I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

When you say Stihl or Husqvarna, that really doesn't say too much. They
both make machines intended for professional, day in and day out use and
machines intended for the folks who cut a little every now and then.
And the prices range all over the map depending on the model and
intended use.

I bought an 18" Shindaiwa 488
(http://www.shindaiwa.com/products/chain_saws/ch488.html). They don't
make a consumer grade of saw. The 488 is the smallest saw they make, is
probably intended mainly for limbing and blows away the consumer grade
Stihl it replaced. The first start in the morning may take 3 or 4 pulls
but from then until the end of the day, one easy pull does it. It clogs
only infrequently when I'm ripping and I can't say that about the
consumer grade Stihl (an 011). The tanks hold at least twice the amount
of fuel and oil that the Stihl held so you need to stop less often.
Chain adjustment is quick and easy.

I guess that the best advice is to get the best saw you can afford.

Bill

Phisherman wrote:
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

I bought an 18" Shindaiwa 488
(http://www.shindaiwa.com/products/chain_saws/ch488.html). They don't
make a consumer grade of saw. The 488 is the smallest saw they make,

I'm confused, the 285s, 300s, 352s, 357, 260, and 377 all looked smaller in
terms of displacement, horsepower, weight, and bar length. Did I miss
something?

steve

"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

I like the Stihl, even the scorned "homeowner" grade. We're wood heated, so
I fell and buck, or lately merely buck about ten full cords per year. That,
and keeping things cleaned up around the home forty constitutes moderate
use. I'm on my second, the first having shorted its magneto after sixteen
years. The numbers have changed twice, but mine's called a "Farm Boss," and
I believe that name's still in use. To pull 16" of chain, get a minimum of
50cc displacement.

The piececutters up here are pretty much all Stihl now. Twenty years ago
mostly Johnsred. Husqvarna is supposed to be a good saw, but I haven't used
more than a couple, and then briefly. What's your closest place sell, and
how's their reputation? That's a big factor.

You can't go wrong with either brand. Just one suggestion here, if you get
a 16" saw, get one that has the hp to handle an 18" bar(or longer) in case
you decide you want a longer one. You won't be sorry. And you probably
will.
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

Steve:

No, you are not confused, I am. Notice that most of those smaller saws
are all marked as new. I didn't look at the page carefully before I
referenced it and they weren't available when I bought the 488.

So, now what? Maybe Shindaiwa is now in the consumer saw business
although they call them professional saws -- I don't know. They
advertise in publications aimed at arborists, not the ones we'd normally
see and maybe that will change. No big box stores either, yet.

I will say, though, that the 488 is one sweet saw although when the bar
gets ratty I'll move up to 20". It comes with Oregon bar and chain so
no problem there.

FYI, I paid around 350 for it.

Bill

Steve Wolfe wrote:
I bought an 18" Shindaiwa 488
(http://www.shindaiwa.com/products/chain_saws/ch488.html). They don't
make a consumer grade of saw. The 488 is the smallest saw they make,


I'm confused, the 285s, 300s, 352s, 357, 260, and 377 all looked smaller in
terms of displacement, horsepower, weight, and bar length. Did I miss
something?

steve

Without exception, all of the timber fallers I have seen here in Oregon
use the Stihl saws. My favorite arborist uses all Husquavarna saws. I
have a Husky with a 24 inch bar that I use as my main chainsaw. I also
have an electric Husky to use inside the shop. It isn't a saw to force,
you have to let it saw at its own speed. Both brands work well for use
and abuse situations.
robo hippy


















George wrote:
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well.
I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

I like the Stihl, even the scorned "homeowner" grade. We're wood
heated, so
I fell and buck, or lately merely buck about ten full cords per year.
That,
and keeping things cleaned up around the home forty constitutes
moderate
use. I'm on my second, the first having shorted its magneto after
sixteen
years. The numbers have changed twice, but mine's called a "Farm
Boss," and
I believe that name's still in use. To pull 16" of chain, get a
minimum of
50cc displacement.

