Thread: Chainsaws

I bought an ex-council Stihl MS310 Farm Boss for a bargain price from the local (Perth) Stihl dealer about 18 months ago. I walked in just after the council had dropped off a load of their gear that was being replaced with shiny new equipment.

I got a free service, a short warranty, a new chain and the bar swapped for a 20" one (it was fitted with a tiny bar so don't think it had much work). Even though the item was 2nd hand the after-sales support from the dealer has been great. It subsequently had a tune up for free because it became a bit difficult to start when hot (too rich apparantly). Since then it's been faultless.

To say I'm pleased with it is an understatment, it's been used a lot as all our heating comes from the log-burner, and after a big bushfire (in 2004 before we bought the place) I've had lot's of large dead trees to clear on our property.

So it's always worth checking what the dealers have in stock 2nd hand.

go a stihl, my old man has a Stihl O8S still runs like a charm and its over 20yrs old and you can still get new parts for them.

My ex girlfriends dad has three stihl saws and they are all brilliant.

We have a Husky saw at school, when you can finally start the thing its ok, much prefer dads much older still though.

I vote Stihl
I have had a small Mini Boss with 14" bar for many years - very handy to have in the car -goes everywhere in the bush with me.. If you have room in your car get the Farm Boss.

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?

Contact Syd King at QLD Rollers and Liners in Brisbane (Rocklea). He can make you a new one if you still have the old part. He has made heaps of diaphrams for other applications (e.g. 3.5 carbies, etc).

German manufactured "Stihl" chainsaws are very good but realise that all "Stihls" are not made in Germany. A lot are made in Mexico or Brasil and are stamped made in the USA.
One saw I would seriously look at is the "Echo". These are one of the best hardwood saws on the market. They tend to have a lot more low down power when compared to a lot of the European saws. I believe they also have a 5 year warranty as well.
One thing you should always use and that is a "Stihl" Chain. They are definetly the best chain on the market.

Hi D3Jon
Buying a secondhand shire saw is like buying a Landy off a tojo owner!!!!!
They cop an absoloute hiding,wrong fuel mix,nobody knows how to sharpen maintain or use.
When we get a storm come thru I take my own saw and fuel,at least I know its sharp an safe.Legitimate tax deduction for chainsaw expenses!!!!! I refuse to use the shire saws,even the new one is fairly abused!!!!
Andrew

Stilh are brilliant saws but what I have found over the years is German,UK and USA built gear has at least got some back up. So when buying anything check you can still get parts. I have a Poulan built in USA 20 years ago and can still pick up parts new on ebay.

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Hi D3Jon
Buying a secondhand shire saw is like buying a Landy off a tojo owner!!!!!
They cop an absoloute hiding,wrong fuel mix,nobody knows how to sharpen maintain or use.
When we get a storm come thru I take my own saw and fuel,at least I know its sharp an safe.Legitimate tax deduction for chainsaw expenses!!!!! I refuse to use the shire saws,even the new one is fairly abused!!!!
Andrew

Oh heck... I must have got lucky with this one then It's been a good 'un so far.

When I bought it I figured that the users would all have been on the proper training course working for the council and all that!

Thanks for the advice, I'll watch out in future

Jon