Tractors, Mowers, Chippers, Trailers, Chainsaws, Generators, Driveway Erosion Control, ETC.

If you don’t mind, what did you pay for the 261CM?

 

Overall: stihl. good reliability, serviceability and can take abuse (don't know a whole lot of the different models available as I'm not a designated service person)
I have a Husqvarna (would have to check model) that I got from a family friend in Oregon. Brought it back from the dead and it's run pretty great
Battery powered: Dewalt or Makita. We have a Makita 36v (2 18v) that we rent out and it's pretty good so long as you're not trying to take down a forest.
Cheaper Gas: Echo. Decent reliability, good serviceability and parts are cheap. Can't say a whole lot for the long term but even when people bring in ones that look like they've been let to sit for years, I can get them up and running
Avoid: Ryobi/Homelite

Honorable Mention: We rent lots of Makita at HD and the Makita 20 and 16" saws. The EA5600F/6100 is a pretty good saw. Mid 400's and has gone through hell here. Currently experiencing a very strange heartbeat style surge at higher rpms that I can't work out, but that's after 2+ years of abuse.

 

Our 20” Husqvarna 455 Rancher has been flawless. We got it in 2009 after a big ice storm. We have cut enough with it to wear out a bar over the last 12 years. I run the Stihl HP Ultra 2-stroke oil with mid grade gas and marine gas stabilizer, it still starts and idles like new @ 12 years old.

 

Made $163 from metal scrap this morning.
Spent $1k at the feedstore.

 

Hope you've got some weight in that toolbox.....

 

LOL I stopped and added 5 bags to the front before I left the parking lot.

 

If I recall it was $575.00 , but that was with The bigger pitch 20 inch chain and the STIHL ROLLOMATIC® E Super guide bar.
I had a 20 inch on my (sold for $200) old Stihl 310, and I had extra chains. We have a great country dealer in Central Mo. called "Brandt Chainsaw" and they treat me very well. Plus fantastic service done right the first time

 

Any of you guys deal with Holtzfforma? Supposedly, they're Husqvarna and Stihl clones and will take parts from their respective clones. I've been seriously considering picking up one of their big saws. I don't cut professionally, only when things need it on my or my parents' property so the prospect of dropping well over a grand on a new Stihl powerhead is tough to get over when I can get the other one for $300 and it takes all the same parts. I'm sure initial quality won't be what Stihl is, but it'll still likely take me 10 years to even get through the initial 'breaking' of parts. I have a decent Stihl Farmboss for my 'go to' saw and it's been awesome but will only run up to a 16" bar. Might be able to push to 20 with the right wood but it doesn't quite have enough umph.

 

If you can get by on a battery powered saw, you may want to look into some of the newer (well known brands) models that are rechargeable. I don't think any of them have the power and torque of the gas type. I will give no advice here on any brand/model as it would only be what I read.
Good luck!

 

I have a Dewalt 20V that is great for small stuff but I need a bigger saw too for some upcoming work

 

That's a pretty cool idea especially if you can swap parts overtime. From experience, as you start to get more in depth with parts, they far exceed the cost of the tool. Would be interesting to see initial quality and comp. testing between their counterparts. Looking at their site they have quick access to spare parts...along with some Husqvarna repair kits that look to be a direct swap to mine. Not sure what I'll be getting for almost an entire saw at $163, but could be interesting.

 

They make a 48” wide snow blower

 

You may not find a direct replacement pasta but many saw builders on the TUBE are rebuilding 80s saws from the bottom up with new parts. This could be a bit out of the skill set but it’s an option. Macs, husky’s.

 

Stretched some legs on these boys… love these tractors….

 

Trailer brakes question:

One of the UK guys on my tractor forum was asking about "mechanical overrun" brakes which I'm assuming are what we call surge brakes. I know U-haul has them on their rentals. His question was how common are they in the US?

 

Just about every boat trailer has them.

 

I can see how some people would prefer than over electrical brakes but I don’t think they work nearly as well

 

They actually suck!

Try backing up a trailer with surge brakes on uneven ground. If you don't get out of the vehicle and lock off the brakes, you will have a hard time backing up.