OT chain saws

[Delvaughn]

For a chain saw that is used maybe 4 times a year is a husgvana any good?

 

[R Geiger]

If it starts!~ They are good saws!

 

[Tom Jubilee]

Sure...I would recommend, without any doubt, using the premixed gas if you are not going to use it a lot.

 

[ACALineman]

if bought from a dealer not a box store probably not a bad choice, the lower end line is not far removed from the poulan saws....just my opinion. I read somewhere that poulan is owned by Husqvarna and some of the lower end motors have Chinese parts.

I would recommend the echo cs-400 about the same price as a Husqvarna, but it comes with a 5 yr consumer warranty. I have had mine for 2 yrs now and it has a good saw for the $300 I paid for it.

and as always stihl is a good choice.

 

[Mr. T. Minnesota]

De,
How long do you use the chain saw four times a year? Husky is a good choice! I own two, a 1990 "61" and a 2011 Rancher 460. Both were made in Sweden. There are only two models made in Sweden today and the rest are made some place else. Electrolux now owns Husky. Another good choice would be an Echo. After much research the Echo seems well worth the money.HTH
Mr. T. Minnesota

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 19:24:59 03/10/14) For a chain saw that is used maybe 4 times a year is a husgvana any good?

Yes - Husqvarna are good saws at a reasonable price. They make a range of saws suitable for real pros to Harry Homeowner. I have owned two - my current one is a 450 Rancher with a 20" bar - cost about $375 IIRC. Both saws are vastly superior to any of the cheaper box store saws I have owned with the exception of an old and long worn out 3.5 CID Eager Beaver that would eat their lunch ;-)

Poulan would top my list of junk.

Stihl is an excellent saw and comes with a matching price.

Never owned an Echo saw but I have several of their line trimmers and blowers - all excellent machines but not the cheapest game in town.

TOH

 

[Paul in Edmonton]

I prefer my Stihl to my Husq. But the Stihl is a bigger/better model, so my preference might be related to that. (The Husq is a tiny little bottom of the line model.)

I also greatly preferred my Stihl brush cutter to the Husq that replaced it when I wrecked it. And this time, the Husq was the closest available model to the dead Stihl.


-Paul

 

[Kirk-NJ]

With felling trees and cutting about 10 to 12 cords a year I use a stihl saws. I had a new Husgvana once and returned it.
If only 4 times a year and light duty you can probably get away with a craftsman. Stihl saws are more money for cost, blades and parts but they start when I need them and they break down less then other saws I've had. For myself I wouldn't have anything else. Your money your choice.

Kirk

 

[maxwell99]

per my small engine dealer,
at one time husky was a top of the line saw, just like small john deere lawn mowers.

but, when they let the big box stores start selling them the quality when down.

I have an older husky and its a great saw, but the last saw I purchased was a Stihl, my son used it and he bought a Stihl.

just my experience,
I only run non ethanol fuel in all my small engines, no matter what the booklet says.

 

[Delvaughn]

Thanks for all the info! I only need one for doing tree triming an cutting up a tree that may fall in a small woods I have. The days of cutting fire wood is way behind me. LOL

 

[boler76]

for only a few times a yr I would try for an electric, either with or without a cord, your gas ones will gum up if not used regularly just my opinion

 

[2nTony]

I've had a Husky 455 Rancher with a 20 inch bar for four years. I heat with wood. Unless you are a professional, it's likely all the saw you will ever need. The only problem I've ever had was when I put gas in the oil tank and oil in the gas tank. It just goes to prove, if you live long enough, you'll do about every stupid thing there is. LOL

 

[s19438]

same boat here. I bought an 18" craftsman about 10 years ago and it has never left me down.
I use treated fuel.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 03:24:59 03/11/14) For a chain saw that is used maybe 4 times a year is a husgvana any good?

A friend gave me a old craftsman that must be 30/40 years old its a beach to start but once you get it going it will cut with the best of'em... If you use it for a hour and lay it down forget starting it till it cools down...

A few years ago A guy owed me a $100 I took a new Craftsman for payment... It fires up and cuts good but after a hour forget using it till it cools down...

I guess you can see were I am going,,, a saw built for a professional has to work all day and pay for its self... Myself a hour is all I want to run a saw one day I may buy a good'n till then I have 2 hours in reserve... The best advice I can give ya is to learn to SHARPEN THE CHAIN so it will be ready the next time you use it... A sharp chain on any saw is hard to beat.... youetube will get ya going.... I use a hand file I wanna run it a hour not work on it a hour

 

[Bob Harvey]

I'll throw in a vote for Stihl. All my yard tools and chainsaws are Stihl (been using their saws for over 30 yrs (replaced the 075 a few yrs ago with an 045). Don't forget; Made in USA !

 

[Colin King]

They're great saws. I've owned both Stihls (028AV, 038 Farm Boss) and currently own a Husky 55 Rancher. Always treat your fuel with Stabl or Seafoam.

