Gas chainsaw for occasional use?

[jking]

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...

According to Stihl's website, Brookside Equipment Sales is a dealer located in League City.

I can't give any experience with Echo or Husqvarna, but, I will give a +1 for Stihl. When I was growing up, my dad owned a Poulan that saw use on average 2 - 3 times per year. He always had problems getting it to start. Granted, it wasn't a brand new saw, but, he had to take it in to get worked on numerous times.

He finally decided it was time to replace it & bought a Stihl. The model he bought was a step up in size & power. The old Poulan was a 16", I think the Stihl was an 18". That was around 20 years ago. The Stihl still gets the job done. No regrets on his part. I don't know the price differences as I don't need to use a chain saw very often. I would suggest that if you are using a chain saw 4 times per year, in my book, that is not occassional use. I would try to find a way to buy the size saw I want & buy high quality. There are certain features, like a blade brake, that I wouldn't want to be without in your situation.

Good luck with your decision.

[dbhost]

The past experience is why I was interested in Echo. My late uncle had an Echo 20" model that was made way back whenever... It was old when I was a kid...

I learned to use a chain saw with that thing... Mix the oil & gas, fill it up, use the oiling can to pre-oil the chain & bar so you don't start out dry, make sure the bar oiler is full, push the bulb, set the choke, yank the cord 2-3 times when cold, let it warm up for a minute, kick the choke off and get to work...

We would go out every weekend in April, and into May after the loggers got their mill logs, and cut the limbs we could find for firewood. (My Uncle's house was heated by a wood stove). So that saw was used 12 days / year, and at least 8 hours on and off during the day.

The anti vibration and anti kickback systems used nowadays are certainly great safety innovations. A chain brake is also something I REALLY want...

I know the cost difference between an 18" bar model and a 20" bar model is kind of steep, but the extra power on the 20" models is why they can spin the bigger chain. I want that. ESPECIALLY when cutting Pecan / Mesquite...

I have a friend that has an older (I guess 5 years now) Craftsman 18" that appears identical other than the color, to the Ryobi gasser, and it is working well for him on his 7 acres of Texas hardwoods. I guess I COULD use something like that, but those saws seem to be hit or miss quality wise...

Yeah, Brookside Equipment is the Echo dealer as well... His building is hurt from the storm, but he seems to be selling equipment out of trailer right now...

[os1kne]

I don't think that you'll be disappointed with Echo, they make good quality products. They tend to be considered about a 1/2 step behind Stihl and Husq. - which are both very good, but more expensive. For a 20" bar, the Echo is likely to be MUCH better than the Homelite.

Good luck.

[dbhost]

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

What does octane rating have to do with the government prescribed ethanol content in current gasolines? We are pretty much running E-10 here (10% Ethanol by volume), in 87, 89, and 92 octane ratings... Is the EPA different in your part of the country? (Sorry, I didn't catch your whereabouts...)

[dbhost]

A note on Brookside Equipment...

I made a mistake. It was League City Outdoor Power Equipment I was thinking of...

Brookside Equipment is in LaMarque Texas, which is just on the coast northwest of Galveston. Its more than a little messed up right now. Their phone is coming up as disconnected, and the photos I have seen of the area of the Gulf Freeway they are allegedly on does not bode well for their still existing... That was the area all the buildings were pretty much destroyed, and the boats were on the interstate...

LCOPE has the Echo in stock ready to go...

[Tom Slick]

IMHO when dealing with good equipment (echo, stihl, husky...) it is important to buy what the local dealer/service sells. a non running saw with a dealer 100 miles away is useless.

you won't go wrong with echo.