I love my new chain saw

danielsumner · #1 09/23/12, 07:25 PM

I love my new chain saw. I have a Homelite 16 inch that is just horrible. IF and that is IF I could get it started, it would only run about 10 minutes before it cut off for good. Had it serviced a couple of times, guy got it working but it would not last long. Local man has a store where he sells a bit of everything, went in last week and looked around. There on a bench were several chain saws. I was looking and pondering whether or not to get one. He showed me the ones not to buy, and then recommended the Poulan 18-Inch 40cc. Said if I didn’t like it to just bring it back. Paid my $140 and took it home. Oil and Gas, pushed the primer bulb 6 times like the directions said, pulled out the choke, pulled cord three times, push in choke and it was like magic, one pull and it started. I have used it for a few days now, and it starts right away. Cuts even red oak easily. I’m so happy, Sherwood Forest is now shrinking and my arm and shoulder no long hurts from jerking on the darn cord of the homelite.

TnAndy · #2 09/23/12, 07:31 PM

If you ever get ahold of a Huskvarna or a Sthil, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven compared to that Poland.

rancher1913 · #3 09/23/12, 08:55 PM

2nd the sthil but the huskys are only good as a boat anchor. the older huskys were good but the new ones are plain crap. the poulan is a good low end saw and will last for several years for a homeowner, the one trick I learned with the poulans is to replace the 18 inch bar with a 16 inch bar and they cut better.

andyd2023 · #4 09/23/12, 09:57 PM

I second what TnAndy and rancher1913 said. I have a Echo cs305 14" that I have had for 6 years pump the bulb and it kicks off every time. Have cut a lot of firewood with it. This year I bought a Sthil Farmboss 20" saw. It works wonderfully when I have big stuff to cut ( 36 inch Oaks) but it is still new. The cheap consumer saws never last long. When you get money ahead look for a Echo or Sthil They are worth the extra money.

lonelytree · #5 09/23/12, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancher1913

2nd the sthil but the huskys are only good as a boat anchor. the older huskys were good but the new ones are plain crap. the poulan is a good low end saw and will last for several years for a homeowner, the one trick I learned with the poulans is to replace the 18 inch bar with a 16 inch bar and they cut better.

Almost every tree crew in AK runs Husky. I have a new 562 XP and several others. No real problems with the Pro series saws. Only 1 Stihl and it was purchased due to the price. A little MS170. Sweet little saw. The climbers don't like the top handle saws. Echo made some nice saws. John Deere saws were Echo for several years. John Deere saws are EFCO now and are pretty sweet.

Big Dave · #6 09/23/12, 11:42 PM

Had my stihl for 20 years. Still starts on at least the third pull.

texican · #7 09/23/12, 11:52 PM

Nothing wrong with Poulans... if you don't use your saw regularly. I've had several, and thought of them as disposable saws.... use em and expect em to die early. Like TnAndy said, get a Stihl or Husky and you'll never go back. You can get a Stihl for around 160...

My first Stihl that I'd had for 19 years sorta died when I rolled it on a tree... it would still crank, but the blade is at a 45 degree angle. Went that same day and bought another one.

side note... my local butcher gave me a Stihl 031AV... he said he couldn't crank it... I pulled and it won't crank... but haven't had a chance to take it apart yet! [cue Carly Simon:] Anticipation...

Plowpoint · #8 09/24/12, 03:15 AM

I have never had good luck with Husquvarna. I had a few of their bigger saws, the 372 series and they would last about 9 months then huff a piston. That is no good. I asked my local dealer who sold both Stihl and Husky and he said it was because Huskies have only one ring on their pistons where as Stihl have two. Because of this the huskies turn up faster (more RPM's) since they have less drag, but they also get more blow by and heat down in the crank.

