Chainsaw recommendations please....

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webfors

webfors

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looking to buy a chainsaw for personal use. I have a forested lot up north that I'm going to clear some space on for a cottage, and use the wood here at home.

I think a 16inch saw will do me fine. I'm more concerned about reliability, easy of start, ergonomics, and how balanced the saw is from a 'fatigue' factor.

Budget, around $300.
 
If you can swing a 300 series Husky that would be great. I've only used a Stihl for a day and it was a fantastic experience. The homeowner or farm grade (200 and 400) series Husqvarna would probably get it done with ease, but since I'm spending your money the 300 series is worth the extra.

Whatever you buy consider a local dealer. If you have a good dealer than either would work, as would a Jonsered.
 
Originally Posted By: skellyman
Stihl or Husqvarna would be my choices.


What about model numbers? One thing I've learned over the years is that every brand has their budget line, some of which perform poorly.

So far I've got Husqvarna on the brain, a result from positive online reviews.
 
Originally Posted By: bepperb
If you can swing a 300 series Husky that would be great. I've only used a Stihl for a day and it was a fantastic experience. The homeowner or farm grade (200 and 400) series Husqvarna would probably get it done with ease, but since I'm spending your money the 300 series is worth the extra.

Whatever you buy consider a local dealer. If you have a good dealer than either would work, as would a Jonsered.


Not sure you can get a 300 series for $300.

I have read a few times that a good trustworthy local dealer is the way to go. I was looking at buying across the border since prices are much better.
 
I never liked how much plastic the Hasqvarna had. The choke and stop/start which seemed especially flimsy. I also didn't like the vibration system; it works well but there is a fair amount of 'play' between the handle.

Stihl and Echo (USA or Japan) are much better machines.

For clearing part of a forest, I wouldn't recommend a 16" bar.
 
Originally Posted By: skellyman
Stihl or Husqvarna would be my choices.


+1

I still LOVE my Stihl chainsaw after about 5 years.

I also love my Echo power tools, but I've never used one of their chainsaws and don't see them recommended as strongly as Stihl and Husqvarna. I'd be tempted if the price were right, Echo obviously don't build total junk like some other brands... Poulan. :-/
 
Originally Posted By: webfors

What about model numbers? One thing I've learned over the years is that every brand has their budget line, some of which perform poorly.

So far I've got Husqvarna on the brain, a result from positive online reviews.


I think the model will depend a lot on what you are comfortable handling and how flexible your budget is. It is tough for us to judge what features are important to you.

You should take the Husqvarna reviews with a grain of salt. Most of the people posting those reviews either have very little experience with saws or they just moved up from a Wild Thing.
 
This should do the job:

16HPChainSaw.jpg


lol.gif


My dad has a Jonsered which I believe is made by Husqvarna, and he loves it. You can't really go wrong with a Husky or Stihl.
 
I have a Husk 445 my son has a Stihl not sure what model but it's big has 2 bars for it a 24 in. an a 16 in.
We can cut any size tree between the 2 saws.
 
I bought a Husqvarna 350 at Lowes about 5 years ago. Its got an 18" bar and a 50cc engine.

It fits all your requirements. Its light,very easy to start,and comfortable to run for hours if needed.

Husqvarna describes it as a homeowner saw and not a professional saw. Thats fine. I didn't want a big,heavy saw anyways. Cutting 2-3 cords per year,this thing will probably be running great long after I'm done cutting firewood.

My local Lowes sells a 16" Husky for $269 and the 18" for $299
 
Another husky recommendation. Just don't get a cheap one from a big box store. Might want to look at a few pawn shops to pick up a good condition saw for a good price.
 
Originally Posted By: webfors
looking to buy a chainsaw for personal use. I have a forested lot up north that I'm going to clear some space on for a cottage, and use the wood here at home.

I think a 16inch saw will do me fine. I'm more concerned about reliability, easy of start, ergonomics, and how balanced the saw is from a 'fatigue' factor.

Budget, around $300.

Do you like good tools? A $300 saw will cut wood, but for $5-600 you can have a faster,lighter, longer lasting one. If you are going to do a couple cords of firewood in a weekend, you will be a bit frustrated by a cheap saw if you ever see a good one run.... Sawing up 16" sugar maple is a joy with a good saw or chore with a cheap saw.
That said, we all have our financial priorities, in the $300 range I'd stick with Stihl or Echo, the 240 husky is a Poulan (Electrolux owns Husky and Poulan now)so don't pay extra for that one...
A tip is to look at the EPA stickers and how long the saw is supposed to stay in compliance. Some saws are rated for 50hrs, but I believe some of the Stihls and Echos in your price range have the 150hr rating. I had a husky 141 and it basically lasted the 50hrs it was rated for... I kick my self for not buying a 346xp as it would have lasted for my usage for decades just like my 372xp will.
 
Originally Posted By: skellyman
Stihl or Husqvarna would be my choices.


For sure. Visit the dealer and find the best one for $300. Pick them up. It's important to find one you're comfortable with.
 
I like the Husqvarna conventional saws, with a full chisel chain.

I have a 345 (45cc) and a 346XP (50cc, not the one with the cat) . Both are excellent saws, but the 346XP is the high quality and hot rod of the two. It flat out rips through wood, has adjustable oiling and better components.

The classic Husq 350 is one of my all time favorites too. It's inexpensive, very powerful, very long lived, lightweight and will do it all. You can find them cheaply. Same engine as my 346XP!
 
Last edited:
Maybe I should have been more clear. Husqvarna has four ranges of saws. 300 and 500 are pro saws with the lowest of 300's maybe coming in around the OP's budget if he can get a last year/demo model/clearance sale.... or can stomach another 50~100 bucks.

The 200 series saws I don't think are as bad as a Poulan but could well share parts and maybe aren't worth the premium over a poulan.

The 400 series used to be farm/ranch and now just marketed as the high end homeowner saws and are probably what I would look for given 300 bucks to deal with.

But find a local dealer. You'll probably pay the same as you would at Home Depot but they will service you if you have a problem after the sale (HD will tell you to go to a dealer who might not be so keen to help you for free). And ideally they would tune it when you pick it up so it's good to go, and show you how to file the chain (or offer a sharpening service).

Lastly, I loathe recommendations for premium gas in OPE, but in a 2cycle and especially a chainsaw even I think it makes sense. Buy a chain file and guide and learn to use it. It's not hard, it doesn't take long, you should be doing it every couple hours at least.
 
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