Author Topic: Chainsaw Advice (Read 6596 times)

Sport45 · « **on:** April 19, 2006, 06:44:33 AM »

After 20+ years, it's time to replace my chainsaw. I've been using a Craftsman 16" saw (looks like it was made by Poulan) for light duty trimming and campfire wood cutting. Now it's a real fight to get the thing started and keep it running. I've changed the plug, cleaned and reassembled the carb and adjusted it to the best of my ability. A trip to the small engine repair shop will cost about as much as a replacement.

The two saws I'm looking at are both 16". One is the Poulan P3416 for $130 and the other is a McCulloch MS1639 for $140. The McCulloch has a larger engine (39cc vs 34cc) and comes with a carrying case.

Can anyone comment on these two saws? Ease of starting, availability of parts/chains, etc? I'm a light user, so I'm not looking at professional grade models like the Husky or Sthill.

Thanks!

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2006, 12:23:19 PM »

Of those two I would chose the McCullogh. Poulan has always struck me as cheap throwaway products. I had an Eager Beaver McCullogh for many years, finally wore it out. I replaced it with a Sthill and have never looked back. You really should look at the Sthill line before you buy. They do have a cheaper lineup geared for the home owner. KN

tucoblue · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2006, 08:35:21 AM »

Bought the Sthil 041 Farm Boss somewhere around 1976. Have spent nothing in repairs since. Runs great. Cut 2 or 3 cords every year. Still has orginal points in it. Do they still put points in chain saws?

NYH1 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:14:44 AM »

Sport45, what saw did you get? If you haven't bought one yet here is my $0.02!

I have two Stihl chain saws. A 021 (now called MS 210 which makes 2.0 HP) with a 16 inch bar and a 029 Farm Boss (now called a MS 290 Farm Boss) w/ a 20 inch bar. The MS 210 is a great little saw. If you shop around you could probably get one for $220 or so. I would recommend a 14 inch bar instead of a 16 inch bar. They also have a MS 170 (1.75 HP). You could probably get one for around $170. Again you have to shop around.

Husqvarna is another EXELLENT chain saw and maybe the best "bang for the buck" in mid-range chain saws! You can order a 137 (2.0 HP) for around $190 and their 142 (2.2 HP) for about $200. I've been told that the "100 series" (137 and 142) of Husqvarna chain saws are made for them by Poulan. That might not be a bad thing. You still get a two year warranty. You could step up to a 345 for around $245. That's a little bigger saw that's Swedish built BY Husqvarna. It makes three horsepower and would be a noticeable difference over the smaller saws I've mentioned.

I'll be looking for a new saw in the spring. I've always owned Stihl but I really think I'm going to get a Husqvarna next.

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:38:31 PM »

I have a Stihl MS170 fo rgeneraly around the house use. It has cut everything I ask it to and runs very well. Cost about 150-160. It's 'only' got a 14' bar, but that's more than enough for the light duty use that you are describing.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2006, 11:57:46 AM »

TRUST ME!!

If you buy a Sthil you will not buy anything else.

dukkillr · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2006, 12:15:33 PM »

Quote

If you buy a Sthil you will not buy anything else.

Agreed. Sometimes spending a little more is a good investment.

NYH1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2007, 10:37:50 AM »

Quote from: brdavis on October 03, 2006, 11:57:46 AM

TRUST ME!!

If you buy a Sthil you will not buy anything else.

Until you run a Husky!

corbanzo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2007, 03:45:03 AM »

Get a stihl, a husky can't keep up.

I've worked for different grounds operations and had to use many a different chainsaw, nothing comes close to the stihl.

When I go back home to visit my parents, I end up using the same stihl chainsaw that my dad has been using... since before I can remember.

deerslayer79 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2007, 06:49:12 AM »

stihl and husky are both good saws,also had a echo but my stooooopid cousin put straight gas in it and well ya'll know.I have got a farmboss and a husky of similar size just a year newer,both run great but the stihl has more umph to it+stihl has better parts availablity in my area.

NYH1 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2007, 05:48:43 PM »

Quote from: corbanzo on April 07, 2007, 03:45:03 AM

nothing comes close to the stihl.

As far as how bad they vibrate and how fast their air filters get clogged up you're right...............nothing comes close to the stihl.l!

NYH1 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2007, 06:13:16 PM »

Quote from: deerslayer79 on April 07, 2007, 06:49:12 AM

stihl and husky are both good saws,also had a echo but my stooooopid cousin put straight gas in it and well ya'll know.I have got a farmboss and a husky of similar size just a year newer,both run great but the stihl has more umph to it+stihl has better parts availablity in my area.

I have a 029 Super/Farm Boss too. My friend is doing some drywall work for me so I'm giving it to him. Don't need it anymore, bought a Husky 365. What model Husky do you have? I agree that both Stihl and Husky are good saws. I just prefer Husky. I was a die-hard Stihl man until I ran a few Husky's. Dealer support is very important. I have really good Stihl, Husky and Jonsered (made by Husky) support in my area so parts and service aren't an issue for me.

NYH1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2007, 01:27:26 PM »

My saws

The first chain saw I bought. A Stihl 021. I bought it with a 16" b&c. Last year I put a 14" b&c on it. The shorter b&c made a huge difference. The saw cuts a lot better now.

My new Husky 365 20" b&c. This is the replacement for my 029 Super/Farm Boss.

The Gamemaster · « **Reply #13 on:** April 10, 2007, 12:58:25 PM »

I bought a new Husqvarna 455 Rancher model from a Sears Repair shop a few years ago that was brand new for $150 with a 16 inch bar. No case or tools.

