Gas chainsaw for occasional use?

[dbhost]

I am in need of a good 20" bar gas chain saw for occasional use on things such as storm blow downs, and lot clearing. I know I CAN get by with a 16" bar, but a 20 will give me breathing room I want as a safety margin.

The most promising looking saw I have seen is the Homelite Pro 46cc model from Home Depot, but I cannot find any reviews on this saw anywhere...

I am also considering a 46cc Echo saw powerhead with a 20" bar (Looks like Echo sells the bar and chain separate from the powerhead for whatever reason.)

I don't really need the pro features (or price tag) of Stihl or Husqvuarna (I have no idea if I spelled that right). But the Poulan models A. Don't go big enough, and B. I have had personal experience with, and HATE them... Too hard to start on a cold morning in Texas. I can't imagine trying to use one in Michigan...

Any recommendations you can give for specific models, or deals for a saw would be helpful. My little electric is just not getting the work done I desperately need from this stupid storm... And yes I use a saw often enough to need to own one. I thought about renting, but I use a chain saw about 4x a year...

[fbrend123]

When we were building our house, I needed to clear some trees to make room for it. I had a 16" Homelite that I had bought the year before (for occasional use). We needed to clear about 40 trees. Within 4 days, the chainsaw started losing power, even though we sharpened the chain constantly. Took it in to the repair shop to have it checked out, and was told that it was worn out. Came home with a brand new Jonsered, that has been performing flawlessly for the last seven years, under heavy use. I figured that we cut and cleared about 3 trees before the Homelite went south. Also figure if you buy a Homelite to clear a couple of trees, count on the price of the saw as the cost of clearing. OTOH, I have a Homelite weedwhacker that has been heavily used for the last ten years, and is still going strong. Go Figure. Just my two cents' worth.........

[JimD]

I have a McCullouh (sp?) that is at least 10 years old and going strong. It is only a 14 inch bar but I cut through 20 inch plus trees occasionally by going through from two sides. Sometimes I wish for a longer bar but I also like the light weight of the little saw. I has auto oiling and a manual choke and primer bulb. I have to choke it and give it 4-6 pulls when it is cold but after it warms a bit it will generally start first pull. I do essentially no preventative maintenance on the motor. I sharpen the chain when it needs it but otherwise I just dump chain oil and mixed gas in it. I only cut up a tree or two a year - sometimes none. Sometimes I wish it would die so I could have an excuse to buy a Stihl.

Jim

[tbarn]

You can't go wrong with a Stihl.
I have an old 026 and a MS290 (farm boss) I like the 026 much better (now the MS260 ) they both could have a 20" bar but I have 18"s on both.
If they are taken care of they will last you a long time.They are not that much more $ than an echo or husqvarna. If you are cutting up trees big enough to require a 20" bar get a good one because you will kill a cheap one.
I have been using my saws a few times each month.
Remember to use 92 or higher octane in what ever you get. something about gas now having more ethanol and it is not good for 2-strokes

[Kristofor]

Remember to use 92 or higher octane in what ever you get. something about gas now having more ethanol and it is not good for 2-strokes

There are a bejillion different local regs for fuel mixing requirements it seems, but at least around here you can still buy non-oxygenated gasoline for non-automotive use. I don't know if it really makes much difference but I do buy it for the lawn-mower, snowblower, weed whacker, etc.

[tfm37]

You can't go wrong with ECHO. I have owned one for 23 years and it never fails.

[mschrank]

During my many summers of working for the US Forest Service as a youth, I got to use several chainsaws. What I learned is:

1. You can't kill a Stihl.
2. Homelites tumble very far down steep hills after a very frustrated operator tosses one in said downhill direction after trying to get the #$#%*&% thing to start.

That said, I'm in a similar situation as you. I need a saw a few times a year, so it's hard to justify the cost of a Stihl or Husky. But I know that--as in all things of value--you get what you pay for.

[Hellrazor]

Stihl 029 here. I opted for the 18" bar. That would be the 290 under the current model info.

[Tom Slick]

you are looking for the same sized saw that I own. I bought a Stihl MS250. it is not a pro saw and is very basic. it starts within a couple of pulls EVERY time, even when it sits for a year in the shed.

I would expect an echo or husky would give you the same quality. I don't believe anything sold by HD or lowes would.

[cobob]

I am somewhat embarrased that I bought an electric (on sale at big lots yrs ago). Cuts great; no starting issues; light; semi quiet; no gas; blah blah. But we just had a neighborhood clean up after a storm, and two of them have already gone electric.

[dbhost]

Well, the electric I own just doesn't have the POWER I want... Nor the cutting bar length...

The Homelite was convenient but crap I figured... I didn't think it was as awful as a Poulan, but I guess...

Husq is out of the question. Too expensive for my needs...

Stihl makes a great saw, but again, too expensive...

McCulluch USED to be a great U.S. built saw, they sold the company name off years ago, the current McC saws are Harbor Freight Chinese specials... Lousy thing to see happen to a good company.

While it is twice the cost (at least) compared to the Homelite, I am seriously considering an Echo CS-530 50cc 20" bar saw. I just figured that would probably be overkill for the occasional use I put it through.

[Tom Slick]

I paid less then $300 OTD for my saw with extra chain, case, gas can and oils. the CS-530 is over $400 saw only, unless I am looking at the wrong saw.

[dbhost]

And that is a 20" Stihl?

Heck I'd go that way!

[Tom Slick]

It's an 18" 46cc
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS250.html
for a 20" stihl you have ot jump up to 50cc which would be a MS270

in case you don't already know, stihl is only sold as specialty dealers, no online or home centers.

[dbhost]

It's an 18" 46cc
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS250.html
for a 20" stihl you have ot jump up to 50cc which would be a MS270

in case you don't already know, stihl is only sold as specialty dealers, no online or home centers.

I guess they think it's still 1988...

Any idea where to look for them? I was thinking a farm & ranch store / feed store like the one in Alvin TX maybe...

There is an outdoor power equipment dealer on FM 96 not too far from the house that handles Echo, and Husqvarna. They might handle Stihl...