The piececutters up here are pretty much all Stihl now. Twenty years
ago
mostly Johnsred. Husqvarna is supposed to be a good saw, but I
haven't used
more than a couple, and then briefly. What's your closest place
sell, and
how's their reputation? That's a big factor.

Does anyone know who makes Cub Cadet Professional chainsaws? They are sold
though Tractor Supply. They look very well made and heavy-duty. I'm sure
they are made by someone else.

Barry


"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

If you buy from a regular Stihl dealer consider getting the right bar from
the start. Upgrade to the next bar length is quite inexpensive and is a
standard option on all larger saws. The additional cost is maybe 5, 10 or
15 bucks when new as it is just the extra material cost. Stihl ships bare
powerheads without bars anyway, so either way they have to throw a bar on.
One thing is that you shouldn't go too long or your saw won't balance nicely
when carried by the handle.

Derek

"Jim Pugh" wrote in message
...
You can't go wrong with either brand. Just one suggestion here, if you get
a 16" saw, get one that has the hp to handle an 18" bar(or longer) in case
you decide you want a longer one. You won't be sorry. And you probably
will.
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

In article ,
Phisherman wrote:

I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

Choice of brand may be influenced by which (if not both) is carried by
your nearest professional saw shop. In my case, they carried both. In
the old days Jonsereds was also a good brand, though a bit of a heavy
pig, too - haven't seen one recently.

I have an MS290 ("farm boss") lower-end Stihl. Works fine for my use,
got it with an 18 inch bar, can go 16-24 IIRC - cheapest to get the most
bar you want when you buy the saw. It's not a professional saw, but I'm
not a professional sawyer, just a woodturner with 8 acres of trees, and
the pro saws are about twice the money. Worth it if you're sawing 20
hours a week or more, otherwise not, IMHO. I feel that this Stihl is
worth the ~3X price over poulan/craftsman/etc department store saws.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

"Barry N. Turner" wrote:

Does anyone know who makes Cub Cadet Professional chainsaws? They are sold
though Tractor Supply. They look very well made and heavy-duty. I'm sure
they are made by someone else.

Barry

They are made by MTD. See:

http://www.mtdproducts.com/home.jsp

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

I think that Jonsered was bought by Husky.

Bill

Ecnerwal wrote:
In article ,
Phisherman wrote:


I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA


Choice of brand may be influenced by which (if not both) is carried by
your nearest professional saw shop. In my case, they carried both. In
the old days Jonsereds was also a good brand, though a bit of a heavy
pig, too - haven't seen one recently.

I have an MS290 ("farm boss") lower-end Stihl. Works fine for my use,
got it with an 18 inch bar, can go 16-24 IIRC - cheapest to get the most
bar you want when you buy the saw. It's not a professional saw, but I'm
not a professional sawyer, just a woodturner with 8 acres of trees, and
the pro saws are about twice the money. Worth it if you're sawing 20
hours a week or more, otherwise not, IMHO. I feel that this Stihl is
worth the ~3X price over poulan/craftsman/etc department store saws.

I love my Husqvarna Rancher 55. It kicks ass and takes names. No way
do I regret buying it and if I ever have to buy another saw it'll be
another Husky, hands down. I cut over 7 cords of wood last fall with
mine and nary a problem or hint of one incl trunks at 36" thick. It
didn't bog down or stall even once. Mines the 18" but its available w/
a 20" bar too. Both Sears and Lowe's carry them so you might get into a
nice low price war between them - I did and ended up at just over $100
off the normal price. Lowe's also has a nice selection of accessories
and the replacement bars & chains *in stock* for the Husky too, at least
mine does anyway.
John

Phisherman wrote:

I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

MTD? Don't they make a bunch of riding lawnmowers? Somehow knowing that
doesn't make me want to go out and buy a Cub Cadet Commercial chainsaw.
What do you think about these saws? Better to stick with a Stihl or a
Husqvarna?

Barry


"Nova" wrote in message
...
"Barry N. Turner" wrote:

Does anyone know who makes Cub Cadet Professional chainsaws? They are
sold
though Tractor Supply. They look very well made and heavy-duty. I'm
sure
they are made by someone else.

