Looking for something to clear downed trees across my trails and clear shooting lanes. 4.5 acres, trees are maybe 8 to 12 inch diameter. It won't see a lot of regular use but I want one that will reliably fire up! Would like to stay around $200.
I use a Poulin 16 inch for around 150.00 from Wallys World, have been using it since 2012, and no problems. I cut 20 cord of wood, plus all the trimming. Cheap enough that I can junk it when it bites the dust.
echo buy it some where they will start it up and tune it
only use the premix gas in a can you won't likely use more than a can or two a year , and most places out east you can't get real gas nor mix little enough of it that it will keep long enough to use it all.
the fuel in a can will keep 2 years un-opened once you open one try and use it up in 6 months
make sure to start it and run it a few minutes a month same as the fire department does to make sure their saws work.
I use a Poulin 16 inch for around 150.00 from Wallys World, have been using it since 2012, and no problems. I cut 20 cord of wood, plus all the trimming. Cheap enough that I can junk it when it bites the dust.
echo does make a good little saw. I have two of them and really like them both. I also have a 14 or 16 inch homelite. probably the best small saw I have ever had. The one draw back is it can be hard to start after sitting awhile. Once it does start it is fine.
This saw has been great for me. Its so easy to start and its a Stihl. Plenty of saw for what you are looking to do, plus!
All you do is slowly pull the rope and it fires right up. If you're like me and get really (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) yanking your guts out trying to start a small engine this is for you.
MS 170 Stihl, During dealer days, or during a sale $159.00 regular $179.00 I use this saw for all my trim work. I use a Stihl 261C for all bucking and bigger stuff. the 170 is a little workhorse,
MS 170 Stihl, During dealer days, or during a sale $159.00 regular $179.00 I use this saw for all my trim work. I use a Stihl 261C for all bucking and bigger stuff. the 170 is a little workhorse,
I agree with this fella, check out the base model Stihls.
I bought a cheap Poulon after selling my 35 year old Stihl. The thing almost was sold cheap after a month, chain always loosened up after 5 minutes of use. I bought an Oregon brand chain for it and it has been fine ever since. I do wish I had bought another Stihl, I use the chainsaw more than I thought I would.
echo buy it some where they will start it up and tune it
only use the premix gas in a can you won't likely use more than a can or two a year , and most places out east you can't get real gas nor mix little enough of it that it will keep long enough to use it all.
the fuel in a can will keep 2 years un-opened once you open one try and use it up in 6 months
make sure to start it and run it a few minutes a month same as the fire department does to make sure their saws work.
^ This. I bought the smallest Echo they make a few years back,under 200.00 and an excellent saw. I always run the canned fuel in it. They also have a 5 year homeowner warranty if needed.I also have a 30 year old Poulan, that I got at a pawn shop back then for 15.00 as it was missing the bar and chain. I believe it is a 14" Tiger Shark model,you cannot kill that saw.
I have had pioneer, homelite, 2 stihls all good saws. They wore out , the last one got too heavy , as I got older. Looked at sthil and echo , when I bought my last smaller saw. I was not impressed with the amount of plastic parts on the sthil. Bought the echo,290 . So far has been a good saw. Replaced carb under warranty, It was my fault, put chain oil , in gas tank. Also have a dealer , for service close by. old243
I am another vote for the stihl 170. Very good power for the weight. Good at taking abuse. Many tree service's hand them out to the ground crews around here.
I try to buy poulans for less than $100. If your mind is made up then brand is mute, but I always get the longest bar and chain it will pull. You would really be surprised how much 2" makes when stooping down or trying to get that limp just out of reach. I got to be careful esp. on reaching up, I'm getting weak and can't hold it up like I used to. Had a buddy that was cutting overhead and let it come down across his leg, a bunch of stitches and six months later good as new, well not really, nothing is as good as when you were 20, except hind sight and I've forgot a lot of that.
I try to buy poulans for less than $100. If your mind is made up then brand is mute,
My mind was not already made up, that's why I asked for opinions. The only one it's made up on is no Poulans. That's what I'm replacing. 14" Wood Shark I bought new on clearance from Target about 20 years ago. It was a pain to start and keep running right out of the box. For $40 and not really having a use for it then, I didn't care. Now I need one and do care!
I try to buy poulans for less than $100. If your mind is made up then brand is mute, but I always get the longest bar and chain it will pull. You would really be surprised how much 2" makes when stooping down or trying to get that limp just out of reach. I got to be careful esp. on reaching up, I'm getting weak and can't hold it up like I used to. Had a buddy that was cutting overhead and let it come down across his leg, a bunch of stitches and six months later good as new, well not really, nothing is as good as when you were 20, except hind sight and I've forgot a lot of that.
I have to say get the smallest bar you will need as the longer you go the more filing you will do, more weight, more there to bend, more expensive, and the more it robs the engine of power- especially when you are talking about a small saw.
I try to buy poulans for less than $100. If your mind is made up then brand is mute, but I always get the longest bar and chain it will pull. You would really be surprised how much 2" makes when stooping down or trying to get that limp just out of reach. I got to be careful esp. on reaching up, I'm getting weak and can't hold it up like I used to. Had a buddy that was cutting overhead and let it come down across his leg, a bunch of stitches and six months later good as new, well not really, nothing is as good as when you were 20, except hind sight and I've forgot a lot of that.
I have to say get the smallest bar you will need as the longer you go the more filing you will do, more weight, more there to bend, more expensive, and the more it robs the engine of power- especially when you are talking about a small saw.
I'd be happy with 14 or 16". I'm not planning on dropping trees, just clearing trails. We have a pellet stove so I know it won't be used for firewood!
I did look at battery but couldn't justify the additional cost vs. run time. Yes, I won't use it very often but when I do the run times will not be long enough with out additional, expensive batteries. I would rather properly maintain a gas saw
I did look at battery but couldn't justify the additional cost vs. run time. Yes, I won't use it very often but when I do the run times will not be long enough with out additional, expensive batteries. I would rather properly maintain a gas saw
MS 170 Stihl, During dealer days, or during a sale $159.00 regular $179.00 I use this saw for all my trim work. I use a Stihl 261C for all bucking and bigger stuff. the 170 is a little workhorse,
Everybody will have a different opinion. I had a Pollan and a Dayton, an identical saw with another name in the early 70s. Ran them to death cutting fire wood. Bought another one around 2010 and it didn’t last five hours.
Get a Stihl, Husky, or Echo. If you don’t you will pull your arm out of socket trying to crank them some day. A few dollars more at first is well worth it over the lifetime of the saw. Trust me.
