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Stihl Chainsaws

#1

P

patches

I have some trees that are dead and need to be cut down. I'm going to have to buy a chainsaw to get the job done and cut them into firewood. I'm thinking about getting a medium-sized Stihl, but does anyone have other suggestions?


#2

BKBrown

BKBrown

I never have problems with my Stihl Saws.

If you aren't familiar with taking down trees -- be careful and get some advice. If you aren't sure -- don't do it alone.

We just had a Father and Son who have logged and done firewood for a living have an accident this summer and the Son was killed by a tree falling on him.


#3

P

patches

It's sad that the son died. I used to know a logger and I worked for him for a short time. He usually cut a notch on the side of the tree to get it to fall in the direction he wanted it to. Even with the notch, he told me several times that it was no guarantee that the tree would fall in that direction. I'll be careful and if a tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, I'll get away from it FAST.


#4

H

Harriet

We had a Stihl for a couple of seasons. It wasn't as reliable on the starting as we wanted so we traded it in for a Husqvarna which has proven more reliable. There are things to know about safely cutting trees. There was a great instruction booklet that came with our saw---if you haven't done it before do yourself a favor and read the guidelines.


#5

K

KennyV

I'm thinking about getting a medium-sized Stihl, but does anyone have other suggestions?

You can't go wrong with a Stihl Saw, if you are going to be using it regularly it is well worth the price... But if this is about the only use you will have for it, Just about any chain saw will do a single job... :smile:KennyV


#6

Two-Stroke

Two-Stroke

I've got three Stihl saws and I believe that their quality is worth paying for. Please read the manual and, if you have any questions, ask the dealer or ask here.


#7

J

jteuban

If you want to put some money into it i would def. do it, but if you are only going to use it once I would not go that route. But do not think 2 times about buying a Stihl. They are great. Husky is also a good brand. if you want to look into that. Like I said I you are not going to use it much, I would just go and get a Lowes special, like a Poulen, or even a small Husky.


#8

BKBrown

BKBrown

It's sad that the son died. I used to know a logger and I worked for him for a short time. He usually cut a notch on the side of the tree to get it to fall in the direction he wanted it to. Even with the notch, he told me several times that it was no guarantee that the tree would fall in that direction. I'll be careful and if a tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, I'll get away from it FAST.

I had one coming the wrong way one time ---- dropped the saw and got out of the way :eek: ----- tree crushed the saw, but I wasn't in the way and was not hurt. You can replace the saw, but not yourself.

Wind, internal pressures, gravity, can do strange things to standing trees. ALWAYS leave a good clear escape path.


#9

T

Tractor John

I have and use two Stihls an 021 & 020T not a bit of trouble out of either.


#10

S

SeabeeChief

If it is only going to be used very little, I would get something cheaper. If it is going to be used pretty regular, Stihl is a great saw. I have a 2750 Poulan that is 30 years old and is running as good as the day i bought it. It has worn out 2 bars and countless chains. My 029 Stihl just died after 20 years and isn't worth overhauling. To each their own.


#11

BKBrown

BKBrown

Another idea just came to me - (my brain actually works once in a while :rolleyes:) Have you considered corded or cordless electric -- I just read in Farm Show that some people are happy with them. Occasional use - no gas - no pull start -- just keep blade sharp & hang it up !

Just another idea !


#12

K

KennyV

Have you considered corded or cordless electric -- I just read in Farm Show that some people are happy with them. Occasional use - no gas - no pull start -- just keep blade sharp & hang it up !

Just another idea !

I have a couple electric chain saws... and they are very handy. (one on a telescoping pole)...
If you are not trying to cut a cord or firewood in an afternoon, you could be very happy with an electric saw... assuming you are reasonably close to an outlet... :smile:KennyV

PS 'Farm Show' is fun to read...:thumbsup::thumbsup:


#13

G

glennsjr

I would ask around in your neighborhood to find a good dealer with a good service record and buy from him. I worked for a logger for 15 years and it seems that the brand is 2nd to parts and service because most of your top brands are pretty decent . I have Jonsered and Dolmar and like them both. And back to a couple of post don't try to outrun a tree when 2 or three steps will take you to the other side of tree. Also get yourself some plastic wedges as they are almost as important as the saw.


