Chainsaw suggestions

Sig220_Ruger77

I could use a chainsaw around here 2 or 3 times/year. I basically would need it to randomly trim trees or help clean up after storms. I've gotten by without one most times (good old handsaw and axe) and borrowed one twice, but I'm wanting to get one and become less reliant on others in that category.

2 questions.....

1. Good bar length for the above

2. Gas or battery operated

Jon

JimmyJack

Ive got a tree farm and maintain about 3 saws.  For your use Id take a looke at one of the new battery operated ones.  The batteries are much better than in the past.  They are however pricy for a good one.  Milwaukee makes a dandy.  I dont have one,  but a neighbor does that I sharpen and maintain for him.  If you go with gas a 14 or 16 inch bar is more than enough.  There are a lot of good saws out there,  top of the line is Husqvarna,  Echo,  Stihl,  and  poulan makes a cheapie.  Everyone will tell you whatever they have is the best.  For the little use you will be giving it,  take a darn good look at a battery operated saw,  no gas conditioning,  no fouling,  no starting problems.

jimdeere

I’m a four square Stihl man, but for your use, the Poulan 5020 gets good reviews on the arborists forums.

jimdeere

The Echo 310 is also a good saw.

allen griggs

I run Stihl and Husqvarna.  My Husky is the pro model and it cost $618, you don't need that much of a saw.
I see where Stihl has just come out with a pro model battery powered saw.   That is the saw for you.
I switched over to a battery powered lawnmower and weedeater this year and they are great!

Chief Shaway

If you go gas, buy the quart of premixed gas.

I also use my saw, which is the Stihl 170, very seldom.

I see no reason to have a gallon or more of mixed gas sitting around

I use mine at home but mostly at the farm for clearing shooting lanes for deer hunting

Ive had the saw 4 years and only on my third quart

hillbille

+1 on gas, and when done dump tank dry then start it and let it run till it is out, no need to store mix in it for long periods of time, I do this with mine and my weedeater at end of year. all you have to do is fill them next time using them and they will take right off....  as per brand no more than you will use it you should get by with one of cheaper box store brands 16-18 inch will any household chore needed.......

Nanuq907

I run a Stihl 044 with the Super kit and the Magnum kit, on a 32” Sugihara bar. I lived on an island with big Doug firs and needed it. Now it’s enough of a pain to lug around and start (OUCH) I usually reach for a Sven saw. Too much is too much.

chiefr

Stihl
Echo
Huskvarna

BikerBob

I have 2 Stihl gas saws & one of their gas pole saws. We also bought an electric one - an MSA 200C w/a 12 inch bar that the battery can interchange with a weed eater. The wife and daughter argued about who would get to use it in after we had a tree dropped.

It seems to work quite well. Very handy without having to start it. My wife really likes it as well, since she doesn’t need to fight to start it. Her using it is a big bonus!

notnow

I had a sweet gum tree taken down recently. The guy that did it used Echo saws. He's been at it a long time. He used a 14" saw for 90% of it. Given the tree was a 12 foot main trunk then turned into all big branches nearly vertical.  He brought out a 36" saw to cut the trunk and needed most of it. Now his saws were professional models and probably twice the $ and half the weight of what Home Depot sells. I have been looking at those battery saws and the one thing I wonder about is, How does the battery hold up if you only use them occasionally. Like maybe once or twice a year.

Grasshopper

16"Poulan all you need.

SW0320

I also have a tree farm and my saws are Husqvarna’s.  I have an older Poulan that still runs good.  Had not looked at Echo before being mentioned here.  I did find that s little saw would work for your usage.  Here it is:

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-3510

Mobuck

Son and I have lots of chainsaws. Big ones, small(ish) ones, and medium sized ones. Seven ECHO's, 3 McCullough's, & 2 Stihl's are the primary stable. The one most used is an ECHO 400 w/16" bar.  Not much more expensive than the 310 but will handle bigger cuts and is basically foolproof. I had to switch to an easier to start saw due to shoulder problems and this one fit the needs.

EW0302

I have a battery powered chain saw.  I am no lumberjack so I am happy to have it start every time I pull the trigger.  No fuel issues, carburetor clogs or mixing fuel.  It can cut a lot of wood on one charge.  Usually when it run out of juice I'm ready to stop anyway.  

mogley98

I have a Stihl MS 660 LOL it will tear your arm off if you forget to push the button prior to pulling the start cord. Sometimes it will tear your arm off anyway or the cord will smack the bejabbers out of you. Bad * saw but not for me anymore getting too old lol. I vote battery the newer 60 adn 40 volt units are capable of normal work

spasmcreeksrun

went to all electric saws....just plug one with a 6' extension cord into the 110v socket on the boom of my shooting boom bucket truck  and NO yankee to crankee......fcd...you  just tough it out till your card runs out......and for way up stuff i helped stepson out on a slick 45' articulated  bucket truck......i can sit and watch...we have 3 homes to keep dressed up and he makes good money in town keeping real busy after storms....looking at a stump grinder for one of the utility tractors but stepson does not want to fool with one.......

NeoBlackdog

Just remember, if you're using it to clean up after storms you might not have any power.  That would rule out the electrics for me.  My suggestion would be something in the Stihl MS 211 range.   

buddyb

I have an old Husqvarna,I don't remember the number and the numbers are worn off,that I bought in the early 80s that still runs when nothing else will.

4205raymond

I ran a Stihl 030 for twenty years or more. Only problem i had was running till gas was empty in the hot weather. Very hard to get restarted so pull plug and crank, replace plug and crank a few more times to start. PITA Some say vapor lock, Never a problem when it got cold outside.

Fellow kept pestering me for Stihl so i sold it to him and bought a Husqvarna about four years ago. Think it is a 445 without looking. Second time i started it starter pulley (plastic) disintegrated and they sent me one n/c. Has not missed a lick in over four years.

I have a little baby homelite trim saw with all metal case about 50 years old i guess. Always starts on first pull. Yep, got them points and condenser in there. Once in a while I dress the points (contacts) with some 1500 grit paper, check air gap, and maybe throw in a new plug and good to go for a few more years.

Mark G

I had a tree come down onto another tree. I went to the local Sears and bought an 18" Craftsman gas chain saw. Cost was under $200. I always use the synthetic premix fuel and it starts right up. Have used it on many occasions for various trimming jobs and it works great. It even survived a fall from about 10' up and still kept running. My hip unfortunately did not fair as well. Best advise I have is no matter what saw you buy, use extreme care and caution at all times. Things can happen in a split second.  

allen griggs

Yes.   Be real, real careful about climbing a ladder with a chain saw in your hand.   I have done it but it is very dangerous.

spasmcreeksrun

everybody here in the country has a generator of some type....i have 7K propane and a 10K gas welder/gen  combo....propane seems the best for sitting long periods of time as gas gets old and stale and one of these with long battery cables with clamps  so you can pull a vehicle up and start/run off its battery seems better than trying to keep a small battery on the gen unit as most of them don't last long

drobs

Battery operated for me.

Way easier to get going. Stihl has a whole line of them now.