Craigslist Score! Which Chainsaws Do I Keep?

[buckeyefarms]

So I happened on a pretty good craigslist score yesterday, but now I have some hard decisions to make. I'll start off by saying that I know a little about chainsaws, but I'm sure a lot of you know a whole lot more than I do. So any and all advice is appreciated.

The following are the chainsaws I picked up:

Stihl MS 290 with 18" bar
Stihl MS 260 Pro - needs new pull rope/no bar
Husky 455 Rancher - 20" bar
Husky 142 - 18" bar
Husky 435 x-torq - 16" bar

All of them except for the 260 pro are in good condition and all started with 2 pulls. I also got a bucket full of chains, an extra bar, and other miscellaneous items.

Now, I don't need 5 chainsaws. I was really only looking for one, but this deal sort of fell in my lap. Now that I have them, I think I would like to keep 2 of them and sell the other 3. That's where you guys come in, which 2 to keep??

I would like a saw for limbing and just trimming up brush, etc.. I also would like a saw that I could use for decent tree felling if I need to. Neither will be used a lot, but I'm the type that likes to have things just in case. I've done some basic research on each one, but I would like to get some opinions from some folks that have actually used some of these particular saws.

Be honest and let me know what you would do. Thanks in advance!

[DaleK]

Put a cord on the 260 and try it. If it runs good it should be the best of the bunch. In that case, try it and try the 455 and see which one suits you better from a "feel" point of view and either keep both Stihls or the 455 and 435 depending on which controls and handling you prefer. If it doesn't run well keep the 455 and 435.

[Muskrat]

Now, now. Let's not be hasty here. Are you SURE you don't need 5 chainsaws? I mean, what if you wake up one morning and realize "oh, man, if I only had my nifty saw that I just sold!"? Maybe finding them was a sign. What if you were meant to have five chainsaws.

It's something to ponder.

[Irish Pixie]

We have 3 chain saws, and use them all. We cut 10-12 cords of wood a year though.

[FarmboyBill]

IF you have 5 chainsaws, Your not likely to run all 5 often enough to keep them from gumming up. What about gifting some family members, OR a neighbor that keeps borrowing yours, OR using them for trading?

[mnn2501]

Keep the Huskys. Dump the Stihls

[logbuilder]

I have the 290s older brother, the 029. It has been everything I need, small to large. Very dependable. If you think the 290 is in good shape, keep it.

[sisterpine]

I was gonna say try out the 455 as I have had that one, and while heavy is well balanced and keeps on running like a vw bus

[AmericanStand]

Clean them all up and get them running well.
Then sell them ALL and buy one good one.

[Jlynnp]

Clean them all up get them running good then sell them and buy a Jonsered.

[Jolly]

The 455, the 290 and the 435.

The first two are great farm saws and the last is what you pick up when your arms get tired of using one of the first two.

[idigbeets]

Keep the 290 and 455.

[Riverdale]

They are all junk. Send them to me, I'll dispose of them properly. I'll even pay shipping!

[Michael W. Smith]

No fair. You can't say you got a "score" if you don't state the price you paid.

We don't know if you paid $50.00 or $500.00.

Could you elaborate a little on the "score" you got?!?

[buckeyefarms]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. I knew I would get a lot of interesting comments!

Regarding my score, I only paid $350 for all 5 saws. For me, that's a score... My goal was/is to keep 2 and sell the other 3. I'm pretty sure I should at least be able to make all of my money back, plus have 2 good saws to use.

I'm going to work on the 260 and see how well it runs. Hopefully I can give them all a test drive this week and see which saws I like the best. Heck, I might only end up keeping 1 of them.

[AmericanStand]

Lol once you run one it's way harder to get rid of it

[beenaround]

Originally Posted by mnn2501

Keep the Huskys. Dump the Stihls

funny

Been using a stihl since 1986 to heat with. I've saved at least 2 grand/year in propane for well over 20 and it's still going strong. I like the 455.

I have no doubt the stihl will still be going after I'm in the ground.

Bought a newer MS270 since my boys are able to cut now, the 028 still out cuts it. As a contractor I've bought a lot of tools and buried a lot of tools, stihl is the best I've owned.

Comparing chains, oil and bars of the 2 may shed a different light. Spent a pile on those.

[beenaround]

Originally Posted by idigbeets

Keep the 290 and 455.

xxxx2