…… Chainsaws

[Border Collie Dad]

I'm thinking about chainsaws.
Not a big user lumberjack, but cut a few trees each year for firewood.
And I'm getting older.

I have a Husqvarna 435 and like it.
Recently got a Kobalt cordless and it's ok but not for anything too serious.
Finally, I have a Jonsered CS2255 and that's the one I'm hoping to talk about.

Good saw but getting heavy for this old guy.
It's pretty powerful and not used a whole lot.

I think I'd like to replace the Jonsered with something bigger than the 435 but less weight than the Jonsered.
The Husky has a 16" bar and the Jonsered 20".
If I'm felling, the biggest tree would be around 16-20" and either of the saws would work.

I, probably, don't NEED another saw because I cut less than a cord of wood a year and, at 73, not sure how many more years I'll be cutting.
I like having a back up.

It may make the most sense to keep the Jonsered and use it where I have to.

Any opinions will be appreciated.

 

[dvo]

My answer to questions like this is always Stihl. But it may be better to stay with what you know. Just find the right size for what you want to do. Dealer support can be important too.

 

[SmithJ]

I have 2 Echo 14", a Black and Decker 12" battery saw and a 16" Husqvarna.

I use the B&D for 75% of what I do and one of the Echos for anything bigger. Never even fire up the Husqvarna any more.

Now I dont cut firewood, I use mine mostly for clean up or the occasional tree over the driveway. For me, 14" is the sweet spot between enough power and not too heavy.

 

[Millwright]

Stihls are kinda funky to start.

15 years on an Echo, no problems.

 

[ted]

Check out Dolmar, best power to weight out there.


eta: Wish I could afford one.

 

[bracketquant]

I can afford but one chainsaw, so it must be a "do everything" saw, and not cost an arm and a leg.

The Echo CS-590 (60 cc, with a 24" bar) Timberwolf is the ONLY saw that meets my requirements. Getting 10% off by applying for a Home Depot card, the cost was right about $400, last year. When I get older, I'll likely get a shorter bar.

From everything that I've read, if expense is not a factor, having both a 50 cc, and a 70 cc, saw is the way to go. Bar lengths and chain types depend upon the user. If one is not handy in working on/fixing a saw, one should be aware that brand dealerships may refuse to work on your saw, if you bypass purchasing through them, and try to save a few bucks by buying online.

 

[Abe Froman]

I have a Stihl battery powered 12”. It’s my favorite. Super easy to use. Nothing to “start”. Just pull the trigger.

I also have a Stihl 20” gas powered for when the trees are big. It’s very dependable but it can be a trick to start.

 

[bracketquant]

Doing a bit of reading on the CS2255, some recommendations are to go to a 16" bar with .325 chain, to lighten things up.

 

[Repairman-Jack]

I've been running a Stihl Farmboss MS290 since 2006, its been a very good saw. I bought it when I lived in the burbs and it had mild use other than when an inlaw would order a large truck of logs.

I'd stay away from the Stihl homeowner line and look in their Ranch/Farm line.

 

[Jackpine Savage]

My go to saw is a Stihl 261 Pro,16" bar, 50.2 cc. It has the decompression button for easier starting. It's 19 years old, I don't know how the new Stihls compare.

For bigger trees and bucking logs I've got two older Jonsereds, a 630 and a 670, with 16" and 24" bars respectively.

Then I've got a Poulan Wild Thing that my DW bought at a garage sale for $20. I pulled it out of the case, added fuel and it started, after I figured out the procedure, talk about a funky set up. I'm sure the chain had never been sharpened. I still use it for trimming trails and brush cutting.

 

[Skyraider]

I also love my Farmboss MS290. It has been a workhorse for years. At 74 years of age, I have to admit it can get heavy. this year I purchased the Stihl Farmboss 271 and have to say it feels about half the weight. I have used it this winter on some really big dead ash and just took apart a huge 30 inch cherry. It did the job. The downside is it ran me $500. I use an older Stihl 009 for limbing work. It’s old but still runs like a champ.

Skyraider

 

[John Green]

This post is so disappointing. I was expecting videos of someone juggling chainsaws.

 

[FMJ]

Stihl easy2start system. Starting it is kind of like setting the ignition switch and choke, then little short pulls on the starting cord to build up energy in the recoil start system. When adequate, it will spin the engine. You could literally start it unintentionally.

 

[vector7]

Check out Dolmar, best power to weight out there.

eta: Wish I could afford one.

Had a bunch of them but they got plundered years ago.

Makita bought out Sachs Dolmar decades ago.

Been looking at the Stihl gas chainsaws, not cheap.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/farm-and-ranch-saws/ms391/?aqid=09c0a73ca27a811de18ee057ba7f37f3#specifications

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms362/?aqid=7b456b9677ffbb0b9ef55a01cc46dce6#specifications

 

[Milkweed Host]

I use two Echo CS-310, 14" at 8.8 pounds and one Echo CS2311T, 12", at 5.2 pounds.

