Stihl Chainsaws

[buster57]

I have both a 'home owner' 180C and a professional MS460.
I consider them both professional saws and use them both professionally. The 180C for liming and every day use. In fact, I use it about 50:1 over the MS460. I absolutely love that saw. It is powerful, tough, and a heck of a lot lighter and easier to use then the 'Halloween Special'. Of course some times I simply must have unlimited power to take stuff out. The MS460 is the most powerful saw I think anyone needs today.
Stihl saws are usually a PIA to start. Other then that, they are the best machines you can buy.
If you do not know how to cut down a tree, go to the OSHA web site. They have terrific information on the proper way to do it. If it is just a small tree, 10" or so, then go to U-tube. People get hurt when they are in a hurry, tired, do not use common sense, and what I have seen most, cut in unsafe ground. Clear everything out of the way before you pull that guy out of the truck. The beer is for after the job is over
I store my saws with premium mix gas in them. I fire them up at least evey other month.

 

[jimbo64]

You can't go wrong with a Stihl Saw, if you are going to be using it regularly it is well worth the price... But if this is about the only use you will have for it, Just about any chain saw will do a single job... :smile:KennyV

if this is the only job you have for it, you can rent the saw, but better yet pay a few bucks to have someone who knows how, come in and cut your trees-offer free firewood if they dispose of them- chainsaws are dangerous as are falling trees that weigh thousands of pounds--your call but i know what i would do.

 

[Kong]

I've had a bunch of Stihl chain saws over the years, if I were looking for a medium sized saw for general use I'd pick up an MS260 (the old 026) and know I had the most versitile saw that Stihl makes. It can use large chain (3/8") which stay sharp longer and cut faster than the small chain, a real pleasure to use with a 16" guidebar. As for the 029 (New designation MS290) I think it was the very worst Stihl saw I ever owned. It was overweight and very much wanting for power. If you find yourself looking at a large job then I would recommend the MS362 (previously t he MS361). My son uses ours a good bit of the time, he calls it the "light saber" from his childhood Starwars days. With an 18" or 20" bar (once again, 3/8" chain) it will fly through Oak and Hickory and it even cuts through Locust with reasonable effort.

I should add this too. Before you consider a saw by another manufacturer you should forget about other manufacturers. Stihl rules!

 

[reynoldston]

I have a Stihl and a Husqvarna and they are both problem free saws. The only thing is that the husky cuts faster and has more power. The Stihl is a homeowner model and the husky is a commercial model so that could be the reason.

 

[bt3]

Bumping this thread.

Both Stihl and Husqvarna are good saws. Stihl has a reputation for having slightly more torque throughout the power band, and Husky has higher revs. The advantage of Stihl torque is that you can power through even the toughest cut of wood. Husky high revs allows the user to cut quickly as the tree is falling for that final cut and get clear. Some operators prefer Stihl because they are only dealer network based, whereas Husky can be had from other retail sources. Professional tree services are split on Husky VS Stihl. I happen to prefer Stihl, but either saw is a good choice.

Regarding how to fell a tree. Yes, "hinging" it by cutting a notch in the intended direction of the fall is good, but not a guarantee the tree will fall where intended. Many tree services gaff the tree, top it, and then rope it to pull on it in the direction of the intended fall line. The danger is most apparent when your partially fallen tree hangs up in another tree and does not completely fall. This is called a "WIDOW MAKER". You have to be skilled and very careful to fall a Widow Maker correctly. I've done it a few times with success, and one time with a trip to the hospital for stitches as a falling branch (large one) caught my temple and opened up a gash even though I was wearing a hard hat. The Hard Hat most likely saved me from a severe concussion, or worse. There are videos of how to correctly fell trees and how to correctly fell a "Widow Maker" on Youtube. My best advice, do not work alone, wear safety equipment including a Hard Hat, and NEVER underestimate a falling tree, especially a Widow Maker. You are dealing with hundreds if not thousands of pounds of timber and nothing is for certain until that tree is cut and stacked into firewood.