Chainsaw recommendations

I'm over on the pellet pigs side. My dad still burns wood and wants to get a new chainsaw.

He dosen't want anything cheap. Not sure of what brand or models to look at. Not even sure of pro's or con's to anything new out there. A 16inch bar should be fine most of the time but would also be ok with a 18 or even extra 20inch if needed. Thinking either stihl or Husqvarna?

 

My sig says it all for me.

The fact Makita is exiting the gas equipment business, if I had to pick another orange brand I'd go Stihl. Everywhere you turn there are Stilh dealers, Ace Hardware, Deere dealers, etc.

I do all my own maintenance and repairs so I'll ride my Dolmars as long as I can.

 

I guess first off is what types of wood and how much yearly does he cut? Next would be budget. Running stihls I'll recommend MS261. A bit better quality than than a homeowners saw. 18-20" bar works great on this saw. It's my go to saw 80% of the time. It will also depend on where you can get top-notch dealer service if you need it . Good luck.

 

Husky 550mkII would be a great choice. They’re typically a good bit cheaper that Stihl too. Even parts and chains, steal really gets ya in the wallet. It really is similar to Ford vs Chevy.

Echo makes good stuff from feedback I’ve read on here. Never owned one to confirm though.

 

I love Husqvarna but the last 2 saws I have purchased have been Echo.

 

Stihl ms261cm is great with a 16, or 18” bar.
For a 20” bar I’d get a ms400cm, or ms462cm

 

He dosen't cut the amount he used too, but wants something that will last his days of cutting and be able to pass along to me.

No real budget, but also no reason to over spend.

 

What model should I look into?

 

Needing a 20inch bar anymore wouldn't be very often.

 

All hardwood, I know the jd dealer is good I've been going there for years and they carry stihl.

 

A pro saw that routinely gets pm and only used for firewood will provide decades of dependable service.

 

The last 15 years he's used 3 cheap poulan chainsaws. He would just toss one down and on to the next one until finishing for the season to repair.

Now there all junk and beyond repair. We both think that he could have had got one good saw and it would still be running and be able to be fixed and passed on. Now there's no running saw and nothing for the next person to use.

 

Grab a good 50cc saw, I recommend the Stihl MS261.

 

A stihl MS291 or MS311 with an 18" bar will handle the average wood cutters needs. As mentioned an MS261 is a great pro saw, but pricey.
Ive owned/used Stihls since 1985 and they are a very reliable saw.

Husqvarna and Echo are also reliable, reputable saws.
Buy from an outdoor power equipment dealer should you ever have questions or need parts and/or service.

 

My only saw was a 56cc Stihl MS290 (the precursor to their current MS291) with a 16" bar up until a few years ago. Always started with a few pulls, enough power for average logs.

 

This sounds as if you have a manufacturer/dealer to work with. I'd go and talk to them about their recommendation of a saw for your father. They will get you what you need.

 

I will jump on the Stihl 261 band wagon. A Pro saw that hits above it's weight. I have had a 260 pro for several years and for general use it is my go to saw.

 

if not looking for a big saw I like my little CS-400 with a 16" bar. The 590 is also a good saw.

 

The MS 261 CM is the last saw he’ll ever need. Spend the It’s a ripper. I have mine with an 18” bar and I’ve never looked back or regretted it.

 

Don't put a lot of weight on the times in the video. The differences in the chains may be the time difference. I know the green label on the Stihl chain box he put on is a less aggressive chain and will cut slower but may stay sharp longer and be more tolerant of hitting stuff other than wood.

Does he sharpen his own chains or take them in to be sharpened? If he does sharpen his own, is he a chain changer or on the saw filer? Personally, I find changing chains easier on a Stihl due to the clutch / sprocket setup, but it's all what you get used to, I guess.