"Homeowner" chainsaw opinions

[retire2$]

What is your opinion for the “occasional use” or “homeowner” chainsaws? I am looking at the MS 180 Stihl and the 235 Husqvarna. These saws are around $200 and have a 32 or 34 cc engine with approximately 2 HP. The Stihl has a 14 inch bar and the Husqvarna has a 16 inch bar. These are the only two brands that I am considering since that is what the local lawnmower shops carry. What other models (in these two brands and price range) would you suggest to buy or avoid. Interested in views for how long the saws will last under occassional use conditions. Thanks for any and all responses.

[davel745]

I have a Stihl Farm Boss with an 18 inch blade.

We cut and split around 5 too 6 cords of wood a year.

It is a good saw.

I use a dremel (sp) tool with the proper size bit to sharpen the chain. It works great. I have a 400 watt inverter that plugs into my cigarette lighter, so I can sharpen the chain out in the woods.

I would recommend the Stihl saw.

Dave

[mpillow]

We have a Husq..rancher? and #72....we cut lots of wood...Stihl is also very reliable

Do not buy poulan....JUNK.

If you want something a little smaller/lighter my BIL has a small Echo that he loves for cleaning up branches...my son was able to use the Echo by age 12

But I would buy what your local people will service if you are not inclined to tinker...

[Sawmill Jim]

Sthil or Husq both good . Had a pooland once could pull on that thing till the rope smoked by then if it started i was to tired to use it

[retire2$]

Davel745. Thanks for the response. The Farm Boss is classified in the mid range grouping and has a 56 cc engine and a higher price tag. I have heard many good things about saws in this category and the professional use category. I am more interested in the "homeowner" or "occassional use" category. These saws are in the 35 cc engine size and $200 price range.

[davel745]

Retire2$

I am 65 years old and decided to get the farm boss because it is a very reliable saw and I need a saw big enough to cut my fire wood, it helps the dealer is about 5 miles from were I live.

I only use it occasionally for about 2 months a year I though it was a little pricy but after cutting wood for the winter I wouldn’t recommend anything smaller. I paid around $400.00 for it.

I cant express how important a local dealer is for a chain saw.

I hope your selection works out for you.

Best of luck

Dave

[Old Vet]

Get a 16 inch chain or bigger. I have had a lot of things that a 14 inch chain would not cut. Triming limbs the 14 inch works fine for but when you get to the trunk of a tree the 16 inch will work better. Both of the saws you mentioned are good.

[Michael Kawalek]

I bought a Homelite with a 20" bar. I think it is too small! Wish I had gotten a "real" saw with a 24" bar.

[dngrous]

Would the above-mentioned Stihl and Husky saws be adequate for clearing 5-10 acres of land, lightly wooded?
Beyond that, I'd only need to use it for leveling the tops of 4x4 posts, trimming brush, and possibly a few other trees on other sites. If I ever decided to heat with wood, that would be a whole nother saw.

[braggscowboy]

I have sthil and Husky-- I would not buy a new small husky unless made in Sweeden. The larger saws are made in Sweeden. I am pretty much buying Sthil products because of service that I can get and cannot with Husky. I have been told that Pouland purchased the smaller Husky's. Not sure, but they have become prominate in the box stores. Sears even sells Husky's. My Husky is about 11 years old and made in Sweeden and has been a good saw. I have a couple of 028 WB's and a small 009 that I use to trim with. I sold and Anvil and some things at a flea market over the weekend and I think that I will buy me a Sthil pole saw. Don't use ladders or climb any more. Too old and fat! Get a nice size Sthil or big Husky and you can chance the size of the bar to suit you cutting needs. Not often you will need over an 18", but depending where you live a big bar might be good.

[mdharris68]

I have stihl and husky and would choose the one that the guy working on it is most familiar with. If he stocks more of one brand parts than the other, go with that. Not that they will break down on you very often with occasional use, but problems will arise. I find the chains for the husky are a little less expensive, considering my options here. They are both great saws in my opinion and either one should last you many many years.

[HermitJohn]

Nothing wrong with a poulan for light duty use, IF you are able to work on them yourself. If you get 5 year out of one, I'd say you did ok. Never going to be economical to hire somebody to work on a $100 chainsaw. I dont think the small homeowner saws of the "better" brands are going to do any better. Friend got a small Stihl. Lot plastic and ONE bolt holding bar on. Crappy little saw. I'd rather have a Poulan.... Small Shindaiwa probably only really reliable buy in smaller saw. So far they arent playing the "consumer level" merchandise game with low ball price for junky product.

