Chainsaw

[45fan]

I wont knock the Stihl crowd here, they are great saws. I learned to cut wood with one, and it was a good saw.

What I will probably catch flak for here though, I run Pulan saws. I have a little 14" pulan that has been a champ for the 10 years that I have had it. Will start up second pull today if I pulled it out. I also have a 18" and 20" pulan, with them being the PRO variety. All of these have been stellar for me, and about 1/2-1/3 the cost of a stihl of comparable size.

I wouldnt recommend running one all day non stop, but for what I need, Pulan saws have been great, and less expensive than the other options. I kinda think of them as the Taurus of the chainsaw world.

 

[Libertarian01]

To Aejsl,

I have a Stihl and it is a great saw.

This last fall a friend needed some moderate cutting done in his back yard and was willing to pay for it so I got it done. The biggest thing I noticed is that no matter how good the saw is the BLADE needs to be sharp! I bought an extra blade and did three (3) sharpening before all was done.

The saw only carries you so far - it is the sharp blade that cuts the wood!

Regards,

Doug

 

[bacon#1]

Always had good luck with Husqvarna.

 

[KDUBCR250]

I use a saw everyday it's part of my job. Had the same 361 for 3yrs and like I said it gets used everyday for multiple hrs at a time. Go Stihl and you will not regret it.

 

[Hammer]

KDUB, you do not use a saw, you abuse them compared to what a homeowner can ever put them through.

One think to keep in mind with buying off brand saws is, Do you have a local dealer? It will break and that is where you will need to get parts for it.

 

[LEaSH]

Spare bar, spare chain, safety equipment, ear pro, eye pro, real boots, and realistic pants. Wouldnt hurt a thing to keep some 1st aid supplies with your gear.

You already know how fast a sharp strong saw will rip green wood. It can do a nasty to flesh and bone just as fast.

 

[KDUBCR250]

KDUB, you do not use a saw, you abuse them compared to what a homeowner can ever put them through.

One think to keep in mind with buying off brand saws is, Do you have a local dealer? It will break and that is where you will need to get parts for it.

 

[nra4ever]

Stihl farm boss here. So I say go stihl. I also have an echo cs-330 because I didn't want to pay the stihl price. Then do you and your family a big favor and get some good Kevlar chaps and the helmet with the mesh screen and hearing protection. Also be sure to wear your safety gear each and every time you use your saw! Even if you just going to cut 1 limb.

 

[ruger1800]

Have 5 stihls 1 husky, stihls seem better balanced, husky feels awkward, but cuts just as well. Like someone else said the faster the chain spins the less time you will spend cutting, will also use much less fuel.

 

[MontereyC6]

You already know how fast a sharp strong saw will rip green wood. It can do a nasty to flesh and bone just as fast.

I have the scar on my left hand to prove this.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Spend more money and get a pro saw from husky or stihl and dont use gas with ethanol and it will be something you can pass on to your kids.

I use my late grandpa's Stihl 032 which is as strong as ever.

 

[nickf2005]

Stihl or Husqvarna... My dad has been cutting wood for 30 years and swears by Stihl. He has recently came around to Husqvarna after using one my cousin bought, but if he had to choose... I'm sure he'd grab the Stihl in a heartbeat. I will probably end up getting a Husqvarna Rancher 455 due to a family friend getting me a discount. Will be building a house on 7 acres of woods and will need a reliable saw to clean things up.

HUSQVARNA 455 Rancher - Chainsaws

 

[45fan]

Stihl or Husqvarna... My dad has been cutting wood for 30 years and swears by Stihl. He has recently came around to Husqvarna after using one my cousin bought, but if he had to choose... I'm sure he'd grab the Stihl in a heartbeat. I will probably end up getting a Husqvarna Rancher 455 due to a family friend getting me a discount. Will be building a house on 7 acres of woods and will need a reliable saw to clean things up.

HUSQVARNA 455 Rancher - Chainsaws

Since it seems that nobody has put them together, Pulan saws are made by Husqvarna. The PRO line is almost identical to the ranch hand series, the biggest difference I have found is Pulan Pro saws are typically a cc or 2 smaller than the comparable Husky with the same bar length. same design, same factories put them out. My dad recently bought a Husky the same bar length as my pulan pro 20", and side by side, the biggest differences are the color of the case, and the $100 price difference. Seems that the chains are a bit priceier too.

I understand that someone who runs a saw every day for hours on end needs a quality saw that will take the abuse, and have a service network that is easy to access. Those of us that only cut 15-20 ricks a year to keep the house warm dont need to spend $500+ on a chainsaw to get the job done.

 

[Slawburger]

I recommend Stihl. I bought one over 15 years ago and it still runs like new. I don't use a chainsaw as much as some of you but it does a great job if I keep the blade sharp and the sparkplug clean.

 

[ghitch75]

get a older Husky 55.......use 3/8 lowpro chain.......great all around trim and firewood saw.....Husky's are easier to work on and get parts for than Stihl's......will make more HP with modds than Stihl's too....i have Husky's for 36cc to 94cc 14" to 36".......come down if you want to try one....

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I hear that it's possible to get ethanol-free gasoline at small airports. Does anybody know if that is true?

 

[indygunguy]

I just paid 459 for a stihl farm boss with 20" bar, carry case, case of 2 cycle oil, bottle of bar oil, and a sharpening file. This is new with a two year warranty.

Me too. Exactly this. You get a lot for that $459.

I used to use Craftsman chainsaws. In my experience the Craftsman saws are junk.

 

[IndyGunworks]

I believe the greenfield COOP has ethanol free gasoline. Its supposed to be about 50 cents higher from what i am told. If thats the case being ethanol free it should last a few years with some stabil.... i plan on getting about 20 gallons of the stuff and premixing it for my 2 cycle equipment.

 

[longbarrel]

I hear that it's possible to get ethanol-free gasoline at small airports. Does anybody know if that is true?

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[Cameramonkey]

Spend more money and get a pro saw from husky or stihl and dont use gas with ethanol and it will be something you can pass on to your kids.

I am living proof of this. Got my dads 028OHV and it runs like a champ. Just had to get new oil and fuel line seals. Not bad for a saw old enough that it says "made in west Germany".

Oh oh and it ALWAYS starts on the first or second pull.