No problem falling 20" trees since the wedge is the falling side and the other side
is a partial cut, but about 2" higher than the wedge cut, for a hinged slow motion fall.

I previously had a Mcculloch chainsaw that was getting way too heavy for this old fart.

Echo is very easy to start, just have to follow their instructions to the letter.

 

[naegling62]

I have a titanium elbow with cadaver tendons in my right arm. Endlessly pulling a starter rope on a chainsaw is brutal. Non of my Husqvarna start worth anything.

I recently purchased a Black Max 16" branded chainsaw and it starts easily. I have a residential grade Craftsman battery chainsaw and consider it ok for tree limbs.

 

[mecoastie]

At a cord a year I would just stick with what you have. Keep the Jonsered for anything too big for the 435.

 

[Meemur]

I need to downsize my chainsaw, so I'm watching this thread.

 

[Millwright]

I have a titanium elbow with cadaver tendons in my right arm. Endlessly pulling a starter rope on a chainsaw is brutal. Non of my Husqvarna start worth anything.

I recently purchased a Black Max 16" branded chainsaw and it starts easily. I have a residential grade Craftsman battery chainsaw and consider it ok for tree limbs.

You could get a Pull-On, would be a matching cadaver chainsaw.

 

[Thinwater]

Helen had some good chainsaw stories.

 

[day late]

Stihls are kinda funky to start.

15 years on an Echo, no problems.

I don't have a problem starting my Stihl 170. BUT, after running for a while, when I shut it down to refill the tank, it gets vapor lock and I have to let it cool down before it will crank up again.

 

[Millwright]

Helen had some good chainsaw stories.

She was trawling for lumberjacks.

 

[bracketquant]

This post is so disappointing. I was expecting videos of someone juggling chainsaws.

I once saw a guy juggle a chainsaw, a bowling ball, and a toilet plunger.

 

[emiliozapata]

i recently purchased a 14 inch ryobi 40 volt brushless- i am genuinely shocked at how powerful the thing is and the work it can do

 

[Griz3752]

I like having a back up.

Of course you do or we wouldn't all be on here would we?

Don't know a lot about saws - how hard would it be to swap bars on the Jonsered? Or is even feasible?

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Of course you do or we wouldn't all be on here would we?

Don't know a lot about saws - how hard would it be to swap bars on the Jonsered? Or is even feasible?

The weight is my problem with the Jonsered.
Swapping bars wouldn't makle much difference.
Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[tinfoil]

I’d vote for Stihl, given what you shared above.

Also, if you ever want to sell that Jonsered, please let me know!

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Also, if you ever want to sell that Jonsered, please let me know!

I may be interested.
It's like new except for the saw dust.

If I sell it, I would look for a lighter saw.

 

[Hacker]

I've run a Stihl 026 up here until recently, for 22 years. Never a problem, however, I had to let it go.

Just recently bought a Chinese, but I haven't run it yet. Nonetheless, here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9TFFQ6/

 

[Bud in Fla]

Check out Dolmar, best power to weight out there.


eta: Wish I could afford one.

I had a Dolmar ps6100. It was good saw for 4 or 5 years but it puked. Then again, I'd been cutting 3 or 4 cords of firewood for winter in the WV mountains at that time. Before that I had Stihl 028. I wasn't heating with wood then, but I was really let down when it locked up after only 28 years of abuse! It was like my dog or my truck dying on me.
I currently have a Stihl MS 261 and it seems to good but I'm 72 and slowed way down!

Another note on the Dolmar - they actually invented the chainsaw. They were bought by Makita in 1991 but were still made in Germany. Makita discontinued the gas chainsaw line in 2022. Not too much more info but I did find this -

"Dolmar will stop producing gasoline saws I think it's by the end of 2022 and stock up. So they can sell untill 2025. By that time Makita will surprise us all with battery powered saws that are in the same power range as the 6100 and 7900."
This is what a sales person of Makita/Dolmar told me last month.

Basically, any Dolmar/Makita sold since '22 is old stock and probably has limited parts available for them now.

 

[SSTemplar]

What I like about my battery operated chainsaw is how light weight it is and it has a good charge life. Get two batteries and your good. Of course at 76 I do my jobs in one hour stretches.

 

[Griz3752]

What I like about my battery operated chainsaw is how light weight it is and it has a good charge life. Get two batteries and your good. Of course at 76 I do my jobs in one hour stretches.

Pacing in all things is wise.

I'm sure if I tried some of the things I did even at 60-65, I'd probably vapour lock

 

[Publius]

Stihls are kinda funky to start.

