In need of chainsaw advice

Hello,
I am new to the forum. I have been reading posts in here and learning a lot. I am looking at getting second chainsaw for some tree felling and cutting rounds to be split in a couple wood burning stoves at a cabin and a fireplace at my house. I currently have a Husqvarna 120 Mark II. A coworker was selling cheap and it has barely been used. I am however looking gyro get a bigger saw for bigger jobs. I have ran a smaller Stihl and like it a lot. I am getting confused looking at the three main brands Husqvarna, Stihl, and Echo. I recently looked at A Echo CS490. Is seem like a good value with the magnesium crank case and from what I understand you can replace the cylinder and piston faulty easy. I don’t know much about Echo but the saw comes with a. 5 year warranty. Is Echo viewed as a lesser saw or is it a lesser saw? I am unsure if what size I really need. I would love a pro saw for the fact they they are better made but I can’t justify the price tag.
If you have any insight in brand and sizing for certain jobs I loved to hear it! I am very excited about finding this forum.
Thanks

 

I would recommend a saw that is around 55cc to 60cc for all around use.

Husky makes a homeowner saw a 455 rancher.
Stihl makes the homeowner saw a MS 290.
Echo makes a cs590.

All three will work for what you want.

 

Couple questions are needing to be answered in order to better answer your questions.

What size wood (diameter) do you anticipate needing to cut?

How many cords (128 cubic feet) do you anticipate on needing to cut per year?

Sounds as though you're new to wood burning and chainsaws. If that is the case, then I agree a 50-60 cc saw is plenty. People from all walks of life with different life experiences here.

 

I like Stihl. You'll pay more but they last. You have to get a Stihl from a Stihl dealer. You can find them online.

As far as what size to get. That depends. What are you going to use it for? What size diameter trees/logs will you be working with? If you know the size range of the trees/logs, then I would go with a saw that can handle that size bar. For example, if you work with 24"-32" diameter trees/logs, then get a saw that can handle a 36" bar. If you don't work with that size, then get a smaller saw that can handle a 20" bar. Hope this helps!

 

And I like Husqvarna. Brand wars aside, the 3 you listed have a good enough reputation to serve you well no mater which you choose. Mag case is a big plus IMO.


And welcome to FHC!!

 

Welcome Matt (no pun intended)! Glad to have you onboard. You are getting good advise above and any of the saw brands listed will serve you well. Echo saws are a "best value" and are good units with a great warranty. I personally have Stihls but recently bought a medium size Echo at a garage sale to flip and was pleasantly impressed! I believe that if you get a professional grade Echo, you will never look back. Look foreword to more posts on what you get and how you like it. Don't forget pictures.

 

I have several both stihl and echo and have recently dumped a ton on a new big stihl. I think echo in the medium to large sizes are a better built saw. Yes I said it, ha ! I recommend buying from a dealer no matter what brand.

 

When it comes to heating your house a pro saw pays for itself every winter, especially if you have a $ sucking heat pump like me.
I’m a firm believer in buying solid dependable tools that last.
I could do most of my firewood work with a 50cc and 70cc saw.
I have used Shindaiwa, Echo, Husqvarna and Stihl during my 28yr tree career and they are all good saws, but most of my experience is with Stihl saws.

 

I have an Echo CS-501P, and it’s a fantastic saw. I carry the 501, a Pferd 2n1 chain sharpener, and a husky gas mix/bar oil combo wherever I go. It hasn’t failed me yet, and I make about 1.5 cords of firewood a week right now. Nothing like the legendary jrider, but it gets a good bit of use.

I think Barcroftb has one and recommends it as well. If I understand correctly he does tree work professionally. He has a great thread about doing a muffler mod on an slightly earlier model.

 

Welcome to the site Matt!

As mentioned, good dealer support is important. Even if your saws don't break and need to be repaired, you're still going to need parts and other supplies to properly maintain them.

You can cut a lot of firewood with a good 50cc to 60cc saw. I'd recommend a pro type saw (mag. case ect).

Good luck, NYH1.

 

A 60CC saw with a 20" bar is, IMO, the best one saw plan out there. That's what I run and I've cut umpteen bazillion cord of firewood with that setup. First was an old 031AV, then a 361, now a 362CM.

Lot's of people say the Echo's are good, but they aren't as good as Husky's or Stihl's. My dad ran a CS590 for a while and it didn't work out....ended up trading it in on a 362 and hasn't regretted it one bit.

The pro saw's are expensive, but if you think of this as a 10 or 15 year purchase (which is it) the extra up front cost is pennies on the dollar and well worth it. Get you a 362CM or 562XP and turn cutting wood from work into fun.

