Yet Another Chainsaw Buying Question

ebook · #1 12/04/08, 10:31 AM

Currently I have a Stihl 009L with a 14" bar (you can read about it and what my desires are on my blog) and I'm looking to upgrade to a bigger saw for cutting firewood for the house. We have 14 acres of timber on our land, but most of it is newish growth so most of the dead wood trees that I'm cutting are 10 inches or less diameter (there are bigger ones out there though).

From my blog these are some of what I think my needs are:

-Mostly I am cutting dead wood that is still standing with the ocassional downed tree depending on its state of rot. I would say the biggest tree I have cut so far was about a 10 inch diameter, but I know there are bigger ones to be had.
-I'm going to keep my 009L around, but I wouldn't be opposed to trading it in if I could find a place to do that. With that in mind I would like a saw that I can use in lots of different applications
-I want a saw that is easy enough to handle with good balance.
-I want a quality saw that can take some serious use in the fall and winter.

So, do you have any suggestions? I've looked at Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo (those are the dealers in my area).

**Cabin Fever** · #2 12/04/08, 10:42 AM

It's too bad that you have no Jonsered dealers in your area. If you did, I'd give you a recommendation.

ebook · #3 12/04/08, 11:12 AM

Cabin Fever - I do actually know of one bit over an hour away, but it is by my dad's so it would be doable. The only down side that I can think of from buying from this dealer is that he is Amish and it has been our experience with having the Amish live around us for going on 10 years now that they move A LOT. But, what Jonsered would recommend?

Homesteadwi5 · #4 12/04/08, 11:27 AM

The jonsered 2159 is a great saw we have 3 that we use for logging,we run em 7-8 hrs a day they're tops as far as i'm concerned.

cfabe · #5 12/04/08, 11:44 AM

I don't have a specific model in mind but I'd keep your current saw. If you ever get your saw bound up in a tree you're cutting, it's very handy to have a spare on hand to (carefully) cut it free.

**Cabin Fever** · #6 12/04/08, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homesteadwi5

The jonsered 2159 is a great saw we have 3 that we use for logging,we run em 7-8 hrs a day they're tops as far as i'm concerned.

Well there ya go, he beat me to it.

-TWO- · #7 12/04/08, 12:45 PM

All the brands mentioned are good. Its been my experience (20+ years falling timber) that the saw is only as good as the service provided by the dealer. Started out with Homelites, switched to Stihl, finished with a Husky. All these changes over the years were dictated by service rather than the brand.

sammyd · #8 12/04/08, 06:20 PM

Ran a buddies Husqvarna 455 or something like that. Big saw without the weight of the Stihl.
We bought a Stihl 310 this year and are very happy with it. Used an 029 for many years.
Brother In Law has a Poulan that has held up very well.

NorthernWoods · #9 12/04/08, 06:22 PM

I have a saw in my hands at least five days a week and recomend keeping your choices limited to Stihl or Husky. Both have good saws, reliable, proven and there simply isn't a reason to use anything else. Parts are easy to come by and are available.

I'm a husky guy myself but when it comes down to it, both are very capable. I have used both brands extensively and what it really comes down to is if you're a Ford or Chevy guy.

Countryboy · #10 12/04/08, 06:41 PM

I've been cutting my own firewood for 30 years. I have a Husqvarna 455 Rancher with a 20 inch bar that I love. The longer bar lets you cut downed wood without having to bend over as much as a shorter bar. I had McCullough saws before that and this Husky beats them hands down. I know a few people who use Stihl and are quite happy with them. Both are good manufacturers.

One thing I've found is that most saws with 20" or so bars use a chain with a D70 link. The bar that came on this Husky uses the smaller J78 link (Oregon chains). The J78 cuts faster than the D70 as it does not cut as wide of a groove. Like a hot knife through butter.

ebook · #11 12/04/08, 11:39 PM

Thank you everyone for all of the great responses. It seems like one common thread that I'm getting from both your comments and those over on my blog is a local service is one of the big keys ... which in my case probably will mean Stihl. Which is fine with me, because I'm also getting the sense that it can be a Ford vs. Chevy thing also and I never had a dog in that fight either.

