I need chainsaw recommendations (Stihl)

[crazytenn]

I have had several models of Husqvarna and have been quite displeased with their performance. The next homestead saw I get will likely be a Stihl. I want a professional grade saw that can take lots of work and have the torque to quickly cut through large oak trees.

I don't care if it's heavy, vibrates, kicks back, or expensive. I want one that performs and not some commercial grade saw that cuts slow and is intended for men with soft hands and no upper body strength, which is apparently what a lot of the newer saws seem marketed toward.

I have no reservations on bar length, but I don't really need anything longer than 20".

Thanks for any advice on which model and where to buy.

[Conhntr]

Ms362, i got a ms290 (homeowner grade) and am realy thinking about upgrading. Either that or switching to a 16-18" bar the 290 cant really handle the 20" on it now. If its bitting more than 14-15" of wood even sharp blade and no pinching it stalls out. Pretty disappointing espicially for a 12lb saw!! Seriously considering getting a 362 or would go 261 if 16" is all the bar i needed

[Darren]

M367 or whatever replaced it.

[Lake-Effect]

Fwiw, i baught a used MS361 7 yrs ago and this little thing is a beast. It came with a 20" bar but i have since switched to a 16", zips right along .

[biggkidd]

If you really want a strong saw check out a Dolmar PS7900 or PS9100. I have a 7900 its 6.3 hp and will take any bar you choose to put on it up to 72" I think. Beware it weighs over 20 lbs. and turns around 13,000 rpm. Echo also makes a good large strong saw. I work in a small engine shop and we work on lots of Stihl, and Hus. only one Echo since I've been there and two or three Dolmar more poulan than all the others combined.

Hope this helps
Larry
A World Away

[jwal10]

Oak is a very hard wood especially if the trees have been dead for a while. Get a big saw and put a shorter bar on it. The chain is heavier, too. I would get a MS441 or MS461, they are what the loggers use here and we are in big timber country....James

[redrex]

Might try a drop tooth chain , kick back is tough, but talk about bite, you got it.

[DaleK]

I have an MS 441 and a 461, the 461 would be a bit oversized, 441 just about right.

[Jolly]

I've got a 290, and while it's a decent saw, I wish I would have spent more money and moved up to a 441.

[Forty Acres]

Just so you will know, the current pro stihl saws have a white rear handle. The homeowner series saws have an orange rear handle. It makes the better Stihl saws a bit easier to spot...

[tinknal]

I used to be stuck on Sthil until Cabin Fever convinced me to give Jonsered a try. Bought one last fall and I'm still very happy with it. Of course the real test will be if I still love it in 10 years. I feel that it is a similar value to Sthil at a much lower price.

[Badger]

I have a Stihl 038 AV Super that I cut Hickory and oak with. It's over 15 years old and It will cut through anything. I'm about 1/2 way through my second spool of chain and this saw still performs like new. Keep em clean, oiled, and fresh air filter every year, blow them out every time you use it, and they will last for years. I just replaced a 20 year old Stihl weedeater and a 22 year old leaf blower this year.
Get the commercial grade, I'm really impressed with the new blower (a 650).

[LostMontanan]

If I could only have one saw (which is a matter of craziness in my opinion... I have 7)I would buy a Stihl 660 Magnum with the 36" bar, then I would buy an extra 20" bar for bucking up the little stuff... That saws rips through anything and isnt so heavy you cant work with it all day...

Best of luck!

[greg_n_ga]

Originally Posted by Forty Acres

Just so you will know, the current pro stihl saws have a white rear handle. The homeowner series saws have an orange rear handle. It makes the better Stihl saws a bit easier to spot...

This is good info to have !! Where would one find this info on other brands for the ops FYI ??

[Forty Acres]

Originally Posted by greg_n_ga

This is good info to have !! Where would one find this info on other brands for the ops FYI ??

Don't know. All I have are Stihls.

[swamp man]

Originally Posted by redrex

Might try a drop tooth chain , kick back is tough, but talk about bite, you got it.

Solid advice right there.
I run Stihl saws, but I aint crazy about their factory chains. I open up the teeth a little, flat-file the rakers, and it turns a saw into a chip-flingin', tree-hatin' son of a gun! On the downside, it'll bite you with even the smallest tactical error.
I've run some Jonsereds and Redmaxs that were real good saws, too.

[jwal10]

Originally Posted by swamp man

Solid advice right there.
I run Stihl saws, but I aint crazy about their factory chains. I open up the teeth a little, flat-file the rakers, and it turns a saw into a chip-flingin', tree-hatin' son of a gun! On the downside, it'll bite you with even the smallest tactical error.
I've run some Jonsereds and Redmaxs that were real good saws, too.

This is all well and good but make sure the saw has enough power. As I said before a MS 461 is my choice, more power with little more weight AND a size or 2 shorter bar. I CAN run a 36" bar and chain IF I have to but much prefer a couple inches bigger than the wood I am cutting....James

[wannalive]

and remember, a lot of the trouble ppl have with chainsaws is, actually the chains fault.. not the saw

[1shotwade]

I posted this in another thread. It applies. Also I would add,the huskys with two digit model numbers are great. They are older. I have a 77 that was built in 1955 and still going strong. I also have or have har the 50,55 61,66 and a 45. No complaints except people steal them.

Seems we have a lot of different viewpoints here so I'll go into a little more detail.
I tried stihl way back when for my landscaping bus. They were the only ones that had a variety of attachments and were building commercial units.Back then they had what they called a "cube" carburetor.Every stihl I had was in and out of the shop so much I got rid of them.I went to echo for trimmers and I still have one I bought in the late 70s. I bought a larger one 4 years ago and it lasted 2 years. My son had a stihl that I used and found out they were a lot better now so I bought one and haven't had a problem with it for these 2 years. I also found out that I don't have to spend so much time clearing the trimmed head of wrapped around grass and weeds like I did with the echo.
Sometimes you don't realize There's something better out there.
I don't think people understand what has happened to brand names over the last few years. This is what I have been told by many people and I believe it because it has happened to me with more than one product.The big box stores make such large purchases from manufactures that they actually talk them into building a cheaper product and leaving their name on it. I know that the huskvarna,john deer,reese hitches fram filters are of a different quality,at least from my own experiences.
Basically if you want a product that is going to live up to it's reputation you can not buy it through a big box store like walmart or lowes or any other.Every time you do you are taking a chance.One good example it john deer. The box store john deer models start with "LA". lift the seat and the sticker says"manufactured by MTD ".You are buying an MTD with a John Deere paint job.The choice is yours and it's a hard one so make it carefully. I hate spending big bucks on some of this stuff but you can either spend it on the produce or on the maintenance,repair or replacement of that product.
Hope this help y'all.

Wade

[MattyNJ1]

Stihl MS441....power when you need it....and you WILL need it.
i have it with 18 & 24" bars...i call it the Beast!.