#14

173abn

173abn

I cut with a sthil,good saw.If I fell a tree close to a house etc. I rope it off with three ropes,two tied off in opposite directions and one straight out loose.I notch the tree in the direction I want it to fall and proceed to cut,If I have help my helper pulls .If not I run over and pull when The cut is just about through.works every time.a word of caution,make sure the ropes are tied high enough up the tree and the pulling rope is longer than the tree and never wrap the rope around your arm when pulling.a 20 or 30 foot tree has some serious weight and if it goes the wrong way can give you a serious injury on that arm. russ


#15

C

Carl in CT

I agree with all of the safety suggestions. I recently dropped a tree and although it went where I wanted I was so glad I took the time to cut ALL of the vines attached to it and clear an escape route because as the tree fell a dead branch fell off and had I been standing where I was as I cut the tree it might have hit me, would have been close.

I also agree that if you are a very occasional user you might not want to spend a lot. That said, I am an occasional user but when I cut I cut quite a bit and I can't stand mechanical problems when I go to use a piece of equipment so I still want a good brand, not a box store saw. My dad's Poulan Pro is ok, way underpowered for the 18" bar they put on it and the gas cap swells when you put gas in the tank and you need channel locks to get the stupid thing off. So even though he cuts very occasionally he hates the cheap saw he has. I bought a 16" bar and chain for it and replaced that for him and even that was a pain because they have a stupid in-bar tensioner that I would stay far away from.

So that raises another question that I need help with (sorry, don't mean to hijack your thread but it might help you decide too). Which of these saws will do best with not being used for months at a time, then being given moderate to heavy use, then put back on the shelf for a few months again?
Stihl, Johnsered, Husqvarna, Dolmar/Makita, Echo, Solo, Efco, other?


#16

BKBrown

BKBrown

I don't know about other brands, but my Sthil saws do just fine if I know that they won't be used for a while, I empty the gas from the tank and then run till they quit - No gas in the carb to cause gum and varnish. Next time they have fresh gas and start up fine.
So that raises another question that I need help with (sorry, don't mean to hijack your thread but it might help you decide too). Which of these saws will do best with not being used for months at a time, then being given moderate to heavy use, then put back on the shelf for a few months again?
Stihl, Johnsered, Husqvarna, Dolmar/Makita, Echo, Solo, Efco, other?


#17

Two-Stroke

Two-Stroke

Carl in CT;18040... Which of these saws will do best with not being used for months at a time said:
I agree with BKBrown about storing the saw without any gas in the carb/tank. I'd add that it's good to clean the area around the drive sprocket (compressed air is fast and effective) so all that mush won't harden into something akin to particle board.:eek:


#18

C

Carl in CT

All good advice about cleaning and I do those steps with my saw but I have heard that some are more tempermental when not run regularly even if they are cleaned out and stored properly. I just don't know which ones those are.


#19

grnspot110

grnspot110

I've never dumped mine (029 Stihl), as I never know when I'll use it again! I use it off & on all year. I use Seafoam in the gas mix, same can as I use for my trimmer, blower & 10" tiller.

Wouldn't recommend it, but I have an old 1010 McCullouch saw that had set in a steel grainery for at least 5 years. Brought it home a few weeks ago, dumped the old gas out, put in a new fuel filter & fuel, cranked it on carb. cleaner the first two times. Third time it started by choking it, runs, but not well, even after setting that long. I'd like to sell it, but haven't gotten any takers. ~~ grnspot


#20

S

steved

I have a month old MS391 that works very well...its a bit big for the average user. The MS290 "Farm Boss" is a pretty good intermediate. Just like everyone else, Stihl has their "homeowner" grade, "commercial" grade, and "professional" grade...make sure you research and buy for your needs. One thing that I like is the tool-less gas and oil caps, but I absolutely despise their tool-less chain tensioner.

FWIW, the Husqvarna's at the box stores are mostly rebadged Poulan's...unless you get into the more expensive saws. Echo is supposedly a real good performer...I may buy one of their smaller saws for limbing.


