| Author | Message | ||
     Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 560 Registered: 02-2003 |
Gonna get a powersaw either a Husqvarna or a Stihl. I am leaning towards the Husky model 55 rancher. People all here seem to know alot about alot so I just thought I would ask and find out what was good and bad... | ||
| Chris Gregg (Tofergregg) New Member Username: Tofergregg Post Number: 40 Registered: 05-2003 |
Well, when I went to the Maine Lumberjack Show, in Trenton, ME, this past summer, the Emcee of the show, "Timber" Tina couldn't say enough about how great Stihl chainsaws are. Of course, it may have had something to do with the fact that Stihl sponsors the show, but all I do know is that the chainsaws worked well and were really loud.  http://www.mainelumberjack.com/release.html -Chris | ||
| Chris Gregg (Tofergregg) Member Username: Tofergregg Post Number: 41 Registered: 05-2003 |
Sorry, better link here: (main page): http://www.mainelumberjack.com/index.html | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Billb Post Number: 1279 Registered: 02-2002 |
Hey - we saw that show too last year - LOL My 5 year old son got a crush on Timber Tina and we had to get an autographed section of log for him Bill | ||
| Randy Maynard (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 697 Registered: 08-2002 |
Stihl and Husky are the best out there, you will not go wrong buying either one. My preference is Stihl. | ||
| charles pastrano (Charles) Senior Member Username: Charles Post Number: 332 Registered: 08-2002 |
What are you planning to do? All my climbers prefer echo. Very small and light weight. Make sure it is the commercial model not the Home Depot job. On the floor all we use is Husky. The balance, power and feel is unmatched. Both in my opinion are very good saws. My laborers just have their preferences. Charles | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2717 Registered: 02-2002 |
Stihl or Husky. FWIW, Stihl won't sell 'em for less, they control prices, etc., whereas you can get a Husky from a place like Northern Tool ( http://www.northerntool.com ) for a good price. FWIW, I've got the smallest Husky, the 136... it meets my needs and fit my budget, especially since I'm not doing a LOT of logging . But, bigger would've been better if I was going to be doing more than I do now. What are you going to be doing? Trimming up small things around the house, you don't need big. But, if you've got a couple of hundred acres and you're going to be clearing out land, or building trails, etc., you'll want something bigger. If you're going to be out in the cold, they've got some with heated grips, that help with numbness. FWIW... -L | ||
| Chad Mayes (Cmayes) Member Username: Cmayes Post Number: 105 Registered: 04-2003 |
I've got a Stihl Farm Boss and it works great. My Dad has a smaller Husky and it performs well too. After using both saws they both have benefits. The smaller Husky is less fatiguing but the size and "roller" chain on the Stihl cuts through hardwood like butter. Both are great choices. Whatever you choose think about getting one size larger saw (bar and motor) than you think you might need. I was glad I did. | ||
| Mtb (Mtb) New Member Username: Mtb Post Number: 36 Registered: 02-2003 |
The one thing you may want to consider it the fuel Stihl uses 50:1 ( from what I heard, they are the only ones that use that mixture??)I don't know what the husky uses. You may not want multible gas cans if you have other 2 cycle motors. All my outdoor tools are Stihl and I never had any problems. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2722 Registered: 02-2002 |
There's an acceptable range for how you can mix it, but they'll be something similar. They've got little bottles designed to match X gallons, so, you can get a can and label it for the chainsaw. I dunno about that larger bar..... with a 16" bar, you can make a bore cut, circle the tree, and actually take down a tree over twice that diameter. I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna be cutting any tree that's over a 20" diameter, there's just not that many bigger than that size on the east coast that needs cutting... it's not like we're in redwood country here! Again, it's back to your use. -L | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 470 Registered: 11-2002 |
I have a old(20 years old) Stihl that came with a 30" bar. I bought it and changed the bar to a 18" roller bar. It has power out the wazoo to rip through the hardwoods we have in the wisconsin northwoods. A couple years ago we lost about 300 huge mature oaks in a tornado and the saw cut for weeks on end every day without missing a beat. wish I had a way to post videos...i have some great ones of pulling 100' long logs outa the woods with my scout | ||
| Garth Petch (Garth) New Member Username: Garth Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2003 |
I agree with buying a bar at least one size larger, but would suggest a motor two sizes larger, especially if you're cutting dry hardwood. Learn how to maintain it and sharpen it properly yourself, and even see if you can get some training in how to use it safely when you buy it...they're the most dangerous power tool in most people's sheds and can do nasty things to their users. However, contrary to popular belief, they're useless for cutting up bodies...the teeth clog up too quickly, reducing their effectiveness. Garth | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 187 Registered: 07-2003 |
I got the Stihl MS 315, It's a little big to use as a "Trail Saw", but the power is awesome. It's got an 18" rollor bar and I added the easy chain tighten upper thing. It uses 50:1 gas/oil mixture, but so does my stihl weedeater. You just can't go wrong with a stihl. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 561 Registered: 02-2003 |
Just for use on the farm. cutting stuff off of fences out of paths etc. thanks for the input I like the Husky but I know some folks that have always had Stihl's and wouldnt have anything else. thanks for the input | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2725 Registered: 02-2002 |
Either one, in the 16"-18" range, will be fine for ya.... Just don't take a leg off.... -L | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 563 Registered: 02-2003 |
yeah thats the size I was considering. not worried about the legs i prefer to run power saws in chacos and shorts. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2727 Registered: 02-2002 |
   -L | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 498 Registered: 10-2002 |
