Chainsaw!!

Husqvarna 353 with a 20" bar has been my go to on the farm for twenty years. Its been discontinued but was at the low end ($400+) of their professional saws when purchased; You will not find their pro series in the big box stores.

If I were in the market today, I'd take a hard look at Shindawa. I purchased one of their trimmers a few years back and its simply awesome. My small engine guy says their entire product line is quality.

 

Somewhat off topic question
I have a still ms 211 with 16 inch bar that is great for almost every thing I do but
I would like a 20 inch bar maybe once a year.
Can I just buy a longer bar for those two logs per year.

 

Yes

 

Stihl. Buy once, cry once. Mine is a MS271 Farm Boss. That thing will eat. Very glad I took it to George Washington NF after storm season a couple years ago.

 

I had a stil, would not start on a Sunday morning when I needed a tree cut down for carport installation on Monday, ended up buying a Husqvarna, been a good saw. Whatever you get I’d recommend Trufuel, premixed, very long shelf life.

 

I don’t do enough cutting to warrant a Stihl but my Echo 590 has been running strong problem free for 4 years

 

Stihl or a Husqvarna purchased from a dealer, not a big box store.

Stihl is what I run.

 

That saw will have a rough time with a 20" bar, but it would probably be ok.

 

This. Make sure that you have a new or freshly sharpened blade, let it do the work and don't bog the saw down (use good technique) and I wouldn't try to cut any really hard wood with it.


Another general tip for all lawn/outdoor type equipment is to always use ethanol free fuel. Ethanol sucks to start with but it plays hell on small engines, especially those that only get run periodically.

 

I have always loved my Stihls and my Echos (also marketed under John Deere)
There was a time in my life where a firewood business paid for my college and I used saws professionally for decades after.
Echos are great.

 

Id recommend the Husqvarna 455 Rancher

 

The Echo CS 400 is a great saw. I have one and it has worked flawlessly for me for the few years I’ve owned it. Nothing against the other brands mentioned here but I’ve been very happy with Echo.

 

Any update to as what chainsaw you bought....

 

HAHA still using my dads Stihl MS 170 its an older version than now but gets the job done.

 

Another vote for stihl farm boss. But the battery powered ones look impressive especially if you have some batteries

 

Heck, I have a sunjoe pole saw that I cut down 3 full grown trees with already.

 

I picked up a green works for a good price just before thanksgiving. Plenty of power and battery life if you’re just looking for something to carry in the rig while off roading. Price isn’t too bad either.

 

for camping nothing beats a 12 inch dewalt battery powered.

 

Stihl ms250/251 w/18' bar. Affordable, reliable and easy to work on. Learn how to sharpen a chain properly by hand and it'll save you $$ down the line.

 

Welcome!! Good info. Waiting on chainsaw weather!! Buddy of mine asked me for firewood.... I said.... last week was buried under snow and this week I can’t to it due to the mud!! :-/