Chainsaw Recomendations

[ferniesnow]

I use and have used Stihl since the late '70's. They have treated me well. Presently, I have a MS361 and the smaller MS170. Use them both equal amounts; the MS170 (a nice light saw that is very easy to swing around for the limbing) is used for limbing when the tree is down and the MS361 is used for falling and bucking. I have a 24" bar on the MS361 and it does save on the back when bucking.

I use the MS170 on my quad and sled for clearing trails. Even the bigger trees are not a problem cutting a passage way (on the very large blow-downs I would bring back the bigger saw to clear the trail wide enough for the groomer). It is easy to pack and light weight. For yard maintenance (cutting smaller trees and after a storm), the odd fence post, some construction projects, and a good little saw to carry to the bush, the MS170 serves me well.

As mentioned above, buy from a Stihl/Husky dealer as they are very knowledgeable about their product and the big box stores carry saws with mainly plastic parts.

 

[imdoo'n]

yup, best saw is a the best dealer where you can get parts,

i have heard of guys buying poulans for the carry case? lol.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

I bought an MS250 new last summer and love it. I wish I would have upgraded the bar at the time of purchase. It's been a great saw, I only run at about 3/4 throttle and never tired at the end of the day.
This Stihl, is replacing my 1996 Stihl 009L, which stihl works great.
I also have a Stihl weed whacker straight shaft, that I bought 11 years ago and runs like new.

When you say upgrade the bar, what do you mean?

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Thanks for all the awesome feedback.
From what I've gathered in comments:
- We don't have big trees in Alberta so a large saw isn't needed.
- Buy a larger saw, more power is always good...but also see #1
- Buy a name brand, they are all good except for the name brands that suck but also see #1
- Battery saws are not bad, good, great or suck. Also see #1
- Small saws will often do the job, but so will big saws and medium saws, but also see #1
- I'm not a logger - See #1

I purchased the Stihl MS 250/18" blade with the full case and a jug of pre-mix fuel/oil.
My jobs are relatively small and I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Stihl. Have never owned one but know a few that do and love them.
There is no perfect choice so I hope I'm as happy whit this one for the next 20 years as I have been with my Sears 42cc/16" blade.
Thanks again.
CheerZ

 

[Trashy]

When you say upgrade the bar, what do you mean?

18" bar over the 16"
The saw has more than enough power to do it. Where I bought mine, they talked me out of it and I really regret listening to them.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Then I did make the right call, have the 18" bar. Thanks Doug.

 

[X-it]

Look on your chain bar if it says the ES bar you have a good bar. If not ....well they do make better bars for sure. Windsor made a good bar but I think the got bought out by Oregon so who knows. Cannon makes an expensive good bar.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Look on your chain bar if it says the ES bar you have a good bar. If not ....well they do make better bars for sure. Windsor made a good bar but I think the got bought out by Oregon so who knows. Cannon makes an expensive good bar.

I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the advice.

 

[neilsleder]

https://www.facebook.com/officialstaceydavid/posts/10154543047200843
You should of got one of these v8 chainsaws. Look like they cut good!

 

[Stg2Suby]

If you're into tweaking stuff there are fun and easy chain saw mods to make them run better. Drilling the muffler baffle and grinding the stops on the mixture screws to achieve a fatter mixture usually has nice gains.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

https://www.facebook.com/officialstaceydavid/posts/10154543047200843
You should of got one of these v8 chainsaws. Look like they cut good!

Awesome for trimming a branch on a small tree....lol

 

[TylerG]

Thanks for all the awesome feedback.
From what I've gathered in comments:
- We don't have big trees in Alberta so a large saw isn't needed.
- Buy a larger saw, more power is always good...but also see #1
- Buy a name brand, they are all good except for the name brands that suck but also see #1
- Battery saws are not bad, good, great or suck. Also see #1
- Small saws will often do the job, but so will big saws and medium saws, but also see #1
- I'm not a logger - See #1

I purchased the Stihl MS 250/18" blade with the full case and a jug of pre-mix fuel/oil.
My jobs are relatively small and I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Stihl. Have never owned one but know a few that do and love them.
There is no perfect choice so I hope I'm as happy whit this one for the next 20 years as I have been with my Sears 42cc/16" blade.
Thanks again.
CheerZ

they obviously never checked your safety record prior to allowing you to purchase said saw....... I think Mrs Sledbunnyracing should be the only one allowed to run it for the safety of everyone

 

[X-it]

I do not so mention of a grease gun in that purchase, grease that tip and the bearing. And do not put that garbage fuel...ever in that saw.

 

[the_real_wild1]

I do not so mention of a grease gun in that purchase, grease that tip and the bearing. And do not put that garbage fuel...ever in that saw.

What tip and bearing???

 

[X-it]

Ha ha exactly ..... the roller tip on the bar and the needle bearing on the drive end of the chain. The ES bar does not come with greasing holes on the bar.

 

[X-it]

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grease-clutch-stihl-chainsaw-101402.html

 

[Caper11]

You got a nice saw, you'll be happy with it, the bar is a tad long imo. Yah turned it into a big saw. But a small engine.


I had a 18"on my 046 stihl (6hp) and went back to a 16" with a .404" pitch chain.
My husky 254 (4hp) has a 15".

But with anything its a preference, some prefer a 154 over a 174.

Be safe and happy cutting!

 

[arff]

I do not so mention of a grease gun in that purchase, grease that tip and the bearing. And do not put that garbage fuel...ever in that saw.

What fuel ?

 

[rzrgade]

Kracken & root beer ...
@ 5:1

 

[X-it]

How long you think you last run your saw last, times it by 2. Improper fuel to oil mixtures and outdated fuel are not good combos ..but easily fixable. The fuel I am talking about is that stuff that lays in those big tanks and is 1 year old because they do not sell much of it, then you stick it in your saw for another 2 years. Costco fuel might last a year but that would be pushing it.