Chainsaws

jeepinmatt

jeepinmatt

#1 WEBWHEELER
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Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Location
Stanley, NC
Its time for me to make my first major purchase (other than the land Im clearing) since I got a "real job" a few months ago. Ive recently acquired 10 acres and am about to start clearing for a house/yard and some trails. In the end I will selectively clear around 3 acres of heavily wooded land. I had to cut up a tree the other day, and my dad's Stihl 028 was sufficient, but rather slow if I had to do more than 3 or 4 trees a day. About 2 months ago, I used a Husqvarna 395XP, and it was the most amazing piece of equipment I have ever used, but it was too heavy for regular use. Im looking at saws in the 5+HP range that are under or around 14lbs. Here's what Ive narrowed it down to:
Husqvarna 371XP, 13.0lbs, 5.4hp, $400 Used
Husqvarna 372XP, 13.4lbs, 5.4hp, $550 New
Dolmar PS7300, 13.8lbs, 5.6hp, $615 New
Dolmar PS7900, 13.8lbs, 6.2hp, $675 New
Stihl MS440, 13.9lbs, 5.4hp, $725 New (probably cheaper)
Stihl MS460, 14.6, 6.0hp, $790 New (probably cheaper)

Im also considering the comparable Jonsered/Husqvarna and Makita/Dolmar units. Has anyone used any of these chainsaws and can provide good feedback? I know all you brand loyal guys are out there, what about that too? Ive been pleased with the Stihls that Ive used through the years, and the only Husqvarna that I used was amazing, but I don't know much about Dolmar.

Thanks in advance.
 
I use a stihl and love it... no idea the model but ill look... get one of those eletric chain sharpners. It'll save you a TON of money
 
if your gonna be clearing land out go get you the biggest stihl chainsaw that you can afford. stihl is definelty the best brand and for sure gonna last you the longest.
 
I have used many different chainsaws stihl, craftsman, Husqvarna, and some other ones. The best chainsaw I have ever use was the Husqvarna I am not sure of the model but a friend of mine had a couple and his parents needs some trees cleared off their land. So we drove down and cleared away the 20-30 trees that needed to be cleared and sectioned them off in 5' lengths. That saw pretty much made quick work of it and we were done by dinner time. All of the other saws I have used would have taken longer. The husqvarna is as you said "an amazing machine" I would buy one but I don't have the need for one right now, but when I do that is what I am going to get.
 
You won't go wrong with a Stihl or a Husqvarna. I've had a Husqvarna for 10 yrs and have taken down quite a few trees with it. While it's got a bit of heft (Model 55 with a 20" bar), it has power to spare with cutting thru hard wood trees. I have another smaller, older saw for the small stuff and limbing trees. Keep the chain sharp, and the electric sharpener works pretty well.
 
NC_Mog said:
You won't go wrong with a Stihl or a Husqvarna.
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Same thing I heard when I was shopping for a saw. I have a Stihl Farmboss (equivalent to the MS290 I think) and an MS192T. They are both great. I was cutting down a tree last Sunday and got my big saw stuck in the tree when the wind blew, and had to cut it out with my small saw, LOL.
 
Stihl hand down. Get some chaps while youre at it. I took 2 huskys back the day that I bought them- broke them at the pull, not the rope, but the mechanism itself. I have to maintain a 150 acre down east and only get to go there maybe once a month, so my tools have to work. I have a new 034 and a smaller one to dislodge in case of a blade pinch.
 
Always heard good things about Husq. but I've got a Stihl and love it. As a matter of fact I just got it back from Caver. He and I cleared several trees from his land. buy a couple extra chains, make sure you cut with it sharp and keep the bar oil up and you'll not slow down. I'm sure Caver will chime in. He knows quite a bit about saws. His Dad rana a Chainsaw shop or something like that. So as a wee little tike I'm sure Dave was sharpening chains with sandpaper or some shit like that.
 
Stihl ( I sell them all day at work) just an awesome piece of equipment, they have a great warranty and have a lot of new features that other saws don't have. the 440 would be enough but if you have the extra money, go with the 460.
 
