Chainsaw Choice?

[Boomyal]

Might be looking for a new chainsaw. I have a clunky old McCulloch Timber Bear 20" chainsaw. It doesn't have a lot of use but it is at least 17/18 years old. It looks like the gas tank has distorted and it dumps gas up into the valley that holds the carburetor. The tank seal where the fuel line comes up to the carburetor is off center with the casting hole above it, allowing fuel to pass between the seal and the fuel tubing.

I've never really liked the saw because I think it is a lot bulkier than it needed to be for it's capacity plus it does not have an automatic chain oiler. I also think that McCulloch is out of business.

I'm thinking something in the Stihl lineup would be trimmer, lighter, easier to start and have the automatic oiler. I also think that new saws stand up to ethanol gas better than old ones.

What say ya'll? It won't get used a ton but when I need it, I want it to run and I want it to be easy to handle.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Might want to look at huskavarna

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Might be looking for a new chainsaw. I have a clunky old McCulloch Timber Bear 20" chainsaw. It doesn't have a lot of use but it is at least 17/18 years old. It looks like the gas tank has distorted and it dumps gas up into the valley that holds the carburetor. The tank seal where the fuel line comes up to the carburetor is off center with the casting hole above it, allowing fuel to pass between the seal and the fuel tubing.

I've never really liked the saw because I think it is a lot bulkier than it needed to be for it's capacity plus it does not have an automatic chain oiler. I also think that McCulloch is out of business.

I'm thinking something in the Stihl lineup would be trimmer, lighter, easier to start and have the automatic oiler. I also think that new saws stand up to ethanol gas better than old ones.

What say ya'll? It won't get used a ton but when I need it, I want it to run and I want it to be easy to handle.

Ayuh,.... I heat with wood,... I've got an ole 044 that I bought for $100., put an $83. carb on it, 'n a new clutch, After I ran it for 3 years...
It's now runnin' like a Brand New saw...

Last fall, when I was havin' troubles with it, I bought a Brand New 290, also with a 20" bar(for interchangeability between the 2)....
While the 290 is lighter, 'n easier in hand, it lacks the raw Power of the ole 044...

If yer doin' less/ lighter cuttin' than I am, the 290, at Under $400. is a pretty decent Deal...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

I have the same saw as Bond-o (must be a moderator thing ) A Stihl Farm Boss.......... nice saw and great for light to medium use and works for the homeowner just fine. I doubt I would use it as a "production" saw.

I compared the Stihl to the Husky and the Stihl had a better record around local stores for less problems.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Kind of a confession :redface: about 3 weeks ago I was cutting some trees along the creek. The banks and large rocks had been drastically changes with the "tropical storm Irene" that beat up VT pretty bad.

Well ........ I went to cross the creek and had the saw in my hand (yes it was purring along at a smooth idle) ....... then it happened ....... I slipped:redface: as I was falling I went to place the running saw on the embankment.......... It did not happen.

I sunk that pretty Stihl Farm Boss in the deepest portion of the creek It died It sucked up a bunch of water......

After pulling the plug and air filter I used compressed air and pulled and pulled ....... doing CPR to my Stihl I knew it could be saved...... It started and all is well

I continued to cut trees in soaking wet clothing.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

I have a 14" Stihl my dad bought me new about 7 or 8 years ago. It's not real big but it does anything I need to do. Never had the first problem with that saw. I've used my dad's Husquvarna several times on his farm. That thing is wicked. It revs high and never bogged down while cutting. If I were looking to buy a new saw I would use a lot, I'd go with the Husquvarna or a Stihl. I've used Homelites, Poulans and a couple of other brands brands but the Husquvarna and Stihl seem to be the best to me.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

I can't speak for the newer stihls but I have a Farm Boss 028 that is 33 years old and still runs like new. It has cut tons and tons of firewood and the only things ever replaced was an ignition module and clutch. I have had numerous homelites,poulan (pull-ons) and craftsman to use along side the stihl for light wieght use but all of these turned out to be throw-away saws after several years.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Boomyal, my father owned a McCullough in the 70-80's and HATED that thing. After trying to start it for two hours one day, he threw it over a hill, rolling it nearly 150 feet. he bought a Stihl the next day (not cheap, and he's a CHEAP person) and still has it, and it fires right up. He later smashed that Mc in the driveway with a sledgehammer!