#21

B

buster57

I have both a 'home owner' 180C and a professional MS460.
I consider them both professional saws and use them both professionally. The 180C for liming and every day use. In fact, I use it about 50:1 over the MS460. I absolutely love that saw. It is powerful, tough, and a heck of a lot lighter and easier to use then the 'Halloween Special'. Of course some times I simply must have unlimited power to take stuff out. The MS460 is the most powerful saw I think anyone needs today.
Stihl saws are usually a PIA to start. Other then that, they are the best machines you can buy.
If you do not know how to cut down a tree, go to the OSHA web site. They have terrific information on the proper way to do it. If it is just a small tree, 10" or so, then go to U-tube. People get hurt when they are in a hurry, tired, do not use common sense, and what I have seen most, cut in unsafe ground. Clear everything out of the way before you pull that guy out of the truck. The beer is for after the job is over
I store my saws with premium mix gas in them. I fire them up at least evey other month.


#22

J

jimbo64

You can't go wrong with a Stihl Saw, if you are going to be using it regularly it is well worth the price... But if this is about the only use you will have for it, Just about any chain saw will do a single job... :smile:KennyV

if this is the only job you have for it, you can rent the saw, but better yet pay a few bucks to have someone who knows how, come in and cut your trees-offer free firewood if they dispose of them- chainsaws are dangerous as are falling trees that weigh thousands of pounds--your call but i know what i would do.:eek:


#23

K

Kong

I've had a bunch of Stihl chain saws over the years, if I were looking for a medium sized saw for general use I'd pick up an MS260 (the old 026) and know I had the most versitile saw that Stihl makes. It can use large chain (3/8") which stay sharp longer and cut faster than the small chain, a real pleasure to use with a 16" guidebar. As for the 029 (New designation MS290) I think it was the very worst Stihl saw I ever owned. It was overweight and very much wanting for power. If you find yourself looking at a large job then I would recommend the MS362 (previously t he MS361). My son uses ours a good bit of the time, he calls it the "light saber" from his childhood Starwars days. With an 18" or 20" bar (once again, 3/8" chain) it will fly through Oak and Hickory and it even cuts through Locust with reasonable effort.

I should add this too. Before you consider a saw by another manufacturer you should forget about other manufacturers. Stihl rules!


#24

reynoldston

reynoldston

I have a Stihl and a Husqvarna and they are both problem free saws. The only thing is that the husky cuts faster and has more power. The Stihl is a homeowner model and the husky is a commercial model so that could be the reason.


#25

bt3

bt3

Bumping this thread.

Both Stihl and Husqvarna are good saws. Stihl has a reputation for having slightly more torque throughout the power band, and Husky has higher revs. The advantage of Stihl torque is that you can power through even the toughest cut of wood. Husky high revs allows the user to cut quickly as the tree is falling for that final cut and get clear. Some operators prefer Stihl because they are only dealer network based, whereas Husky can be had from other retail sources. Professional tree services are split on Husky VS Stihl. I happen to prefer Stihl, but either saw is a good choice.

Regarding how to fell a tree. Yes, "hinging" it by cutting a notch in the intended direction of the fall is good, but not a guarantee the tree will fall where intended. Many tree services gaff the tree, top it, and then rope it to pull on it in the direction of the intended fall line. The danger is most apparent when your partially fallen tree hangs up in another tree and does not completely fall. This is called a "WIDOW MAKER". You have to be skilled and very careful to fall a Widow Maker correctly. I've done it a few times with success, and one time with a trip to the hospital for stitches as a falling branch (large one) caught my temple and opened up a gash even though I was wearing a hard hat. The Hard Hat most likely saved me from a severe concussion, or worse. There are videos of how to correctly fell trees and how to correctly fell a "Widow Maker" on Youtube. My best advice, do not work alone, wear safety equipment including a Hard Hat, and NEVER underestimate a falling tree, especially a Widow Maker. You are dealing with hundreds if not thousands of pounds of timber and nothing is for certain until that tree is cut and stacked into firewood.


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