Chainsaw recommendations - 50cc pro saw

[Zivic]

need a new 50cc saw for the farm.

I have had stihls and husqvarna saws in the past. Not brand loyal.

I had decided on the 550xp husqvarna, but they are on back order for at least a month. the comparable jonsered is also unavailable to me - this is through local dealers, I may end up buying online....

so I am onto the Stihl MS261... I know this is a good saw and available to me today, but at the jonsered dealer he tells me about the echo saws. Going through the brochure they make a CS500P that looks to be a killer setup 50cc, 10.6#, mag case, shindaiwa inspired.... and 150 bucks less than the stihl.

I have a buddy that knows saws a bit. he tells me echos are junk; only thing they make of quality is their blowers. he had an echo and it was junk in 2 yrs. He runs a stihl ms201t and an ms362. will the echo be comparable to the stihl... not talking same level or better, just in the same ball park as the stihl?

 

[Greenman]

You can't go far wrong with Stihl or Husky. Echo is high end consumer brand, not a pro tool.

 

[echo4747]

You can't go far wrong with Stihl or Husky. Echo is high end consumer brand, not a pro tool.

Echo... like many brands.. have both higher end consumer and professional models.

 

[Greenman]

Echo... like many brands.. have both higher end consumer and professional models.

Didn't know they had a pro line, I've never seen an example.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Echo... like many brands.. have both higher end consumer and professional models.

This is true. TBH though, when it comes specifically to chain saws, Stihl is consistently a step above Echo.

I would say the opposite is true for, say, hedge trimmers.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Echo is junk. We used them in 94' for powerline contracts (tree trimming) and they all fell apart in under 6 months.. up until recently Husky has consistently been a better ground saw, while the Stihl MS020, 200, and 201 (still have my 009 Stihl) professional trimmer saw has had no competition. Still to this day I think the 201T has the advantage. As far as ground saws these days both are good ground saws. It's just a matter of knowing what the saw is telling you as it's going through the cut. First the bar should be going straight through the wood. The slightest angle will screw up the bar and chain and you'll be filing the teeth on a 24"+ bar forever if you don't learn now to make a proper cut. Never let the bar guide get clogged up with saw dust. No need for those stupid tools they try n sell you at the store. I use one of the "fingers" of a steel rake. Works perfectly. And if the rake is akward to hold just break off one of the "fingers". Never force the cut, hold the saw steady but don't force it, you'll heat up the bar too quickly. Anyways I'm rambling on. The 365 Husky is a good saw. They change the naming scheme so often it's hard to keep track. If that's too expensive get the 361. Trick is never over-heat them.

 

[Zivic]

Echo is junk. We used them in 94' for powerline contracts (tree trimming) and they all fell apart in under 6 months.. up until recently Husky has consistently been a better ground saw, while the Stihl MS020, 200, and 201 (still have my 009 Stihl) professional trimmer saw has had no competition. Still to this day I think the 201T has the advantage. As far as ground saws these days both are good ground saws. It's just a matter of knowing what the saw is telling you as it's going through the cut. First the bar should be going straight through the wood. The slightest angle will screw up the bar and chain and you'll be filing the teeth on a 24"+ bar forever if you don't learn now to make a proper cut. Never let the bar guide get clogged up with saw dust. No need for those stupid tools they try n sell you at the store. I use one of the "fingers" of a steel rake. Works perfectly. And if the rake is akward to hold just break off one of the "fingers". Never force the cut, hold the saw steady but don't force it, you'll heat up the bar too quickly. Anyways I'm rambling on. The 365 Husky is a good saw. They change the naming scheme so often it's hard to keep track. If that's too expensive get the 361. Trick is never over-heat them.

thanks for the input. when you are referencing the 365, you are talking about larger saws than I am looking for. the 562xp is likely the equivalent current model which is a ~60cc saw. a step up from what I am looking at.

my biggest problem is I am not the only one using the saw. when you have people that work for you using equipment you can tell them everything you just stated and they will do none of it. I kind of question why I would even try and buy a decent saw, but I guess if I get a couple yrs out of it vs one the extra hundred or two would be worth it....

I think I am going to buck up and get the 261 stihl

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

thanks for the input. when you are referencing the 365, you are talking about larger saws than I am looking for. the 562xp is likely the equivalent current model which is a ~60cc saw. a step up from what I am looking at.

my biggest problem is I am not the only one using the saw. when you have people that work for you using equipment you can tell them everything you just stated and they will do none of it. I kind of question why I would even try and buy a decent saw, but I guess if I get a couple yrs out of it vs one the extra hundred or two would be worth it....

I think I am going to buck up and get the 261 stihl

Your welcome. The 261 is a decent saw. I remember my 026 Pro. It was "decent" but I think from the get go there was something wrong with it. Did a side by side cut through on some Oak, and the equivalent Husky at the time blew right through it. That was then and this is now though. Plus I think I was using a longer bar than the Husky back then.