[Farm 36]

I have poulan It is a cheap saw but I have had good luck with mine but remeber any time someone looks at a saw you will have to pay a hundred for servces so the poulan you just set aside. The stihl 180 has a good engine and will do a good job but I was told that the chain is to light and will break if hit a nail or work the blade to hard .

[used2bcool13]

My hubby loves his Stihl Farm Boss! And he cut down 22 trees on our property and cut them up with it. We have gone through many other cheaper ones.

[momtomany]

OK, I am new to the forum, and new to homesteading.......and I need some chainsaw help. We bought the Stihl Farm Boss, have a 20 inch bar. Many trees down, ready to be cut (about 2-3 cords worth at least). Hubby couldn't start it, neither could I. Went back to the dealer. (it was flooded). Learned how to help the flooding, dealer started it riproaring. Hubby came home, cut up one tree. Can't start it again. Did what the dealer said to do if it flooded, looked at the sparkplug (seems fine). Hubby will not go back to the dealer, says he is "divorced" from this chainsaw. I am not a strong woman (muscular like) and can't get it to start. I will have to "marry" this chainsaw.....cause otherwise this wood will not be cut, not to mention the wood for the future.......any hints?

[Sawmill Jim]

Some of us don't go with the rules i drop start most saws . Put it on choke put till it hits take choke off hold wide open pull rope . I don buy chains from a dealer they are nuts on price .

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by dngrous

Would the above-mentioned Stihl and Husky saws be adequate for clearing 5-10 acres of land, lightly wooded?
Beyond that, I'd only need to use it for leveling the tops of 4x4 posts, trimming brush, and possibly a few other trees on other sites. If I ever decided to heat with wood, that would be a whole nother saw.

Yes if the bar is long enough to cut the trees. If not then you need a longer bar. If all the trees are 16 inch or less at the but you can do it with no problem any wider will take some experiance to fell. Before you start look at teh farm store and see if their is a chainsaw class you can take. They will teach you how to fell a tree and take care of your chain saw.

[davel745]

Momtomany

My Stihl is tricky to start.

If it is warn then it doesn’t need to be choked. I have learned to tell how warm the power head is by feeling it with my hand near the muffler. If it is warm but not hot it will start without choking, if it is cool then choke it till it pops. Note the choke on the farm boss is sort of funny and takes some getting used to.

Can you put your foot in the throttle handle? If s it will help pulling the rope.

When the saw is cold I put it on full choke and it takes 6 to 10 pulls to get it to pop.

Then set the choke on the next highest detent saw should start on 2nd pull. If it starts and quits make sure choke is set on the detent just above full choke. Because if the trigger is pulled the choke automatically sets to the run position. Pull again and it should start.

My saw floods real easy and it is a pain to get it to run. What I do is remove the spark plug and heat the plug with a propane torch. Caution only heat the plug enough to get it hot. Just a little heat goes a long way here. Using the plug removal tool or a plug socket put the plug back in place and set the choke to the detent above the full choke position and it should start in a few pulls.

Chain saws are made with high performance motors and are sort of finicky. Using a chain saw and keeping it running and sharp is a very high skill set that takes time to learn well. I second Old Vets suggestion about taking a chain saw course if one is available. Find some one who can help you get started.

Get a set of chaps it will save your life.

Apologize for being long winded.

Best Regards

Dave

[Big Dave]

momtomany
Go Back to your dealer. They want to help. Mine gave me a video when I first started. Get the chaps, safety gogles and some ear plugs . Go to the feed store and hire a teen that wanting to work if you need a hand.You can do it.

retire2$
I own a stihl and have had many home saw's. The best product on the market in my humble opinion are the stihl products.

[tyusclan]

I think German-made Stihls and and Swedish-made Husqvarnas are very good saws.

I will NOT buy anything made by anybody that's rated as "homeowner" or "occasional" use. They are made cheaply to compete with the Poulan and Homelite market. For anyone who uses them more than a few minutes a month they simply will not hold up.

You will NOT be happy with a homeowner grade saw. Pay a little more and get the mid-grade at the very least. I prefer the professional grade saws, but I use a saw a lot.