The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: bloomer on May 15, 2014, 07:25:46 pm

Title: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: bloomer on May 15, 2014, 07:25:46 pm: i'm doing more and more work on land where trees are an issue (either in the way or i get asked to tidy them up whilst doing other stuff)

I know what i'm doing and i'm quite happy cutting them down so long as im not near buildings :-)

however my little 14inch bar on a cheap chinese chainsaw (it has served me well doing firewood for years) just isn't man enough for some of these jobs...

i need something better probably in the region of an 18inch bar and reliable, any recommendations or should i just man up and go buy a stihl as they are apparently the best...

i only want to buy new as they're one tool i wouldn't trust second hand and the price tag on some of the stihls makes me take a deep breath...
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: Womble on May 15, 2014, 08:43:52 pm: Stihl or Husky, no contest I'm afraid. Try Burnside Garden Machinery in Queenzieburn, Nr Kirkintilloch for a good deal and good after-sales service :thumbsup: .
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: FiB on May 15, 2014, 08:44:28 pm: I've been really happy with my husky.... It's the last model before pro and my local forestry store advised me well. Can't remeber model- Will have to go and look tomorrow :roflanim: :roflanim: Maybe 340? Anyway I have an 18 inch bar for bigger things but mostly use the 15" cause it is more flexible re brashing etc. the main thing is a good motor.... My mate bought the entry level stihl and it was crap, only really any use for cross cutting simple 8-10" stems. I love huskies because the chain sharpening system is so easy! It was about £300. That's all I know :-) (I asked advice at the shop, took it, and happy chopper still, 4 years later :fc: ...
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: devonlad on May 15, 2014, 08:48:32 pm: yeah stihl or husky for definite- i'm a husky
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: pigalicious on May 17, 2014, 08:46:55 am: Stihl or Husquvarna. I used to work in forestry years back and used both these, I wouldn't recommend any other make.

All chainsaws have the same sharpening system, surely, don't they?

The shorter bar you can get away with the better. A 13" bar should manage a 24"tree no problem.
Big bar need more power (heavier saw).

I use Husky and prefer them over stihl, but both make great professional saws.

P
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: Womble on May 17, 2014, 08:59:29 am: Quote from: pigalicious on May 17, 2014, 08:46:55 am
The shorter bar you can get away with the better. A 13" bar should manage a 24"tree no problem.
Big bar need more power (heavier saw).

That's a good point. Bloomer - are you sure it's a longer bar you need, or would a short bar be fine if you put it on a better saw?

You're welcome to come up here and test drive my 346XP (http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/just-got-a-husqvarna-346xp-love-it.167238/) if you like, to see what you think? Personally I love it. The power to weight ratio is great, and my pal (who is a bit of a chainsaw junkie) was also very impressed with how capable it was for being such a small saw :thumbsup: .

(http://gardentechnology.en.ecplaza.net/8.jpg)
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: bloomer on May 17, 2014, 10:24:28 am: i definitely need more power and having investigated costs i cant afford a saw that can take a longer bar, current front runner is the MS211 with a 16inch bar...

im going to go have a look at a husky next week

womble i may just take you up on that offer ;D
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: Womble on May 17, 2014, 11:20:44 am: OK, just give me a shout if I can help.
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: Cactus Jack on May 17, 2014, 01:35:33 pm: I use a stihl m170 with a 14" bar never tried a husky.
In its third year of very heavy use on olive trees (very hard wood) I get through a new chain every year.
I've not needed to buy any yet but all the spares you could possibly need are readily available.
Starts on third pull when cold and first pull when warmed up every time.
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: wonderwooly on May 19, 2014, 08:27:49 pm: on my thered saw and it gets a lot of use, i went for a stihl cozz my local guy is stihl.
I got a ms 261 really happy with it really well balanced bettween wight and power.
will do big stuff if needed and mid size use is a breeze. It was recommended through
arbtalk a good site for all things trees.
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: pgkevet on May 31, 2014, 08:38:10 am: after the bad winter when several large trees came down I was knackered cutting 30 inch truncks with an 18in saw and went and bought a large stihl: yes it's great for that, goes through like butter but even a well balanced saw like that does get heavy quickly. It's taken me a couple of years of chainsaw work to fully realise how well one can sharpen a chain and make the effort to keep it sharp and how much that makes the job easier.
Before you buy a new saw buy a new chain.
Title: Re: i need a bigger chainsaw
Post by: Porterlauren on May 31, 2014, 09:24:26 am: 100% Stihl or Husky, they won't let you down. There is a reason why they are the world leaders and used for all commercial and industrial work.