Barry

They are made by MTD. See:

http://www.mtdproducts.com/home.jsp

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

"Barry N. Turner" wrote:

MTD? Don't they make a bunch of riding lawnmowers? Somehow knowing that
doesn't make me want to go out and buy a Cub Cadet Commercial chainsaw.
What do you think about these saws? Better to stick with a Stihl or a
Husqvarna?

Barry

The only MTD equipment I've owned was one of their lawn mowers. I wouldn't
buy another one.

When I was in the market for a chain saw I looked at the Stihls and the
Husqvarnas. I was all set to buy the Husqvarna Rancher 55 until a friend who
was moving found out I was going to get a chain saw. He gave me his Poulan
2250 that he'd used twice. It's no Stihl or Husky but the price was right.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

Funny how money drives a lot of our choices, isn't it?

Barry


"Nova" wrote in message
...
"Barry N. Turner" wrote:

MTD? Don't they make a bunch of riding lawnmowers? Somehow knowing
that
doesn't make me want to go out and buy a Cub Cadet Commercial chainsaw.
What do you think about these saws? Better to stick with a Stihl or a
Husqvarna?

Barry

The only MTD equipment I've owned was one of their lawn mowers. I
wouldn't
buy another one.

When I was in the market for a chain saw I looked at the Stihls and the
Husqvarnas. I was all set to buy the Husqvarna Rancher 55 until a friend
who
was moving found out I was going to get a chain saw. He gave me his
Poulan
2250 that he'd used twice. It's no Stihl or Husky but the price was
right.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

In article ,
Ecnerwal wrote:

I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

Choice of brand may be influenced by which (if not both) is carried by
your nearest professional saw shop. In my case, they carried both. In
the old days Jonsereds was also a good brand, though a bit of a heavy
pig, too - haven't seen one recently.

Absolutely. Make sure there's a local service shop for whatever brand
you buy.

(I've had a Makita dcs540 for several years now and it performs very
well - I'm happy with it.)

--
"Sure we'll have fascism in America, but it'll come disguised
as 100% Americanism." -- Huey P. Long

Both have good quality saws in their lines. I've owned both. Have a slight
preference for the Husky. Though to tell the truth the last four saws I
bought were Poulans. Local dealer is a neighbor just down the street.

D. Mo
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

I got my new Poulan saw last fall.
My friend had some trees to be cut to clear his front view of the River.
When I got there his uncle was there with his new Husky. I fell a little
embarrassed to start my new Poulan in front of a new Husky.
His uncle informed me that it was his second Husky. Every years he buys his
firewood in 8 foot length and cuts it to stove size (18"). After paying a
few hundred dollars of repairs for 2-3 years in a row he refused to pay for
more repairs and got a new Husky. We each used our chainsaws all day. His
uncle was a little embarrassed to tell me how much he paid for his Husky.
In an effort to console him I replied yes you paid a little more but it is
going to last longer than my Poulan. He looked at me and smiled and stated
of course. FWIW


"D. Mo" wrote in message
...
Both have good quality saws in their lines. I've owned both. Have a
slight
preference for the Husky. Though to tell the truth the last four saws I
bought were Poulans. Local dealer is a neighbor just down the street.

D. Mo
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about getting a gas-powered chainsaw, perhaps 16" or
less, and wondered model/brands folks like best or worked well. I'm
considered Stihl and Husqvarna. Any other quality brands? I have
about 150 trees, probably an occasional use of the chainsaw. TIA

as a pro timber feller for 35 plus years, i ran the jonserds for the
most. however when jonserd was bought by electolux years ago they
started making a chainsaw that sucked. my last purchase was a 372 husky
and it's everything that jonserd used to be. if you are felling large
dia. trees i would use at least a 20" if not a 24" bar. for good prices
check out www.baileys-online.com

Years ago I used the Jonserds chainsaw with an 18 " bar. I had some 24
inches+ in diameter trees. They all came down using the 18" bar, steel
wedges and 10 pound's sledge hammer. The saw worked good and no trees
felled on my house!
Correct me if I am wrong I have read somewhere that Electrolux also owns
Poulan?
If this is correct, to make more profit, Electrolux may have standardized
the commonly used components to produce chainsaws under different names?


