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Looking for a new chainsaw

nathan.luthman

Active Member
Supporting Member
597
66
I was cutting wood yesterday when my saw took a shit on me so i went and grabbed my dads. I have an Echo 510 and dad has an Echo 520. They are about the same motor wise and we run the same chain. His has way more ass than mine and i got to thinking about how inefficient i was being with my old saw. Im not brand loyal and talked ro a friend of mine who has a 15% business discount on any saw at a certian shop that carries echo and stihl. Was wondering what others use on here. I cut quite a bit of wood each year as i heat my house with wood and i also cut for my grandparents. Was thinking about maybe a stihl 291 or 311.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
No experience with Echo. I believe there is a thread or two on here about chainsaws. Been some good reviews. Seems Stihl or Husqvarna are the main favorites. I have mainly Stihl chainsaws. My main "go to saw" is the MS361 which I believe has a different name now. MS362 maybe? I also have a 391 which is very similar but in the home owner version rather than the commercial version. They are pretty solid saws. For 15 plus years my go to saw was 029 Farmboss which I think they now call a 290 or 291. I cut a crap ton of wood with that saw. Served me well and still runs 19yrs later. Mostly collects dust and awaits the opportunity to go to work if I get the 361 wedged nowadays.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,761
274
North Carolina
I've owned Stihl and Husqvarna and like the Husqvarna better.... But in reality it's the Chevy vs Ford vs those shitty Rams..... lol


 

OO2

Well-Known Member
2,566
111
In the Uplands
Stihl all the way. I will say this if you have them bog down and cut out when you give it throttle it's because exhaust screen is clogged. Simply take a drill bit and remove it. I had that problem on my stihl trimmers for my business and now they run like a stihl should.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
I have a husky 455. Haven't started that bitch in a year but I guarantee if I went down to the garage it would fire up on the 2nd pull. I've had it about 7 years.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Husqvarna for me also. I've owned Stihl also and they are fine, nothing against them at all. I just like the feel of the Husq, seems to have a little less vibration.
 

Blan37

Member
1,800
64
SW Ohio
I have a Stihl MS291. I don't use it a ton but it always starts and runs like a champ. Been very happy with it so far.
 

moundhill

Senior Member
Supporting Member
5,327
103
Hebbardsville..
We have all stihls at work, and I'm not a fan of them. They just seem to be built cheaper than Husqvarna. I have a Husqvarna 455 rancher and I love it. 18" bar. They're a fast cutting powerful saw.
 

CJD3

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
14,630
201
NE Ohio
Just keep in mind, bigger and more power = weight.
Big wood cutting projects will wear you out even w/ a bigger badass saw.

I have a Stihl 044, maybe a 32" bar. It's a animal but sooner or later I go to a little unit to finish ou cause it wears me out...
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
I have a husky 455. Haven't started that bitch in a year but I guarantee if I went down to the garage it would fire up on the 2nd pull. I've had it about 7 years.
I have the same saw and wish I'd have bought another Stihl. I also have a Stihl MS170 which is a great saw for limbing and clearing trails.
 

Beentown

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,740
154
Sunbury, OH
I own both and recommend Husqvarna. I also recommend stepping up to a "pro" saw if you plan to keep it or use it much. The upgrades to them over the 'ranch' saws are well worth the $.

The last one I purchased was a Husqvarna 555 for $585 OTD. Best of all world's for me.

Cutting this weekend if it isn't sloppy. Tops/branch cleanup.

 

Buckmaster

Senior Member
14,362
191
Portage
My main saw is a Stihl MS310. It's cut and sold over $7k in firewood over the years.

Now that we're both a little older I wish I had something a little lighter like a 27 series as those 8 hour cut days have weakened to 4 hour cut days.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Whatever you end up going with, I wouldn't buy from TSC or Home Depot kind of places. Find a real dealer. The quality of saw is much better then the crap the box stores carry.

Stick with these two brands and an actual dealer, and you'll be just fine.
 

Just 1 More

Junior Member
796
0
Whatever you end up going with, I wouldn't buy from TSC or Home Depot kind of places. Find a real dealer. The quality of saw is much better then the crap the box stores carry.

Stick with these two brands and an actual dealer, and you'll be just fine.

I got mine at TSC :smiley_arrogant:
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,761
274
North Carolina
Also when buying chains, don't buy from a box store... Go right to the dealer and get them.... They'll cut better and last longer between sharpening....