Stihl is the way to go.

 

[geneseo1911]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Stihl and Husqvarna are the only names the pros consider, with Stihl having a slight edge. The best saw for a non-pro really depends on the type of use, but remember, you get what you pay for.

I have a Husqvarna 450. It is considered a higher-end homeowner saw, and has a plastic case, which makes it very light, but probably less long-lived than the metal-cased commercial models. It was about $400 out the door. I didn't look at Stihl at the time, because I needed a new saw at 7PM on a Saturday, which meant I got to pick one from Farm & Fleet. In the end I'm VERY happy with it. It has gobs of power and cuts through big trunks like a miter saw through a 2x4. It also starts VERY easily. One pull with choke to get it to fire, and it starts & runs on the next pull every time, it even has a compression release. I actually bought a Husqvarna leaf blower because I loved the saw so much.

I suspect a Stihl will give a similar experience, though. It looks to me like they will cost a little more, but even the cheaper Stihls are built like the commercial saws to last generations. Look here: www.ArboristSite.com to learn more about chainsaws than you ever wanted to know.

 

[markheck1]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Might be looking for a new chainsaw. I have a clunky old McCulloch Timber Bear 20" chainsaw. It doesn't have a lot of use but it is at least 17/18 years old. It looks like the gas tank has distorted and it dumps gas up into the valley that holds the carburetor. The tank seal where the fuel line comes up to the carburetor is off center with the casting hole above it, allowing fuel to pass between the seal and the fuel tubing.

I've never really liked the saw because I think it is a lot bulkier than it needed to be for it's capacity plus it does not have an automatic chain oiler. I also think that McCulloch is out of business.

I'm thinking something in the Stihl lineup would be trimmer, lighter, easier to start and have the automatic oiler. I also think that new saws stand up to ethanol gas better than old ones.

What say ya'll? It won't get used a ton but when I need it, I want it to run and I want it to be easy to handle.

Can't go wrong with a Stihl.....I will say that any of the new saws will not have the raw torque that that Muk_luk has.....if you push on them, even the bigger ones, the chain will stall.... Truthfully to replace that saw, you need at a minimum MS362, but they are around 7 Bills.......the 290 is a great value for horsepower / dollar, but it won't have near the stuff that old one does. That beine said...if you keep the chain sharp, and let it cut, it'll cut a pretty fair amount and be lighter. Another saw is the MS250 good deal if you want light, 10.1 lbs, 3HP, all for 299

Ayuh,.... I heat with wood,... I've got an ole 044 that I bought for $100., put an $83. carb on it, 'n a new clutch, After I ran it for 3 years...
It's now runnin' like a Brand New saw...

Last fall, when I was havin' troubles with it, I bought a Brand New 290, also with a 20" bar(for interchangeability between the 2)....
While the 290 is lighter, 'n easier in hand, it lacks the raw Power of the ole 044...

If yer doin' less/ lighter cuttin' than I am, the 290, at Under $400. is a pretty decent Deal...

Those old 044's are Killer firewood saws......

I have the same saw as Bond-o (must be a moderator thing ) A Stihl Farm Boss.......... nice saw and great for light to medium use and works for the homeowner just fine. I doubt I would use it as a "production" saw.

I compared the Stihl to the Husky and the Stihl had a better record around local stores for less problems.

I'm not gonna bash huskys but.........THIS......./\/\/\/\/\/\

Kind of a confession :redface: about 3 weeks ago I was cutting some trees along the creek. The banks and large rocks had been drastically changes with the "tropical storm Irene" that beat up VT pretty bad.

Well ........ I went to cross the creek and had the saw in my hand (yes it was purring along at a smooth idle) ....... then it happened ....... I slipped:redface: as I was falling I went to place the running saw on the embankment.......... It did not happen.

I sunk that pretty Stihl Farm Boss in the deepest portion of the creek It died It sucked up a bunch of water......

After pulling the plug and air filter I used compressed air and pulled and pulled ....... doing CPR to my Stihl I knew it could be saved...... It started and all is well

I continued to cut trees in soaking wet clothing.