15 years on an Echo, no problems.

This ^^!!!
Have owned Stihl 026 for a number of years and had issues with it that the local dealers refused to fix and I lived with it until it quit working for the second time after 20 years of use.
I own a 1970s 78CC Echo with a 24" inch bar and still have it, yes it all medial and is heavy, the thing is a horse, it will out preform most of the newer saws in it's displacement range.
About six years ago I needed a new replacement for that Stihl and after much research I kept coming back to Echo chain saws so I went with the Echo CS490 it's a 50.2CC displacement and came with a 20" inch bar and chain, but there was a 16" bar option so I ordered the 16" with a chain to go with it and picked up extra chains for it later.
First year I put this saw to the task of cutting 10+ cords of fire wood and it cut 95% of the wood the other 5% was done by a larger saw.
Many cannot over time spend extra money on more than one chain saw but I find a 45cc to 50cc powerhead and16" bar is enough to cut all the fire wood you need. I do have bigger larger saws with more power and longer bar (24" and 32") for really big trees and I also own a log splitter and unless you have helped someone cut and split such big wood you may not want to take such trees on especially by yourself.

 

[vector7]

Best Chainsaw? Let's Settle This! Stihl, Husqvarna, ECHO, Poulan Pro, Craftsman, Ryobi, Salem Master (21min)​

1 year ago
Let's settle this debate! Stihl vs Husqvarna, ECHO, Poulan Pro, Craftsman, Ryobi, Salem Master. Chainsaws compared for weight, pulling force to start the saw, cold temperature starting performance, torque, no load sprocket speed, cutting speed on manufactured log, cutting speed with 5 pounds of weight on the bar, cutting speed through hardwood. I purchased all of the gasoline / petrol chainsaws and supplies used to test the chainsaws to ensure an unbiased review.

View: https://youtu.be/Sq0dkHXsRkU?si=OOUReComzTStl8qk

 

[arks]

BCD- for my $$, the most powerful lightweight saw isn’t made anymore- but can be found used. They are pricey, though.
The Stihl MS200T. Yes it’s a compact climbers saw, but OMG it has plenty of power to run a 16” bar and cut up lots of logs. I gave mine a real workout for a few years, so I decided to have it rebuilt last summer ($500 ouch!) and it‘s an absolute beast. Just sayin’.

 

[SurfaceTension]

Take a close look at the Husqvarna 550 XP Mk2. Lighter than your Jonsered but an amazing machine. I was in a similar dilemma last year...It was a little more than I initially wanted to spend, but I think it may be the best purchase I've made in in the last decade (even moreso than my new favorite little Sig).

 

[KFhunter]

The weight is my problem with the Jonsered.
Swapping bars wouldn't makle much difference.
Thanks for the suggestion.

I googled that saw and if it’s the newer one it’s 15.5 lbs with a 20” bar and 55cc


The Echo CS-501P is 50cc and just over 10lbs and you get to keep the 20” bar, a good 5lbs lighter with probably just as fast cutting, if not more.

CS-501P ECHO X Series Chainsaw | ECHO

More power without more weight. Learn more about the CS-501P and other chainsaws today at ECHO.

www.echo-usa.com

You can also throw on a super light bar for a little over $100 and get a professional rebuildable bar and shave a bit more weight but I’m not sure how much, there’s a bunch out there

Sugihara Light Weight Bar .325" Pitch .050" Gauge 8mm Bar Slot

This Sugihara chainsaw bar has a polished finish to reveal the high quality of steel used to manufacture every Sugihara chainsaw bar. Whether your power head is Stihl, Husqvarna, or another b

www.treestuff.com

One thing to keep in mind though is the balance of the saw could change a little

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Not sure how close the nearest Echo dealer is.
I've heard pretty good stuff about them.

 

[Publius]

Not sure how close the nearest Echo dealer is.
I've heard pretty good stuff about them.

Home Depot carries the Echo brand and you may need to special order what you want and they can get it for you and just pay for it and it will show up at your home about four or five days later.
I bought my CS-490 some years back and they changed all the model numbers so the replacement for the CS-490 is now CS-501P and what changed I have no idea it seems to be the same as the CS-490.
Check out the Echo website and have a look at what they have, not sure want the same as I have.

 

[Pat Hogen]

Take a close look at the Husqvarna 550 XP Mk2. Lighter than your Jonsered but an amazing machine. I was in a similar dilemma last year...It was a little more than I initially wanted to spend, but I think it may be the best purchase I've made in in the last decade (even moreso than my new favorite little Sig).

I will second that, it is an amazing saw. I never start a saw after a lengthy lay-off without using a spray of Aerostart. I have two Stihlls as well but they are not my favorites.
Btw, I replaced my 16" bar with an 18" bar and it has a ton of grunt.