Reccomend me a small chainsaw

[Questions]

Is that the Chinese knock off version?

Stihl opened a factory in China in 2014, they now produce their own Chinese made saw, only saying.

 

[8ob]

Just to give a better idea of the work it would do, By small limbs I would mean 3-5 inch diameter. We have 12 acres and a fair bit of hedge and number of trees to maintain so i’m inclined to definitely go petrol with this.

Spares back up is important , have a squint on FR Jones site. They offer good after sales service and can advise on budget saws https://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/product_categories/machines/chainsaws/petrol-chainsaws/

Bob

 

[Questions]

Very true, the best of saws can and do need spare parts on occasion, and its a pain when you have set the time for doing
some cutting and something gives, thats why local backup is very handy, Stihl and Husqvaran have more outlets so a better
chance of getting sorted asap, unless you have a local dealer for you other brand of choice, may be stick with the closest dealer.
The reason I mentioned Echo and Makita, they are reliable, parts for Makita are easy got online, they are the same saw as Dolmar, made in Germany, now made in China, but no complaints about quality with them, they also use oregon bars sprockets chains and such, so are easily got, I had them, and Echo, made in Japan, has a 5 year non commercial warranty, and 2 year professional warranty.

 

[grim_d]

Stihl opened a factory in China in 2014, they now produce their own Chinese made saw, only saying.

Just like everyone else really.

 

[Endeleus]

Can't fault my Stihl, but never owner another to compare.

 

[Kent]

Huskavana or sthil

 

[pedrobedro]

Husqvarna do a couple of cheap entry level saws for £125 and £149 model 120 and 130 or Stihl (h is after the I) do their small saw range but I would not go for any less than the MS181. If you want more pro level it will cost you more money initially but probably not in the long run. Stihl will not sell you a saw by post.

 

[frank horton]

had so much trouble with the newer Sthil models....never again.......
Now only buy Japanese.....starts second pull everytime even after 6 months of sitting on the shelf.....Echo.....
have 8 acres to look after at home.......
all 2 stroke machines are now Japanese.....

been told that the biggger new Sthil machines now need a lap-top to set up the electronic ign......!!!!!!!!!!
A very large garden machinery shop I know has stopped selling Sthil.....
Makita is now made in the EU...they bought out the german Company Dolmar......

 

[gaz1]

dolmar parts are easily gotten from makita I got an older one from this forum being a nice little chainsaw for me done all what ive aksed of it

I have 2 of them and one im not that bothered about I remember is a chinese one ive had it started but had trouble keeping it going but that dolmar starts every time for me after a few pulls

 

[pedrobedro]

been told that the biggger new Sthil machines now need a lap-top to set up the electronic ign......!!!!!!!!!!

Who told you that, the Echo salesman ? They do have a reset procedure for the electronic carb models, leave on tick over for 30 seconds then flat out for 30 seconds or something like that but the electronics is for the carb not ignition. Husqvarna started the electronics and it will come to all the commercial saws eventually. Echo are good saws but the spares situation is sometimes a bit hit and miss, Dolmar Makita are good solid saws as well but a bit old tech compared to the top two names. I have Husqvarna 135 and a couple of old Stihl model 036 and 044 which I bought as projects and now use. I have an old Dynamac DY41 from Machine Mart which I bought before I had much to do with saws and it is heavy but solid and still runs well since I repaired the carb. I also have a little Chinese top handle saw which is temperamental to say the least but it does the job and is light and easy to start.

 

[arther dailey]

Is that the Chinese knock off version?

no ,my spelling is not up to "normal" level

 

[Endeleus]

As a general rule, if there is a continued and heated debate about which of two competitors is the best (e.g. Stihl vs Husqvarna, Windows vs Mac, Miller vs Lincoln) it's fairly safe to say either is good.

Perhaps budget would be a better indicator, where I personally consider around the £300 mark to be where I was comfortable buying something that will still be used in 20 years (e.g. Stihl MS181)

 

[pedrobedro]

I was comfortable buying something that will still be used in 20 years (e.g. Stihl MS181)

I did a carb on a 4 year old MS181 week before last, they are a home owner saw and any quality saw will last 20 years if it is looked after and not abused. Clean it and drain fuel if you use pump fuel or it will perish the carb rubbers. This one was a pig to start and would not tick over before it was repaired and the saw looked immaculate hardly used.

 

[8ob]

The smaller Stihl MS saws are a tad fragile, I bought ten for a heathland clearance job because the lads didnt want or need to be swinging a heavy saw around all day just to cut small regen. The whole lot were scrap within the month which is quite poor, that said they were flat out all day every day. I held off buy anything modern with autotune until I was sure they had ironed out any glitches, bought a couple of 362`s last year for evaluation and they have been 100% reliable which is not is not bad for something thats hammered all day.

Bob

Cant beat the small leccy saws for leaving in a machine or truck for the occasional emergency like cutting your way out when a machine falls into ditch , no petrol pongs in the cab

 

[Rig Pig]

Stihl MS181 seems like a nice little saw, my father in law is a gardener, he won't buy anything other than Stihl kit has just bought one, he works his kit hard all year round and it doesn't come to me for repair that often so on that basis I would recommend it.

 

[mr migwire]

i use a husqvarna 435 for limbing and general lite duties, brilliant wee saw with plenty of poke for it's size.
for the bigger stuff i have a 550xp.

 

[reb78]

Mole Valley have the small Stihl MS170 for £154 at the moment. Reading around though a few people are suggesting the Husqvarna 135 is a better bet for a similar size saw (about 10cc more on the engine) but costs a little more. Any experiences of both?

 

[mr migwire]

Mole Valley have the small Stihl MS170 for £154 at the moment. Reading around though a few people are suggesting the Husqvarna 135 is a better bet for a similar size saw (about 10cc more on the engine) but costs a little more. Any experiences of both?

135 is a good saw you wont go wrong, as said in my previous post i run a 435 which was bought as a replacement when my 137 amongst other tools were stolen, i have owned an MS170 and got rid of it as i felt it was underpowered (my opinion) more of a garden hobby saw for occasional use.

 

[pedrobedro]

Don't get a 170 you will be forever swapping and sharpening chains. Don't go any less than the MS181 which uses a proper chain. The 435 as above uses a .325 chain and the 135 uses a 3/8" chain both are good saws but the 135 is a lot cheaper. I have had my 135 for a few years now and it's been good

 

[reb78]

Can anyone exain how the Husqvarna model numbers work? I cant figure out how they relate to size and particularly intended use (hobby/farm/pro)