Saw recommendations

Hi all… the time has come to look for a new saw. My Poulan 3450 Wild Thing.. is on its last legs. This saw has been my main saw since 1997… cutting countless cords without complaints … until now. Bar oil runs out almost as fast as you pour it in.. found the case cracked by the bar studs.

Started researching what to replace it with.. need all-around saw, lighter, and economical.

Initial thoughts were an Echo cs400 or cs4010… but hard to get new…. Not sure if they would be enough.
Really like the thought of a 261cm but my budget doesn’t…
What do you recommend?

 

You just need to bite the bullet and step up to the Poulan Pro 4218
I might even have a couple to sell, if that actually interests you.

 

How many cord / year do you cut?

 

My shoulders and back do not approve…lol

 

I used to do about 6-7…. Now only about 3-4(full) Mostly all is Oak , 14+ stump size. But LOTS of limbs… lol

 

If you got by with the wild thing for that long....depending on budget...Husky 545/550(or 261). It'll be an epiphanal change for the better. If you would like to step up a size in power but don't want to spend 'pro' money, Echo 590 all day long. If weight is a big factor and you cannot locate a 4010, get yourself a 501P. Will still be a huge step up, but just shy of Husky/Stihl speed and also at least $100 less. Lightest 50cc with magnesium case that I know of.

 

40cc is probably the right size. I would save up my pennies for a 261.

 

I'm far from an expert and really just use my saw for limbing and bucking, but I really like my Echo 590. I have been making the switch from Stihl to Echo on all of my yard tools. I have a Stihl MS271 and I never knew what pull it would start on or if it would even start after shutting down to refuel. I now have the Echo 590, PB8010 backpack blower and the SRM2620 trimmer. Can't beat the 5 year warranty either, but I siggest buying from a local dealer who will work on them and honor the warranty, not a Home Depot

 

Hahaha...I was just going to put this up here:

Marketplace - Stihl Farm Boss chainsaw and gear | Facebook

 

I’d throw the Echo 590 Timberwolf in the mix. If you buy one, do the muffler upgrade.

 

I'm going to do this eventually!

 

A good condition 51 or 55 closed port Husky would fit this bill quite nicely if you can score one. I’ve been torturing my 55 since purchased new in 1996, rebuilt the carb 2 times and replaced a fuel line, air filter and a spark plug here and there, even ran it as a ground saw at a tree service I worked at for a summer, still runs amazing.

Now if you can find a new 4910 Echo, they are a very nice saw with an even nice price tag.

 

https://www.craigslist.org/view/d/bolton-husqvarna-51-chain-saw/9Z2gSshb6jG4nWgirN6e6h
$200 for the saw, plus shipping....

 

I have bought, sold and bought the same 51 back for more than that, killer deal for sure there Eric.

 

Believe me, I've been eyeing it for a couple weeks but have a hard time justifying getting it for myself.

 

At $200 shipped (assuming it’s local to you) I would have already picked it up…

 

Well, my offer to Nitrodave stands. If he's tickled by this cherry Husqvarna 51 here in the constipation state, I'll check it out, and if it looks as good as it does in pictures, I'll buy it and ship it to him out in Michigan.

 

You sent me on a trip down memory lane, I picked up mine in PA while at work, for the life of me I couldn’t remember where I picked it up. PA Dan did a wonderful job helping a saw community widow sell her late husbands saws. I snagged it from him and got to eat dinner with him and Glock37.

 

Heck that clean little 45 I got from you would fit this bill as well, although the 51/55 has to be the best firewood non pro saw ever built.

 

I will say this, at 42CC, don’t discount the Redmaz GZ4350, I have the orange version 543XP ported by Kevin and it is all you would ever need in an 18” bar saw. Stock with a 16 inch .325 bar running Stihl narrow kerf RS would be the ultimate lightweight firewood setup in my mind. There are a few lingering around at decent prices NIB if you are inclined to do some looking.