreePointer]

With farm/ranch/midlevel saws, you get smaller horsepower and greater weight/bulk for a given displacement.

Nothing wrong at all with those saws. Many folks have cut for years with one of those saws and have been very happy. This bliss continues until they get their hands on a pro saw.

 

[dougand3]

1st thing to decide is: buy new or used? If you buy used, you'll probably need to wrench on it somewhat. Are you comfortable with that?
Pro saws will do everything on a ranch and ranch saws are frequently seen in Pro Tree Service teams...the line gets blurred. Ranch is much cheaper than Pro.
Good value in new is Echo CS-590.

 

[Eagleknight]

Can't beat the value of an Echo CS-590. I picked one up this spring. Runs great. It is paired with my Stihl MS 180. Weight is something to consider. The 590 I start to get tired quick if I am having to move around with it a lot. Where 180 is more agile in dense area.

 

[ccmac]

Echo CS-550 here and it has been a very good saw for me. I really like how well it starts.

 

[claydogg84]

Sounds like you're willing to make a decent investment at $600 or so, so go with a pro saw. I recommend the 562xp with a 20" bar, although it will be a little more than $600. It's a fantastic saw that will cut everything you mentioned with ease.

 

[TommyTally]

Love my 590.

 

[CTwith3]

Thank you for looking at Craigslist got me Dodgy Nomad, Norwalk is 3 hours round-trip for me and I would like to buy from a local dealer if possible- but I really appreciate the gesture!
I called the Stihl dealer today. I told him my needs as I have stated above, and he recommended the MS 250, which gets ays he owns and lives, and sells the most to non-pros- who end up being very happy with it. He stated I don't need to buy Pro saw because I don't use it enough to warrant spending extra money. I told him if that's the case I would rather go to a level higher like the MS 271, but that saw isn't in the 60cc class. He thinks I'm just looking to buy bragging rights because, "how often are you going to fell and cut up a 24" tree?" I asked him about the MS 261, and he asked why not buy the MS 391 if I really want to spend $600 on a saw. He actually was very nice, just playing devil's advocate and looking out for me in his own way.
I'm looking at the Huskys catalog online. I need to buy a saw ASAP and get to work, I'm way behind on my schedule thanks to motorcycle and car maintenance, plus I will be going away- so the summer is slipping away. I might be buying tomorrow.

 

[TreePointer]

If I recall correctly, the Stihl 250 has rubber spacers and not spring antivibration. Get a model with springs.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Dolmar has spring anti vibration. I just got the 421 which is in size and cc equal to the Stihl 250, but (according to many experts) much better built. My neighbor has the Stihl 250 and it comes not close to the Dolmar 421. I am not an expert, we just tested both this evening.

 

[TreePointer]

There's a lot of time and effort in producing 6-7 cords per year, so you really want at least a 50cc saw. Bigger saws simply get the job done faster, and this is especially true in big diameter wood. Most folks I know who heat with wood don't process the wood they really want. They cut the wood that's available, and it's frequently of larger diameter.

If I only had one saw to process all my wood, it likely would be my Sthil 361 (20" 3/8 .050, 59cc, 4.4hp, 12.3 lbs). Note that the Husqvarna 555 specs are very close to the 361 (59.8cc, 4.3 hp, 12.35 lbs). If you need lighter weight, I'd go with a quality 50cc saw but not smaller.

 

[DodgyNomad]

that 421 saw is a bargain in that category and class, guys rave about them.

There's a lot of time and effort in producing 6-7 cords per year, so you really want at least a 50cc saw. Bigger saws simply get the job done faster, and this is especially true in big diameter wood. Most folks I know who heat with wood don't process the wood they really want. They cut the wood that's available, and it's frequently of larger diameter.

If I only had one saw to process all my wood, it likely would be my Sthil 361 (20" 3/8 .050, 59cc, 4.4hp, 12.3 lbs). Note that the Husqvarna 555 specs are very close to the 361 (59.8cc, 4.3 hp, 12.35 lbs). If you need lighter weight, I'd go with a quality 50cc saw but not smaller.

I agree with this completely. 7 cords will go much faster with a 60cc class saw. My 361 is also my go to saw, along with my dolmar 6400's. Consider that you might want to get a few years ahead on wood, so you could conceivably cut and buck 15-20 cord if you had access.

Then you might want a little lightweight saw for limbing.

 

[CTwith3]

I bought a saw- an Echo 600P. Guys told me it was more than I need at the moment, and should be able to meet my needs in the future. 59.8cc, came with a 24" bar, will take up to a 27" bar, but I may get a 20" bar & chain so I am not cutting a 14-16" tree with 24", unless you guys think that's fine to do? My thoughts are that a 20" might be more suited to my usual needs, but I will also have this 24" setup for when I need it, and that it would be safer to cut with as little extra saw as needed. Is my logic correct?

 

[Oldman47]

Look for at least a 50 cc saw. My own Stihl 026 with a 20 inch bar is one of those from over 20 years ago and is still a good saw. Poulan, Husky, Stihl, Dolmar, Echo and others all make saws in that size and any of them will work just fine. If you insist on fast cutting the field narrows a bit but all of them will work out for you. I presently favor my Husky 555 with a 20 inch bar but it would be overkill for your situation. The 60 cc Echo may be all you ever really want or need. Try it out and see what you think. I bet it will be all you ever want in your situation.

 

[jnaumuk]

Echo CS-590 is a great saw. I've been running a 24" bar lately on it with full chisel and it cuts fine. I like my small Husqvarna for most cutting because it's light weight and cuts really good with full chisel 16" bar. You can pick up a remanufactured 435 cheap from online stores. I break out the 590 only when the 435 is too small.

 

[dougand3]

I bought a saw- an Echo 600P

You did super fine. 20" bar will be easier to handle and easier for saw to pull.

 

[TreePointer]

+1

20" bar.