I cannot complain because I never had a problem with it, but I will soon have to tear it apart to clean the spark plug and it looks like it will be no small job.

I guess you should not leave the same gasoline in it for 5 years.

Before that, when I worked in the woods, I used a Jonsered 440 Chainsaw with a heated handlebar, which in my opinion is the best damm chainsaw you could ever buy. It would start even when it was about out of fuel and run upside down!

The longer the bar, the less you have to bend when you are debranching and cutting.

That's something that most people do not think about.

I would stay away from any brand that they sell in Wal Mart.

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2007, 10:19:39 AM »

I have a Husky 162 that is still going strong after 27 years. The Jonsered CS2165 is essentially the same saw, still made today. My Husky 480CD wasn't so lucky when a kid fell a tree on it. Now that was a monster saw that had five years of cutting old growth oak timber. The only problem with that one was the rubber mounts would continually wear out on one side. About 30 years ago I used a Husqvarna 240 for a couple of years cutting pulp. That was an amazing saw. I also had a Husqvarna 40 for several years when I was doing log construction.

You can't go wrong with Stihl, Husqvarna, Jonsered, or Partner. I've used them all. Although I don't think Partner makes many production saws anymore.

Will_C · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2007, 02:27:10 AM »

Husky or Stihl, you can't go wrong. If you are going to use the saw alot, try to spend $350-400. I know that Stihl offers two "levels" of saws. The models with even numbering (260,360,440,etc.) are considered commercial duty.
Will

Buckskin · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2007, 04:09:09 AM »

I bought a Husky Farm Rancher a few years ago. And I liked it fine, good saw decent power. A buddy of mine bought a Stihl Farm Boss and it is a much better saw all the way around. Starts better, smoother, more power. I would buy a Stihl next time, but still like the Husky.

NYH1 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:07:23 AM »

Quote from: Will_C on April 12, 2007, 02:27:10 AM

Husky or Stihl, you can't go wrong. If you are going to use the saw alot, try to spend $350-400. I know that Stihl offers two "levels" of saws. The models with even numbering (260,360,440,etc.) are considered commercial duty.
Will

That's not completely true, at least not anymore. Stihl's MS361 is a pro saw that replaced the MS360. Same go's for the MS441. It's going to replace the MS440. Their MS280 isn't considered a pro saw. It's a mid-range saw.

NYH1 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:14:07 AM »

Quote from: Buckskin on April 12, 2007, 04:09:09 AM

I bought a Husky Farm Rancher a few years ago. And I liked it fine, good saw decent power. A buddy of mine bought a Stihl Farm Boss and it is a much better saw all the way around. Starts better, smoother, more power. I would buy a Stihl next time, but still like the Husky.

The Husky 455 Rancher is a little under powered compared to the 029/MS290 Farm Boss. The 455 makes 3.4 hp and the 029/MS290 makes 3.8 hp. My 029 cuts a tad faster then my friends 455. His 455 runs and cuts way smoother then my 029 though. Husky's 460 and Stihl's MS290 should run neck and neck. The 460 makes 3.7 hp, but weighs a little less then the 290.

wild willy · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2007, 01:20:15 PM »

Cut brush and clear right of ways for three or four months every winter have both Stihl and Huskys everyone on the crew who has bought a saw for at home in the last couple years has bought a Husky

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2007, 04:11:58 PM »

Don't forget about Jonsered

NYH1 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2007, 05:42:23 AM »

Quote from: goodwrench6710 on April 13, 2007, 04:11:58 PM

Don't forget about Jonsred

Jonsered's are outstanding chain saws. They're black and red Husqvarna's with straight handle bars instead of the angled handle bars on the Husky's. Other then that they're the same saws made by the same company on the same production lines.

My Husky 365 is the same saw as EsoxLucius's CS2165!

Drilling Man · « **Reply #22 on:** April 23, 2007, 02:38:56 PM »

I switched from Stihl to Husky a few years ago... and i also like the Huskys better...

I own a sawmill, and i use the saws to harvest firewood and my own logs for my sawmill..

DM

NYH1 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:15:22 PM »

My 365 in action!

Drilling Man · « **Reply #24 on:** April 24, 2007, 11:19:07 AM »

Nice pictures, but i sure would have had a lot better use for that log!!!

DM

NYH1 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 24, 2007, 11:45:50 AM »

I don't think it would have been to good for milling. The part I'm cutting is about 19 1/2 inches in diameter. It was only about 6 or 7 feet long then it split into two branches.

The tree I was cutting is the tree on the left. If you look close you'll see a blue thing in the back round behind it. The bottom of the pic is four feet off the ground. It looks like three trees but it's one. It's about 4 feet in diameter about a foot off the ground. At about three feet it turns into three sections. The section I was working on is the one on the far left by the blue thing.

Here's a few more!

Drilling Man · « **Reply #26 on:** April 24, 2007, 12:54:05 PM »

A 19" x 7' will tally a bit over 100 bd. ft.... That's $100.00 in "green" lumber right off the mill, and up to $350.00 or so "dry". (depending)

I'd have grabbed it in a heartbeat!!

DM

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #27 on:** April 24, 2007, 01:01:28 PM »

Wow very nice mill.

montveil · « **Reply #28 on:** April 24, 2007, 01:39:04 PM »

don't forget service-- parts etc

Gary G · « **Reply #29 on:** October 24, 2007, 04:11:46 PM »

A few years ago, I was looking at Husky, Jonsered, and Stihl. I wound up buying an Echo because I got a little better deal. I haven't regreted it.