Chainsaws for farm/ranch… what you got?
- Thread starter Xenomorph
- Start date
We have a Milwaukee battery chainsaw. They’re nice if you’re not having to do an extreme amount of sawing every day.
I have a 12" Dewalt that's perfect for occasional trimming / small tree clean up. But I find myself once again with a job that's beyond it's capabilities.
Some of it depends on whether you do your own maintenance/repair. My local co-op sells both Stihl and Husqvarna, so service/parts are available when I need them. I like the Echos they sell at HD, probably a bit more for your money, but service is less convenient. Parts are easy though through the HD website, so if you like to do your own work not a big deal.
I moved properties and use mine probably once or twice a year now on average, and keeping them running is a PIA when you use them that rarely - keeping gas fresh, etc. So I went to Lowes and got one of their blue house brand 14" bar electrics for a couple hundred - starts right up every time!
I moved properties and use mine probably once or twice a year now on average, and keeping them running is a PIA when you use them that rarely - keeping gas fresh, etc. So I went to Lowes and got one of their blue house brand 14" bar electrics for a couple hundred - starts right up every time!
I 've had a Stihl 310 with and 18 inch bar that I bought in 2002 that still runs great. I bought a Stihl MS 462 with a 22 inch bar a couple of years ago to handle big logs and it is great to have. Funny thing, the new "big saw" is lighter than the old smaller saw. You can't beat Stihl for heavy logs/ timber.
I have 3:
Stihl farm boss......27"bar. about 20 years old and purring
husquarvana running a 18" bar, probably 25 years old
newest, and I call it the one hand saw, is a still battery operated that I use to cut the smaller branches down to even a straight pieces
Stihl farm boss......27"bar. about 20 years old and purring
husquarvana running a 18" bar, probably 25 years old
newest, and I call it the one hand saw, is a still battery operated that I use to cut the smaller branches down to even a straight pieces
Stihl is definitely the best. If you’re looking for something good and maybe a little more budget friendly, check out an echo. I’ve had both stihl and echo and like I said the stihl is definitely better…. But the echo is very good and probably meets the needs for someone who is not using it daily.
My dad was a Stihl man but I’ve never had any luck with any of their equipment. I’ve always been a Husky man. That being said, a few years ago we went through a tornado and I needed a big saw, like 30” bar for some tree stumps. Husqavarna and Stihl were over $1000. I took a chance on an Amazon $125 saw and it ran for about two years perfectly. Something eventually broke and I just chunked it because I was through with everything my Husqvarna couldn’t handle.
Uhhh, I bought a Stihl about 9 months ago, I'm pretty certain it had never been to China.
I have the Stihl 025 also and it's great. Got it used from a guy I knew that hadn't even used it enough to rub the paint off the bar. I have cut tons of wood with it and never had an issue. The new generation of Stihls , with the new model numbering like the 250 that replaced my model, are still really reliable but don't seem to have quite the power. You know government and pollution and stuff.
If you click on it, it looks fine to me. I’m not the best at posting pics.
We got some much needed maintenance done around here today. I’ve never had any problems with my relatively new Stihl pole saws, chainsaws, weed eaters or blowers.
They all crank and work when I need them to.
During ice storm aftermath, I fked around with a gas saw for about an hour. It wouldn’t idle, and would only run wide open. This saw ran great in November, but not when I needed it!
Fed up, I called neighbor, who had just left for Starkville. Had em pick me up a 56V Ego with a 16” bar. That joker will sling chips 4’ on a up cut. I’m very pleased with the purchase.
Fed up, I called neighbor, who had just left for Starkville. Had em pick me up a 56V Ego with a 16” bar. That joker will sling chips 4’ on a up cut. I’m very pleased with the purchase.
Whats your serial # begin with? I can tell you exactly where its made.
I gave up on Stihl, too hard to crank! I have had a well used Huquavarna for over 20 years.
I've got a couple of older 18" saws. Pretty rare that I run into things I can't handle with either of those.
A few basic maintenance, skills and safety videos on YouTube are well worth your time. You'll learn a lot of things you thought you knew, but really didn't and you'll be much more efficient. There are plenty to choose from.
A few basic maintenance, skills and safety videos on YouTube are well worth your time. You'll learn a lot of things you thought you knew, but really didn't and you'll be much more efficient. There are plenty to choose from.
This. ^
I had a Craftsman 15 years ago, and wore out the chain break cleaning up after the April 27th tornados. Actually still have it with a huge mental warning sign.
The Husqvarna I bought to replace it is still going strong, although it did have a tougher time going through an elm a few weeks ago than it should have, so it's time to sharpen the teeth again.
A visit to the internet says Stihl homeowner grade and electric saws are made in China. Others are made in USA (Virgina Beach), Switzerland and Germany.
I've got a Stihl 16" and Poulan 18".
The Poulan is 10 years old and came w/ a full case, sharpening guide and file, gloves, quart of oil, and was $125 @ Harbor Freight.
The Stihl was given to me by an 84 year old neighbor because his wife wouldn't let him use it anymore.
They both run fine, no issues, but I actually prefer the Poulan to the Stihl. Poulan cranks every time and runs great. The only issue I have is it seems to need the chain tightened regularly, way more than the Stihl but it runs and cuts better than the Stihl.
Assembled in Virginia Beach. Most of the components are made in China. The Husqvarna saws made in China, the heads are still made in Sweden.
I assumed most here have the homeowners or farm models but if you have a pro model it hasn't touched China.
A relative owns a local power equipment store & I've heard all about it.
After the tornado I bought a chain sharpener. There’s nothing like a sharp chain, I’d sharpen at least every other tank of gas and sometimes every tank. Might take five minutes and gave my back a rest.
Not a farmer but I have lived in the country all my life and have cut wood for fire and just to clean up.
Just got a Kobalt battery saw with 14” bar. Not bad for $259. Cleaned up a nice sized tree with it and man it was easy to use. I have a couple other Kobalt tools so I have multiple batteries.
I was pleased with it and thought it the perfect light duty saw for me.
Just got a Kobalt battery saw with 14” bar. Not bad for $259. Cleaned up a nice sized tree with it and man it was easy to use. I have a couple other Kobalt tools so I have multiple batteries.
I was pleased with it and thought it the perfect light duty saw for me.