Overall I have had good luck with Stihl. The 046 I have now was bought in 1994 and just keeps running despite having a rough life. I have been thinking about replacing it, but that is a $950 dollar option, where as the Husky is only $665. I would go with the Husky, because that is a significant savings, BUT I just know I would hate the saw...and experience has shown the thing would not last...but seriously $950 for a chainsaw...ouch!

pheasantplucker · #9 09/24/12, 05:39 AM

My first saw was a Homelite. Mine was worthless. Will never have another. Second saw was a Poulan. I absolutely "baby" my saws. I am picky about this. My Poulan quit working after about using it only thirty or forty times...(course the time it died, was after the warranty expired). I bought a Husquavarna. It's been a really good saw going on about five years now. Last Friday, I just bought a house from a 90 year old man who has moved to a condo. He left me (among other stuff) a nice Stihl Farm Boss chain saw...Yahoo!

greg_n_ga · #10 09/24/12, 06:07 AM

But as with all of them, the stihl and husky folks sell a "home owner" model saw. You want to go big CC say any thing above the 290 in the stihl. The bigger saws are built better. I bought a 290 stihl for a second, lighter saw to have as extra when in the wooods cuttin fire wood. Even the best are gona hang one from tiome to time. Had to replace the crank cord assbly. The dealer told me the saws above this model are the better built ones to with stand constent daily use.

bearME · #11 09/24/12, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancher1913

2nd the sthil but the huskys are only good as a boat anchor. the older huskys were good but the new ones are plain crap. the poulan is a good low end saw and will last for several years for a homeowner, the one trick I learned with the poulans is to replace the 18 inch bar with a 16 inch bar and they cut better.

All I run are Husqvarna. They make a great professional line of saws. I have never had any out of the norm issues with any of my saws. The Husqvarna saws you buy at the box store aren't Husky saws. They just have the name. Two complete different animals.

dsljim · #12 09/24/12, 07:43 AM

Only saw we had growing up was a 5-30 homelite 5 horsepower 30 inch bar,belt drive,steel cable for the rip chord, still runs and cuts, I'm 50 and it seemed old when I was a kid.
Bought my first Stihl in 1980, 041 farm boss,a logger trade in, still runs great. Paid $175, their bringing more than that on ebay all the time,these things are selling for more than they cost brand new.

badlander · #13 09/24/12, 07:54 AM

First saw was a Homelite. Lived up to it's reputation of being short lived and a piece of junk. No wonder the company went out of business. Second was a Poulan Wild Thang. Good for light use but now won't idle and nobody can seem to figure out why. We suspect a blocked jet somewhere and the clutch may be going out. Like I said, not the saw of choice for heavy wood chaining. Third saw is a Stihl that we found in a local Amish Repair and Supply shop. We paid 250 for it but it has been worth every penny. It's into its second season with us and has been completely dependable.Starts on about the third pull. Still has the original chain on it.

One thing we learned is not to buy the local hardware store chains for a chain saw. We have found that the quality of the chains out there can vary tremendously. The one that is on the Stihl has chewed it's way through hickory and hedge without complaint and seems to hold the edge better than the generic chain on the Poulan. Always look for the forester (professional) grade chains.

**Cabin Fever** · #14 09/24/12, 08:17 AM

Only saws I ever have owned are Jonsered. Great Swedish-made saws.

greg_n_ga · #15 09/24/12, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Only saws I ever have owned are Jonsered. Great Swedish-made saws.

Great saw !! Don't where to get them around here. Light and will turn some RPM's !!

ronbre · #16 09/24/12, 10:11 AM

very happy for you..I know how hard it is to fill a woodshed

I'm buying the one that I tested this spring, when I can get the $ together for it..it is a good saw for a gal who isn't techy or mechy..

I used it for 2 weeks, a battery oregon with powersharp..sweeeeeeet...will buy it next spring

Paul Wheaton · #17 09/24/12, 12:19 PM

A matter of personal preference: I like my electric chain saw best. Sure, the cord is a hassle, and I need to buzz out to the woods with a portable electric source, but it starts every time and runs really quiet.

badlander · #18 09/24/12, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Wheaton

A matter of personal preference: I like my electric chain saw best. Sure, the cord is a hassle, and I need to buzz out to the woods with a portable electric source, but it starts every time and runs really quiet.

We cut a lot of old growth hickory and oak. Some of the trunks are 2 ft or larger in diameter. Would an electric pack enough punch for heavy duty work?

Paul Wheaton · #19 09/24/12, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badlander

We cut a lot of old growth hickory and oak. Some of the trunks are 2 ft or larger in diameter. Would an electric pack enough punch for heavy duty work?

My experience is just with two or three electric saws, all of which have been pretty small. But my favorite electric has more power than my stihl 025.

maverickxxx · #20 09/24/12, 05:10 PM

I run huskys I like them better than the stihl I would like to buy a johnsred but don't know where they are sold around me