Will you be felling trees with it or just cutting up stuff already on the ground? And if you are getting it for guys with no experience using a ground saw make sure to buy round files and 1 flat file.

 

[Zivic]

=

Will you be felling trees with it or just cutting up stuff already on the ground? And if you are getting it for guys with no experience using a ground saw make sure to buy round files and 1 flat file.

we will be cutting up stuff that has fallen, as well as felling... basically maintaining tree lines on our farm

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

we will be cutting up stuff that has fallen, as well as felling... basically maintaining tree lines on our farm

Just don't push the saw. That means even after 4-5 cuts through a log the saw needs to cool down. I've seen gas start to bubble like it's boiling, in the tank. While they try n make the saws light it takes away from heat absorption. Also I wouldn't get no larger than an 18" the longer the bar is the less power you will be able to put towards the wood.

 

[slag]

I'm a big fan of dolmar saws. My neighbor has one and its a true beast.

Currently I have a Husqvarna something(consumer grade), old stihl 041AV I'm slowly rebuilding, and a small limb saw my neighbor gave me.

 

[Mandres]

I always give the same advice for any two-stroke equipment, especially chainsaws: Buy based on local dealer support. Most of the pro saws are moving to computer-controlled ignition and fuel systems that make it frustrating and expensive for the garage mechanic to work on.

The echo saw you referenced is a solid choice for the $.

 

[slag]

Which pro saws have onboard computers? I want to check those out!

 

[Mandres]

Stihl and Husqvarna both are moving to electronically controlled air/fuel management. Stihl's system is called M-Tronic, Husqy's is called AutoTune.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I just went thru this last year hehe.......chainsaw research. And based on that.....

I would recommend staying away from Husky.....they are not what they used to be. Unless you would buy Poulan saw? Same thing.

Unless you are talking $800+ then I believe most of them are just re-bradned Poulans. In the upper range they start to get better quality, but not in the low end.

Guess what I ended up with? Echo CS400, I got it for $299.

Stihl saws in that price range were too weak and a place where I bought it recommended Echo over it.

Another reason why I went with Echo is because my weed wacker is by all means the best piece of lawn equipment I have ever purchased.

Saw hasn't failed me.

NOTE: I mostly use it for firewood purposes (small 12-14" downed trees). It's been great. But if you are cutting anything bigger than that......go with something more powerful for sure.....

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Husky bought out Poulan a long time ago

 

[Mandres]

I would recommend staying away from Husky.....they are not what they used to be. Unless you would buy Poulan saw? Same thing.

Unless you are talking $800+ then I believe most of them are just re-bradned Poulans. In the upper range they start to get better quality, but not in the low end.

That's sort-of true. All the manufacturers sell a low end "homeowner" line so it's unfair to make comparisons between different lines and draw conclusions about the manufacturer.

There's a ton of marketing in chainsaw sales, as in "watch out, don't step in the marketing". The truth is that all the big players make very good saws, and also cheap throwaway saws. You typically get what you pay for and should buy based on the quality of local service available. Don't go to a big box store - you'll only find the low end models there and you're putting yourself in a bad position when the saw won't start 5 years down the line.

 

[Zivic]

ended up with a 545 husqvarna. It was more budget oriented, yet still pro level saw -> same saw as the 550xp, minus some HP, and a couple other things. build quality is still on pair, but 100+ less than the XP. bought from a local dealer.

it came down to this saw and the CS590 echo that the other dealer had. the CS590 is a lot of saw for 399 bucks, but I opted for the husqvarna due to being so much lighter (sub 11 lbs vs 13+ for the echo), the auto tune, and brand.

 

[Vdubchaos]

ended up with a 545 husqvarna. It was more budget oriented, yet still pro level saw -> same saw as the 550xp, minus some HP, and a couple other things. build quality is still on pair, but 100+ less than the XP. bought from a local dealer.

it came down to this saw and the CS590 echo that the other dealer had. the CS590 is a lot of saw for 399 bucks, but I opted for the husqvarna due to being so much lighter (sub 11 lbs vs 13+ for the echo), the auto tune, and brand.

You should be fine with it.

I was going to buy that one but it was too big for my needs and it was also Lowes model (couldn't find it anywhere else) I believe.

I use the thing 5-10 times a year AT MOST. I stay on top of maintenance, if you do it too, it should last you a long time.

Here is what I do:
- always empty out the gas when done/always use fresh gas (noticed this is the key to long term lawn equipment).....and many don't do it!
- keep oil filled
- clean it up well (especially around the main gear, as it gets clogged up)
- the most important, keep the chain sharp. Nothing is more dangerous than a dull knife or a dull chain.......

Also follow your manual for more info. I have a feeling all the manufactures have their own recommendations.

Make sure you get safety equipment. Gloves, Glasses,helmet/mask and pants.....better safe than sorry. I use it all even when cutting small stuff/branches.

Chain saw injuries are not fun.....