Buy the biggest you can afford and then put a 2" shorter bar and chain on it and it'll last forever. I use a Stihl 039 w/ 18" Oregon bar and chain.
 
from my experience in the Golf Course business and also treework, we have tried and tested many saws and it always comes back to Husky, and Stihl

this is my opinion, we have 4 stihls and 6 Husky's

2 stihl 010
2 stihl 035

they are very lightweight and easy to crank, good for carrying up in a tree, and limbing stuff from the ground

we have

2 Husky 55's older, still run great
2 Husky 268's, 2001 models, and they run great as well, one has a 24 inch bar for stumping
and 2 other newer Husky saws

My opinon is both are great, I like the Stihl small saws and the Husky big saws

The key to a saw is the chain, keep it sharp and always buy atleast 2, and have them on hand
 
I'm a Stihl lover too. I have a old farmboss and I use the hell out of it. It never quits, starts fast and will cut through any wood I need cut.
 
Stihl, Farm Boss hands down! I heat exclusively with wood for four years now and that things run like new.
 
mbalbritton said:
Always heard good things about Husq. but I've got a Stihl and love it. As a matter of fact I just got it back from Caver. He and I cleared several trees from his land. buy a couple extra chains, make sure you cut with it sharp and keep the bar oil up and you'll not slow down. I'm sure Caver will chime in. He knows quite a bit about saws. His Dad rana a Chainsaw shop or something like that. So as a wee little tike I'm sure Dave was sharpening chains with sandpaper or some shit like that.
Click to expand...

While both are great brands, IMHO hands down the Stihl's are the longevity champs. There's a reason most pro-loggers & tree guys use them... likes been said, when you need it, it's got to work.

I had Brent's saw when I dropped 25 trees in '05. They guy that brought out his sawmill (to make lumber) had a larger 3.xC.I. Husky that tried to hang with Brents 2.xC.I. Stihl... all I kept hearing was how fast the Husky was, blah, blah, blah... and after it consistently got out cut by the little Stihl... it was all about "I'm gonna sell this saw and buy a Stihl"...

Since I'm without a saw and will likely need one soon... I've already started pricing Stihls locally. LoMod has a nice Stihl and I'm shooting for a similar size...

And Brent, we used rocks to sharpen chains back then! :flipoff2:
 
Stihl 028 ...general all around cuttin', trimmin', etc.
Stihl 056 ...Heavy Duty Hoss...strait piped like the truck too...

:beer:
 
Thanks for the input so far guys, keep it coming. Im really looking for some personal feedback on the heavier "professional" saws. Stihl's seem to be more abundant, and there seem to be a better supply of used ones, so Ill definitely be looking into that option.
 
Johnsereds, Husky, Stihl, they're all great saws. But the biggest one you can afford.
 
Bump. Anyone else? Found a few that I might call about. Know of any good deals anywhere?
 
Mine came from a pawn shop. I dissassembled it and checked it as thorough as I could and even did a compression check. It checked out as close to new as possible. Just making sure it wasn't just cleaned. Can't remember exactly but I know I got a great deal. Didn't score a case though.
My theory was I wasn't going to cut enough trees to pay for a nice new saw. But I wanted a good one! Everybody's situation is different!
 
I own a still 029 older farm boss and love it but brother has a 026 which in similar and love it as well because it is a little lighter and about same power the 029 is now the ms290 and 026 went to ms260 but majority of loggers use stills for a reason they are not easy on equipment. Husky makes decent stuff to I was just scared of that they wen to a plastic handle on some saws and was scared of it but that may have just been on there smaller saws.
 
My lumberjack friends all use Stihl and Husky's.
Little off track, He wanted to sharpen the blade on my saw (Makita), I said "no it's fine", he insisted and took it. Got it back and the first log I stuck it on like'd to pull me across the log. Looks like he bent/filed all the rakers, throws big chips out now but sort'of dangerous.
 
Prob sharpened so that its like a chisel chain thats what i changed mine to and they are more prone to kicking back and grabing but cut alot better and throw big chips if your saw has the power to pull the chain threw the log. They have shorter rakes so that the teeth can take a bigger bite.
 
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