Hopefully the chain brake was on while you were walking, and you can consider that a cheap lesson on how fast things can happen, and how necessary proper safety gear, IE Chaps, Helmet, with Eye and Ear protection really are

I have a 14" Stihl my dad bought me new about 7 or 8 years ago. It's not real big but it does anything I need to do. Never had the first problem with that saw. I've used my dad's Husquvarna several times on his farm. That thing is wicked. It revs high and never bogged down while cutting. If I were looking to buy a new saw I would use a lot, I'd go with the Husquvarna or a Stihl. I've used Homelites, Poulans and a couple of other brands brands but the Husquvarna and Stihl seem to be the best to me.

Yep......

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Hopefully the chain brake was on while you were walking, and you can consider that a cheap lesson on how fast things can happen, and how necessary proper safety gear, IE Chaps, Helmet, with Eye and Ear protection really are



Yep......

Yup and I still got WET!!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Farm Boss.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Whatcha going to do with that new saw? Run her a few times a year or every weekend? Big stuff, small stuff, fire wood, just clean up? Al makes a difference ya know. Well, one thing is sure, Stihl

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

....I will say that any of the new saws will not have the raw torque that that Muk_luk has.....if you push on them, even the bigger ones, the chain will stall..........

Interesting that you mention this. My neighbor has an older?, lightly used Stihl with a 20" bar. I do not know what the model was but it was red instead of orange. Friday we were trading cuts on his flowering Plum Tree that he had just cut down. We were cutting it up for firewood for me. That is some real nasty wood.

As we had no splitter and I'da hated to try to split the larger pieces, we were making lateral cuts to section the trunk pieces down to burnable size. I noticed that it did not take much to stall his Stihl out. That McCulloch would just continue to sail right through. I'd bury that bar, in the lateral cut, and it would just keep soldiering on.

I am still looking for my McCulloch manual so I can review its specs, ie, weight, hp, etc.

I noticed that you are in Oil City. Me dear departed Madre was from the Franklin/Oil City area. I visited the both of them back in 1964. I was a California kid, certainly used to warm weather but I got a case of heat stroke while visiting Drakes oil well. Had to take some salt tablets. I still have a little can of WolfsHead 3 in 1 type oil that I got from one of her cousins, while visiting.

My Daughter is down at Kutztown working at the University. Small world!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Whatcha going to do with that new saw? Run her a few times a year or every weekend? Big stuff, small stuff, fire wood, just clean up? Al makes a difference ya know. Well, one thing is sure, Stihl

Certainly not enough of anything to really justify the cost of a new saw but when I want to use it, I want it to start and to rip arse!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Well, a nice used 290 would probably be all ya need. But - if you are cutting big wood and want to have a big bar on the saw, and...

and to rip arse!

You are probably going to want something bigger like a 036/360, 361, 044/440, 441, 046/460. Course $$$ too!

I've got the 361 and it has done everything I have asked of it.

 

[rbh]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

Stihl or Husky make a great saw, we use both, 075 stihl with the 36 inch bar goes through anything but weighs a ton, 353 Huskeys is what we keep in our trucks and use around the property mostly.

 

[R Socey]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

My buddy is a professional 3rd generation tree man. He has all Stihl saws. He took some trees down for my brother, and brought 8, with him.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

I borrowed a neighbors Husquvara 455 rancher with a 20" bar about a month ago when the wind split a good sized tree. My little Homelite P33 wouldn't handle the trunk diameter. The Husky was easy to start and did a good job. The only down side, for me at least, was the weight. I ended up buying a Stihl MS230 with an 18" bar. It weighs about 20% less and does a good job of cutting.

Both are great saws, I just wanted something lighter.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chainsaw Choice?

As we had no splitter and I'da hated to try to split the larger pieces, we were making lateral cuts to section the trunk pieces down to burnable size. I noticed that it did not take much to stall his Stihl out. That McCulloch would just continue to sail right through. I'd bury that bar, in the lateral cut, and it would just keep soldiering on.

Ayuh,.... 'round here, that's called Noodlin',.... for the "Sawdust" ya make....

Cuttin' with the grain is tough on any saw, as it over loads the clutch housin' with wooden spaghetti....

Also why I bought Northern's monster 37 ton splitter last year....