Value chainsaw?

[Dry Bones]

I'll second all the Stihl mentioned. I use a saw A LOT. and I would never get a low end one since I see how erratic their products are. Some last a long time and are built well, other due good to give you one outing. If you think you may be doing more overhead cutting the I will recommend the Kombi system. Basically you can get a pole saw attachment, brush cutter, and weed eater all for the same base. A little expensive to start with, but in today's world good stuff aint cheap and cheap stuff aint good. The Kombi chain saw is a stout saw for its size. We cut in survey lines with them and have been known to take out a few "larger trees" with one if need be.
If it's mostly for cutting logs on the ground level or full trees then the MS210.
Use a fuel stabilizer if it is going to sit anytime at rest. Our gasoline products are $h!+. and mess up more good equipment then most folks realize.

[BrandonA]

Buy a Husqvarna, Echo, or a Stihl. I have a Husqvarna for 7 yrs and have been very pleased. Have had zero issues. If you are using it a bunch and really working it I would go with a Stihl or Echo.

[dbrock63]

Echo! Mine sat for 4 yrs before I started using it again this season for our new land. Added fuel and oil and after 5 pulls it started like a champ.

[DosToros]

Okay thanks guys.

Are Husqvarnas any good? Northern Tool has some reconditioned ones at a nice price. Guy told me once to stay away from them since few people work on them. And maybe that's just another reason to buy an Echo or a Stihl..........

LWD

I don't know about reconditioned... But I have been really happy with Husqvarna. I would not buy a Poulan.

[mikeyb_23]

I have a husqvarna for a little over a year and it works good, it was a gift. I had a craftsman before that and it worked really well too.

[DosToros]

Also, when buying a chainsaw read the sticker on the side of the motor. It tells you in essence, how many hours the motor is rated to run. Go to your garage and look at your chainsaw right now. They are required to have this info. SO you can literally compare apples to apples on price vs brand vs durability.

[dclifton]

Biggest thing will be with anything that has gas in it now days. If you plan to not use it for months on end. Drain the gas out of it then let it run the rest of the way out. Thats the best thing you can do for it regardless of the brand.

Im a stihl and echo fan as well. Even though i had a echo 400 that bit the dust on me i wouldnt hesitate to buy antoher it would just be a different model. We have a top handle echo we use for limbing trees and clearing trails brush and small stuff.

[In-Yo-Grill]

Buy once cry once......get a stihl.

Here, Here!....Sthil is the way to go.

I've had mine for almost 15 years and it's still eats wood like no tomorrow.

[texan4ut]

I bought a Husqvarna at Home Depot. It was hard to start at 1st but now that I have used it some it is getting a little easier. Cuts good and not too light or too heavy.

[backwoods]

For deer lease / habitat work, Echo makes fantastic saws.
I had an Echo CS400 and while it was low on power it was 100% reliable and extremely easy to start.

Currently I use a Stihl MS 250 for farm / habitat work and it has been 100% reliable and has plenty of power although it can take a little longer to start.

A cheap chainsaw will cause you nothing but frustration. When you are out on the deer lease or in the woods you need your equipment to work.

I've had horrible luck with a Husqvarna 240 and cant recommend them.
Husqvarna makes the current Poulan's and I'd avoid them.
I have a pre-Husqvarna Poulan that has been great.

[Smokeater]

Poulan pro, made by husqvarna and even some of the body parts have the husqvarna logo on them. Chain and bar that come with it is junk though so factor in new bar and chain. Reviews on the pro were very good and mines been great.

Yep! Mine only lasted 12 or so years. Worked the dog out of it at times. Wouldn't own one of the green or green/purple pull-ans tho.

If use is minimal, buy the fancy can gas. Otherwise, keep the marine grade sta-bil in your gas year round. Dump the gas out and run it dry if it's gonna set up and it sure doesn't hurt to put some in it and run it every now and then.

Pawn shop orange saw is a great idea too. I'm sure there has been plenty of those stolen so pawn shops oughta be a good place to find one.

I've also seen a gas Remington brand saw. Co-worker bought one for occasional use...lil cheaper and had real good reviews...dunno.

[old killer]

Get a good saw or you'll be spending more time than money jacking with a lower end one.

I've had the same Stihl (sp) for 10 years at least. It starts up every time.

My 029 is 20yrs old, and still runs great and easy to start.

[kch73]

Buy a Stihl and be done with it! Cheap chainsaws are trash, went through two before seeing the light...

Have a MS271 and it rocks!

[mdb]

Here you go son. I will buy only Stihl products for yard applications. Yes they cost a bit more. But, they are made in the USA, and if I need service, it will be done by someone I know and trust. I have bought other brands and when there have been issues, it is frustrating. My recent purchase is the Stihl Kombi with the heavy duty engine. My only regret, not getting in sooner. My life lesson, buy it once and never look back. One guided fishing trip and you can be set up with some cool toys.!

[animalhse]

Just got a brand new Stihl ms250 from my wife for Christmas. My old ms250 was so valuable someone broke the door of my Trk just to steal it out of the back seat!!!!!