 

Makita/ Dolmar 63/64xx series, only have one line- pro. Parts and repair should not be an issue with Makitas dealer network. Even the abused HD rental unit has been great after I fixed the melted oil pump assembly ( $50 for parts , 45 min. my time).

 

Yes the echo cs490 is a great value. The cs501p is as well. You cannot got wrong with either. The 501p has a few features that make it worth the extra cash. I've been using my 501p professionally now for a few years and it's been durable and reliable. I use it nearly everyday... here it is today

Having said that if you don't have a good echo dealer, and aren't comfortable working on your own saws, I'd recommend buying a saw at the best dealer (either Husky or stihl) that is closest to you.

60cc would be my one saw plan size recommendation, but really a 1 saw plan is no fun. I'd probably buy a 50cc saw with the plan to add a smaller 25-35cc and a larger 70-90cc saw in the future for a classic 3 saw plan. That way you can use the right size saw for the task at hand.

The 3 saw plan advice of course changes if you are just looking to clean up yard debris or just do routine property maintenance instead of harvesting firewood for home heating.

 

Welcome aboard Matt Kloster


Good advice given.. as per normal.. a bit of saw bias. also normal.


As stated.. it depends on needs.. and sometimes wants.

When we lived in the city and wanted backyard fires.. The Poulan 4218 worked out great, and wasn't expensive. Others that I know have had nothing but bad experience with the brand.. So I wouldn't recommend one.

If you plan to cut frequently.. it's better to invest well up front.

If it'll be used a few times a year.. then Pro level probably isn't worth the extra $$


If you're not comfortable working on one, then dealer support becomes a high priority.

Although good dealer support should always be considered.

Do let us know what you decide.. and remember.. We like looking at perty new saws

 

I don't need a saw for falling. All the logs are low grade that are left on the ground after logging and only need bucking.
These are the 3 saws that I have, the 390 Xp, 562Xp for bucking, and the 439 for limbing. I like the 24" bar on the 562Xp so I don't have to bend over to buck 1o" rounds.

The 390Xp with a 34" bar is great on logs like this one. This log produced 4 cords.

This is a bunch of logs that it was convenient to have all three bar lengths.

 

Here's my .02. First,it largely depends on the size and amount of wood you actually will use it on,as others have already pointed out.Don't get caught up in the feeling you have to have a pro grade 70cc saw to cut a cord or two of wood for firewood.At the same time,don't think you can enjoy wood cutting for a northern winter with a saw which was only meant to saw up a few limbs in someones' backyard.
One of the main things you will hear time and again from posters is dealer support.Very important,IMO No matter if you are starting out or have years of experience,you will need parts sooner or later.Plus,you can get good quality oils,chains and files from most since saws are their livelihood.
I will agree that a 60cc saw makes a good one saw plan but it would help to know more about the size and amount of wood you will deal with. I personally use a 45cc and a 59 cc.The 45 is a homeowner grade Stihl but,IMO,saws and runs much better than it should.The 59 is a pro grade Stihl and has been a great saw.I know a father and son who are in the firewood business that use the same 59cc saws.
Last winter,I cut up a lot of oak from a right of way clearing that could have gone for pulpwood.With sharp chain,the little saw did a very nice job with anything up to about 14 or 15 inches.If I was doing anything that size and above,I used my bigger saw. None of it was above 20.I would not worry about tackling a 36" log with the 20" bar on the 362.
That is what works for me.You need to get what works for you.
I can't say anything bad about Husqvarna but I've had very little experience with them.They must have good ones,too,since a lot of people really like theirs.Don't know anything about Echo saws but,if they are like the trimmer I bought this year,I'd consider them,too.
If you haven't,learn to maintain your saw,keep it reasonably clean,and learn to keep your chain sharp.A small saw with a good,sharp chain will outcut a bigger saw every time.Much easier on the saw and the operator,too. There are plenty of videos out there if you don't have someone to help you.There is some gratification in putting a freshly sharpened chain in wood that you sharpened yourself.
I wish you well and,above all,be safe with this.If you don't have it already,some PPE is far less expensive than an ER co pay. At least get some ear plugs,safety glasse and
saw chaps.

 

X2..

Excellent advice..

 

welcome aboard.
I have zero echo experience
In it for the long haul, get a pro model. New or used, they’re easy to work on.
Size is what you think you might need.
If I had one saw to do it all, it’d be 60cc.

 

No offense, but if you are asking the question, I would buy whatever brand has the most reputable dealer near you. There a greater chance that will be Stihl or Husquavarna-I have 4 Stihl dealers and 1 Husky dealer that are within 20 miles of my house.