Advice on chainsaw purchase

[RickH]

Used a chainsaw many times over the years - thnink its time to buy one.

I could do with a chainsaw .... have around 150 Leylandi to cut out

The diam of trunk is typically 8" ... a few are larger
Thinking I will take first cut at shoulder not intending to climb tree or use a ladder.
Then do final cut at just above ground level as 2nd cut.

I have a couple of questions - for those that use chainsaws frequently.

Size .... is 16" or18" the most suitable size for this job ?

Make .... looking on eBay, plenty of makes to buy - cheap deals on new ones.
Thinking of avoiding any 'unknown makes'

Of the following any to avoid or are a particularly useful choice (or any particular models of these makes)

McCulloch
Husqvarna
Parker
Sthil (though price may be too high for this make)

Alkternatley as I will not be walkin through the Ginat Redwoods (song there somewhere) would I be better served buying an electric one .. such as

https://tinyurl.com/y7famvms
Loads of reviews seem to be very favourable

 

[Burnerman]

I'd go for a petrol Stihl or Husqvarna - both of which have offers on their hobby saws just now. Use their own fuel and oil meticulously and it will be reliable for many years to come.
Other makes just don't get a look in, long term.
John

 

[bernardgreen]

Please get the necessary protective clothing when you buy the saw and make sure you know how to cut a tree down without putting yourself at risk.

 

[Mr Chibs]

A cheapo Stihl will manage that diameter, think mine has a 14" chain.

Think I'd go a Stihl 16" petrol. Neighbour has McCulloch, they seem decent too.

I'd ask a tree surgeon or a good farm shop for advice.

 

[RickH]

You dont think electric worth bothering with ?

Where have you seen the offers on Hobby Saws ?

 

[Burnerman]

150 leylandii? Petrol every time. I get ads all the time for saws, but the dealers will match them and supply safety gear too. Stihl dealers offer limited training too, as a rule.
John

 

[Doggit]

You dont think electric worth bothering with ?

Nope, you might get through about 20 before it gives up, and it won't have the power of a petrol chainsaw.

Have a look at the Oregon powersharp chain and sharpener. You need the bar as well, but you just touch the chain to the sharpener for a second or two, and it resharpens the chain without having to take it off.

 

[foxhole]

the cheaper saws have primitive chain oiling mechanisms, usually just dribbles out and is easily blocked by debri.

 

[RickH]

OK ... Googling suggests Husquavarna 236 would be good purchase.
Interesting new prices from dealer in £120
On eBay dealers selling for >£250
Pays to look around.

 

[sparkymarka]

Would have a look at the reviews for that model, some mixed comments .
Think I looked at that chainsaw the comments where about the air filter getting clogged up

 

[Burnerman]

All saws will suffer from blocked air filters, which suggests they are doing the job well.....dead easy to clean with some carburettor cleaning spray.
The smaller MS range by Stihl have oil pumps that block up - but that wouldn't stop me buying one. Both Stihl and Husqvarna are offering two year warranties for private buyers.
The huge issue is owners pressing on with their machines when the blades are hopelessly blunt, belching smoke everywhere
John

 

[RickH]

Nope, you might get through about 20 before it gives up.

“and it won't have the power of a petrol chainsaw.”.

Not actually true ... the electric one has a higher power rating than the Husquavarna 236.
Though how it uses it I have no experience.

“Have a look at the Oregon powersharp chain and sharpener. “

Looks neat, but it says only suits a particular type of chain, will need to confirm if that is what is fitted to the 236

 

[sparkymarka]

Hi John I may be wrong ....it may be the wrong model , I was looking at a new saw a few months ago and best way of putting it was , the next model up was much easier to clean out the filter , it just unbolted from the front , whereas the cheaper one you had to strip the case down to clean it
Thanks

 

[Burnerman]

“and it won't have the power of a petrol chainsaw.”.

Not actually true ... the electric one has a higher power rating than the Husquavarna 236.
Though how it uses it I have no experience.

“Have a look at the Oregon powersharp chain and sharpener. “

Looks neat, but it says only suits a particular type of chain, will need to confirm if that is what is fitted to the 236

For sure, the electric machine could have the same or more power than the petrol one, but I could do without either a dragging cable or flat batteries

The Powersharp device is only for small chains, I think - I've no experience of them but I can sharpen a chain with the saw on my knee anyway in less than 10 min. Presumably you'll need a specific bar as well as the sharpening stone - I really don't know.

All about personal choice, I guess!
John

 

[Burnerman]

Hi John I may be wrong ....it may be the wrong model , I was looking at a new saw a few months ago and best way of putting it was , the next model up was much easier to clean out the filter , it just unbolted from the front , whereas the cheaper one you had to strip the case down to clean it
Thanks

For sure, some machines have the air filter below a quickly removable cover, requiring no tools - others have the filter beneath a top cover which may involve undoing a few screws. Either way, I find people don't bother with cleaning either type
For brilliant filtration, the new stone cutting saws are incredible - especially the Makita which has sponge elements, but the Stihl TS models are also good - although the main one is paper. Some after market filter elements aren't tough enough.....I had a TS400 in recently which had sucked a hole in the filter Bye, bye barrel and piston!
John