If you need to stick to the $500 budget, I have heard nothing but good things about Echos. If you can stretch it a bit, I would recommend a Stihl 261 or the Husky 550.
Also gotta remember guy's he's talking in Canadian denero's.. Not sure what that comes out to in US $ today. But less than $500 USD to be sure. Edit.. Google search says $373 USD Ouch Edit 2.. I would imagine the prices he posted are also in CAD
If you can stretch a little, like others, I recommend the Husky 550XP. Pound for pound, the funnest stock saw I have. And welcome aboard! We’re very good at spending your money.
Wow, this is great one and all. I'll try and go back to like each post. Yes, prices I listed are in Canadian dollars. US$1 = CDN$1.34, but more like $1.40 in real terms. Sometimes products from far away lands are more proportionally priced. Chainsaws, not so much. Oh well, at least our gas is only CDN$5.14 per US Gallon (US$3.83). ;-) I did some research on my Partner and it is likely a 1976 F55, with no safety on the trigger, but it does have a chain brake. It is likely 55CC and 13.7 lbs. Interesting how everyone online refers to it as vintage, or collectors item - haha. This guy rarely bogs down and makes quick work of hardwood and softwood alike, but I guess it is time to clean it up well and treat it with some respect in memory of my father in law who died far too early. If I move my shopping to the next level, the Stihl MS261C-M $780 on sale for $650. The Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf is $648 on sale at HD for $548, but I'll call the local dealer on Monday. For comparison, the CS-620P is $800 and the Husky 550XP is $780 and both are out of range. This leads me to focus on the Echo CS-590 which should be big enough for the work I need to do. Thanks again for the Welcome and advice and Happy Easter. Peter Partner F55 SplitFire 2203
I'm another Echo 590 Timberwolf happy owner. Great saw for the $$$. That being said, I prefer buying from an Echo small shop dealer rather than a big box store. Most will not forget you bought from them and the price is usually in the same range as the HomeDepots and the like.
From the list you gave, I'd pick the Echo. The Echo's I have been around and owned, they are drama free and will take some abuse. A friend just sold a husky 450, I had to tear that thing almost all of the way down to put a fuel and impulse line on it, horrible design as bad as the MS non pro Stihl's. Echos are a bit easier to service from what I have seen.
No brand preference ( white lie - I am a Dolmar fan ) but, I would shop the dealer first then get what they service.
A neighbor has been looking for something a bit bigger than his 026 . He came by Friday with his brand new CS 590 . $345 +tax with a 20” bar . That’s a really decent price for a really good saw in that size range .
Where abouts in NB are you? I have a version 1 261CM and will be getting a log load in the next couple weeks. I am outside Fredericton. The 261 version 2s that are out now are almost a pound lighter and a hair more power. Stop on over and give a go. I got mine on clearance for $600 right before the version 2 came out.
Echo CS-590 Bought mine from a local shop, regular price of $399 and was able to upgrade to a 24" bar and chain for an additional $25.
Thanks for the offer Hammy. I too am in the Fredericton area, high and dry (major spring flooding here folks). The new 261CM, even on sale is $650+tax and more than I want to invest. I must admit, a chance to come cut your firewood for you sounds enticing - Always fun actually! Home Depot had the Echo 590 for $550 going into the Easter weekend. I checked with Ponds early this week, once they opened after Easter and they would happily match the price - just bring in the ad. BTW: I told buddy at Ponds that I did not want them lose money and he assured me that Echo protects its local dealers. Good to know. I checked again and the HD sale was over :-( Back to the drawing board. I am not desparate so I'll tune up my Partner for now and keep an eye out for the next round of sales. Thanks again to all. Peter Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
I have a 291, and it cuts a boatload of firewood for me each year without missing a beat. Every town has a stihl dealer, and im pretty sure they need to service them to sell them... would you trust Home Depot to service an Echo? I doubt they even do, rarely go to a HD as Im way out in the sticks and 45min away. Stihl for me!!
If you throw in some cash I will let you split it too Good luck with your hunt. I seem to remember getting a flyer from Ponds a while ago and the CS590 was on for a pretty aggressive price. I want to say $499 but I could be wrong. I don’t think I have ever heard a bad word about them. High and sort of dry here as well. We are in Geary so not much flooding to deal with. Unfortunately many friends are dealing with it but seem to be better off than last year so far.
Ive owned a Stihl MS290 (the 291 is the updated version of it) Farm Boss since 2010 and have had no problems with it. It cold starts 4-6 pulls every time, runs, idles and cuts well in all types of wood with a 16" bar. I cut maybe 8-10 cord annually with it. The only issue i had was a needle bearing failure back in January and it was a $10 simple fix. Ive put maybe 2-3 tune up kits in it as well. Prior to that i owned a Stihl 026 purchased in 1992 and used until it died. Had zero problems with that as well. Prior to that i owned a Stihl 028 AV which i got as a gift in 1985 when i was 17. Someone ran it on raw gas and ruined it but had no issues with it either. I want to replace my 290 with the 261 but that is out of your price range at maybe $600. It is lighter, better torque to weight ratio. It will be my next saw.
I am probably late to this party but another vote for a MS261C I originally bought the 261 as a backup to my Dolmar 5105. After a year of use my go to saw is now the 261 it is light weight, fast and very balanced with an 18” bar on it. I mostly cut pine since I live in the forest in the Rocky Mountains but have on occasion been able to knock down some hardwoods with it.
