Post Your Chainsaw Recommendations Here

[Randy Rooster]

I have used a poulan or craftsman in the past, but need a new saw and am wanting to upgrade. My biggest complaint with the poulan is having to constantly adjust the chain. Any recommendations?

[Beeman]

Stihl is what I would recommend.

[tyusclan]

I also like a Stihl, mainly because they will not sell their saws at the box stores. They only sell through servicing dealers.

Having said that, Stihl does make different "grades" of saws. They have "Homeowner", "Mid-grade", and "Professional". I would personally not want a homeowner grade. For most people one of the mid-grades would probably be a good choice.

I have an MS290, which is a mid-grade, but I'm planning to replace it with a professional grade in the spring, probably an MS361. As heavily as I use a saw, the mid-grade hasn't held up like it should. In fact, it's in the shop right now.

Husqvarna also makes good saws, but they also have different grades. Don't buy one from Lowe's or out of a catalog as those are their cheaper versions. I don't know as much about Huskys to know what models are the better grades. Go to a Husky dealer and talk with them about their better grade saws. You'll pay a little more, but it'll save you money in the long run.

[Cabin Fever]

My recommendations:
Any Sthil model that says, "Made in West Germany" on it.

Any Jonesered model that says, "Made in Sweden" on it.

Any Husqvarna model that says, "Made in Sweden" on it.

Here's the scoop. These three brands once made fine chainsaws. They built their reputations for dependablity, craftsmanship and quality, when the saws were made in the country of their origin. Nowadays, all three companies have low-end models made for the "residential" market. These low-end saws are not made by the original company in Sweden or West Germany and have been drastically cheapened and are of poor quality. So, my recommendation is that you'll be happy with any of these three brand names IF the model you purchase is made in West Germany or Sweden (depending on brand).

My other recommendation is to buy the brand that has the closest dealer and service center to where you live. Fir instance, if the local Jonsered dealer is 15 miles from your home and the nearest Sthil dealer is 75 miles....buy the Jonsered.

[dixiegal62]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Any Husqvarna model that says, "Made in Sweden" on it.

Dh bought me one of these for an anniversary gift ( its what I asked for ) and I love it! like cutting butter

[neolady]

Careful with Stihl.
My father bought me a smaller unit (16") recently as a gift and it should be a fine little saw for me. He bought my sister one identical and I can use it and start it, as can she, with no problems.

The object of the purchase was to buy one that I could start as I can no longer start any of the other four ones we have, and several of the saws are now too large for me to operate due to injuries I have. These older units are McCulloch & Poulon products.

I have taken this Stihl back several times as I just cannot start it - I have only used two tanks of fuel in it. My husband can't start it either - but he can start the old McCulloch's and the ancient Poulon.

A buddy that has one identical can't start it without considerable effort - however I can start his!!! The guys at the service center start this one first time every time by "drop starting" the unit. This is not a possibility for me. So we now have five chainsaws that I can't use...I'm very disappointed

[pheasantplucker]

Avoid Poulan like the plague. I babied mine...cleaned, oiled, lubed, put in case, only moderate use...it died after only using maybe twelve to fifteen hours...but of course it was after the time element of the warranty had expired, so I was left up the creek without a paddle or anyway to cut one. Never buy a
POulanSaw again.

[Scrounger]

I have a Husqvarna Rancher 55, a Stihl MS290, and a Poulan 3516AVX.

The Husky starts every time and works every time, hands down, the best of the 3.
The Poulan is a great light weight trim saw. Love mine.
The Stihl is always hard to start, runs rough, and dies for no reason. Been in and out of the shop since it was new (2 years old). My wife wanted me to buy it. Won't buy another one.

Get a Husqvarna, you won't regret it.

[mare]

Originally Posted by Scrounger

I have a Husqvarna Rancher 55, a Stihl MS290, and a Poulan 3516AVX.

The Husky starts every time and works every time, hands down, the best of the 3.
The Poulan is a great light weight trim saw. Love mine.
The Stihl is always hard to start, runs rough, and dies for no reason. Been in and out of the shop since it was new (2 years old). My wife wanted me to buy it. Won't buy another one.

Get a Husqvarna, you won't regret it.

my stihl was the same way==it finally just croacked and i was told it wasnt worth fixing. for what they cost i wasnt impressed.

[Wisconsin Ann]

We had a Poulan (difficult for me to start, ran well for one year,then it was temperamental for a 6 months..then died completely); last year we bought a Husquavarna rancher. It's fantastic. Easy for me to start and use(and I'm a wimp) . My SO loves it. Starts every time (provided I remember to put in fuel)

I have a Husqvarna Rancher Chain Saw - 20in Bar. Never had any problems and I use it a lot.

[Dirtslinger]

Husqvarna is what I would suggest for a good saw, but if you're using it just a few times each year, Home depot sells an Echo chainsaw line that isn't too bad. I've had two for 5-6 years with no trouble. You'd be surprised how tough that little thing is and priced right.

[cider]

What chainsaw do you like?

DH and I asked this question a while back and got a ton of answers. I hope I linked it right.

[mdharris68]

I have four german made stihl saws (3- 032v and 1 041v)and one husky rancher 55 and I always seem to do the majority of my cutting with the rancher 55. It starts in two or three pulls and is a work horse.

I have heard that they tend to rattle apart, but after I broke mine in, (2 years ago), I didn't have the dealer adjust it to the highest rpm setting. I kept it at the breakin rpm's and it runs great.

I chose the 18" bar and I have cut 4 truckloads of wood in the last 4 weekends and have only adjusted the same chain once.

Three years ago I would have said stihl only, but now I have a different opinion.


My 2 cents worth

[Cascade Failure]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

My recommendations:
Any Sthil model that says, "Made in West Germany" on it.

Any Jonesered model that says, "Made in Sweden" on it.

Any Husqvarna model that says, "Made in Sweden" on it.

...

I don't think you can go wrong with these three. Right now, I use the Husqvarna 455. Love it.

[ericjeeper]

Made the Very FIRST chainsaw. I love my 5100 and 7900. both are made in Germany. Cheaper than a stihl to boot.

[PA_MIKE]

I have a Shindawia and Love it.....

[John Haylow]

We run Stihl saws daily.Go with the pro series.
John

[Alice In TX/MO]

Husqvarna. Get one with the 'easy start.'

[Hoop]

Husqvarna now has the 372 model back in the showroom. Undoubtedly, one of the best saws made.
If you have an actual small engine dealer, buy it there. If your local hardware store sells them out of a corner of the store, buy them at https://norwalkpower.com/index.asp
At Norwalk, the 372 will cost you $605 + shipping costs of approx $20. They throw in 2 extra chains. To put this in context, my local hardware store that sells them wants $700 + 5.5% sales tax.
Do the math and tell me where you'd buy one.

Stihls are nearly as good as Husqvarna's, but are far higher priced.

If you purchase a smaller Husqvarna than the 372, they are OK, but a pale substitute when compared to their professional saws.

You will get exactly what you pay for.