Chainsaws

[rawhide]

Lots of good saws out there. Pros and cons to most of them. I stick with Stihl for local serving dealers. The last 2 years I've been doing a lot of saw work on my place and bought a MS261. I've run about 80 tanks of fuel through it without a hiccup and have only cleaned the air filter. Of the 4 saws i own it is the one I would never let go. I run a 16" and 20" bar. Light and powerful.

I have a MS181 for sale in the classifieds and would consider letting my MS290 go as well. Since buying the 261 I don't need the other saws. I do need to run a longer bar and will probably add a ms400 or 462 in the near future.

 

[rickm]

I have been using Stihl for nearly 50 years at work and personal use but the last 2 i bought has about turned me against them.

 

[Camo]

I am somewhat picky on chainsaws, I’ve owned many, my go to now is my echo, it’s butter smooth and light. 28 inch bar.

I stopped buying bar oil a few years back, I use used synth is motor oil from our vehicles. No more overheated bars and chain seems to last much longer.

 

[Mr.Glock]

Stihl MS310, MS017 and a MS170. These replaced two worn out old Stihl 031s and a 040.
Stihl products has been very good to me. I did learn something about seasonal equipment back in the 70s. Always store them dry tank and dry carbs. And 100% fuel.

And @swampratt hell yes on the oiling. They are adjustable and I do make them run wet. And mine are loud as hell too! Drill out that exhaust and they will run better.

 

[rawhide]

I thought the 261 was stingy with oil when it was new. After break in and making certain the oil port on the bar is clean i had to dial down the oiler.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

I've got a 110v plug in letric black and decker I found in my grandpa's shed about 15 years ago. Has to be from the 70s. Fell many a cedars and cottonwoods. It has outlasted 3 harbor freight 2-stroke generators lol. Also have an early 2000's Stihl, not sure what model. Bought it when Ponca was buried in a few inches of ice. Been a trooper, but prefer the electric when I can get power.

 

[Parks 788]

My mid 70s Echo finally seems to have passed. I have a newer Stihl but always seem to need two saws as one will be finicky.

What seems to be the “good stuff” this year?

I need 16” bar, want 18” bar. Have dealers and pawn shops and repair shops within 45 miles of the house for most makes.

Really like the new dangled shock absorbing qualities of the Stihl.

Would like easier to start, I am getting older.

One or twice a year use but when used it is several days of cutting things up.

Go check out Pregler Lawn & Garden in Glenpool. THey are a Stihl dealer and sell a lot of lawn and garden machines and do service as well. They will sharpen saw chains too. I've had very good service from them.

 

[bushmaster06]

I was going to buy another Stihl a few years ago, and the dealer that sells multiple brands talked me into an Echo CS590. I’m very satisfied with it.

I really like my wood puppy. I've ran it pretty hard and it just says, "Oil me more, Daddy." Easy to start, plenty of power with the 20" bar, and everything that I've broke on it was my fault.

 

[Mr.Glock]

I forgot an important fact!

Years ago I went to get some new saws. Went to local Lumber Two Lumber Yard as they were a Stihl Dealer. Was reading a manual for a new saw and about the 4th page in highlighted in asterisks was the words written “” DO NOT RUN SAW FULL THROTTLE UNLESS CUTTING WOOD FOR FIRST TWO TANKS”.

So in other words don’t run the saw more than half throttle unless actually cutting wood for first two tanks to allow the saw to break in, set the rings etc etc.

I picked out 2 saws and the young man took them to the back to assemble and ready them. Wasn’t a few minutes later I heard him running them, and he was running the saw wide ass open, just beating on that throttle. I walked back there and said now get me another saw, I don’t want that one. He was taken back a bit at my comment and asked why? I asked him if he had ever read a manual on the saws? He stated, he just got back from a Stihl School and knew all about them. I asked for the manager, and went to the saw display and picked up the manual I had read. Manager came, I handed him the manual with the page opened to the “DONT RUN SAW WIDE OPEN” he then stated they had always fueled them and made sure they worked before sending them on with the customer, and the young man said they did not learn that in school.

Manager said get me a new saw and don’t run it full throttle, went on to say they would rectify the mistake and not do the saws that way.

Now I don't know if they did stop their ways of readying a saw but when I buy new saws I make damn sure they don’t go ape **** on them when they are new.

No telling how much “Age” they were putting on a new saw with the wide open banshee ****, but I know it isn’t good for a new machine to do so.

So if buying new, make sure they don’t prematurely wear on your saw by abusing it on its first start!
We rebuilt all our equipment when needed, rarely sent any piece of equipment out for repair. I am on the side of the fence to let any engine warm up before using it. Some may believe use it like you stole it! I have no issues with chain stretch as I even make sure the chain is warmed up good too.

That’s my two cents on chain saws. Best of luck on buying a new saw out there.

 

[TedKennedy]

I bought a Husqvarna 440 a few years ago. Absolutely love it.