Chainsaw advice ?

[readygirl]

Our Craftsman chainsaw died again, and im tired of paying to have it fixed every year. We cut and split about 2 cords from our woods each year, and this saw has lasted 3yrs(with a lot of repairs) Time to buy a good one. We are looking at STIHL, and HUSQVARNA. Everybody i have asked says go with the STIHL, but i have heard good things about HUSKY, and they are a little cheaper. Price is not really the issue, im willing to put out the money for a good one. Anybody have real world experience with either brand ? Which one would you buy...

[rcairflr]

Husqvarna 455. My brother has one and it cuts through wood very quickly.

The Stihl Farm Boss is also very good.

[GunnyGene]

I have a Stihl that I use regularly. They can be hard to start when cold, but will last forever. Husky is also an excellent saw. Either one is a good choice. Pick one that will do the job (size wise) that won't wear you out from the weight. Wear chaps when cutting. Stihl also makes an excellent electric saw that you might be more comfortable with.

[cpttango30]

I would go with a Sithl Farmboss (MS290).

[dbcooper]

Originally Posted by rcairflr

Husqvarna 455. My brother has one and it cuts through wood very quickly.

The Stihl Farm Boss is also very good.

I have a ranch and a lawn service.

I have used Stihl for years and I own two of them plus an Echo
and have had zero problems

Stihls are tough and most importantly, the start when they are hot.
Your Craftsman is basically a Poulan and they are ok for what they are

don't over look Echo chainsaws either, but not from a big box store, get one from a dealer.

[barmstrong2]

We use Stihl at work and they take a pounding. The same Stihl cpttango recommended. Farmboss. I have a Jonsered and it has done very good by me.

[cpttango30]

I have an echo from Home depot (Exactly the same as from the echo dealer).

For the light duty it is made for it is perfect. Even cold it starts fast and man it runs like a cat on fire in a gasoline factory.

[millwright]

Originally Posted by readygirl

Our Craftsman chainsaw died again, and im tired of paying to have it fixed every year. We cut and split about 2 cords from our woods each year, and this saw has lasted 3yrs(with a lot of repairs) Time to buy a good one. We are looking at STIHL, and HUSQVARNA. Everybody i have asked says go with the STIHL, but i have heard good things about HUSKY, and they are a little cheaper. Price is not really the issue, im willing to put out the money for a good one. Anybody have real world experience with either brand ? Which one would you buy...

Start the saw before you cut the wood ! (Old ethnic joke.)

IMO, stick with a major brands, (Stiel, Husquavarna, Echo, etc.) depending upon dealers/service in your area. Pay the few extra bucks and buy from them rather than a "big box" store. Those outlets cut their own deals with the manufacturers and quality/durability suffers . >MW

[JLA]

Stihl all the way

[mranum]

This is sort of a Chevy vs Ford topic as far as whats better. I've never been a 1 brand operator as they all have their faults.

Nothing wrong with Stihl or Husky, I've used both extensively on our tree farm, you won't go wrong with either. But if you have an Echo dealer in your area give those a look too.

The new generations are very nice saws, their older brothers left a lot to be desired. I bought one basically just to try a few years ago and have been very impressed with it. They also have the best warranty in the business from what I can tell. Homeowner use is for 5 years and commercial use is for 1 year. If I recall correctly Stihl and Husky are 90 days, but I could be wrong about that.

Whatever you choose, I would try and go through a dealer as opposed to a big box store. So much easier to rectify an issue.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

[Brass Tacks]

I've had my Stihl for 26 years, gone thru a few chains, and had to replace the fuel cap a couple years ago. It's never failed me

[JLA]

My second choice would be a Husqvarna

[firefighter1635]

I use a Stihl at home and used one for many years on a Truck Company. The ones I worked with at work got beat to death, cut through everything and anything but kept on kickin'.

Though I hear Huskys are good saws too. I've just never had any personal expierence with them.

[ozo]

All three good choices in brands.....
the difference holds between the models.
Pay for what you get, as they all have levels of quality.
A Farm Boss is hard to beat for the price.

[JLA]

just dont buy a poulan. I burned 3 of those things up cutting hackberry stumps before i bit the bullet and bought my first stihl, used at a pawnshop. And its still better than the poulans were new.

[GunnyGene]

Of course there's always the Predator! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brfKKehFtmw

[Double D]

STIHL!

[One Shot]

I have a Pioneer P40 that I got in a box because the Forest Service wore it out. I put about $8.00 of parts into it in 1978 and it hasn't stopped. The only parts I have bought since are some chains because I couldn't sharpen them anymore. I don't use it as much as I did back then because I don't burn wood anymore.
The only problem is that they are not in business anymore.

My brother built log houses and the only ones he would use were Stihl. If I had to buy one, that is what I would get.

Also, I highly recommend the use of Stabil. I put it in both my reg gas cans and my 2 stroke gas can. It is always in all of my gas power tools. I never drain the fuel and they always start on the first or second pull even after sitting all winter or summer depending on the machine. I don't use my old Pioneer much at all lately. It sometimes sits for 3 or 4 years and even after that long the most it will take is 3 pulls. VERY GOOD STUFF

Good Luck.

[JLA]

How bout one of these bad boys!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjXw--3jCv4

[gad1111]

I had a pair of Huskys for 20 or so years, generally beat the hell out of them until they finally wore out, replaced both with new models a few years back and really have no complaints. Just keep the chains sharp and the air and fuel filters clean and they'll keep cutting

[TheoShooter]

Stihl for sure! Have five of them ( we cut a lot of wood) and they just plain run. IMO they are the top of the heap.

[readygirl]

Originally Posted by JLA

How bout one of these bad boys!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjXw--3jCv4

LOL..That would be great, but my firewood cutting partner only weighs 110lbs. I dont know if she could pick up her side.....

[ozo]

Originally Posted by readygirl

LOL..That would be great, but my firewood cutting partner only weighs 110lbs. I dont know if she could pick up her side.....

HaHa....
then get the V6 model ......

{ladies with guns.....ladies with chainsaws.....etc.}
I LOVE IT !!!!

[Iron Eagle]

Let me take a guess- it was fuel line problems, right? This is due to the ethanol in the gas! Ethanol eats the fuel lines up. Now here is a suggestion- your Stihl dealer should sell a gas additive that neutralizes the ethanol, making it safe to use. I learned this from a repairman.

[ozo]

Originally Posted by Iron Eagle

Let me take a guess- it was fuel line problems, right? This is due to the ethanol in the gas! Ethanol eats the fuel lines up. Now here is a suggestion- your Stihl dealer should sell a gas additive that neutralizes the ethanol, making it safe to use. I learned this from a repairman.

Yes ....nasty-ass ethanol....
another wonderful project created and forced by our beloved 'protectors'......
I only buy non-ethanol for my mowers, saws, weedeaters, etc. [Mapco]

Corn is for the friggin' cows......and tortillas, etc.