"Ross Hebeisen" wrote in message
...
as a pro timber feller for 35 plus years, i ran the jonserds for the
most. however when jonserd was bought by electolux years ago they
started making a chainsaw that sucked. my last purchase was a 372 husky
and it's everything that jonserd used to be. if you are felling large
dia. trees i would use at least a 20" if not a 24" bar. for good prices
check out www.baileys-online.com

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 20:37:27 -0500, Nova
wrote:

When I was in the market for a chain saw I looked at the Stihls and the
Husqvarnas. I was all set to buy the Husqvarna Rancher 55 until a friend who
was moving found out I was going to get a chain saw. He gave me his Poulan
2250 that he'd used twice. It's no Stihl or Husky but the price was right.

I was cutting a lot of wood over Christmas a year ago. We had my Stihl
(15yo 010AV 14"), a really old Partner 18" or 20" (old), a poulan 16",
and a Johnsered 18". May have had a Husky as well for some of it.
The little stihl was great for small branches, but really needed a
power increase. There was a noticable difference between the Poulan
and the Stihl for vibration. The fingers tingled (a bad sign) after 15
mins wth the Poulan, and I have cut for hours with the stihl. That
alone is worth paying more for.
' The other thing is there is no replacement for horsepower. The
bigger saws just motored through the logs - the difference was huge. A
bit big for fiddly pruning or trimming, but the story for cutting ligs
into lumps.
You may want to look for a second hand large saw, as well as a small
one. I don't use the bigger saws much, but when there is a lot of wood
to cut...
Geoff

I own a 24 in Husky and just bought a new 32 in. new Husky for biger
trees.
Glenn Hodges
Nashville, GA

Hey Glenn, 32 in.! Don't clear cut South Georgia, that exposed red
clay will look like Copperhill with no place for the speed cops from
Adel to hide. Watch out for the Druids and Tree Huggers who love lumber
and consume paper, but don't know where it comes from. BTW, I saw
where you bought something at Lowes. Been a whiie since I sneaked thru
Nashville, but hard to believe it has grown that much. I reckon you're a
city slicker now.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Greetings!
FWIW, I do contract work as a wildland firefighter/sawyer. I
personally prefer Stihl, although Husky makes a good saw, too. Mostly,
I use an O46 (Now MS460) with a 20" to 36" bar, depending on where I'm
going.

I'll echo the following sentiments...A bit more HP is nice,
especially if you want a longer bar. The O46 is a little "light" for a
36" bar, but weight is an issue as well. A popular saw is the O44
(MS440), although the new Magnum 46's are only about a half pound
heavier. Worth it, IMHO.

We used Poulans for about a half season, and found that they didn't
hold up as well (for us). Another huge issue we have is "field
serviceability" (Is that a term? Anyway...) And the Stihl's are very
easy to work on in the field, and require fewer tools than the Husky
(or did, last time I worked on them. And that's less stuff to lug
through the woods!

IMHO, YMMV, you must be *this* tall to ride, etc, etc!

Hal

Just a quick question Arch. How CAN a tree hugger carry a cardboard sign
mounted on a wooden stick and say "Do Not Cut the Trees"? By the way, at a
conservative count I have planted over 20,000 trees on family land. You
should see the pine that Dad and I planted when I was around 17. One of
these days I have to thin those suckers.

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com

Darrell Feltmate wrote:
Just a quick question Arch. How CAN a tree hugger carry a cardboard sign
mounted on a wooden stick and say "Do Not Cut the Trees"?

I know a few of the "big name" conservationists. They do not see any
problem. LOL. Point taken.

I also know mining engineers, prospectors and foresters -- who wrestle
with their consciences while "doing their job". Most of them do
everything they can to do their job ethically and preserve the environment.

Yah just can't tell sometimes...

By the way, at a
conservative count I have planted over 20,000 trees on family land. You
should see the pine that Dad and I planted when I was around 17. One of
these days I have to thin those suckers.


