[slipshod]

What kind of chain saws do you guys like best.I have three that I use a lot. In 1969 I bought a Homelite Super XL automatic,and I added a manual chain oiler (it was an option) and bucking spikes .I still use this saw a lot. Over the years it had had 3 spark plugs,a new reed plate,starter cord one time,and last year I replaced the clutch.
In 1999 I bought a Stihl .029 farm boss with a 20 inch bar.The choke linkage broke on it when it was a week old.No other problems in three years that I have owned it.
Last year I bought a husky 385 Pro model saw.It has all the bells and whistles,including decompression lever,to make it easier to start,and a 30" bar.
My Homelite is used to limb with and most work where there is a good chance that I could get in the dirt.The Stihl is my work horse,it is well balanced and if I am cutting chunk wood and the trees are not huge,it is the one I use.For raw power I use the husky.will also use it to chunk with.
Overall I am sentimentally attatched to the Homelite,most productive cutting chunks on the ground with the Stihl,and usually use the Husky to drop trees with.
The two things that make your chain saw experience a positive one are keeping the saw sharp and running right.

 

[DeereBob]

I have an McCullogh Timberbear with a 20" that's over 10 years old which has always been hard to start. I also have an older Craftsman with an 18" bar which I haven't used for more than 5 years and am not sure I can get it started anymore. I am thinking about getting either a Stihl or John Deere to replace both my saws and would be looking for some advice on any other candidates. I've heard that Stihl saws are one of the best if not the best but that's the extent of my knowledge. I am not interested in anything smaller than my Timberbear since I like the power it provides.

 

[johndeere]

I bought my first chainsaw in July.It is just a cheap 16'' model the manual saids for ''occasinal use only'' on the front cover.But it does what I want it to do.I seldome need a chainsaw but when I do it is there.I start is from time to time to keep it excersided.

 

[slipshod]

a lot

I find that I use a chain saw far more then I used to .I keep my Stihl handy when I run my saw mill.There are always burls from branches that have to be flattened so the log rides on the table as flat as possible.With my site prep busines I bring home a bunch of logs.Before I bought my mill I would cut everything to firewood length and sell it bulk unsplit.Now I salvage in log lengths,8'6" to 32'.The rough cut lumber I produce sells well.
If there is metal imbedded in the tree the most it will cost me is a $20.00 blade.Most times I feel it and only dull the blade,sharpening costs $5.00.
With the price of heating our homes,I have a hard time keeping a pile of firewood around for long.

 

[Argee]

I have a Mac Farm & Ranch with an 18" bar that has never oiled properly, plus it's heavy. After toasting a couple of bars I replaced it with a Stihl 021 that I absolutely love. I'm a light user, so it's plenty enough saw for me.

 

[memmurphy]

I'm still using a Homelite XL2 my father bought around 1972. I changed the bar, 3 chains and 3 or 4 plugs since. I've cut up lots of pallets, cut down several small trees into firewood, and a lot of shrubs and trimming with it. I clean out the muffler and the dirt from the fins every couple of years. It just keeps running.

Mark

 

[Ingersoll444]

I also have an old Homelite superXL auto. I got it from my dad, and he got it sometime in the late 70's. The thing is a monster. Two years ago I moved up to a 20" bar, from an 18, and I like it eaven more.

Also have a Sears 18" saw. Nice and light, and has all the safty stuff. I use that for triming, and my wife uses it when she is helping me out.

 

[guest]

ive got a husky... Ive abused it for 5 years now and its held up well...

I basically learned how to cut trees by jamming it in the tree trunks or having the bar get hung up in a tree that did not quite fall right....

But its done pretty well always starts up, ive had to sharpen the blades and replace the bar but thats been my fault...

 

[Stewart]

Stihl 025 that I bought last year. It cuts great, and have had no problems. We have used it quit a bit to get thing cleaned up on our 2.5 acres.

 

[Ed_GT5000]

I have three junkers, I would like to buy a good one someday. The ones I have are an old craftsman 16", a macullogh 14", and an old John Deere 20". All run but all have issues.

The John Deere:
<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=337371de-5a4a-7425-3cdf-712b3359ee3f&size=>

 

[Greg]

Today I got a Stihl MS250C with an 18" bar.

250C

<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=96c34ddf-40a5-4b5c-8cd4-1c4945994f17&size=>


Last night we lost 2 large limbs of a tree that looks like it might be half dead, so I'm having that one cut down. I would it myself but if it went the wrong way it would go through the new extension our neighbor put on their house. I will buck it up myself.

I have at least 2 more trees that I am going to fall myself with the new saw, as well as all the bucking and trimming on other trees.

I looked at both the 250C and the Farm Boss but went for the 250 for the lighter weight. I also got a pair of cutting "chaps" and a case kit with case, blade cover, extra chain and a hat!

I think the 250C is going to work out well for my needs and looking forward to start cutting.

Greg

 

[DeereBob]

Greg,
How much did you have to pay for the Stihl 250C compared with the Farm Boss?

 

[Greg]

DeereBob,

Both the 250C and the Farm Boss were $349 retail. The 250C was $329 two weeks ago and Stihl raised the price (I don't remember the old price of the Farm Boss).

My salesman gave me near the old price and a discount on the chaps. The case kit was on "special" at $25.

Greg

 

[PeteNM]

I've got several big saws from my logging and sawmill days. I don't use them much anymore except for cutting firewood from LARGE trees, at least two feet through or more. I have a couple Homelites, 2 McCullogh's, 1 Stihl and one Poulan. I don't have any favorites except for some are better for the job at hand. I like them all when they work and hate them when they don't.

I bought a small cheap McCullogh last summer for cutting small limbs from fruit trees. It's light and can be used with one hand. It always starts easy but the auto chain oiler uses to much oil. I'd rather have the manual pump so I can tell when it's out of oil and working properly....

 

[red-n-green]

Husky 350

I use a husky 350, and it has been well used at that. It only has an 18" bar but does pretty much anything I need it for. It's used for everything from felling trees to taking on my annual hunting trip to Colorado to clean trails and cut firewood. It has been run over, beat-up, And rolled down the mountain with a 4-wheeler attached to it and just keeps going.

Jay

 

[leolav]

I have a Stihl 025 that has cut a crapload of firewood. Only problem I have had is that I still have to split the firewood after I cut it.

I absolutely love this machine ($235+ tax)

Have used it heavily for three+ years and have had no issues.

 

[slipshod]

Greg

Use that saw,it is too clean and all the paint is perfect.

 

[leolav]

Especially the bar. If that ain't looked like it been used, it should be used more. My bar barely has any original paint left on it, but it still operates perfectly.

Nothing like a sharp chain cutting through firewood like butter.

 

[Greg]

It's gonna get ugly quick!

Got the saw yesterday morning, had a pro fell 5 trees (2 hemlock, 1 maple and 2 alder) for me yesterday afternoon.

2 Hemlock
<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=2d1b7ca4-3049-38ec-29df-636218893617&size=>

1 Alder
<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=1d3051ab-3739-4d6d-7566-1b1362c4485c&size=>

Went over the saw with my salesman, read the manual and several good threads on the net.

Got safety glasses, chaps, hard toe leather boots, helmet (Husky), ear protection. leather gloves, talked to my wife about safety and an emergency contingency plan. Going to start with the smaller stuff and work up slow and steady. No rush.


I'll be posting more pics on a new project thread and maybe a review of the MS250C later.

Wish me luck..

Greg

 

[guest]

i think the chaps.. however goofy they may seem to wear are the best investment.. for 50 or 70$ one time could save you a leg or a good gash