Which chainsaw?

When you say Stihl or Husqvarna, that really doesn't say too much. They both make machines intended for professional, day in and day out use and machines intended for the folks who cut a little every now and then. And the prices range all over the map depending on the model and intended use.

I bought an 18" Sh> I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or

steve

I like the Stihl, even the scorned "homeowner" grade. We're wood heated, so I fell and buck, or lately merely buck about ten full cords per year. That, and keeping things cleaned up around the home forty constitutes moderate use. I'm on my second, the first having shorted its magneto after sixteen years. The numbers have changed twice, but mine's called a "Farm Boss," and I believe that name's still in use. To pull 16" of chain, get a minimum of

The piececutters up here are pretty much all Stihl now. Twenty years ago mostly Johnsred. Husqvarna is supposed to be a good saw, but I haven't used more than a couple, and then briefly. What's your closest place sell, and how's their reputation? That's a big factor.

Steve:

No, you are not confused, I am. Notice that most of those smaller saws are all marked as new. I didn't look at the page carefully before I referenced it and they weren't available when I bought the 488.

So, now what? Maybe Shindaiwa is now in the consumer saw business although they call them professional saws -- I don't know. They advertise in publications aimed at arborists, not the ones we'd normally see and maybe that will change. No big box stores either, yet.

I will say, though, that the 488 is one sweet saw although when the bar gets ratty I'll move up to 20". It comes with Oregon bar and chain so no problem there.

FYI, I paid around 350 for it.

Bill

Steve Wolfe wrote:

Without exception, all of the timber fallers I have seen here in Oregon use the Stihl saws. My favorite arborist uses all Husquavarna saws. I have a Husky with a 24 inch bar that I use as my main chainsaw. I also have an electric Husky to use inside the shop. It isn't a saw to force, you have to let it saw at its own speed. Both brands work well for use and abuse situations. robo hippy

George wrote:

moderate

haven't used

Does anyone know who makes Cub Cadet Professional chainsaws? They are sold though Tractor Supply. They look very well made and heavy-duty. I'm sure they are made by someone else.

Barry

If you buy from a regular Stihl dealer consider getting the right bar from the start. Upgrade to the next bar length is quite inexpensive and is a standard option on all larger saws. The additional cost is maybe 5, 10 or

Derek

Choice of brand may be influenced by which (if not both) is carried by your nearest professional saw shop. In my case, they carried both. In the old days Jonsereds was also a good brand, though a bit of a heavy pig, too - haven't seen one recently.

I have an MS290 ("farm boss") lower-end Stihl. Works fine for my use, got it with an 18 inch bar, can go 16-24 IIRC - cheapest to get the most bar you want when you buy the saw. It's not a professional saw, but I'm not a professional sawyer, just a woodturner with 8 acres of trees, and the pro saws are about twice the money. Worth it if you're sawing 20 hours a week or more, otherwise not, IMHO. I feel that this Stihl is worth the ~3X price over poulan/craftsman/etc department store saws.

They are made by MTD. See:

I think that Jonsered was bought by Husky.

Bill

Ecnerwal wrote:

MTD? Don't they make a bunch of riding lawnmowers? Somehow knowing that doesn't make me want to go out and buy a Cub Cadet Commercial chainsaw. What do you think about these saws? Better to stick with a Stihl or a Husqvarna?

Barry

The only MTD equipment I've owned was one of their lawn mowers. I wouldn't buy another one.

When I was in the market for a chain saw I looked at the Stihls and the Husqvarnas. I was all set to buy the Husqvarna Rancher 55 until a friend who was moving found out I was going to get a chain saw. He gave me his Poulan

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

Funny how money drives a lot of our choices, isn't it?

Barry

Absolutely. Make sure there's a local service shop for whatever brand you buy.

(I've had a Makita dcs540 for several years now and it performs very well - I'm happy with it.)

Both have good quality saws in their lines. I've owned both. Have a slight preference for the Husky. Though to tell the truth the last four saws I bought were Poulans. Local dealer is a neighbor just down the street.

I got my new Poulan saw last fall. My friend had some trees to be cut to clear his front view of the River. When I got there his uncle was there with his new Husky. I fell a little embarrassed to start my new Poulan in front of a new Husky. His uncle informed me that it was his second Husky. Every years he buys his firewood in 8 foot length and cuts it to stove size (18"). After paying a few hundred dollars of repairs for 2-3 years in a row he refused to pay for more repairs and got a new Husky. We each used our chainsaws all day. His uncle was a little embarrassed to tell me how much he paid for his Husky. In an effort to console him I replied yes you paid a little more but it is going to last longer than my Poulan. He looked at me and smiled and stated of course. FWIW

as a pro timber feller for 35 plus years, i ran the jonserds for the most. however when jonserd was bought by electolux years ago they started making a chainsaw that sucked. my last purchase was a 372 husky and it's everything that jonserd used to be. if you are felling large dia. trees i would use at least a 20" if not a 24" bar. for good prices check out