I think we are a few years away from a really good battery saw. I'd lean towards a gas saw as I have a bunch of retired gassers that I can still use. And I have a fair amount of cordless stuff that is retired and wouldn't be economical to buy batteries for.
Haven't looked at any saws. I do think I need 18/20 inch bars as some of the down trees are rather large at the base. Of course I could just pull out the MS290 when I get to something too large to cut.
Will be cutting a variety of wood but I think most of the large trees that are down are black oak. They get pretty large as you move to the base. Of course if I get to where I need a longer bar, I could pull out the MS290.
This is kind of a blanket statement. My battery T540i is just as good a saw as it's gas counterpart. I think it even cuts a hair faster. If I had to choose only one, it would be the battery unit. However, for doing larger work, then yes, battery tech still has a way to go before it has the capacity to handle the job. So, you have a MS290 and you have a top handle. Do you have any others? What are you missing in your saw fleet? What gap would the new saw fill? Are you after something bigger than all of your current saws or something to fit in between two sizes? If you could give a CC/bar length need/want then we could narrow down the suggestions.
I grabbed a husqvarna rancher 61 in 85. Before I picked it up, I had an 18" installed to replace the 16". that saw is the only one I have ever used in all those years. A buddy gifted a small poulan around three years ago. I ran it once. Just don't use it. So, I guess I have two chain saws....sort of. Sounds like having difficulties staying/getting on a three year plan? Even after 5 years of having the stove? Yeah, I spend $$$ on another saw. And then wonder why I'm still not on the three year plan!
Or......... use that handout $$ to get those tractor parts shipped? If you already have two saws, it's more of a want than a need for a third saw. Even better use of that $$ would be to get that chimney height addressed! Just think, two more lengths added to your stack height and a better draft to boot! You may even have enough left over for a portion of those tractor parts shipping costs after that project. ......or..... a down payment on that truck you been mentioning for awhile?
Pretty much the same here. My 029super with a 16" b&c handled all of my wood cutting for a good decade and a half. Always had the old pro Mac 610 as a backup but that thing is heavy and not as user friendly.
Prior to my circa 2010 290 i had an 026 from 1992 (being brought back to life) and before that an 028. All with 16" bars. Of course back then my hoarding was no wheres near as bad as it is now!
My first two new saws were a Husky 257 with an 18" bar and a Stihl 192T with a 12". I ran them from 1998 to 2018. The Stihl was a bit problematic but took a lot of use. The Husky never saw the shop in 20 years and still ran 100% perfect when I sold it. I didn't exactly baby it either. I used leftover 90's snowmobile oil to make my premix up until it was sold. It didn't care. I almost wish I kept it as a backup... The Stihl, no so much but it served me well too.
Bio bricks! Haven't seen anything about those in years!!! The Hearth folks always talk about those. Not as many here. I forget the math but those don't seem like they could make any financial sense. As for battery. If you are going to work in 15 to 30 minute bursts and not 12" trees or so I could see battery fitting the bill if your ok with it. My neighbor heats with wood, not 100% but maybe 50%. He has one of those stihl saws he uses around the house. Don't think he will cut wood in the woods with it if it's larger.
No. I guess something lighter than the MS290 would be nice if I am doing a lot of cutting. For the really big stuff I could always pull out the MS290. The little top handle saw is basically a limbing saw.
This has nothing to do with the post. There are hundreds of members on here that are not on any plan; many buy the wood as they need it. Are you going to try and bust their chops as well? Whether I am on a one year plan, two year, plan, three year plan or four year plan is none of your business. This post is about saw advice; when I ask about plan advice please be free to chime in; or not.
