Chainsaw recommendation
 

With all the storms our part of the world has had plenty of tree damage and clean up. I bought an Echo CS310 14" chainsaw in 2015 to clean up limbs and trees that had fallen on clients' homes and property. Used it this year after first storm, and have loaned it out to two other contractors who needed to do emergency access clean ups. Both of those pros were impressed enough to go out and buy the same saw at the orange box store for themselves. For $200, it is a good deal. Great for limbing, b u cking and even felling trees up to about 18" diameter if you have access to both sides. Just a heads up if you are in the market for an easy starting, lighter weight saw.

I had a Husq 435 from Lowes saw was a piece of junk Had it fixed 2 times in the 4 years I owned it It would never stay running and was a PIA to start. I just replaced it with a Sthil MS 250 Awesome saw Start up overtime and is pretty powerful

As a wood cutter at a golf course I cut everyday. We had Husqies but they would die on the guys. I started bringing my Stihls to work and now the club is buying Stihls.
As an aside, I have 15 acres and am always cutting. I have tried every brand over the course of 45 years here and Stihl is the only way to go. Just be advised that the new Stihls have a problem with a computer chip that runs the fuel. I have been told that the new MS 362 is junk. I run a few old "0" series. 028AV Super, 034, 036.
I do have a new saw a MS271 which I use for limbing and smaller trees and it runs fine.

A little bit of an aside question for you. I bought the Husqvarna 450 and after everything I read I definitely wish I went with a Stihl. BUT, so far the thing has been great (2+ years) After this seasons noreaster march I feel like I went from guy that can cut some cord wood to guy that can do ice sculptures at a party. Its got the 20" bar and seems to have great power. I've been using the rip off canned gas with no ethanol and making sure the chain oil is always good. Any other tips for keeping her humming?

Mike, don't get me wrong Husqies are great saws. I'm partial to Stihls because I have been cutting with them for so long. I have a friend who has cut commercially and wouldn't touch a Stihl. It is a personal preference.
As for tips, keep your chain sharp and cut the rakers down every few sharpens. If you don't sharpen yourself....LEARN. You can put a
better edge on than any of the commercial ripoff guys that sharpen with a grinding wheel.
Make sure you keep your gas clean. I don't know what you run for oil but I run synthetic is my newer saws but conventional 2 cycle in my older saws. I run a little heavier oil to gas mixture. I like 32 to 1 rather than 40 to one. Just extra lubrication for your cylinder.

If you don't have cutting chaps, get a pair. You slip once and cut an artery in your leg and you will bleed out before you can get help. We always wear cutting chaps, eye protection, gloves and, if we are dropping big trees, a hard hat. Most homeowners don't wear any PPE. I cringe every time I see someone cutting without wearing PPE. I'm cutting commercially so it's the law that we wear PPE but I wear the same when I'm cutting at home. A chainsaw is one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment you will ever use.

BTW, I used a new Husqui 562 the other day and it is a screamer. The commercial guys consider the Husqvarna's the rice rockets of the saw world and the Stihls the Harley Davidsons. The Husquis do rev much higher.

Thats great advice, thank you. I've been using the 40:1 mix with the 95 octane/no ethanol canned mix so I think I"m good there. I hear what your saying 100% with safety. I saw a great thread where everyone was talking about different phobia's. Some one asked what a fear of chainsaws was and a guy replied "common sense" That stuck with me. I have been cutting in my carhartt doubled up lined overalls but I've looked at the chaps. Seems like a smart investment. I think you convinced me. I dont drop trees, but I'm a bit of a pyro and love taking hardwood to season for the fireplace. Its been a great spring for that. Lots of wood on the ground. Of all the tools I own I believe this is the one that I'm most afraid of, I think it should stay that way. Thanks for the reply.

You are welcome. Didn't intend to make you fearful of the saw, just respect what it is....a dangerous tool. Respect it and take proper precautions and you'll be fine.

The reason the Husq's have so many problems in the intake is made of rubber and doesn't hold up. Sucks in air and the saws won't run. Had mine changed twice and it went again. I will never buy another one

Just bought the 310 CS ECHO and it was exactly what I needed. Dead trees to 14-16", limbs, ect. great recommendation.

Good saw Jay. I stay with Stihl because I have for 40+ years and I can get parts (bars, chains etc) in town. I'm cutting 7 days a week so there's the big difference. Your Echo will last you a lifetime.

Don't know why you guys are bashing Husqvarna, I buy a new string trimmer every few years and they always work great.

:hidin:

if you want to see the Harley Davidson of chainsaws, you need to operate my 1972 Remington with a 26" blade...it takes 2 men and a boy to operate it... I still use it to cut ice to drop a dip net...I guess they made that saw for when men were men...

I have a 80's vintage partner 18" that is a little work horse.. I pulled it out of a dumpster( someone took it completely apart and boxed it up then threw it away) many years ago,I put it back together and it's been running ever since..not even a carb adjustment... they don't make anything like that anymore...it'll sit for a year and still start after 3 or 4 pulls..

I run all my power equipment on Amisiol 100:1 mixed at 80:1... all fuel is treated with Star-tron..

Last year I bought an Echo battery operated 18" chain saw ( so I could do yard work early in the AM with out aggravating the neighbors)... for the average person this is a great thing... just leave the battery in the charger ( it has a maintenance mode)and it's instantly ready when you need it.. I've cut a lot of wood with it ( mostly pine and cedar), and the battery lasts a long time... with anything 4" and smaller it's every bit as fast as a gas chain saw.. it's light and has no vibration...I was so impressed with it I bought the string trimmer and leaf blower to match ( that also gives me plenty of spare batteries should the need arise)

It's not a chainsaw. Whole different world in the commercial arena. You cut 7 days a week for 6 or 7 hours a day you will then know why most of us stay with Stihl. Nothing bad to say about Huski just not my cup of tea.
That being said some of the new Stihls have issues since they went to a computer controller for the choke, carb and fuel flow.