Anybody burn wood, what chainsaw do you use?

[indyjohn]

I still have the factory Reman Poulan I replaced the one you bought with.It runs and cuts just fine for what we do. If I were any deeper into it a Sthil would be the go to.

To the Poulan -- If you keep the chain clean and taught, the saw does the job. Ok, it leaks bar oil but if you store it on its side there is no problems.

 

[tmschuller]

Have 4 saws all stihl 023 025 029 460 and a stihl pole saw. I have a wood boiler and I really only use the 029 and 460. As stated a good Chain and bar is vital. I just tried a narrow kerf bar and chain and like it. Going to look at some of the mods I just read above.
Who doesn't need more power? But I do like to save time when cutting.
Good luck on your saw choice.

 

[thunderchicken]

From experience, I'll say your chain needs sharpening / replaced.

New out of the package oregon chain and it still seems to be kind of weak. When you pull the trigger from idle to wide open it boggs and then takes off. When cutting it seems to actually cut better @3/4 throttle than wide open. No idea how old it is or if I'm better off fixing it or buying a new saw

 

[churchmouse]

New out of the package oregon chain and it still seems to be kind of weak. When you pull the trigger from idle to wide open it boggs and then takes off. When cutting it seems to actually cut better @3/4 throttle than wide open. No idea how old it is or if I'm better off fixing it or buying a new saw

Carb needs attention. Check your mix (gas/oil) and put a new plug in it.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Stihl. Buy once, cry once.

CSB:
I have my late father's 028HV. It is so old that the bar says "made in WEST Germany". 25 years ago he finished with it and put it in the case. No prep as he didnt expect it to be the last time. He never used it again. Fast forward 20 years. I found it in the barn, put fuel and bar oil in it, and 3 pulls later she roared to life. Crazy.

They are cutting machines. You cant go wrong.

 

[hoosierdaddy1976]

My go to modern saw brand in Husqvarna. I currently have a 359 and 371XP. Covers most al general cutting.You can't really go wrong with any of the pro model saws from Husqvarna and Stihl. Even most of the homeowner clamshell designs from these manuafacturers can be a good choice for light to medium use. Just make sure to properly mix your fuel with a quality 2-stroke oil.I am also a collector and have many older saws, primarily McCulloch and Homelite. Love running my Homelite 1050 and 750.https://youtu.be/XXCpEWqPQoA

30+ years ago, my stepdad had an old Homelite that cut tons of wood. We never did much felling, so he didn't have a very big saw, but that thing ran very well.

 

[thunderchicken]

Carb needs attention. Check your mix (gas/oil) and put a new plug in it.

Have tried a new plug and have only used the pre mixed canned fuel. Like say, I only gave $20 for it at a yard sale and it got me through a job that had to be done. There are 2 screws adjustments on the card "H" and "L" but they are finely splined and appears to require a special drive handle to adjust. May dig into it this weekend and see what happens

 

[patience0830]

I've used Stihl for years. Still run an old Farm Boss with a 24" bar. I hear that Echo still makes a good saw and the Husqvarnas were ok when Dad was using them.
I grew up running along behind my father trying to keep the wood picked up that he was cutting with an old Poulan that weighed in at every bit of 40 lbs and had a 36" bar. Dad was only 5'8" and about a buck fifty but he ran that saw about 6 hours a day for a lot of weekends in my memory banks. A tally of the cords I've stacked would scare most millennials to death. We heated an old two story farm house entirely with wood. I was glad when the children who came along after me were big enough to help.

 

[SMiller]

Stihl 362

 

[Gluemanz28]

Stihl 028 Wood Boss.

That saw survived a fire fire when my house burnt down 26 years ago. The saw was in a plastic case that I had the dealer throw in the deal. All it did was melt the case a little.

I used a McCullouch 1010 when I was 19. I cut timber for a living. Down south it's called pup wood for slang. Actually pronounced pulpwood. That saw was so heavy, I would set that beast on anything that would support it walking through the woods.

 

[easy]

Stihl 026

 

[Fargo]

Ok so I don't do a bunch of wood cutting, but am in the market for a chainsaw. I have an old 45cc poulan pro 20" (bought for $20 ata yard sale) but it seems to lack power when cutting logs. I have been looking and it seems Jonsered, poulan are both made by Husqvarna can anyone confirm this and steer me toward a reliable 20" saw that won't be lacking in power?

Johnsered and Redmax are both Husqvarnas as well as IIRC one other brand which escapes me. While Poulan is now made by Husqvarna, they are working toward the lower end of saw quality. Even a higher end 45cc saw is on the underpowered end of things with a 20 inch bar.

I currently use a red max G5300 which is a rebadged Husqvarna 353. It is a roughly 52cc higher end Husqvarna and I don't like to use it with anything more than an 18 inch bar.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

I have a small Stihl collection. Got tired of pullin' my Poulan. I LIKE Stihl, Huskies, Echoes, and Jonsoreds.

Firewood Hoarders Club

Firewood hoarders' club is a great resource, and a great bunch of people. A few other INGOers belong.

 

[bocefus78]

Another stihl fan. My go to is a 361. My 066 gets whatever the 361 can't handle. The limbs meet the little 192t. I've got a few more but those 3 are my favorites.

 

[sgreen3]

I use a an older Shindaiwa, but thinking of getting a Jonesred now that my cousin is a dealer for them...

 

[CountryBoy19]

Stihl, Dolmar/Makita, Husqy/Jonsered, they will all get you what you want, the rest is personal preference. Things that may sway your personal preference: cost, location of the nearest dealer, ergonomics, etc.

I'm a "die-hard Stihl fan", but I occasionally find more benefit/value in other products and I will buy them. The main benefit to Stihl is that they have a vast dealer network in this area, followed by Husqy, then Dolmar. If dealer is important to you then you most likely want Stihl (unless you know of a good local-to-you Husqy or Dolmar dealer). For me, a dealer isn't as important, cost/benefit ratio IS important. That's why when it came to acquiring a "big saw" I couldn't justify the high prices (even on the used market) that Stihl commanded. I picked up a Dolmar in Makita clothing (DCS 6401, 64 cc saw) used for a good price and it has served me very well!

Just about every other piece of OPE I have is Stihl though: Stihl MS170 (muffler modded & carb modded), Stihl 034 made in West Germany (dad handed this one down to me), Stihl FS130R trimmer, Stihl BG86 blower... and I would love to have the Stihl mini-tiller...

 

[Fordtough25]

Use a Husky farm boss or something like that, works great! Same size as my older poulan pro but the Husky has 5 times the power/rev. I grew up using Stihls, my dad still does. 026, 026 Super's work great.

 

[churchmouse]

Use a Husky farm boss or something like that, works great! Same size as my older poulan pro but the Husky has 5 times the power/rev. I grew up using Stihls, my dad still does. 026, 026 Super's work great.

I must be lucky or just know how to tune one. My Poulan (Factory Re-man) kicks butt even pulling a 20" bar. Revs well. Plenty of power. It has been stuck but only due to the idiot operator.
I realize if it was used hard every day it's duty cycle would in no way match a Sthil but I have zero complaints with it.

 

[edporch]

I would add that I always mix the fuel for my Stihl's using gasoline with no ethanol.
There are various stations that sell it, and here's a link to a website that lists many of them.

Ethanol-free gas stations in IN

 

[ghuns]

I too have an outdoor boiler, so I cut A LOT of wood. Husky 359 with a woods port, gutted muffler, and 18" bar is my weapon of choice.