Chainsaws

I bought a 2nd hand Husky 357XP a few months ago. So far have been 100% happy. The 357XP is a professional series saw and apparently has the best power-weight ratio of any production chainsaw. I owned a very old Homelite (John Deere) chainsaw for quite a while and it was a great saw - and had a lot of use. It was very solid (all alloy - no plastic), but was made before safety stuff like chain brakes were invented - so I wouldn't reccommend it for you. New homelite saws are pretty average quality I have heard.

My uncle is a farmer and has 2 Stihls (044 and 088 I think). He is happy with them, and they get a lot of use (he buys chain by the roll for each one). He also has a small chainsaw for cutting up cows when he slaughters them (the chain oiler is filled with veggie oil :D ).

I have had a Husky for 20 years never missed a beat bar consumables, chains and bars.

Heaps of local dealers and 55cc Farm Boss size about the best for general purpose.

Chears
Piddler

LOVE MY DOLMAR!!!!
LOVED MY ECHO TWIN CYLINDER EVEN MORE!!!!! A TREE KILLED IT.If anybody has the body off a CST610EVL I want it!!!!,My motor is fine.
Richard if I was to buy a saw today it would be a Husky,mates have them,very good.They have more grunt for the same CCs of Sthil,and have HEAPS better vibration control.The "standard" Sthil saws are rubbish,you need to buy the dearer proffesional models to get the good ones.
With Dolmar/Echo also make sure you are getting the professional saws,not the cheaper general saws.
Andrew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichardK

I'm in the market for a chainsaw.

I know here are some chainsaw connisuers ( I spelt that wrong, Ron eart your heart out you're not here!), I want a good reliable one as we tend to get into some remote areas and my skills with an axe are non-existant.
So far I am contemplating the following:
Husky
Dolmar
Echo
Stihl
Anyone got suggestions from personal experience?

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Your first pick is the ducks nuts mate, not heard of a bad one.

I have a Poulan 85cc bought it from a friend about 13yrs ago he had it for 10yrs from new it never misses a beat but a bit big for the outback trip 85cc and has a 24'bar. I am thinking of selling it don't use it anymore becomming soft reverse cycle.

Thanks for all the input.........I might add that my comment regarding the axe was relating to my ability to never hit the same spot twice!! I have certainly used one many times. I have also used a chainsaw though not frequently.
I will go for a 16" bar as that will be as much as I need for camp firewood.

Richard
Look thru cash converter shops and the Quokka.
I paid $400 for my Dolmar ex the quokka,the guy didnt know jack**** about saws,had 2 bars and 4 chains all stuffed,both bars still had the paint on them.
Its a $1400 saw,new bar/chain fixed it.I couldnt get any of his gear to cut,and I know my way around a saw!!!!
Get a good bigger saw S/H then put a new 16" bar on,you will be very impressed!!!!
Andrew

my ancient Mccullock died.....

looks like im now in the market...

Stopped by a bloody failed diaphragm thingy in the carby that no-one makes or supplies any more....

The weight and balance were just where I liked em and she was just cantankerous enough to use and vibrated just enough that With my welders gloves on I was happy but no-one ever wanted to borrow it..

anyone got a promac160 they dont want with a good carby on it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

my ancient Mccullock died.....

looks like im now in the market...

Stopped by a bloody failed diaphragm thingy in the carby that no-one makes or supplies any more....

The weight and balance were just where I liked em and she was just cantankerous enough to use and vibrated just enough that With my welders gloves on I was happy but no-one ever wanted to borrow it..

anyone got a promac160 they dont want with a good carby on it?

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Do you mean a promac 610?
One just sold on ebay for $150.00
I stand corrected, there was a 160 model.
Try this guy

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ozflea/saws.html

I have a Husky which has been very reliable and taken a lot of punishment. At SES we use Stihls which would be my second choice, although as said above for the handyman models the Huskys are better.

Buy a proper helmet with built in face guard and ear muffs and yes, if you haven't used one before it would be well worth doing a course!