do does anyone take a chainsaw with them in the rover on longer trips? i mean, if you're gonna have an axe strapped to your roof rack, isn't a chainsaw in the back a little more effective. of course, they're noisy and i wouldn't start buzzing through prisitine wilderness, but it's still a good tool... kinda bulky i guess. | ||
| Dick Walker (Wyo183121) New Member Username: Wyo183121 Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 |
My first Stihl only lasted 35 years before my wife dropped a log on it. Just picked up a new Stihl and like it a lot more than my brothers new Husquarna | ||
| Aaron Richardet (Draaronr) Senior Member Username: Draaronr Post Number: 330 Registered: 09-2002 |
stihl | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 192 Registered: 07-2003 |
"i mean, if you're gonna have an axe strapped to your roof rack, isn't a chainsaw in the back a little more effective." It�s allotting more effective. But, when you carry a chain saw you have to also carry gas and bar oil. That takes up allot of space. I have always been "Lighter is Better", but I still carry my saw on local trails. Even at MAR, and Back To Basics I took my saw, but it just sat at camp. I do carry a Machete all the time though. | ||
| laszlo nemeth (Laz) New Member Username: Laz Post Number: 12 Registered: 03-2003 |
stihl. my west german one from ~85 is still running fine. get the chaps that prevernt leg cutting, they bind the blade in a cotteny type material AND WORK ;-) also get extra chains, bar oil, and 2 smoke oil at time of purchase and ask for a discount. DON'T bother with the plastic wedge thingy, waste of money and dangoures. my personal opinion on size is the bigest engine at the lowest wieght piont. ie current stihl's start at ~13 pounds, and there are ~5 engines at that wieght. laz | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 471 Registered: 11-2002 |
I have about 6 or 7 chains so I can swap them in a blink if you hit a sand pocket in some bark or touch the ground when cutting. I have a nice sharpener ,but I never use it we are up in lumber country and it only costs about $3 a chain to have it done perfect. I drop three and pick up three and for under$10 bucks a trip always have a razor sharp chain. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2745 Registered: 02-2002 |
I'm with ya there, Musky.... I don't do enough sawing to have 6 or 7 chains, lol, but I've got a few, and just have the shop do 'em on the jig, and swap 'em out if I have to start pushing instead of letting it just cut on its own. The shop I use has both Stihl and Husky, and while he likes both saws, he can really tell the difference between chains. The Oregon ones are really soft, they dull out quicker (but, they're easier to sharpen, lol). The Husky ones are okay, but, he recommends Stihl chains for any saw, if you don't want to have to change them out as often... they hold their edge longer. FWIW.... -L | ||
| Robin Marshall (Sirrobin) New Member Username: Sirrobin Post Number: 12 Registered: 08-2003 |
Have had Stihls for years... concur with the comment on the stihl chains... I swear by the "yellow" ones, stay away from the green unless you are new to sawing. I've used huskys and they cut just as well. My current fav is a pre-emissions Stihl 026 (from what I understand they had to detune some of their saws to comply with enviornmental regs a year or two ago). My reason for posting is to advise that 1. stihls will happily run on a slightly richer mix (I have had luck with Shindiawa 40:1 from my line trimmer) and 2. the smoke free multigrade oil stuff is quite good. | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 306 Registered: 10-2003 |
okay Garth....what should I use to cut up the body? | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2253 Registered: 02-2002 |
http://lumberjills.com/./bio.html | ||
| Garth Petch (Garth) New Member Username: Garth Post Number: 28 Registered: 02-2003 |
Cutter The guys that did this had shot one of their friends on the suspicion he was a dog (lagging to the cops)and then dumped the body headfirst in a 200 litre drum. Unfortunately, the legs stuck out the top, so they decided to prune them to length with the chainsaw, which is when they ran into all the problems. They finished the job off with an axe and a machete. I'd suggest a bandsaw Garth | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 494 Registered: 11-2002 |
Paul, I see a number of those girls on a very regular basis around town. they perform in the Local lumberjack show in town not more then 10min from our house. the show always has atleast a dozen world champions performing in it. pretty crazy watching them run up a 90' pole and then drop back down only touching the pole once or twice on the waydown. the women are much better log rollers it takes lightening fast feet and a keen eye to see what the other person is doing. Thom | ||
| Ross Thoma (Rossthoma) Member Username: Rossthoma Post Number: 216 Registered: 08-2002 |
Husky 61. I am on my second one and for clearing woodlots and bucking up large wood, it is light enough to use all day and powerful enough to get the job done. I borrowed a friends Stihl 55 ish cc and it bound up alot and just didn't have the gumption to get the job done efficiently. Ross Thoma Licensed Chainsaw Operator since 91 Cutting with saws since 13 yrs Tried prety much every brand out there. | ||
| michael a. kerr (Ethanrover98) New Member Username: Ethanrover98 Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ross, What size bar do you normally run with that saw? What's the apprx. cost for a Husky 61? Thank you, Michael | ||
| Jens St�rmer (Jenzz) Member Username: Jenzz Post Number: 48 Registered: 08-2002 |
I prefer the Stihl, like THW and Firefighters in germany do as well. But even over here many people buy the Huskys. They seem to do their job as well. | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 43 Registered: 08-2003 |
o.k. so I already know I'm going to get flamed for this one - but Sears 18" - had it for 6 years now and still going strong | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 501 Registered: 11-2002 |
no flame As well as my Stihl I have a small $99 Poulan saw that is about 12 years old and it never has missed a beat. I cut the bar down to about 10" a number of years ago and it is a safe nice little saw that is perfect for trimming small stuff. i have a friend that has a Black & Decker electric that he runs off a inverter in his truck and it works great as a trail clearing saw. chainsaws are pretty simple tools....if you dont use it every day any brand will do. |