So, one last question. Does anyone have any good suggestions for a Stihl that would fit my needs or even a engine size guideline? We have looked at the Farm Boss a bit and I have heard good and mixed things about it. But, we have also looked at going as small as the MS230. I would love any input if you have it, and thanks again for the great help.

sammyd · #12 12/05/08, 02:51 AM

According to the guy at the place we bought our saw from if you want to go to a 20" bar you'd best get a 310 he said the 290 will handle it but might struggle in some situations.

We ran a 16" bar on the Farm Boss and it handled anything we threw at it.

Would have got another Farm Boss but we got a deal on the bigger saw. And the wife thought getting the bigger 20" bar later would be nicer on the back for cutting downed stuff.
We're pretty lucky in that we have 3 service centers within half an hour of our place.

WolfWalksSoftly · #13 12/05/08, 03:21 AM

I have cut and heated with wood for the past 5 years. I know many people who cut timber for a living. I have used a Stihl and thought it was a good saw, and it is. I purchased a Husky this past summer and it does the work faster and more comfortably then the Stihl. Oh and as far as my friends? 95 % own a Husky. I won't buy anything other then a Husky for now on.

Cascade Failure · #14 12/05/08, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyd

Ran a buddies Husqvarna 455 or something like that. Big saw without the weight of the Stihl.
We bought a Stihl 310 this year and are very happy with it. Used an 029 for many years.
Brother In Law has a Poulan that has held up very well.

I love my 455.

Thoughthound · #15 12/05/08, 08:29 AM

I started working at a hardware store about 6 weeks ago that is also a Stihl dealer and all the longtime employees (and the Stihl reps) say the 310 is the best bang for the buck. Best cost to power/features ratio.

It is also the most purchased at the store, but not by a lot.

Kinda pricey, but the manager who went to "chainsaw camp" always says to customers, "if you want this to be the last chainsaw you ever buy, then get the 310."

It is also the size the local DNR gets most often.

It's a small-town store so employees can't afford to give bad advice. Sometimes guys will buy bigger and more expensive Stihls for whatever reason.

This is Iowa prairie though, so there isn't a lot of daily cutting by most people. Mostly wood lots and fence clearing.

Sawmill Jim · #16 12/05/08, 11:05 AM

We got a pair husky's one ms310 and two o66's .Main thing is a good dealer. My 310 hasn't missed a lick since i got it . Good oil and hopefully good high test (real gas) makes it run an last longer Good luck.

Stephen in SOKY · #17 12/05/08, 11:33 AM

+1 for the Stihl MS310. Pretty darned impressive for the cost.

-TWO- · #18 12/05/08, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

We got a pair husky's one ms310 and two o66's .Main thing is a good dealer. My 310 hasn't missed a lick since i got it . Good oil and hopefully good high test (real gas) makes it run an last longer Good luck.

Jim, welcome to the forum. Yep, on a good dealer. The best chainsaw in the world ain't no better than a boat anchor if it don't run & you can't get parts for it.

VERN in IL · #19 12/05/08, 07:43 PM

Real lumberjacks use BOW SAWS.

Get a GOOD bow saw, ( http://www.profhdwr.com/64331.htm ) a 36" would be good with green and dry wood blades.

It will whip you in shape! You will save hundreds of $$$ and you will be cutting wood the GREEN way, protecting our vital eco system, and bow saws don't require earplugs to operate!

ebook · #20 12/06/08, 09:36 AM

Vern - I think I'll pass on being a real lumberjack now if that is what it takes. I'm all for it if I have the time, but between a job in town, three kids, cattle, chickens, pigs, and more I'll stick with the chain saw for now. I will use an axe instead of a mechanical splitter though ... that will be my exercise and green way.

Thanks again for all of the help!