Wish I had had that opportunity. Good for you.

One of our children worked as a tree planter for a few summers. So I
have only had a vicarious thrill. :-)



--
Will
Occasional Techno-geek

"Darrell Feltmate" wrote in message
news:KTZYd.24083$i6.379@edtnps90...
Just a quick question Arch. How CAN a tree hugger carry a cardboard sign
mounted on a wooden stick and say "Do Not Cut the Trees"?

Same way people can demand toleration - NOW!

Darrell, In the slight chance that the cardboard and stick signs should
ever bother them, they will dry their tears with kleenex and climb back
on their soapbox.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

In Tasmania (Australia) logging companies log old growth forests and then
chip the lumber to sell to paper mills. There must be some really valuable
timber there, but they aren't set up to make boards or blanks or to season,
thy want instant return. There would be enough in one of the bigger trees (6
feet + diameter,, I've seen one that had 40 foot circumference on TV) to
furnish an entire house.
The tree huggers have a problem with that operation. Sometimes they have a
valid point.
Mick

Mick
They sure have a point at times. I think it is the shooting a mosquito with
a shotgun approach that gets to me. Pinpont the problem and go for it. We
had a group mad at us for growing Christmas trees at one time. When I
demonstrated that a healthy tree operation encouraged more growth and had an
increased diversity of palnt and animal life, they left but were still
grumbling. Some times you can not win, especially with a fanatic. Trust me,
I am a minister, I know fanatics well.

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com

Will
My son was valedictorian of his high school and his first summer job at
college was a computer programmer. Our family has cut pulp and lumber and
grown Christmas trees for what seems forever, so he thought he might try
tree planting for a summer job and wondered if he could. He is about 6' tall
and weighs around 195. He planted for three summers and has put in a lot
more trees than his old man.

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com

Something for the tree huggers. When I was in New Brunswick a local very
large mill and woods operation was thinning land for growth and production.
Their business was softwood lumber so all hardwoods were weeds and cut. No
own was allowed in to take the wood. Where is a tree hugger when you need
them?

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com

In article kw2Zd.52198$fc4.972@edtnps89,
"Darrell Feltmate" wrote:

Something for the tree huggers.

Ever hugged a mature Ponderosa - the ones with the orange furrows in the
bark? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Smells like vanilla.

--
"Sure we'll have fascism in America, but it'll come disguised
as 100% Americanism." -- Huey P. Long

Owen Lowe wrote:

In article kw2Zd.52198$fc4.972@edtnps89,
"Darrell Feltmate" wrote:

Something for the tree huggers.

Ever hugged a mature Ponderosa - the ones with the orange furrows in the
bark? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Smells like vanilla.

Ever wondered what it's like to be a mature Ponderosa and have some fool
sniffing your bark? )

In article nxbZd.2974$hA3.332@trnddc09,
Lobby Dosser wrote:

Ever wondered what it's like to be a mature Ponderosa and have some fool
sniffing your bark? )

Everything could use a hug every now and then. Plus, I imagine it's a
lot nicer than some fool carving his and his main squeeze's initials in
there.

--
"Sure we'll have fascism in America, but it'll come disguised
as 100% Americanism." -- Huey P. Long

Owen Lowe wrote:

In article nxbZd.2974$hA3.332@trnddc09,
Lobby Dosser wrote:

Ever wondered what it's like to be a mature Ponderosa and have some
fool sniffing your bark? )

Everything could use a hug every now and then. Plus, I imagine it's a
lot nicer than some fool carving his and his main squeeze's initials
in there.


Ya got that right!

They CAN........but it would be much like Pam Anderson Lee munching on a
drumstick while carrying a sign that says KFC tortures chickens.

Barry


"Darrell Feltmate" wrote in message
news:KTZYd.24083$i6.379@edtnps90...
Just a quick question Arch. How CAN a tree hugger carry a cardboard sign
mounted on a wooden stick and say "Do Not Cut the Trees"? By the way, at a
conservative count I have planted over 20,000 trees on family land. You
should see the pine that Dad and I planted when I was around 17. One of
these days I have to thin those suckers.

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com