Colin, MN

 

[Jimmyjack]

I have a mixed hardwood treefarm and run two husqvarnas and a Jonsered. Good luck with them all. Ran Stihls at one time, good saw, but cannot buy parts except from a dealer, and they are required to maintain parts for a model for only ten years. Four times a year almost any saw will suffice. Dont loan them out, clean them after each use, keep the chain sharp and tight, use regular gas with Seafoam.

 

[Britcheflee]

(quoted from post at 20:21:47 03/10/14) I have a mixed hardwood treefarm and run two husqvarnas and a Jonsered. Good luck with them all. Ran Stihls at one time, good saw, but cannot buy parts except from a dealer, and they are required to maintain parts for a model for only ten years. Four times a year almost any saw will suffice. Dont loan them out, clean them after each use, keep the chain sharp and tight, use regular gas with Seafoam.

Here are a couple of old ones I am working on/have been working on:

first pic is before pic of my Homelite 26lcs I got which was in horrible condition - second pic is Homelite 5-20-L with Mculloch bar which I am working on at the moment - the last pic is of the Homelite after I finished working on it - it runs but I am having a terrible time getting it to idle - just dies - the carb has to come out again and get another cleaning.

For regular work I like Stihl - just keep them running - after sitting for any length of time any of them seem to be hard to start.

 

[D beatty]

Any of the major brands would work but one that has dependable service, parts and not a blue million mlies away from where you live. In our area Stihl,Echo and Husqvana in that order for sales, service and distance to run for parts.

 

[Dollar Bill]

For a chain saw that is used maybe 4 times a year is a husgvana any good?

That's like asking which truck is better, Ford or Chevy.

You'll get responses for and against most any mfg you post about. The law of averages indicate there will be lemons in everything mass produced. I'm sure the Husky you're looking to buy will serve you well - One thing to consider is parts support in case you really like it and keep it for a decade or two.

I'm not a professional sawyer but have used and owned a good number of homeowner grade chain saws and have had very positive results with Poulan/Craftsman. Simple, cheap, easy to repair and parts are readily available. They're like small block Chevy's and 8N tractors, they made so many of them, repair parts just about everywhere you look.

Just overhauled a 15 year old saw that was passed down to me from my Dad. I cleared 7 acres of wooded property with it (mostly oak) and it never failed to start on the third pull.

As others have advised, always run the fuel tank dry before storage.

Post back and let us know what you decide.

 

[2ruNgineer]

i bought an echo 3 years ago. If i keep the chain sharp, it's a champ. Bought it from the local small engine dealer so i had a place to take it back to for service. The big box would send me there anyway.

 

[Mel-N-WV]

That first pic brought back memories. The first chain saw that my father ever owned was one like that, had to turn the carb depending on the way you were cutting. He traded that off and bought a Mculloch that was the hardest starting thing ever made(this was over 50 years ago). Ran good after it started, but you had done a half days work just getting it to run. It came with a 2 gal. gas can that had a measuring cup to measure out the oil. I still have the gas can, though the measuring cup is gone.

 

[Mr. T. Minnesota]

B,
The last saw described that will not idle, could be the carb or could be bad crank seals which leans out the mixture. If run too long it will burn her up. Had the same problem with a Poulan, but it was a case seal. Just a thought!
Mr. T. Minnesota

 

[Dean]

Agreed, Bill.

I would not hesitate to buy a Craftsman for such limited use. It's nice to be able to get on the 800 number 10 or 15 years after you bought it and have parts shipped to your door in 3 days.

If one watches the ads with a bit of patience, one can buy an 18" Craftsman for around $120 - $130 a couple of times each year.

Dean

 

[Britcheflee]

Thank you - that is a very good point - there is a line which runs from the intake manifold to the crank case which is missing so may be not getting enough vacuum?

Here is an old Mcculloch which was in the barn and which fired right up after cleaning!

All these saws are extremely heavy and give me respect for the old timers who had to lug these things around and work with them!

 

[Delvaughn]

Thanks again for all the info! I went an got a husgvana 16". I had a craftsman for about 25 years. It was a good saw hate to say how many cord of wood I cut with it. Burned wood for about 10 years. Didn't know how the new craftsman saws are.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

This may sound weird, but I gave up on 2 cycle chainsaws/weed wackers.

I bought a husgvana 4 stroke weedwacker. Later found out it has a Honda engine. I love it, no mixing gas, starts in first or second pull.

My right arm hurts too much to start a 2 stroke engine. Just wish they made a 4 stroke chainsaw.

Until they do, I invested in a 4000 watt electric start generator, a 4 hp 18 inch electric chainsaw from sears, on sale $99. It comes with a second chain. Keep it sharp and I can keep up with a guy with a 16 inch poulan. So far, I've used up 2 chains, teeth are filed to almost nothing.

I have a backhoe, put a chain on genny, pick it up and take it to the job, or carry genny in back of truck.

Yes, I can go through cords too if you don't watch where I'm are cutting.

If you are getting old, can't start a chainsaw, think outside the box.

I don't burn wood, but I've had a few trees taken down by a friend who does burn. My saw can keep up with his 16 gas. Matter of fact, he had to stop to gas up, then have his wife stand on the saw to help him start it. By the time he got his saw running, he was pooped. We both are 65.

George